| 1. Just do it! Too many would-be dancers have | | | | These are specifically designed to be worn on |
| convinced themselves, or let others tell | | | | the dance floor and nowhere else. The soles |
| them, that they 'just can't dance', so they | | | | are suede, allowing them to slide easily, |
| never even attempt to learn. If you can | | | | which makes turns and spins almost |
| walk, you can learn to dance. Ballroom | | | | effortless. Some studios offer dance shoes |
| dancing is composed of steps, forward, back, | | | | for sale, or there are many sites online from |
| to the side, and in place. It's the combining | | | | which you can order. I also don't recommend |
| of these steps in different ways that creates | | | | wearing open-toed shoes, such as sandals or |
| the pattern of a dance. The steps are learned | | | | flip-flops. Remember you're in a beginning |
| one at a time, just like when you were two | | | | class, and there is always the possibility of |
| and learning to walk! Don't let anyone | | | | someone accidentally stepping on those |
| discourage you, you CAN learn to dance!2. | | | | toes!7. Arrive a few minutes before the time |
| Choose a studio carefully. All dance studios | | | | the class actually begins. There is typically |
| are not the same. It has been my experience | | | | a sign-in sheet and many studios give out |
| that the best value for the money is with a | | | | name tags to help you learn your fellow |
| locally owned, independent studio, rather | | | | dancers. If you have dance shoes, you'll need |
| than one of the nationwide chains. This is | | | | those extra minutes to change from your |
| not always the case, but I've found it to be | | | | street shoes. Arriving early also gives you |
| true more times than not. I would also | | | | the opportunity to mingle a bit with others |
| strongly suggest that you find a studio that | | | | who are there for the same class. Nothing |
| caters specifically to ballroom dancing, not | | | | disrupts a class more than someone rushing in |
| one whose primary interest is ballet, tap, | | | | late while the instructor is demonstrating a |
| jazz, with only a couple of ballroom classes | | | | new step.8. Commit to practice. You will |
| added as an afterthought.3. Sign up first for | | | | never become proficient in ballroom dancing, |
| a beginner group class. I recommend this for | | | | (or anything else, for that matter) without |
| several reasons. Group classes are usually | | | | practice. If you're having a problem with a |
| quite reasonably priced so there is no huge | | | | particular step or pattern, it's perfectly |
| initial outlay of cash. Everyone in the group | | | | acceptable to hang around a few minutes after |
| is just like you, a beginner, so there's less | | | | class and go through it a time or two with |
| chance of feeling silly if you miss a step or | | | | your partner. Practice the steps at home once |
| two. (And you will, but so will everyone | | | | or twice a day, you'll be amazed how much |
| else. You'll quickly learn to just laugh it | | | | better you retain them throughout the week |
| off and keep going.) Whether or not you have | | | | and it will make the next class just that |
| a partner will not matter in a group class. | | | | much easier. This is another benefit of |
| Most instructors will rotate the partners in | | | | arriving early for class, it affords you the |
| a class, partially to take care of uneven | | | | time to practice those steps once more before |
| numbers of men and women, but also to improve | | | | the instructor begins. Most studios also |
| each member's ability to lead, if you're a | | | | offer a 'practice party' or 'studio dance' |
| man, or follow, if you're a woman. There's a | | | | weekly or monthly. These are excellent for |
| lot of joking and laughing during group | | | | praacticing what you've learned as well as |
| classes as everyone learns new skills and | | | | seeing the more accomplished dancers, which |
| makes mistakes doing so. They're always a lot | | | | is what you're striving to become! I can't |
| of fun, and you'll be surprised how quickly | | | | emphasize enough the importance of the studio |
| you begin looking forward to the next class. | | | | dances and the role they play in honing your |
| Classes generally meet once a week, usually | | | | dancing skills. Make plans to attend whenever |
| for an hour, for a period of 6 or 8 weeks, at | | | | possible, even when you're new and just |
| which time you can choose to continue with | | | | starting out. Maybe even ESPECIALLY when |
| that class or choose another.4. Don't get | | | | you're new and just starting out! The |
