Ballroom Dancing
LaGatta, John
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9 Tips For Getting Started Ballroom
Dancing
By: Lynsey Leigh
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 all—it 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?
And It’s Easier Than You
Think…
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.
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.
In addition these sites
have lots of free instructional material. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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!
Copyright © Lynsey Leigh.
This article is
copyrighted. Please feel free to use it in it's entirety including copyright
information and information about the publisher.
About the author: Get
Lynsey’s free book ‘Your First Steps in Ballroom Dancing from http://www.super-webtips.com/dance.html
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Modern Ballroom Dancing: All the Steps You Need to Get You Dancing