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