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Learn to Dance in a Club

By Clarissa Leave a Comment

You have started dancing in private, preparing to strut your stuff and impress people with your moves… but in reality, your confidence ends in your room. After rigorous practice, you want to bring your dancing skills to the next level and go out in public… then learning to dance in a club may be the perfect option for you.

Before You Learn to Dance in a Club

If you are not the person described above, who has been dancing in their bedroom for a few months already, or if this is your first time to attempt to learn to dance in a club, then there are things you still need to do and keep in mind.

Dancing is a physical activity. Before attempting to learn to dance in a club, be sure you a in good enough shape to handle the exercise – or use learning to dance to get you into shape, taking breaks as you need. Do some walking, body shaking, or any activity that would prepare you for the “exercise”. If you have a knee injury or any problems with your health, it’s best to consult a physician first before doing any physical activity.

Learn to Dance in a Club

Learn to Dance in a Club

 

Aside from that, you should also be aware of what kind of dancing you’d like to learn. The most common clubs actually are hip-hop clubs, which, more or less are for younger people. But there are also other clubs like salsa clubs and ballroom dancing clubs where you could learn how to dance your preferred style. Explore what you like. It is very important, because then you’ll enjoy what you are learning and stick with it.

Learn to Dance in a Club by Observing

Now that you have decided what type of dance you would do, you can start your learning by going to the club that grooves with the same moves that you like. Observe the people on the dance floor and look at what they are doing. Visit that club frequently so that you can at least feel the music and you can even ask the help of some people who dance well.

What to Keep in Mind While Trying to Learn to Dance in a Club

Like any other activity, you also have some things to remember while learning to dance in a club. These are somehow “unwritten rules” that you follow if you want to improve and look good while learning and dancing.

Don’t worry about what other people think. Most people are in their own little world and are not even watching you… so dance with the music and feel it. Your grace in dancing will come as you practice more.

Put attention on your footwork.

Practice. Keep practicing. Don’t over-think, don’t mind other people, just do it! Feel the vibe, and looking good while dancing will definitely follow. Dancing is not learned overnight, especially if you are only learning at the club, but with enough practice you will surely find that one day, you look impressive enough.

Dancing, is not purely learning some steps, memorizing beats and applying them to music. You have to enjoy what you are doing, or you’ll loose interest very quickly.

Beginning to learn to dance in a club, even if it may seem like you are just doing it as a hobby, still requires you to have a heart for it, so you can sustain your interest in dancing.

Filed Under: For Men, For Women Tagged With: , , , , ,

Is your ballroom dance instructor certified?

By thedanceinstructor Leave a Comment

Ballroom Dance is sweeping this country. It’s on TV, on Broadway and in Hollywood. American’s can’t seem to get enough of it! Television, movies and theater have brought ballroom back to American mainstream, but, the question is, who is teaching America how to dance?

It turns out, there’s a shortage of qualified ballroom dance teachers.


No Regulation in Ballroom Instruction

Did you know that there is NO governing or regulatory body that oversees the certification of teachers in the Ballroom Dance industry? This has given the industry a bad name for years.

Picture this: you’re inspired by the shows and head off to your local Park District to take a class – the instructor there has watched a few YouTube videos and is now a self-proclaimed ‘instructor’. You have a hard time with the steps and decide dancing is not for you and give up.

This happens EVERYDAY. But the issue is NOT with you, the client, the problem is that you had an untrained teacher that didn’t know how to break it down and make it easy!

“We struggle to find enough credentialed teachers” says Alex Wilhelm, studio manager for a prominent studio in Chicago’s south suburbs. “Anyone can claim they’re an instructor, but we only hire teachers who have passed their exams. It’s important to us to offer quality instruction.”

 

Ballroom Teachers: One Step Ahead

Many of the larger, chain studios even place ads for instructors that say ‘no experience necessary’. This means that those instructors are learning on the job and are usually only one or two lessons ahead of their clientele. An unsuspecting customer pays for a teacher and gets someone that knows just enough to teach a lesson. PLUS, newly hired teachers spend years feeling stressed and overwhelmed with a ‘fear’ that they’ll be asked something they don’t yet know and their cover will be blown! It’s outrageous.

 

The Ballroom Teacher College

As the popularity of ballroom has increased, so has the determination to reform the industry. Diane Jarmolow, founder of the Ballroom Teacher’s College in California, developed a core curriculum that covers all aspects of teaching 17 different dances over a period of 16 months.

She worked with top instructors across the country and used it to train hundreds of successful teachers in her own studio. She then made the course available to other ballrooms that were interested in having trained, credentialed staff instead of trying to teach their teachers ‘on the fly’ and hope for the best.

 

Find a Certified Ballroom Dance Instructor

To find a good instructor near you, read the article, “Are All Ballroom Instructors The Same?  A Quick Guide to Finding a Qualified Instructor“.  It covers the misconceptions and solutions and provides specific questions to ask instructors in your area.

