Latin dance lessons with Yana

Me and my fiancé took dance classes with Yana to make a choreography for our first dance at our wedding. Considering we are both beginners, I am amazed at what an epic choreography Yana was able to teach us! She is very experienced and knows exactly what she's doing. The classes were super fun and have inspired us to continue to dance in the future. The steps she taught us in the choreography have been easy to apply in social dancing situations. I would recommend Yana 100%!

Yana is a great teacher for me because she has been very patient in teaching me techniques even when it takes me a while to grasp the concepts. she has no problem reviewing moves even when I get frustrated with myself.

She is also very encouraging which helps boost my confidence that I can actually become a great dancer!

For years I’ve been wanting to find the ideal instructor to teach me salsa, bachata and merengue….for years life has gotten in the way and I never pursued this. I was a bit nervous to finally begin this journey and didn’t know where and how to start! I found Yana and decided to take a chance and pursue an initial introduction. In our first lesson, I quickly found her approach patient, comforting and effective! She was quickly able to uncover my strengths and weaknesses and customize a plan to be the most effective for me. Yana’s attention to detail is what I was looking for…for example, Over the next few classes she has been Able to identify minor challenges on my end…paused and had me tweak with repetition subtle changes that made me more effective and confident! I’ve decided to purchase a package to finally pursue this life passion and goal! Thank you Yana! You’re special!

I never thought I'd be able to dance salsa or any other type of technical dance. I took a set of lessons from Yana, and she was able to see how I learned and apply this to me for the best learning experience! I quickly caught on and am very happy with the results!!

There was nothing she was not able to teach me. She is very patient and has a wealth of knowledge on various dances/styles. I would always go back to her for any future needs. Thank you Yana!

If your goal is to learn how to dance correctly, Yana is the one. She goes above and beyond to make sure you understand the fundamentals. I’m starting to dominate the dance floor because of Yana’s teaching.

I've taken salsa classes in the past had a bad experience. I didn't think I'd like learning salsa until I started with yana. Not only does she matches your speed of learning but shes also very personable so it feels like your dancing with a friend and removes a lot of the anxiety I had. Also she very encouraging and doesn't mind going back several timess to help you figure it out. She was especially good at back leading so I could feel what the moves are supposed to feel like. Dancing with yana was like dancing on easy mode. The best part is the recorded videos she'd make with me so I could review and practice later at home. I never felt like she didn't care and it never seemed like she just wanted to "get paid" and get me out the door. She was very patient and very encouraging. I would highly recommend her to anyone starting out just like I was.

I've been seeing Yana for lessons for almost four years - sometimes on and off, sometimes on a regular clip. Everyone who knows her, loves Yana, I have never heard a complaint either from the chatty folks in the Salsa community or from her other students and honestly I'd have absolutely no idea what anyone could complain about. Yana will take the measure on where you are at and work with you from there, focusing on your goals and helping you to define them when you don't know quite enough to know where you're going. She thinks about the lesson or lessons and how to break them down into footwork, minor drills and partner work, what kind of music is fitting to what the immediate objective is as well as pace and timing. She is a delight to spend time with and she puts her heart and mind into making lessons effective and growing experiences for her students.

Yana helped me learn rhythm while also introducing me to salsa. I've taken classes for nearly 2 months now and can see a huge difference in my ability to dance between when I started and now. she is also genuine, sweet and easy to work with. I highly recommend learning salsa with Yana!

Yana is a great teacher I have taken lesson classes with her and she's very good at what she does. Her patience and passion for dancing makes the process exceptional. If you're looking for a great experience and also have fun while learning Yana is the one.

I have taken several lessons with Yana - and I have taken lessons at a variety of other places (studios, group lessons, other private instructors). Working with Yana has been most enjoyable. She is an excellent dancer and teacher, and she is very flexible with scheduling. she's so friendly and personable, too, which helps create an environment that makes learning comfortable and easy! I would highly recommend Yana as an instructor!

I have had several lessons with Yana and she is a great teacher. I like how she breakdown each step in a movement. Tries to figure a way for you to understand the movement. She’s easy to work with and a pleasure. I highly recommend her as an instructor.

I can't say enough about Yana and her husband! We had them teach a large group of couples at our house for a party, and we had SO much fun learning salsa and bachata! Yana is a fantastic, patient teacher who makes it fun and just makes everyone feel so comfortable and relaxed. Even the guys who said they would never dance were getting out there having a great time, and we all learned so much! Everyone was raving about how much fun they had and it just really was the highlight of the party.
Yana and her husband were wonderful from the beginning. She was so quick to respond and worked with me to pick just the right space, the music, and the type of dancing. They were so professional setting everything up it just made it so I could enjoy the party and have fun too! Yana and her husband are THE BEST. Wonderful dancers and teachers! I can't recommend them highly enough!

Before meeting Yana I had no social dance experience, and now I can go out on the dance floor on a Friday night and lead with confidence!

