| so many things in life, you get out of ballroom dancing | | | | do better. Remember that your instructor is an expert |
| lessons what you put into them. Simply showing up at | | | | and let them teach you. When the instructor |
| your lessons is not enough. The time and energy you | | | | demonstrates a new pattern or concept, let them finish |
| spend between lessons as well as during the actual | | | | it before you attempt it. If you do not understand |
| lesson will can make a great difference in the results | | | | something, speak up. Chances are, others in the class |
| you achieve. Following are some tips on how to | | | | did not understand it either. When the instructor asks |
| maximize your dance lesson experience. By | | | | questions, answer. This allows you to be more actively |
| approaching your lessons in a consistent, well | | | | engaged in the learning process. |
| thought-out manner, you will progress quickly towards | | | | After each class, it is a good idea to take down notes |
| your ballroom dancing goals. If you have invested your | | | | of what was covered in that class. Doing this |
| time, energy and money in ballroom dance lessons, it is | | | | immediately after you finish, when everything is still |
| worthwhile to take steps to maximize your outcome. | | | | fresh in your mind, can be a valuable tool to |
| Before you even begin your dance lessons, you should | | | | progressing towards your goals. |
| spend some quality time considering what it is you | | | | The time you spend between classes can be as |
| want to get out of them. By having clear goals, you | | | | valuable as the time during class. In addition to going |
| can then work towards achieving them. Too many | | | | over your notes, you can use time between classes |
| people come into dance lessons without having given | | | | to practice on your own. It does not require very much |
| much thought towards what it is they really want to | | | | space. Simply practice a sequence using smaller steps. |
| get out of them. Your dance goals should be formed | | | | Even visualizing the steps will be helpful later. You |
| with your instructor. Letting him or her know what you | | | | could use the time while you are standing in line at the |
| are trying to accomplish will enable them to provide | | | | grocery store to run through a sequence of steps. |
| you with the instruction you need. | | | | Much of the time that is lost in each dance lesson is |
| When your lessons begin, it is important that you have | | | | spent re-learning what was taught the week before |
| the right mindset for each and every lesson. You | | | | and forgotten. It is up to the students to minimize this. |
| should be well rested and focused for your lessons. | | | | Another way to take advantage of the time between |
| Coming in tired and distracted will not make for a | | | | classes is to listen to your dance music. By listening to |
| positive learning experience. You need to take good | | | | the music you dance to regularly, you will develop a |
| care of your body if you want to dance, because it is | | | | better sense of its rhythm. In turn, you will be able to |
| a physical activity. You also need to be able to put | | | | dance better. When you listen to it, pay attention to the |
| aside any problems of the day and focus on the task | | | | beats. Count them out and visualize yourself moving to |
| at hand. Maintaining that focus and concentrating | | | | beats. |
| throughout the lesson can be a large determining | | | | As your dancing improves you may want to expand |
| factor in your achieving your goals. | | | | on your dance program. Taking different classes with |
| It is a good idea to come to your dance lessons at | | | | different instructors can help you grow and expand. |
| least fifteen minutes early. This will allow you to get | | | | Additionally, private lessons give a level of personalized |
| yourself focused, warm up and practice some of last | | | | attention that cannot be achieved in group lessons. |
| week’s steps before the lesson starts. By the | | | | Apart from other kinds of lessons, most dance |
| time the lesson begins, you will be fully prepared and | | | | schools offer a weekly dance session for all their |
| ready to make the most of it. | | | | students. This is a great way to practice and is also a |
| As you progress in your dance lessons, it is important | | | | good opportunity to dance with other partners. |
| not to get ahead of yourself too quickly. The best | | | | It is up to you to make the most of your ballroom |
| dancers keep their minds open to new information and | | | | dance lessons with clear goals, the right mindset and |
| know that there are always things they can learn to | | | | practice. |
