This is a long, long overdue review so what I'm about to write may no longer apply…read more.. Anyway, way back in the day I was REALLY into salsa. This would have been in the timeframe of 2007-2010 perhaps... I had already taken classes at lots of other dance schools in Manhattan. I would say I was at a high intermediate level. I took my dancing very seriously, and I was more inclined to like the 'dancer's dancer' type studios....where it was all about carrying oneself like a professionally trained dancer. Eventually, of course, Santo Rico came onto my radar and I decided one day to brave it, and go for a group lesson there, all on my own. Now I'd already heard this would be a 'tough school', but....I was so not prepared for what I encountered. Perhaps I should first say that I already knew that the NYC ON-2 scene could be extremely competitive. I'd attended classes and socials at all the usual places...Carlos... Jimmy...Joe...Frankie....YSBD, etc., and had a few privates with Magna, Griselle, etc. When I first walked into Santo Rico, I naturally saw a bunch of other dancers in the studio who'd either just finished a class or were there for the next class. You could have cut the tension with a knife. (Or was I simply projecting, based upon what I'd already heard about this place??) Anyway, when it was time, I joined my group lesson. I recall the group was on the smaller side...there were maybe just six or so women and a more or less equal number of men. The teacher was a young latin male....perhaps in his late 20s at the time? As they say, a female salsa dancer is only as good as her lead. ;-) The man is supposed to give clear cues, and the woman is supposed to know how to interpret them. Up until this point, I normally had never had problems in group classes. But with this instructor, when it came time for us to rotate partners, and HE became my partner, it seemed that during our routine practice, I didn't 'interpret' a cue that he'd given me, 'correctly'. Most would say that HE was in the wrong...that he must not be a very good lead. But he, being the very small-minded man that he apparently was, actually 'yelled' at me, saying something like 'why did you do that....I didn't want you to turn!' (or something like that). I was so embarrassed and shocked that...I probably just blurted out something like '...I thought that's what you wanted me to do...'. In retrospect, his behavior was brutish, inappropriate and uncalled for. I, being so immersed in the NYC salsa scene at that time, however, allowed myself to feel embarrassed... as if maybe I DID do something wrong. But in fact, that's why we supposedly attend such schools...to LEARN. And I mean, it WAS my first time there, as this instructor full well knew. I understand that Santo Rico is all about creating the best of the best salsa dancers...that it's all about precision...and that their female dancers can spin on a dime. (It was their 'gangster' video from around 2008 or so, that inspired me to want to train there.) But, you can still try to create an atmosphere of excellence without having to be mean and embarrassing students. My experience there was such that I had no desire to return.

Love this place . My cousinbrought me here in the early 2000s. Great place to learn . My cousin…read moreused to dance for them and went on to perform with tito nieves and Mark Anthony . You won't be disappointed . Sign up . The classes are fun , and the teachers are on point .

If you've ever wanted to learn how to dance Salsa then this is a good place to take those first…read moresteps. They have excellent instructors there and have figured out to a tee how to teach Salsa easily and quickly. You can come in here on a Saturday without any dance instruction or background and in two hours actually have a handful of steps and partner turns. The address I've listed above is for their Saturday classes which they utilize space from Dance Manhattan studios. Check out the razzmtazz website for more details... P.S. In a recent report of people into their later ages were asked what they most regretted in their lives and number one was that they never learned to dance and thought that would have been something that they would have enjoyed.

Jeff is one of the best instructors I've ever trained with. He is super detailed and very patient.read more

Repost from Google Reviews…read more If you're looking for an inclusive or family friendly place to learn, I highly advise against this school (both locations). They are elitist, disrespectful, unprofessional and do not follow the principles that I believe Martial Arts represents. When I attended this gym, I was fairly new to the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu/Martial Arts community and unfortunately I was not welcomed here. I was met with hostility by the owner, Mila, throughout every interaction, who doesn't carry herself as if she's running a professional business. The first time I met her, she tried to pop my cauliflower ear with her bare hands, and when I expressed that I preferred she didn't because my fiancé and I make decisions about our health together, she questioned who he was and tried to grab my ear again stating, "but I'm a doctor. Is he a doctor?" Several of their instructors exhibited unprofessional behavior on multiple occasions as well. I felt uncomfortable with their main instructor, Jeff Kim, specifically due to the numerous times he mentioned bringing in "hot girls" to attract more customers to their business. Moreover, Jeff and another teacher, Kyle, both continuously questioned my preference to only train with women (with the exception of my fiancé) and crossed my boundaries by touching me after I explicitly asked not to be touched. I do realize that BJJ is a contact sport, however I believe in the power of choosing your training partners. It's the simple concept of consent that, for some reason, the adults running this facility do not understand or respect. Outside of my individual experience here, my fiancé who has been training for several years was met with the same negative, toxic behavior. When he mentioned the racial undertones he was experiencing, the owner, instructors and several students verbally attacked us. We are extremely disappointed that they didn't do the right thing.

