| Has "Dancing with the Stars," left your feet in a | | | | - Are often less intensive lending it's self to those |
| frenzy, anxiously awaiting their debut on the dance | | | | who are just looking to have fun. |
| floor? As the popularity of ABC's dance floor reality | | | | Private Lesson: |
| show left thinking about taking the floor yourself? If | | | | - Offer the chance to hone in and work on specific |
| so, then ballroom dancing is definitely an activity you | | | | dance moves or styles. |
| should look into. Ballroom dancing is great for a | | | | - Allow you to choose the pace. |
| variety of ages and is an excellent way to stay in | | | | - Great for couples or individuals who are looking to |
| shape while learning a fabulous art form. You will also | | | | choreograph a dance for a wedding or other function. |
| find that ballroom dancing will socially excite you as | | | | Find Classes in Your Area: |
| you spend time with likeminded individuals who are | | | | Grab a phone book or log onto the internet yellow |
| just as eager to Rumba as you are. Grab a pair of | | | | pages and start searching for dance lessons in your |
| dancing shoes and follow these great tips to dance | | | | area. Keep a pen and paper handy to write down the |
| your way to the stars. | | | | name and number of the establishment. If you're |
| - Do your research: Ballroom dancing is a very wide | | | | having trouble locating classes by searching solely for |
| term used to refer to the many styles of dance that | | | | ballroom dance, expand your search to include various |
| take place with a partner on a dance floor. There are | | | | styles of dance with the hopes that these places |
| basic dance styles that you may be familiar with, | | | | either offer ballroom dancing or can point you in the |
| such as that Cha Cha, Salsa, and the Tango. There | | | | right direction. |
| are also several styles of ballroom dancing that you | | | | Since ballroom dancing is something that can be |
| may not be familiar with like the Bolero, the | | | | considered and ethnic tradition you may be able to |
| Quickstep, and the Paso Doble. Since ballroom dancing | | | | find classes that are offered in cultural centers or |
| is heavily influenced by nationality, you will want to do | | | | various places of ethnic worship. Once you have a |
| some research to find out what style dance you | | | | few places on your list, start making phone calls. Be |
| would like to pursue. There are programs that offer | | | | sure to write down any information they provide you |
| instruction in the ballroom basics, but there are also | | | | with like schedules or prices. |
| programs that are based on the customs of different | | | | Visit Studios: |
| nationalities. The internet and the library will be your | | | | If it's possible, make it a point to visit various dance |
| greatest tools when it comes to researching ballroom | | | | studios> Visiting these places will help you decide: |
| dancing. A simple search for the word "ballroom | | | | 1. If you are comfortable in that dance studio. |
| dancing" or "Latin Ballroom Dancing" will yield hundred | | | | 2. If the instructor or teacher is credible. |
| of results. Read articles and watch videos to become | | | | 3. What style dance, if any, the group focuses on. |
| familiar with various styles. | | | | 4. What age group, if any, is dominant in the group. |
| - Decide What Type of Instruction to Take: Ballroom | | | | 5. The intensity level of the class fits your criteria. |
| dance is typically offered in group sessions or private | | | | Sign Up for a Class: |
| lessons. It's important to decide what format you | | | | The next step in learning to ballroom dance is to sign |
| would prefer before you start calling various studios. | | | | up for a class. Once you've decided on a studio or |
| If you're interested in ballroom dancing as a fun way | | | | class that works best for you, you will need to sign |
| to learn to dance techniques while interacting with | | | | up. Be sure to find out when the classes close and |
| other people, a group lesson is probably your best | | | | what the starting date is. You will also want to know |
| bet. Group Lessons: | | | | when the studio expects your payment and what |
| - Offer social interaction and a way to meet people. | | | | you need in order to participate in class. For example, |
| - Offer the chance to learn and experiment with | | | | you may very well need to invest in ballroom dance |
| several styles of ballroom dancing. | | | | shoes and some free flowing dance attire. |