“the Ballroom Teacher Certification course is one of the best things that has happened to the ballroom dance industry,” says Maren Oslac, owner of the Illinois Ballroom Teacher College  (www.ILBTC.com)  “Teachers need to be required to pass exams and get certified, bad teachers give our entire industry a horrible reputation.”

 

 

Filed Under: Facts, Featured Articles, For Adults, For Beginners, For Children, For Dance Instructors, For Men, For Women, Guide, Instructor's Voice

Are All Ballroom Instructors The Same?

By thedanceinstructor Leave a Comment

The Quick Guide to Finding a Qualified Instructor

 

You’ve got the ballroom dance bug and want to take a few classes so that you look good at the next wedding or function you attend, but you don’t know where to start… we’ll here’s the quick and easy guide to choosing the best ballroom instructor or studio for you.

Sadly, without this information, many people wind up choosing a poorly qualified ballroom dance teacher (or school); and, sometimes, even worse, have such a negative experience, decide that dancing is something they’ll never try again.

We’ll cover a few misconceptions that people have about choosing a dance instructor and then get into specific questions YOU can ask to when you’re looking around.

 

Misconception ONE:

The term ‘Ballroom Dance’ refers to the smooth floating dances.

That’s only part of the story. It’s true, AND ballroom dancing is a term that really encompasses the smooth dances, the latin and rhythm dances, the swing dances, Salsa, Tango and so much more.

 

Solution/Question(s) to ask:

If there is a dance you want to learn, or several that interest you, look for a well rounded instructor, or a studio with multiple instructors and be sure to ask about those specific dances.

Do you/does your studio teach ______ (swing, salsa, tango, etc.)

 

Misconception TWO:

Ballroom/Swing/Salsa Teachers go to school to learn to teach ballroom/swing/salsa dancing.

NO! This couldn’t be further from the truth. It makes sense, they are teachers – other teachers have to graduate and have credentials. But there is no regulation in the ballroom dance industry.

This means anyone can call themselves a Ballroom Dance Instructor, a Swing Dance Instructor, etc. There are people that have taken a few classes, watched a few YouTube Videos, or even won a few contests, and they are teaching.

You may have taken a class and gotten turned off. It happens ALL THE TIME and it gives the industry a bad name.

 

Solution/Question(s) to ask:

There are actual ballroom dance teacher colleges, professional exams and professional certifications. There ARE qualified teachers. And you can ask questions to help you find them.

The most widely recognized accrediting agency is ‘Dance Vision International Dance Association’ (DVIDA), which is recognized by the National Dance Council of America (NDCA).

Teachers get certified in EACH dance they learn, and there are levels of certification. So if you want to learn Waltz, be sure your instructor has, at minimum, his or her Bronze Waltz Certification.

Ask what credentials s/he has and where and when s/he got them. If you get a story about why ‘there’s no need, or no schools for his/her dance’, etc, beware.

Are you a certified instructor?

In what dances?

From what accrediting agency?

What school did you attend?

 

Misconception THREE:

A great dancer makes a great teacher.

I wish this were true – then it would be easy to find a teacher – just look for the number of awards. However, the problem is that most great dancers don’t learn how to EXPLAIN what they do so naturally.

Have you ever noticed that most of the Olympic gymnastic and skating coaches are not great gymnasts or skaters?

Dancing and teaching dance involve two different sets of skills. The highly trained dancer has usually spent years and years developing only ONE of those sets of skills (clue: teaching is not the set they’ve developed). So often they make TERRIBLE teachers. (This is not always the case.)

 

Solution/Question(s) to ask:

Some great dancers retire and focus their attention on becoming great teachers. This becomes a terrific combination. You can ask about their certification (above) and you can also ask about how they’ve worked on their teaching skills.

What training have you had to develop your teaching skills?

 

Overall, your experience is the best judge of your instructor. Armed with these three essential pieces of knowledge:

  1. the term Ballroom encompasses most ‘couples’ dances
  2. there is no regulation in the ballroom dance industry
  3. a great dancer does not equal a great teacher

you will be a savvy consumer. Ask lots of questions and don’t be afraid to look a bit further if you’re not getting the answers you want!

 

Filed Under: Facts, Featured Articles, For Adults, For Beginners, For Children, For Dance Instructors, For Men, For Women, Guide, Information, Instructor's Voice, Resources

The Nine Essential Dos and Don’ts of Asking Someone to Dance

By thedanceinstructor Leave a Comment

There are some unwritten rules of etiquette that ballroom dancers follow and it’s essential to know them if you are going go dancing and enjoy yourself! In this article, ‘ballroom dancing’ is used as a generic term referring to most forms of couples dancing… including Ballroom dancing, Latin dancing, Swing dancing and Salsa dancing.

Essential Dance Etiquette

1. A dance invitation can be given by either gender. This is important. Feel free to ask a gentleman to dance, they often times barely make it off the floor and if you want to dance, it’s best to not ‘wait’ for an invitation.

