Dancing is divine at Lynn studio

LYNN – Starting a business isn?t exactly an easy feat, but for two Lynn residents, the process seemed more like fate.Yaya Dejesus, 24, and Sharon German, 21, are best friends and business partners, as they own and operate Divinity Dance Studio on Broad Street.The two professionally-trained dancers purchased the site of a former barbershop in November and have been teaching hopefuls how to swivel their hips and move to the rhythmic beats of Latin music ever since.?We both had been living in Lynn and understand that it?s a rich community in culture, but had never seen a dance studio,” said German. “We thought it would be a great element to add and give back to the community.”The small studio offers a variety of classes for all dancer types: beginners, intermediate, advanced, couples, and singles. At a drop-in rate of $15 (other price packages are also available), students young and old will learn the intricate techniques to master Salsa, Mambo, Meringue, and the Cha Cha.The studio began by offering only one, one-hour class each week, but had to quickly expand their services to five days a week, with three classes sometimes being offered each night.?A lot on television is catering toward dancing,” said German, noting the positive impact of popular shows like ?So You Think You Can Dance? and ?Dancing With the Stars.??Amazingly, we have a lot of men and men don?t like to go to the doctors and they don?t like to take dance classes,” she quipped.Both German and Dejesus were born into a lifestyle and culture immersed in dance and hope that through their studio they?ll be able to bring a taste of that to their students.?I try to bring everything I have,” said German. “I try to be a therapist through dancing and give them the opportunity to express themselves in different ways through art.”For Dejesus, dancing has always been a stress reliever, a gift she hopes to give those that dare to step onto the hardwood dance floor.?We?re not doing this for just a business opportunity, and people see and feel that,” said German.Since opening, the studio has held several community events to address rising concerns among the youth, women, and the difficulties faced by those living in Lynn with a rich ethnic background.The first thing they did was hold a Women?s Night featuring guest speakers who spoke on eating disorders. Also making an appearance at Divinity was Lynn School Committee member Maria Carrasco, who shared the insecurities she developed over her strong, Spanish accent.They?ve also opened their studio up to area high schools for after school and weekend programs and local churches for fundraising events.?It helps to get them into something else and off the streets,” said Dejesus.Like any business endeavor, there was risk involved, but risk worth taking.?Everything in life is a sacrifice,” said German. “To go from a consistent salary to this and giving it a shot?But when something?s right for you, it just is. It?s like falling in love. It?s effortless to be here.”