Ballroom Dancing Directory

1. Just do it! Too many would-be dancers have convinced themselves, or let others tell them, that they 'just can't dance', so they never even attempt to learn. If you can walk, you can learn to dance. Ballroom dancing is composed of steps, forward, back, to the side, and in place. It's the combining of these steps in different ways that creates the pattern of a dance. The steps are learned one at a time, just like when you were two and learning to walk! Don't let anyone discourage you, you CAN learn to dance!

2. Choose a studio carefully. All dance studios are not the same. It has been my experience that the best value for the money is with a locally owned, independent studio, rather than one of the nationwide chains. This is not always the case, but I've found it to be true more times than not. I would also strongly suggest that you find a studio that caters specifically to ballroom dancing, not one whose primary interest is ballet, tap, jazz, with only a couple of ballroom classes added as an afterthought.

3. Sign up first for a beginner group class. I recommend this for several reasons. Group classes are usually quite reasonably priced so there is no huge initial outlay of cash. Everyone in the group is just like you, a beginner, so there's less chance of feeling silly if you miss a step or two. (And you will, but so will everyone else. You'll quickly learn to just laugh it off and keep going.) Whether or not you have a partner will not matter in a group class. Most instructors will rotate the partners in a class, partially to take care of uneven numbers of men and women, but also to improve each member's ability to lead, if you're a man, or follow, if you're a woman. There's a lot of joking and laughing during group classes as everyone learns new skills and makes mistakes doing so. They're always a lot of fun, and you'll be surprised how quickly you begin looking forward to the next class. Classes generally meet once a week, usually for an hour, for a period of 6 or 8 weeks, at which time you can choose to continue with that class or choose another.

4. Don't get discouraged! You'll probably come away from that first class feeling a bit overwhelmed and letting negative thoughts invade your head, telling you that you'll never get it right. Simply not true! You fortunately can't remember back when you were two and first learning to walk. How many times do you suppose you fell on your tushie before you actually made it all the way across the room?

What if you had told yourself to just give up, this is too hard, I'll never learn this? I guess we'd all still be crawling! No, don't give up. When you get home, try to repeat at least some of the steps you learned during that first class. Even if you can't remember them by the time you get to your car, the next class almost always starts with a review of the last class. If you'll stick to it for the duration of the 6 or 8 week session, you'll come out on the under end with the knowledge of some basic moves under your belt, I promise.

5. What should you wear to class? The attire worn to ballroom dance classes is as varied as the people who attend them. Some wear jeans or slacks, some women prefer to dance in skirts or dresses. Wear clothes that are comfortable, perhaps a little loose, to give you the freedom to move without constriction. Another thing to consider when choosing your apparel is temperature. Most studios are kept a little on the cool side, so you may be tempted to wear a sweater or long-sleeved shirt. I would advise against this. Believe it or not, your body temperature will increase as you dance, to the point that some people actually perspire. A short-sleeved, lightweight shirt will serve you well. Be clean, casual and comfortable.

6. Your choice of shoes can make the difference between enjoying ballroom dancing and not being able to even master the steps. Please don't make the mistake of wearing rubber-soled shoes. They don't offer the proper traction for sliding, spinning or turning. A loafer-type is good, or any shoe with a smooth sole. For women, a shoe with a heel makes for attractive movements, but certainly isn't a necessity when you're first getting started. Later on, you may want to consider purchasing a pair of dance shoes. These are specifically designed to be worn on the dance floor and nowhere else. The soles are suede, allowing them to slide easily, which makes turns and spins almost effortless. Some studios offer dance shoes for sale, or there are many sites online from which you can order. I also don't recommend wearing open-toed shoes, such as sandals or flip-flops. Remember you're in a beginning class, and there is always the possibility of someone accidentally stepping on those toes!

7. Arrive a few minutes before the time the class actually begins. There is typically a sign-in sheet and many studios give out name tags to help you learn your fellow dancers. If you have dance shoes, you'll need those extra minutes to change from your street shoes. Arriving early also gives you the opportunity to mingle a bit with others who are there for the same class. Nothing disrupts a class more than someone rushing in late while the instructor is demonstrating a new step.

