| Are you considering taking a dance class for the first | | | | the time. However, it also doesn't have as much clout |
| time or maybe buying an instructional dance DVD but | | | | as ballet. |
| don't know what style of dance to choose? If you're | | | | What Can I Expect With Tap? |
| deciding between ballet, jazz, tap, salsa, and swing | | | | Tap dancing is very, very loose. It is all about moving |
| dancing, consider reading this quick guide to the various | | | | your body quickly and making beats with the metal on |
| styles. | | | | the bottoms of your shoes. Most importantly, though, |
| What Can I Expect With Ballet? | | | | tap dance is about having fun and moving your body |
| If you sign up for a ballet class, be prepared to work | | | | to the beat (literally). Don't let this mislead you, though, |
| hard. However, by virtue of all of your hard work, you | | | | tap dancing is also a great workout. You will use your |
| will learn a graceful style of dance that has been | | | | calves and shins in your dance class in ways that you |
| around for centuries and will completely rework and | | | | probably have never used them before. |
| polish your body. Some ballet teachers may come off | | | | What Can I Expect With Salsa? |
| as a bit strict at first, but that is due to the unwavering | | | | Salsa dancing is a partner dance. It is serious, |
| style of dance and instruction. Most ballet teachers are | | | | expressive, and fun all at the same time. Most of your |
| actually very approachable and helpful, they just want | | | | first classes will consist of learning specific steps and |
| you to follow certain guidelines to make your | | | | how these steps will coordinate with those of your |
| experience more beneficial. Ballet is expressive and | | | | partner. After you have mastered these steps, you |
| beautiful. You will learn how to use your body in new | | | | begin to learn how to choreograph these steps into |
| ways by turning your hips and feet out and lengthening | | | | stunning displays. Salsa dancing uses a lot of your hips |
| your body. You will become incredibly flexible and | | | | and quadriceps - it is a great workout. |
| strong in the process. If you are worried about your | | | | What Can I Expect With Swing Dancing? |
| feet (such as possibly developing hammertoes), you | | | | Swing dancing is basically what you would find if salsa |
| may want to consider another form of dance. | | | | and tap dancing had a hypothetical baby. In other |
| What Can I Expect With Jazz? | | | | words, you're incorporating the partner aspects of |
| Jazz dancing is quite a bit like ballet, but it is newer and | | | | salsa (learning specific dance moves and then |
| less rigid. Jazz allows you to dance to newer styles of | | | | choreographing them out with your partner) with the |
| music that are not from the classical or romantic | | | | loose, less-rigid movements of tap. Swing dance music |
| periods. Many people learn dances to expressive | | | | is quick. Swing dancing is a fun, cardiovascular |
| popular music. If that interests you, jazz will be the | | | | workout. |
| perfect style for you. You'll later learn how to | | | | Hopefully this quick overview will help you assess |
| choreograph your own dances so that you can | | | | what style(s) of dance that you're interested in |
| expressively dance along to your favorite songs in | | | | pursuing. Use this rough guide to help you pick a genre |
| your own home. Jazz doesn't adhere to the standards | | | | and learn more about it before signing up for your first |
| that ballet has such as turning your hips and feet out all | | | | dance class. Have a great time! |
