Do you dream of crafting killer thighs while dominating the dancefloor Queen Bey-stylee? Then check out Seen On Screen Fitness, a London- and Manchester-based dance school where professionals who’ve worked with the stars teach pop and R&B-inspired routines. Unbound gets the lowdown from founder Bonnie Parsons.
What prompted you to set up Seen On Screen Fitness?
“I grew up dreaming of dancing like the people on TV. So when I became a backing dancer on The X Factor, I realised that a lot of viewers would be sitting at home doing the same. I hired an incredible team of tutors – who’ve worked with everyone from Katy Perry to Kylie Minogue – and Seen On Screen was born.”
What kind of workout will people get from your classes?
Our Beyoncé Drunk In Love
routine burns 600-800 calories
“A tough one. Our Beyoncé Drunk In Love routine, for example, burns between 600 and 800 calories, and it’s not even our most gruelling offering. Our Sweat & Stretch class is a sweat-tastic full-body workout that’ll leave you begging for mercy.”
Sounds good. What are your top tips to help people feel sassy rather than silly when they’re dancing?
“The two main keys are as follows: First, you need to understand that while being a confident dancer isn’t about arrogance, you do need to believe in yourself and the dance in order to look convincing. Second, you need to find your dancing ‘blueprint’.”
What’s a ‘dancing blueprint’?
“It’s three or four moves that you love and feel comfortable doing. Different people naturally find different motions easier to pull off. After coming to a few classes, you’ll start to realise what your go-to ‘I look good’ moves are.”
What should pupils wear to your classes?
“Wear something you feel hot in! You’re going to spend at least 45 minutes staring at yourself in wall-to-wall mirrors, so it’s important that your outfit makes you feel good. Some Seen On Screen workshops give pupils who truly want to strut the option to wear high heels.”
Any other tips?
Realising your privates are on parade can be a big buzz-kill
“I always bend over in the changing rooms when trying on leggings to ensure they don’t go see-through when they’re stretched, as realising your privates are accidentally on parade mid-routine can be a big buzz kill. I swear by Lululemon’s workout gear, and H&M’s new range is fab too.”
Twerking was the big dance of last year. How are we going to be wiggling and jiggling in 2015?
“Lots of people are talking about The Nae Nae, which is a move Fifth Harmony do in the video for Bo$$. It involves putting one hand in the air and twisting it back and forth while simultaneously shaking your hips. That said, it’s not as iconic as twerking, which is still going to be huge this year.”
Teach us how to twerk without looking like a twerp…
“The biggest mistake people make is pumping their butts randomly in the air rather than twerking on the beat. Also, the emphasis should be on the downward movement of your bum. Try clicking your fingers in time to a song, and making your bum ‘drop’ down every time you click.
“Aside from this, remember that your legs should be further than hip-width apart, and you need to bend your knees. Twerking with straight-up legs will straight-up fail!”