Dancing Queen Lisa

If you don't know your Paso Doble from your Rumba then this is the dance guide for you. No fancy stuff just a clear and simple guide to the best things dance in London.

We have Lisa's list of dance essentials to keep you in shape and inspire you to get involved in a dance class or two. Don't be shy, come join London dancing and impress all your mates...

If your going to start a dance class there are loads in the city, it's just a matter of finding the right one for you. If the idea of a dance class sends you into cold sweats at the thought of strutting your stuff in front of a room full of strangers, a good way to start is by going along to a more relaxed social event. Salsa , a bar and restaurant on Charring Cross road holds regular dance nights. Don't worry if you haven't got a partner, there are lots of adventurous business suited boys and toe tapping ladies to take your hand and spin you across the dance floor. The lessons start with the teachers teaching some basic steps and then you can try them out yourself. At the end of the class there is some free dance time where you can show off to the people who have just walked in what you have learnt.

If you feel like you want a structured class, DanceWorks have some really good ones. Varying from Ballroom to Bangra, there will be a class for everyone. Their studios are just off Oxford Street so it's easy to find and really continent for me when I have just left work in the morning. If you are interested in taking classes here you do have to be quite serious as there is a one off joining fee but I think its well worth it.

I spend a lot of my time in Pineapple Dance Studios in Covent Garden when I'm training. It's a great space to work in and they hold over 200 classes a week. This is one of the top dance studios and definitely one of my favourites.