Yana has the rare gift of not only being a skilled dancer, but a great teacher. She is able to break down the fundamentals for beginners and adapts to their learning style. With Yana I learn more than just patterns, I learn the "why" and principles behind how things work in salsa. She's also adept as a leader, so she can show you what things are supposed to feel like from the follow's perspective as well (and I'm sure is a great teacher for follows, but I don't have first hand experience there!)

I recommend Yana to anyone wanting to learn salsa -- if you are lucky enough to be able to get a time slot with her when she's not booked grab it!

 

I tried half a dozen of the big name salsa dance companies in Phoenix before I found Yana and let me tell you she is GREAT. I never thought I could have this much fun learning how to dance. Not only is she an excellent instructor but she is encouraging, upbeat and personalizes the class to the student's level and aspirations. My only regret is that I didn't go to her first.

We had a couple private dance lesson with Yana to get ready for our wedding. Yana choreographed the most memorable first dance for us. People came up to us and couldn't stop talking about how beautiful it was.

We learned the basic moves, a couple spins, lifts and dips. She was great and definitely made us feel better about our first dance. I'll never forget her patience, how she communicates clearly, her creativity to create the dance and ability to teach us. Yana leads with such confidence that you just know you're in good hands!

We would definitely recommend her if you feel you need dance lessons for your first dance.

I would highly recommend taking a dance lesson from Yana Naftaliev. She's highly knowledgeable and extremely patient. She is very good at breaking down each sequence of the pattern she is teaching. She is also very creative so no two lessons are the same, it may appear similar initially, but her creativity takes over and her students are in for a pleasant surprise. We are all very fortunate to have an instructor with Yana's abilities in the Phx area. Thank you Yana, please don't ever leave us!!!

I've been to group dancing sessions and received instruction from my friends in the past but I made more progress in one hour with Yana than I had in all the salsa dancing I had done before put together. Thank you for the jump start Yana! These priviate lessons are well worth the money! I hope to be dancing at an intermediate level soon.

Yana is an excellent instructor! Not once did she make me feel embarrassed when I did something incorrectly. Her expertise is highlighted by her ability to observe her students and make all the correct adjustments to improve their technique. Yana is a jewel to work with one on one, and she manages groups with ease. Her lessons evoke the euphoric effects that dance has on the mind and body. Thank you Yana!

I have been taking salsa lessons with Yana for a year and enjoy them. Yana strengths are that she is able to back lead for the guys and do the guys foot work and leads. For a guy like me this allows her to demonstrate and walk through the new move / combination and then once I have a handle on it she can then dance the move with me. Taking lessons with Yana is enjoyable since she is very personable and listens well to students concerns. She is flexible in scheduling appointments and is prompt and courteous. I highly recommend her as an instructor.

Muchas gracias yana por todo el tiempo que te as tomado para ensenarme abailar gracias aty eperdido casi 20 libras en menos de 3 meses con todo el ejersicio k emos echo bailando muchisimas gracias eres la mejor yana 😉

Tumbao Latin Fridays at Mijana features the best salsa instructors in town and Yana Naftaliev is one of them. She has earned the spot as an instructor Yana will make sure that students understand and execute the patterns she is teaching. Yana's classes are not dull either. her smile and great personality ensures a fun time in her class. Yana has been working hard to be where she is right now. She has been a great addition to Tumbao Latin Fridays.

I have taken private lessons and group lessons from Yana. In each, she brought out a side of me I didn't know I had. I have never thought myself much of a dancer, but her patient and warm approach made me confident. Thanks Yana!

Yana is awesome! She has been super helpful with my non-profit, Dancers and Health Together, Inc. (DAHT), and she always makes her students smile. Whether you have been dancing for years or are a first-timer, Yana makes her class fun, comfortable, and informative. Want to learn a Latin style? Yana is the person to contact!

Have discovered my passion for dancing at age 30, I was a little intimated by getting out of my comfort zone and face the social dacing...till I met Yana! She is such an amazing dancer and instructor, making her classes easy to follow, remember, and so much fun to dance! Her happy energy and encouragement creates a place where everyone is comfortable and can just let loose and have fun!

I first met Yana years ago while attending Arizona State University. She had a real passion for Salsa back then and am happy to see that she still continues her passion today! I had never taken up salsa before I had finally attended one of her lessons. Yana breaks down every move and is capable of working with beginner and intermediate students as well as some more advanced learners. She also had some assistants that were very kind and helpful to coach me through some steps I had difficulty with. Thanks guys! If I can learn something, so can you.



The Mijana is a great environment for any size group to get togehter. Salsa with Yana makes it even more exciting. I would recommend it to anyone looking to have a great time or serious about learning Latin dance.

Yana came out and taught some young dancers a salsa routine and was able to teach it with such grace and elegance while instructing in such an easy way for the dancers to understand easily. She has so much patience for all levels of dancers. I highly recommend Yana for any type of instruction you may need for your next event.

