| There is much confusion amongst the general public | | | | are naturally a good dancer, this could be a good |
| about how you can learn to dance. It seems that | | | | approach. |
| everyone wants to learn to dance. How many people | | | | Another way you could learn is to make friends with |
| when you ask them the things that they would like to | | | | people who are good dancers and either copy them |
| learn one day mention dancing? From my experience | | | | or try and get them to show you how to do a few of |
| pretty much everyone. But how many people go | | | | their moves. This is great, especially if you spend a lot |
| through the effort to learn? | | | | of time with these friends. |
| There is a myth out there that all dancers were born | | | | The easiest way you can learn to dance is to join a |
| with the gift of dancing. My take on that is this: all | | | | dance class. There will usually be at least a couple of |
| dancers were born with the gift of dancing, and we | | | | these in your area, maybe even a dance studio |
| were all given that gift! There are those who seemed | | | | offering a variety of different classes from different |
| to just drop out of their mother's womb dancing. | | | | teachers. If you are not naturally a dancer, joining a |
| However don't let the tears well up if this is not you, | | | | dance class or series of classes is probably the best |
| there is a dancer in everyone and it is something that | | | | option for you. Even if you can dance and learnt on |
| can be unearthed. | | | | your own, there are still plenty of things you can learn |
| The baby dancing on arrival in the world is a good | | | | from joining a dance class. If you are at all serious |
| analogy. A baby probably won't be able to talk for the | | | | about dancing as a profession, you should DEFINITELY |
| first few years of its life. Then the words come out | | | | be going to classes unless you are privileged enough |
| one by one, then sentences, and then absurdities on | | | | to be the son/ daughter of a talented dancer or have |
| arrival of the teenage years. If I told you that I knew a | | | | lots of great contacts/ dancer friends. |
| 5 year old who could talk, would your face transform | | | | The good thing about dance classes is that they are |
| into an expression of surprise? (I'm hoping you | | | | usually grouped into rough ability levels so if you are a |
| answered 'no'). | | | | beginner you can find a class at your level until you get |
| You give a baby as long as it needs to learn to talk or | | | | better. Even so, it can feel as if you are throwing |
| walk because you know that it will learn. With dancing | | | | yourself in at the deep end when you begin, but |
| it is just the same, it may seem unnatural at first, but | | | | nonetheless, just like you did with the walking and |
| with a bit of practice you can dance pretty well. And it | | | | talking, STICK AT IT. You will get better. |
| won't take you as long as it took you to learn to talk! | | | | As you go to more and more classes, you will start to |
| The transition from walking and moving about normally | | | | build up the pieces of the puzzle of that style and soon |
| into dancing is not as huge as it is made up to be. It is | | | | you'll be dancing more confidently. The important thing |
| a case of making certain simple movements gestures, | | | | (and I'm not just copying someone's words) is that you |
| linking them up in interesting ways and making it look | | | | enjoy yourself regardless of your standard. It may |
| good! Of course when it comes to learning routines | | | | seem difficult to comprehend (or maybe not) but the |
| and choreography, that's another skill in and of itself! | | | | people who get good are usually the people who |
| So what's the answer to the golden question? How do | | | | enjoy their dancing the most, even when they did have |
| you learn to dance? Well there are many ways. You | | | | 2 left feet! Of course, be self-aware where you need |
| could learn by copying your favourite artists such as | | | | to improve and work at it, but by all means, |
| Janet Jackson, Usher or J.Lo and studying their music | | | | ABSOLUTELY NOT do not beat yourself up. If you |
| videos. In fact, this is the way famous MTV | | | | need help, concentrate on the music in class and try |
| choreographer Wade Robson learnt to dance. If you | | | | and enjoy that! |