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While these shows offer some great entertainment value, it's also inspiring people to get off the couch and learn the dances they see on TV.

For 25-year-old Torontonian Katie Bedford, dance is a way to have fun, be social and avoid the gym. Like many her age, it's challenging to make time for a social life when you're working, never mind make time for the gym.

"I've actually stopped (going to the gym) since I've been street dancing. I'm taking this Brazilian dance right now and it's a great overall physical workout," she said. "It's a great way to have fun, stay in shape and you're not on the treadmill staring at the wall."

Bedford has been attending classes at the Street Dance Academy in the Annex for almost a year and said she was thrilled when the uniquely geared studio opened last September.

"There weren't a lot of street dancing studios in Toronto and that's what I was interested in," she said.

Besides Afro-Brazilian dance, Bedford has also taken house, whacking (a combination of disco and house) and hip-hop. While she loves to dance, she also likes that the classes are filled with people of different skill levels.

"I found there was a really good mix...You have everything from beginners and novice dancers to moderate dancers and it's totally unintimidating for new people," she said. "Anyone who's never danced before could come in and they would feel comfortable because everyone is welcoming and it's a positive atmosphere for beginners or anyone."

And that's exactly how Street Dance Academy founder Eva Nikitova wants her clients to feel when they take classes at her studio, Toronto's first and only dedicated to the street dance arts.

"We only offer street dance and we try to give access to all the different street dance styles," she said. "Other places may have some street dance, but it's not as diverse and not their only focus."

Nikitova was born in Bulgaria and her family moved to the Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue area when she was 13. Now 27, she resides in Scarborough.

Always having a passion for dance, Nikitova became a member of Toronto's first all-female break group, Shebang!, in 1999. The group performed with artists, taught classes and toured extensively.

"I've traveled around a lot and I've always seen these great street dance communities elsewhere and I was always envious that these other places had these thriving street dancing communities, but not here."

So Nikitova say the opportunity to pair her passion with her profession.

Street dance, she said, encompasses many styles and her studio offers several of them, such as popping and locking (funk dances), house, hip-hop, reggae, stomp, breakdancing and even swing.

There's also stepping, Afro-Brazilian and Bhangra Indian dancing taught by professional dancers and special guest instructors, keeping the school fresh and catering to a range of clientele.

"We have a wide variety of people who attend," Nikitova said. "Teens, people in university to people who come in their suits...and of course some classes, like swing dancing, typically attract an older age group, but not exclusively."

What's unique about this school is people don't have to buy a membership or commit to one class. All of the classes are drop-in so people can come at any time and take any classes they want, Nikitova said.

For 15-year-old Sarah Squizzato, that means coming from Etobicoke three times a week to attend classes at the academy. She said it's something she really looks forward to and the perfect place to improve her street-dance skills.

"I've always liked street dancing," she said. "I do ballet and jazz, but I really like how free hip-hop is and I tried breakdancing and I wanted to learn more."

Squizzato has been going to the academy since May and has taken classes such as popping, hip-hop and reggae, which is her favourite. Initially, she was worried about fitting in, but soon found she had nothing to worry about.

"I was the youngest person in most of the classes, but everyone was really nice...As soon as you get into the class, the teachers are so welcoming and it's just a nice environment," she said.

Squizzato said street dance is popular among teens and taking lessons has made school dances and shows more fun to participate in. She's even encouraged her friends to join.

"I've told my friends, 'Why are you sitting and watching the dance shows like So You Think you Can Dance when you can get up and just do it,'" she said.

To learn about the history of some street dances, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_dance

To learn more about Street Dance Academy visit streetdanceacademy.com or call 416-840-4934.