Symbolic Dance & Fitness

Symbolic Dance & Fitness teaches classes and workshops in Salsa, Bachata, Zumba, SambaFunk, NY Hustle, Zouk, Samba de Gafieira, Capoeira, Theater Arts, Sharqui Bellydance, Hoop Dance, and their own POWER 9 Strength & Conditioning System. They welcome students of all levels and all ages, from beginner through professional.

Owners Ava Apple and Rodolfo Guzman lead the studio. Ava, a San Francisco native, has been dancing professionally since her teens and has performed and taught throughout the USA, Hong Kong, Italy, and The Netherlands. She received honours for her contribution to the world of Salsa & Latin Dance at the 2002 West Coast Salsa Congress. Rodolfo, a native of Mexico City, grew up listening to classic Mambo music and started taking classes from Ava in 2002, joining The Latin Symbolics in 2004 and becoming Ava's dance partner in 2005.

The studio offers a range of regular classes. Salsa "On 1" with Ava Apple & Rodolfo Guzman runs Wednesdays with Level I at 7:30–8:30pm and Level II at 8:30–9:30pm (drop-in $14, 5 classes for $65, 10 for $99). A Ladies Only Salsa/Mambo/Cha Cha Cha 10-week performance team with Ava Apple & Audrianna Jimenez meets Thursdays 7–8:30pm, with optional company class on Mondays at no additional cost. Pole Dance Fitness with Melanie Hsia runs Tuesdays at 7pm and Sundays at 12 noon for all levels. POWER 9 Strength & Conditioning System with Rodolfo meets Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:30pm and Saturdays at 11am, with drop-ins welcome. BollyX with Delilah & Mrittika, a Bollywood-inspired cardio dance fitness class, runs Mondays at 6pm and Wednesdays. Bollywood classes run Saturdays 11am–12pm, with Bhangra taught by Shainal of Bhangra Empire on Saturdays 12–1pm ($120 for 8-week session, $25 for 1 class). Capoeira with Omulu Capoeira Guanabara runs Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:30–8pm. Monthly stretching workshops for Salsa & Bachata dancers are taught by Phoenix Paz. Quinceanera choreography and coaching is available with Emmanuel "Manny" Villareal, who has been choreographing quinces across the Bay Area since 2009.

The studio is located at 672 South Van Ness Avenue at 18th Street in San Francisco's Mission neighbourhood. It is easily accessible by MUNI lines 14, 22, 49, and 33, and is 2 blocks from 16th Street BART. Street parking is available (some metered); pay parking is available in a lot at 17th & Shotwell. Two studios are available to rent for classes, rehearsals, or workshops at competitive rates. Contact Ava for rental information.

First-time visitors should check the current schedule or contact the studio before attending. Ask whether the class requires advance registration, whether a partner is needed, and what shoes or clothing are recommended.

Ava Apple and Rodolfo Guzman own and teach at the studio. Additional instructors include Phoenix Paz (stretching workshops, member of The Latin Symbolics and SF Touch Salsa teams), Melanie Hsia (Pole Dance Fitness, trained in jazz, ballet, and hip hop; member of The Latin Symbolics), Delilah Bisase (AFAA-certified fitness instructor, BollyX), Shainal of Bhangra Empire (Bhangra classes), Emmanuel "Manny" Villareal (Quinceanera choreography), and Omulu Capoeira Guanabara (Capoeira).

All levels and ages are welcome, from beginner through professional.