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