The idea is to have fun and fitness at the same time. It is an awe-inspiring, joy-inducing, and full-throttled dance experience.
Salsation is a fun and addictive, functional dance workout. The dance enthusiasts and students learn the art of moving to world rhythms while getting fit.  Salsation is so much more than just a dance class — it’s the result of years of research and development.
Rumz Dominic is the Salsation master-trainer in Qatar. A young martial black belt and a music lover, she got attracted to the dance for fitness, for fun. An interior designer by profession, Rumz learnt different dance styles and became the first Salsation master-trainer in the whole Middle East region. She is a passionate dancer and eager trainer who loves bringing smiles to the faces of people.
Community recently spoke to the young and athletic woman about how she got into dance and then dance teaching. She spoke about her passion for fitness and making it fun for others.
Rumz, who works for a sports channel as an interior designer, first came to Qatar for higher studies. “I have two younger brothers. I was brought up in the UAE where I got my school education. I moved to Qatar in 2012 to study interior design at Virginia Commonwealth University. I got admission in the US but preferred Qatar over it since it was a neighbouring country.
“Since childhood, I loved dance, music and discovering new things. I learnt different dances and got into teaching dances like hip-hop and Latin American dances. I am a martial art black belt also but I started getting more positive energy from dance and people got engaged with me more for dance than martial art.”
Since she moved to Qatar, Rumz has been enjoying dancing and teaching dance after she found a dance community. “I started developing my own techniques and choreography. I was constantly looking for something new in dance. One day, I came across something called Salsation on the Internet. I found it very new and interesting. I wanted to bring the programme to Qatar. I contacted Alejandro Angulo, founder of Salsation, who lives and runs his programme in China. I went to Germany in October 2016 when I met the founder and completed my master-trainer course. The founder was very helpful. He offered me to be the trainer for them in Qatar.
“Master-trainers are the backbone of the Salsation fitness programmes we offer. Handpicked by Alejandro Angulo himself, you will find that all our master-trainers are unique and different with various backgrounds.”
For Rumz, Salsation is a kind of fun workout. She runs the classes at Inter-Continental Doha – The Bay Club. “There are special techniques that focus on your body. The moves do not hurt you. Each 60-minute class is carefully crafted to improve overall strength and flexibility, increase the body’s range of motion and take your dance skills to the next level.
“Salsation places a special emphasis on musicality, lyrical expression and functional training. We like to call this Meraki — a Greek word meaning that special touch of passion you put into something when you really love to do it. Salsation comes from two words — salsa (spicy sauce) and sensation. We use salsa to say the dance mixes everything from Latin rhythms, African Dance Hall, fitness, functional training, and music.”
The master-trainer is the highest level in Salsation training. They can train the trainers. “Master-trainers are actually the brand ambassadors. I am overall in-charge for the programme here.”
Rumz has very good mix of different people in her class. “I have Asians, Arabs, Europeans, Africans, and Latin Americans. I am happy to see many Qataris as well. My students come from different professions and backgrounds — mostly housewives and teachers.”
The master-trainer says that the people keep coming back to her because the experience gives them energy. “They want to de-stress. They want to just release the stress or negativity. They do it by working out with music and dance. They actually enjoy it — something that we cannot get if we go to routine gyms. The experience gives them entertainment and energy at the same time.
“It is not just about fitness. It is about being the part of a community. We have our classes every Saturday. It is an experience that people enjoy as a community. It gives real feelings of the music. We play mix kinds of music for the participants.”
Rumz enjoys teaching dance to others and to bring positive changes for them. “It means that I am able to change somebody’s stead. For me, it is a reward if I put a smile on someone’s face. If you can change or improve someone’s energy then why not? This is the easiest way to do it — through dance.
“We just go there and dance. We have created a friends’ circle. I do not go to the class only to dance or teach dance. I go to the class to see my friends. That is the time we all catch up with each other. It is friendship. It is very fulfilling for me. I think lots of people love that (fitness with fun). They come to me because they are looking for something (positive). When I see them smiling and enjoying, it is very satisfying for me.”
Rumz has much bigger plans when it comes to Salsation. “I wish to teach the dance and fitness fun in many other places in Qatar. There are not many dance and fitness centres here. I know there are zumba dance classes and activities. It is everywhere. For me, it is everywhere. For me , it is not exclusive anymore. Especially, in Gulf region people go for exclusive things and activities.
“Salsation is different in many ways. It has different methodology, techniques, song choices, and training. The training for zumba dance and for Salsation is totally different. I have been a zumba instructor myself too. But, I left zumba to experience something different.” 
Related Story