| discouraged! You'll probably come away from | | | | seasoned dancers are always happy to help a |
| that first class feeling a bit overwhelmed | | | | newcomer and the dances provide a perfect |
| and letting negative thoughts invade your | | | | complement to your classes.9. Enjoy all the |
| head, telling you that you'll never get it | | | | non-dancing benefits of ballroom dancing. |
| right. Simply not true! You fortunately can't | | | | Through your dancing, you will find a boost |
| remember back when you were two and first | | | | in self-confidence, an increase in balance |
| learning to walk. How many times do you | | | | and an improvement in posture. Through your |
| suppose you fell on your tushie before you | | | | dancing, you will raise your heart rate, thus |
| actually made it all the way across the room? | | | | improving your cardiovascular health. Through |
| | | | your dancing, you will meet new people, make |
| What if you had told yourself to just give | | | | new friends, improve your social skills, and |
| up, this is too hard, I'll never learn this? | | | | possibly establish new business contacts. The |
| I guess we'd all still be crawling! No, | | | | dance floor is a great equalizer. In a |
| don't give up. When you get home, try to | | | | beginning class, everyone is a beginner, |
| repeat at least some of the steps you learned | | | | whether they're a doctor or lawyer, a |
| during that first class. Even if you can't | | | | construction worker, waitress or school |
| remember them by the time you get to your | | | | teacher. For that hour each week, the |
| car, the next class almost always starts with | | | | stresses of daily life simply melt away as |
| a review of the last class. If you'll stick | | | | you immerse yourself in learning the steps |
| to it for the duration of the 6 or 8 week | | | | and listening to the music and connecting |
| session, you'll come out on the under end | | | | with your partner. It's great therapy and a |
| with the knowledge of some basic moves under | | | | lot cheaper than a psychiatrist!10. Most |
| your belt, I promise.5. What should you wear | | | | importantly of all, HAVE FUN! It's not a race |
| to class? The attire worn to ballroom dance | | | | or a competition, everyone arrives at the |
| classes is as varied as the people who attend | | | | same place eventually, dancing with their |
| them. Some wear jeans or slacks, some women | | | | partner and having a wonderful time. You may |
| prefer to dance in skirts or dresses. Wear | | | | experience moments of frustration with |
| clothes that are comfortable, perhaps a | | | | yourself or your partner, but don't let that |
| little loose, to give you the freedom to move | | | | overshadow all the benefits of becoming a |
| without constriction. Another thing to | | | | ballroom dancer. If you find you're not |
| consider when choosing your apparel is | | | | enjoying what you're doing, consider a |
| temperature. Most studios are kept a little | | | | different dance. Perhaps the foxtrot or waltz |
| on the cool side, so you may be tempted to | | | | is not your cup of tea, try the cha-cha, |
| wear a sweater or long-sleeved shirt. I would | | | | tango or the swing. Given time, you'll find |
| advise against this. Believe it or not, your | | | | your favorite and you can focus on that. My |
| body temperature will increase as you dance, | | | | guess is that you'll wind up like most |
| to the point that some people actually | | | | ballroom dancers, loving them all and not |
| perspire. A short-sleeved, lightweight shirt | | | | wanting to stop until you've learned them |
| will serve you well. Be clean, casual and | | | | all!Welcome to the magical world of ballroom |
| comfortable.6. Your choice of shoes can make | | | | dancing!Honey Wesley RN, has been a lover of |
| the difference between enjoying ballroom | | | | ballroom dancing for over 15 years and enjoys |
| dancing and not being able to even master the | | | | sharing that passion with others. She has |
| steps. Please don't make the mistake of | | | | taught beginners in the past and loves |
| wearing rubber-soled shoes. They don't offer | | | | introducing newcomers to the magic that is |
| the proper traction for sliding, spinning or | | | | ballroom dancing. |
| turning. A loafer-type is good, or any shoe | | | | |
| with a smooth sole. For women, a shoe with a | | | | Her ballroom dancing blog can be found at |
| heel makes for attractive movements, but | | | | |
| certainly isn't a necessity when you're first | | | | There you will find useful information, |
| getting started. Later on, you may want to | | | | links and news, all relating to the wonderful |
| consider purchasing a pair of dance shoes. | | | | world of ballroom dancing. |