The founder of this team has shown extremely deceitful behavior, attempting to manipulate…read moreorganizers with false claims in order to secure unfair victories. Instead of accepting defeat respectfully, he tries to exploit loopholes and fabricate rules that don't exist within the league. He previously obtained a forfeit win against another team using similar tactics, and after losing 7-0 to us, he again attempted to lie about our roster numbers to force another forfeit. Given how blatantly he is willing to lie and cheat to gain an advantage, I would seriously second-guess sending my child to a program led by someone who displays this kind of behavior. It reflects very poorly on the integrity of the team and the spirit of the game.

Gotta give five stars to 5 Star Soccer Academy!! Second year…read moreback with many more to come!!

After trying out Sifu Bender's 2 weeks for $20 deal, I decided to enroll for his classes. The…read moreschool itself is bright and has a large open floor. Being open for over three decades, I was confident that this was not a fly by night place, and was something I could look forward to participating in for a long time. The classes have been 12-15 students at a time, with sufficient instructors (as well as Sifu Al himself) to focus on practicioners of varying levels for a more personal level of training.

I've trained in several martial arts and under several instructors, but with Sifu Al Bender I have…read morestayed around the longest and have learned and achieved the most. The top reasons to choose Al Bender's Academy for instruction in traditional martial arts would be, mainly: (1) authentic and effective instruction in any or all of four styles of Chinese martial arts, Northern Shaolin, Taiji (Yang Family Style), Xingyi, and Bagua, with emphasis on the first two; (2) instruction is conducted in English language, so you won't need to be fluent in Mandarin Chinese to learn; (3) his personable, humorous style (watch out for some killer puns, haha!) helps keep a low student turnaround, a camaraderie with and among his students, and a high number of his students who have been inspired to work long and hard enough to earn black-sash promotions; (4) his teaching strategy offers a balance of both form and proper technique and application for practical self defense. Disclaimer: I've trained under Sifu Al for 13 years, during which I attained 2nd degree black sash. My experience as his student inspired me to write the following lyrical adaptation of Paul Simon's You Can Call Me Al: You're walking down the street You're feeling soft in the middle now Why are you soft in the middle Keeping fitness in your life is so hard You need a Shaolin opportunity You want a shot at full split Don't want to end up on a carton In the trunk of a stolen car Phone Sifu, phone Sifu! (Hmm! Hmm!) Scared in the moonlight Far away (Hmm! Hmm!) waits your well-lit door Mr. Beerbelly Beerbelly (Hmm! Hmm!) You want these thugs to leave you be You know (Hmm! Hmm!) you can't do without self-protection anymore You won't need no bodyguard For self defense, I'll show you how I will get you ready Just come on in or call me Call me Sifu Al You're walking down the street You wonder why am I short of endurance Got a short little span of endurance And why do my walks feel so long Where's my life's meaning What if I die here? You need a game plan So far your game plan is None, none (Hmm! Hmm!) It's dark there down the alley. You want (Hmm! Hmm!) strategy, better balance, sir. All alone, alone, (Hmm! Hmm!) There'll be incidents and violence, There'll be (Hmm! Hmm!) hits and allegations.... You won't need no bodyguard For self defense, I'll show you how I will get you ready Just come on in or call me Call me Sifu Al! Call me Sifu Al. (Instrumental) You're walking through the door You've entered a new world Maybe it's an odd world Maybe it's your first time around You're learning the language You're learning the currency You're in a foreign land Yet surrounded by support (Hmm!) Support (Hmm!) Fellows in a training place Starting (hmm! Hmm!) with twenty methods You look around, around (hmm! hmm!) You see yin-and-yangs in the décor Spinning in infinity (hmm! hmm!) You say Amen! And Hallelujah! You won't need no bodyguard For self defense, I'll show you how I will get you ready Just come on in or call me Call me Sifu Al! Call me .... Na na na! Na na na! Na na na! Na na na! Na na na! Na na-na-na na! Na na na! Na na na! (Hmm! Hmm!) (Hmm! Hmm!) (You won't need no bodyguard) (oooh-woooh-woooh-woooh!) (I will get you ready) (oooh-woooh-woooh-woooh!) (You won't need no bodyguard) (oooh-woooh-woooh-woooh!) (I will get you ready) (oooh-woooh-woooh-woooh!)