8. Commit to practice. You will never become proficient in ballroom dancing, (or anything else, for that matter) without practice. If you're having a problem with a particular step or pattern, it's perfectly acceptable to hang around a few minutes after class and go through it a time or two with your partner. Practice the steps at home once or twice a day, you'll be amazed how much better you retain them throughout the week and it will make the next class just that much easier. This is another benefit of arriving early for class, it affords you the time to practice those steps once more before the instructor begins. Most studios also offer a 'practice party' or 'studio dance' weekly or monthly. These are excellent for praacticing what you've learned as well as seeing the more accomplished dancers, which is what you're striving to become! I can't emphasize enough the importance of the studio dances and the role they play in honing your dancing skills. Make plans to attend whenever possible, even when you're new and just starting out. Maybe even ESPECIALLY when you're new and just starting out! The seasoned dancers are always happy to help a newcomer and the dances provide a perfect complement to your classes.

9. Enjoy all the non-dancing benefits of ballroom dancing. Through your dancing, you will find a boost in self-confidence, an increase in balance and an improvement in posture. Through your dancing, you will raise your heart rate, thus improving your cardiovascular health. Through your dancing, you will meet new people, make new friends, improve your social skills, and possibly establish new business contacts. The dance floor is a great equalizer. In a beginning class, everyone is a beginner, whether they're a doctor or lawyer, a construction worker, waitress or school teacher. For that hour each week, the stresses of daily life simply melt away as you immerse yourself in learning the steps and listening to the music and connecting with your partner. It's great therapy and a lot cheaper than a psychiatrist!

10. Most importantly of all, HAVE FUN! It's not a race or a competition, everyone arrives at the same place eventually, dancing with their partner and having a wonderful time. You may experience moments of frustration with yourself or your partner, but don't let that overshadow all the benefits of becoming a ballroom dancer. If you find you're not enjoying what you're doing, consider a different dance. Perhaps the foxtrot or waltz is not your cup of tea, try the cha-cha, tango or the swing. Given time, you'll find your favorite and you can focus on that. My guess is that you'll wind up like most ballroom dancers, loving them all and not wanting to stop until you've learned them all!

Learning to dance is fun and it is easy. In a sense it is like learning a new language, a language in which moods and emotions are expressed in movement; a language of rhythm, grace and harmony. It is new, but in a very real sense it is the oldest language in the world, for dancing is the oldest form of art.

Dancing is a wholesome, natural outlet for the emotions. It develops grace and poise, timing and balance. Men take pride in their ability to lead their partners with assurance and poise. Ladies enjoy the ability to follow their partners smoothly, expertly and correctly. The ability to dance develops personality, and above allit is fun.

Taking dance lessons is a great way to improve your confidence, it is a way to get fit and did I mention they're fun?

1. Do you want to, learn to dance professionally, learn to dance for pleasure? It is important to know what you want to achieve before you start.

Perhaps you want to learn to get fit, for a social occasion or to meet new friends. Plus if you know what you want to get out of it this helps your instructor.

Lots of people start with social dancing. Social dancing classes are great places to learn ballroom dancing. A small percentage of social dancers later find that their love of dance compels them to become competitive dancers. Social dances normally start with a one-hour dance lesson and it is normally possible to find weekly group dance lessons especially for beginners.

2. If you want to find out what is involved in dancing before you commit to lessons, or there are no good teachers locally, consider a dance video. You can watch it at your leisure, plus watch it as many times as you like to aid learning. A good video will help you practice once you start lessons.

3. Dancing provides great social benefits but also participating in ballroom dancing on a regular basis will produce significant mental and physical health benefits. Dancing is a great stress reliever. It builds confidence, alertness and good attitude. It also has been proven to have a great physical benefit as it physically tones the whole body in enjoyable exercise.

Dancing can be a fun way to lose weight and get into shape. Just check out the potential for burning calories - Burn 309 calories with just one hour of Ballet, Tap or Freestyle, 290 calories with Country Line Dancing or Swing and 193 calories with the Waltz.

4. When choosing a dance studio you want to choose one that is conveniently located to your home or work place. If you can get there easier you will keep going and repetition is the key to quick learning. Not sure if you want to learn? Some nightclubs or studios hold introductory lessons. A number of websites have a dance studio locator, so that you can find studios local to you.

Check out a few different dance studios. Most dance studios will offer group and private lessons. Look for studios offering a mixture of the two. How many teachers do they have? Do they have an introductory offer?

You may also find ballroom dance classes at local colleges and many city or county recreational departments include ballroom dance classes. Some organizations such as the YWCA, Community Centers, Elks or Moose Lodges offer dance lessons to their members and guests.

5. Find out about the different dance styles before you start lessons and see which ones you want to learn. Plus you'll be more knowledgeable about the style and rhythm of the different dances before you start classes.

Don't forget to get my free book that covers the basics of ballroom dancing, details at the end of these tips.

