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