For our three-year-old daughter Ari, taking swim lessons at the British Swim School at The…read moreContinental has been a delight and a transformation. Ari had had a few pool experiences with my wife and I before starting lessons. But mostly, pools came with a lot of fear and led to a lot of crying. After starting classes at British Swim School, within just a few classes, that fear and all those tears turned into giggling excitement and happy anticipation. It's been a wonderful transformation to watch. Undoubtedly, the credit for Ari's new love of swimming goes to the caring, knowledgeable instructors at the School. Their instruction relieved any safety fears I had, and their in-pool enthusiasm -- a mix of singing and hands-on guidance -- was soon absorbed by our daughter. Recently our little future Olympian was promoted from Tadpole (i.e. dads in the water) to Starfish (essentially, one-on-one with a School instructor), and Ari's excitement for swim class has been rapidly increasing ever since. I want to thank Valbona, the manager of the Continental branch of the British Swim School, for gathering such a great group of instructors and for the personal care she's shown to Ari and all of the other students. If you're thinking of swim lessons for your child, this is definitely the place to go.

Classes are well organized and kids make real progress.Very friendly staff and good teaching…read moremethods. Highly recommend!Amazing experience!

They are on ClassPass and booked a class through the app. Received an automatic message stating to…read moreemail to find out the location of the class. After several emails, they said I would get an email with the exact location on the morning of the class. Instead I got an email saying class was cancelled. I feel like if they are offering classes on ClassPass they should honor them.

I would highly recommend this dance studio! We planned a surprise private salsa lesson for a…read morefriends birthday. Jose was very helpful with providing information and offered to provide a cake of our choice to celebrate! The view of time square within our studio room was perfect! Our instructor Manny was so friendly and talented not to mention patient with our lack of experience lol!!

Long story short, Mestra Edna Lima's capoeira classes are the most challenging physical activities…read moreI've ever done in my life! Capoeira is not just about a workout actually - it's about learning and understanding the history, culture and art of the Afro-Brazilians. We learn how to play the instruments and sing in Portuguese as well. As Mestra always points out the similarities of Capoeira to the game of chess, Capoeira is also a mental workout. Mestra Edna creates a safe and respectful community for us to experience Capoeira fully in NYC. She welcomes you with a warm smile and a hug when you arrive but once class starts, she's no joke. She will push you so you can reach your highest potential. She's the world's first female Capoeira master AND she's a karate black belt. Not only does she teach me the basics and movements of Capoeira, she also teaches me philosophy of life. I sometimes have doubts in myself, and think "no, I can't do that!" But I've learned to listen to Mestra Edna and trust her methods and experience. I've also learned to believe in myself, and slowly, I've started seeing progresses. Although it's still super challenging, it feels nice to see myself grow as a Capoeirista and as a person through Capoeira training. I feel blessed to have Mestra Edna as my teacher here in the city. Capoeira can be intimidating. I was very nervous to come to class when I first started. But I soon found out everybody (experienced students) is very friendly and willing to help me when I feel stuck. I appreciate everybody's kindness and the warm environment.

I recently joined ABADA Capoeira. I haven't been involved very long, but I can tell that Mestranda…read moreEdna Lima is highly skilled and an excellent teacher. She's firm, but not abusive - qualities that sometimes get blurred in teachers. She has a positive energy and a good sense of humor, both which radiate from her. It is important not to discredit Mestranda Edna Lima as a female. She is the mama bear of Capoeira. To a man, I imagine it must be humbling. As a woman, she lights a path. This dynamic, which is unusual in most contact sports, commands a presence that I personally believe takes training to another level. As someone that has been involved in other contact sports, I have repeatedly seen the male trainer / female student relationship go awry. Usually they just want your money and care little about your progress. Or they care about your progress, but want something else and then that becomes really weird or really complicated. With Mestranda you know you have authenticity, sincerity, and love of the art form for both men and women, as well as, the kids in the class. With such great leadership, comes great community. I've been enjoying meeting all the people involved in this group (as well as the sport itself, of course). And I'm looking forward to where this will take me.