6. Do you need a partner to start ballroom dancing? No. Lots of classes accept singles. If you already have a partner then you can have fun learning together.

7. Should you have private lessons or group classes? This depends on your preference and your budget. As a beginner you may prefer the privacy of individual tuition and certainly you will learn quicker, they can also be useful if you have missed some group classes and do not want to get left behind or you feel that you need extra tuition. However when starting out consider the social aspect of group learning which most people find stimulating, challenging and lots of fun. Group classes are also less expensive.

8. There are no special clothes for social dancing, except that they need to be comfortable and give you freedom to move. However for learning professional ballroom dancing you may find that exercise clothing is more appropriate, ask your instructor if you are unsure. When choosing shoes think about not only appearance but also comfort, support and protection.

9. Selecting your instructor is an important decision and you want to ensure that your instructor has professional qualifications. Obtain a copy of their resume for professional examinations and their experience in teaching beginners. The United States Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association will be able to advise you further.

10. Finally, just in case you didn't get the message before - have fun! Learning a new skill can and should be fun, that way you'll stick at it and before you know where you are you have mastered it!

Like so many things in life, you get out of ballroom dancing lessons what you put into them. Simply showing up at your lessons is not enough. The time and energy you spend between lessons as well as during the actual lesson will can make a great difference in the results you achieve. Following are some tips on how to maximize your dance lesson experience. By approaching your lessons in a consistent, well thought-out manner, you will progress quickly towards your ballroom dancing goals. If you have invested your time, energy and money in ballroom dance lessons, it is worthwhile to take steps to maximize your outcome.

Before you even begin your dance lessons, you should spend some quality time considering what it is you want to get out of them. By having clear goals, you can then work towards achieving them. Too many people come into dance lessons without having given much thought towards what it is they really want to get out of them. Your dance goals should be formed with your instructor. Letting him or her know what you are trying to accomplish will enable them to provide you with the instruction you need.

When your lessons begin, it is important that you have the right mindset for each and every lesson. You should be well rested and focused for your lessons. Coming in tired and distracted will not make for a positive learning experience. You need to take good care of your body if you want to dance, because it is a physical activity. You also need to be able to put aside any problems of the day and focus on the task at hand. Maintaining that focus and concentrating throughout the lesson can be a large determining factor in your achieving your goals.

It is a good idea to come to your dance lessons at least fifteen minutes early. This will allow you to get yourself focused, warm up and practice some of last week's steps before the lesson starts. By the time the lesson begins, you will be fully prepared and ready to make the most of it.

As you progress in your dance lessons, it is important not to get ahead of yourself too quickly. The best dancers keep their minds open to new information and know that there are always things they can learn to do better. Remember that your instructor is an expert and let them teach you. When the instructor demonstrates a new pattern or concept, let them finish it before you attempt it. If you do not understand something, speak up. Chances are, others in the class did not understand it either. When the instructor asks questions, answer. This allows you to be more actively engaged in the learning process.

After each class, it is a good idea to take down notes of what was covered in that class.

Doing this immediately after you finish, when everything is still fresh in your mind, can be a valuable tool to progressing towards your goals.

The time you spend between classes can be as valuable as the time during class. In addition to going over your notes, you can use time between classes to practice on your own. It does not require very much space. Simply practice a sequence using smaller steps. Even visualizing the steps will be helpful later. You could use the time while you are standing in line at the grocery store to run through a sequence of steps. Much of the time that is lost in each dance lesson is spent re-learning what was taught the week before and forgotten. It is up to the students to minimize this.

Another way to take advantage of the time between classes is to listen to your dance music. By listening to the music you dance to regularly, you will develop a better sense of its rhythm. In turn, you will be able to dance better. When you listen to it, pay attention to the beats. Count them out and visualize yourself moving to beats.

As your dancing improves you may want to expand on your dance program. Taking different classes with different instructors can help you grow and expand. Additionally, private lessons give a level of personalized attention that cannot be achieved in group lessons. Apart from other kinds of lessons, most dance schools offer a weekly dance session for all their students. This is a great way to practice and is also a good opportunity to dance with other partners.

It is up to you to make the most of your ballroom dance lessons with clear goals, the right mindset and practice.

Ballroom Dancing has never been hotter than it is now since Dancing with the Stars hit the air. Who knew that this show would be such a hit and that it would revive ballroom dancing the way that it has. Ballroom dancing is an enormously fun thing that you and your partner or a friend can do together. Ballroom dancing is a great way to spend some time together away from all of the normal everyday stress of life, that is what makes ballroom dancing such a fabulous thing to learn.