Hola inspiring Salsa dancers! It will be an exciting adventure to learn Salsa dancing from Yana. She teaches young and old (and I can attest from my advanced age), and she successfully leads beginners to dancers. It took me a bit longer to do it right because I have 2 left feet. However, we went from beginner to competition. She teaches the very basics steps over and over. It was a lot more overs for me but I finally got it. Then we evolved into dance routines and patterns. Once I nailed these patterns we competed in a Salsa dancing contest. Yana has great patience and the personality to match. Anyone that is not taking lessons from Yana is missing out. You will be able to learn quickly and be out social dancing at Salsa venues. Have fun..........

Yana is an exceptional instructor.

She is natural in her dancing moves and she keeps you enthusiastic about dancing, patient and willing to show you again and again until you get it. I only had two private lessons thus far and she made me feel like I can do this with enough practice.

I highly recommend her to future students.

Yana is such a doll. She is so easy to learn from because her positive attitude and happy smile help you instantly relax. I have sent several of my friends interested in learning to salsa to her and they have all left her class feeling so much more confident in their skills. As an intermediate/advanced dancer, I really appreciate how she can adjust to the needs of her student to focus on more complex patterns or styling options. I always learn something new with her!

I have had the honor and privilege of watching Yana teach introductory Salsa group lessons for almost a year now. Her positive, humorous, and inclusive attitude encourages people who are new to Latin dance and music to get out there and give it a try. I am happy that she is working in Phoenix and sharing her love for dance with so many people.

The one thing that stands out about Yana (other than her great dancing skills) is her passion for salsa. The way she teaches it, the way she interacts with her students, its all done with PASSION! She makes everyone feel comfortable when they are dancing no matter the level of experience. She is very patient and more then willing to help people continuously learn. I would highly recommend Yana as a dance teacher to whoever is looking to get into salsa or become an advanced dancer.

This girl will get you addicted to salsa immediately!

Iv'e tried several styles of dance and one I did a salsa lesson with Yana, salsa became my passion.

Yana herself has her own passion for dance and a passion for teaching dance. She is great to be around and has helped me progress from a basic student to an intermediate student in only 17 lessons. The best part is that Yana well teach you the passion of dance.

She is a pleasure to be around and her beauty is a big plus also!

Yana is amazing, she explains the movements nice and clear. She has a lot of patients for beginners (my little brother is a beginner and he learned a lot from her) and always carries a contagious positive attitude. I enjoy taking a lesson from Yanaand will sure take another one from her soon, I highly recommend her.

Yana: Estoy muy feliz de haberla conocido porque es una gran instructora de baile pero aun mejor un gran ser humano.En mi experiencia me enseno con mucha paciencia dedicacion y respeto paso a paso sin importation cuantas veces repitamos. Por esa y muchas razones mas estoy completamente seguro que Yana es la instructora mas indicada para cualquier persona que desea aprender a bailar. Gracias a ti hoy no veo bailar a las personas si no que bailo con ellas.

Yana is an experienced and passionate dancer. Her instruction is based on a multidimensional foundation from classical ballroom to salsa. She teaches proper form and more importantly, encourages students to have fun.

Yana is an amazing instructor. She simplifies things for a beginner but keeps it very interesting, challenging, and upbeat. She really understand salsa, as evidenced by her fabulous choreography and social dancing. Her personality is the crowning jewel. She is personable and considerate. Friendship comes easily as she guides, teaches, and shares her passion for dance with you.

Yana is a joy to learn dance with. She us fun and funny, super patient, and a great teacher. I look forward to my weekly lesson because I know I will become a better dancer and also have a great time with Yana.

I have been taking both group and private lessons with Yana for 1.5 years! First, she choreographed our wedding dance which consisted of salsa and cha-cha. Our dance was AMAZING! Our relatives could not believe we learned to dance so well and kept saying that it was just like "Dancing with the Stars" entertainment.



Needless to say, we had so much fun that we decided to continue with private lessons: some ballroom, some cha-cha, some salsa, and bachata.

Yana's personality makes the lessons easy. She also makes sure that we learn the technique correctly and do not cheat (especially with steps:)

After taking a group lesson with her at Mijana, I decided to take private lessons to learn more moves and proper techniques and she exceeded my expectations. I have danced for many years but never partner style dancing and she adapted her teaching to my learning style and pace. She broke down every routine and we practiced until I had it down and then we practiced some more. I now dance with confidence to lead my partners with style and grace, always make them look great (which is the first thing she taught me) and I am having a ball. I have even referred several aspiring dancers to her and highly recommend her to anyone wanting learn Salsa the right way!!

Dancing is well outside of my comfort zone. After one group lesson with Yana I was hooked into learning to dance. It is something to do and I have fun doing it now. I have been doing private lessons now for about a month I feel that I can dance through a whole five minute song and be confident with the moves I try.

I have seen Yana teaching before which led me to taking her class and it was the best time of my life. She made me proud to be a man dancing this hot dance they call Salsa. I think she should be incorporated into the public education system.