Latin music filled one of the community rooms at the Sachem Public Library last Friday morning. The 16 participants in the Latin Dance class learned to shake their hips to the beat as they kept their heart rate up and exercised to the music.

Melissa Boyd led the room in combinations of steps that included Samba, Mambo, Merengue and belly dancing moves. The trick seemed to be all in the hips throughout the one and a quarter hour class.

"I don't teach Zumba," Boyd explained to the dancers before the class started. "Zumba is a trademarked workout. I put together my own Latin Dance workout that keeps your heart rate up, while the moves are stress free. If you can't get a move that's okay, and if you like a certain move we can do that one again."

Women of all different fitness levels filled the room.

"I've been hearing about Zumba and I thought this would be similar," said Gayle Meisner, a baker from Holbrook. "It seems like a fun alternative to regular exercise which I don't like doing."

Joanne Nicolas, a retired social security employee, takes yoga classes and works out regularly on the treadmill and the elliptical machine.

"I love Latin music," Nicolas said. "I thought this would be fun."

The first thing the class learned is the "Cuban Motion." You rock your hips side to side in a circular motion.

"You make a figure eight with your hips," Boyd, who has been teaching dance for fifteen years, and Latin Dance for eight, explained.

After some time of practicing the figure eight, Boyd asked the class how they were doing. There was laughter throughout the room.

"I think I'm doing a 'Figure Six,' " Meisner joked.

It was that warm friendly atmosphere that permeated the room while Boyd taught basic steps.

Boyd moved on to the Samba, which is a square step with a hop.

"When teaching these dances to couples one on one you have to be more precise," Boyd said. "But in this type of class I make it more accessible. We repeat movements so that if people don't get it the first time they can get it the next time around. It works all of the muscle groups and keeps people moving the entire time."

Boyd, who has been dancing since the age of three, also owns her own Yoga and Pilates studio called Satya in Mt. Sinai. She has been teaching dance since she was 17 and has taught jazz, tap and ballet. She worked for Arthur Murray and taught ballroom dance. That's where she started teaching Latin dance.

"I love everything about Latin Dance," Boyd said. "I love the music, I love the beat. It makes people feel alive. It takes them out of their day and their stress and it works and strengthens their body."

Friday's participants agreed.

"It was easy and fun," Meisner said. "You forget all your trouble and get into the music."

"My favorite was the Samba dancing," said Nicolas. "She's a wonderful teacher and it's a great class."

 Latin Dance will be given for two more weeks, May 14 and the 21. To register call 631-588-5024.