Ballroom dancing is something that everyone can enjoy whether they are young or old, man or woman. Not only is ballroom dancing fun it is great exercise and after a short while you will find that you will be in much better shape than before you started ballroom dancing.

Ballroom dancing is sexy and relaxed and one of the most popular forms of dance worldwide. Everyone loves to watch ballroom dancing and most people would jump at the chance to actually take some ballroom dancing classes. If you would like to take ballroom dancing all you need to do is look in your local Yellow Pages. There you will find plenty of dance studios that offer classes on ballroom dancing. There are other ways to find ballroom dancing classes and schools in your area. You will find ballroom dancing classes online as well. You will be able to do a quick search online and find many different studios in your area that will be able to teach you all about ballroom dancing. And even if you are single you will still be able to take ballroom dancing classes, as there are many ballroom dancing classes for single people. Who knows you might meet the man or woman of your dreams. Find out more information on Ballroom Dancing at www.goballroomdancing.com.

Welcome to the most heartbreaking aspect of competitive ballroom and Salsa dancing: you can't do it alone. And, to make matters worse, there aren't even enough men involved to go around! Looking for a new partner can be difficult. There are so many issues for partners to consider. For example, if dancing standard, then your body heights and leg length needs to match within a certain comfort range. If dancing Latin, many men are sensitive about dancing with women who are not significantly shorter than they are. Also, there is the issue of practice time available to both partners. Rachel Holland has some practical advice on how to deal with the notoriously tricky business of finding a new dancing partner

Stay positive!
The only way to find a partner is to keep looking. You never know who will join your class, enter that competition, who will decide to comeÂ back to dancing after stopping for a while, or who will break up with their partner. Keep your eyes open and try every resource you can.

Post an Ad
The internet has made finding new dancing partners a lot easier. Web sites such as www.ballroomsocialnetwork.com are set up by dancers for dancers. These sites will let you post an ad or check out other potential partners for free. Just post an attractive picture of yourself and fill out all the information (don't leave your prospects guessing!)

Spread the Word
Tell every dance teacher, coach and dance friend you know (not just the ones you take lessons with) that you are looking. Go to a variety of dance venues, studios and competitions. It works like this: The more places you go to, the more people you meet and the more dancers you talk to, the more hooked into the local gossip network you will be.

Go to competitions
Going to competitions is a good way to find a partner. You'll be surrounded by actively competing dancers. Let everyone know you're looking for someone, and the contacts you develop will help you to get news of new prospects. Volunteer to help the organisers, it's a good way to meet the competitors and have them get to know you and remember you (and you often get free or discounted admission to the event for it, depending on how much time you can offer them).

Keep an open mind
If you are too picky you run the risk of limiting your choices. So go and check out the beginners class every once in a while. If lessons are offered at the beginning of the dance, take them, even if you are an advanced dancer and it's a lesson for beginners. Single people, especially beginners, who are looking for partners, are more likely to be taking part in the lessons. Every so often someone with just good talent but not much experience comes along. University classes get a lot of new dancers, and every so often a gem appears. If you're not a student, don't be put off; many university dance clubs allow non-students to join in.

Keep your options open
Never sit or dance with someone for very long unless you want all other potential partners to assume you are together. If you go with a friend, split up, it's more intimidating to ask a stranger to dance if they are with someone. You can reconnect every now and then during the evening. Circulate and pay attention to where single people tend to stand if they want to be asked to dance. When in doubt, stand near the dance floor to let people know you want to dance. Smile, have fun! Others will notice and want to join you.

Want to find a partner who you can teach with? Teaching partnerships require a lot of give and take. Ideally, you both actually talk during class, thus giving students the benefits of both of your experiences. A partnership needn't have both dancers dancing the exact same style, merely that both styles look good and work well together. So, you want to start teaching with someone, what do you look for?

First, Communication Skills: The best teaching partnerships come from people who can communicate well, not just to the class, but with each other as well.

Second, Mastery: This means that being a good club dancer, or a top-notch competitor, may not necessarily make for the best teaching partnership. It may seem easy to explain the basic steps, but beyond that, there are a lot of nuances, tips, and dance fundamentals that a good teaching partnership should be able to get across to their students.

Third, Connection: Ideally, the partners dance well together and can demonstrate the patterns clearly and confidently.

Don't forget: Make your move when you think you have found a possibility, jump on the chance rather than waiting around wondering whether the person is available or interested, or even if you should approach them. If you don't ask, someone else will, and then a brief window of opportunity will have closed. Grab those dancing shoes and go for it!

Dance Today! - February 2004

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