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INUVIK - To the untrained eye, Denis Hache and Sheena Adamson look like a pair of natural dancers.

In perfect tune with the vibrant Latin rhythms, Hache guides Adamson through an overhead twirl and then she lands nimbly in her partner's arms, back to front. Face to face. The two were among about eight other couples learning some salsa steps Saturday afternoon at the Aurora College foyer. For the second time in less than a year Yellowknife salsa dance teacher Raza Moghal hosted a weekend dance workshop sponsored by the college.

Dance instructor Raza Moghal offers a helping hand to student Amanda Joynt. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

Spread over six hours of class time during Friday and Saturday, Moghal guided participants along the basic steps of salsa, merengue and bachata, focusing on timing, posture, leading and following.

While visiting Inuvik last August, enrolled in a nine-day course, Moghal decided to put on a dancing clinic. Hache and Adamson didn't think twice about signing up for that one, or this one.

"He's a really great instructor," said Adamson. "We don't get a lot of Central American rhythm happening in Inuvik. It's really nice coming with a partner. It's a great workout and a lot of fun."

Adamson and Hache agree their favourite style of dance is merengue because of its simplicity, allowing freedom to incorporate several movements.

"Everybody should try it at least once," said Hache. "It will be great if he comes back for another session to maybe get a little salsa tradition going in Inuvik."

Moghal, a city planner in Yellowknife, has been dancing for the last 10 years. He moves easily along the dance floor, comfortably dancing with any women in sight. He said one of his missions is to encourage more men to dance salsa.

"It's a lost art form," he said. "Romance is dead as far as I'm concerned. But Latin music is affectionate. It's fun and it connects you with your spirit and I'm happy to share it with people."

Not shy about revealing his sensuous side, he said the dances he teaches are intimate and therefore require a lot of contact, which he emphasized everyone needs.

"A lot of women appreciate a good dancer," he said. "Most women want to be sensual; they want to be held."

Moghal remains nostalgic of the days when dancing was fully embraced and alcohol wasn't seen for many as a necessity.

He said he will continue to share his skills with anyone interested, and is considering hosting more dance lessons in Inuvik.

"I've got a lot out of dancing so I want to share that," said Moghal.

"There's a sense of community here. We have a lot to be thankful for, whether it's our great health care system, air quality. If you come to a community, you have some responsibility to give something back. This is something I'm giving back."