2. It’s acceptable, and even expected that you dance with people other than your partner. Most dancers enjoy a variety of dance partners and dancing with someone besides your partner strengthens leading and following skills making dances with your partner that much better!

3. Chivalry still lives in the dance community! Regardless of who asks whom, the man still escorts the lady back to where he found her! Please don’t abandon your partner mid-floor!

4. All levels of dancers enjoy dancing…. Please don’t ‘out dance’ your partner if you have the privilege of dancing with someone not as accomplished as you. It’s intimidating and frustrating. Everyone was a beginner at some point, remember what it was like for you and offer a fun, engaging and gracious dance that will inspire this newer dancer to continue!

5. It’s considered polite to dance with whoever asks. If you’ve just come off the floor from a fast-paced dance or have been dancing several songs in a row and need a break, it’s acceptable to take a song or two. Please be sure to resume your dancing with the person who asked you when you needed a break!

6. There are traveling dances and stationary dances. Traveling dances (Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, Samba, Country Two Step, Polka, etc.) travel counter clockwise around the floor. It’s important to go with the flow of traffic.

7. During traveling dances, faster moving dancers usually use the outer most edge of the floor, while slower moving dancers move towards the center. Be aware of the ‘lanes’ of traffic and do your best to dance where it’s appropriate

8. If you bump into another couple (which does happen), apologize sincerely and offer a smile. Dancers do their best to avoid collisions, and with people moving about the floor executing different patterns, occasional crashes are inevitable. Make sure no one is hurt and then get back to dancing!

9. Dancing with a partner means sharing their space. It’s important to be ‘fresh’, dry and smelling good. If you perspire a lot, bring a change of shirts (or several) and a towel. Everyone needs to wear deodorant and carry mints!

While not an exhaustive list, this does cover the basics. There are no ‘dance police’ to enforce the rules or hand out punishments. However, most dancers show one another politeness and consideration making ballroom dance a unique and wonderful pastime for everyone involved!

Filed Under: Ballroom, Cha Cha Cha, FAQs, For Adults, For Beginners, For Men, For Women, Guide, Resources, rhumba, Salsa, Styles, Swing, Tango, Waltz

Etiquette for Ballroom, Swing & Salsa Dancing

By thedanceinstructor Leave a Comment


Ballroom Dance ShoeOne of the things that is rarely covered by a dance instructor in Ballroom, Swing or Salsa dance class is “dance floor etiquette”.  Some common social dance questions are:

What is the proper way to ask someone to dance?

Can anyone ask anyone else?

Is there a protocol for turning someone down?

How do you let potential partners know you are interested in dancing?

Let’s establish some ground rules to make it simple.

Rules For Requesting a Dance

1. Anybody Can Ask Anybody.

In today’s day and age, a woman asking for a dance is a common occurence.  (Remember that it’s a dance, not a date!)  For either gender, it’s best to be aware of clearly exclusive couples unless you know for certain that they are interested and available to dance with others.

2.  Respect Partners’ Dance Time

You may enjoy dancing with a particular person, and it’s ok to request a second dance, but it’s NOT ok to monopolize their time throughout the evening.  Asking for a second dance in a row is acceptable if you only made it to the floor for a portion of the current song.  Then you have to move on.  You can ask that person for another dance later in the evening – be sure to space out your requests.

3.  Ask Lots of People

The best way to improve you dancing – is by dancing!  Getting out on the floor and staying there with a variety of people, not only is good practice, but it’s great exercise and much more fun that sitting on the side watching.  In addition, you have the opportunity to get others to feel good about themselves!

4.  Pay Attention

Asking another to dance means risk – the risk of someone saying no!  Look for people that are close to the dance floor and look like they want to get onto the dance floor.  Avoid someone in deep conversation, or someone standing at the back of the room unless you know the person.  Watch body language as well – not every shoe fits and there will be some people that would rather dance with someone else.  If you approach and they turn away, don’t take it personally, and look elsewhere for your next dance.

Rules for Accepting or Declining a Dance

1.  Always Accept a First Invitation to Dance

Someone has built up the courage to ask you to dance, it’s only decent to accept.  If there is some glaring reason that you can’t accept (you danced the last 10 dances and need a break, it’s a Waltz and you don’t Waltz) clearly explain WHY you can’t dance with them in that moment, and then FIND THAT PERSON LATER when you are able to dance.

2.  If You Decline a Dance, Sit That One Out

If you’ve told someone ‘no’ for a dance, then don’t dance.  It’s insulting and painful to be rejected only to have the person you asked to gladly dance with another.

3.  The Only Three Reasons to Say No

Dances last about three minutes, being polite and gracious is easy in three-minute doses.  Having said that, there are only three acceptable reasons to decline a dance invitation after the first:

  1. Fear of injury.
  2. Inebriation.
  3. Intolerable hygiene.
  4. Inappropriate body contact.

The Golden Rule of Social Dancing

All other rules fall behind one simple rule of thumb:  Be polite and treat others the way you want to be treated.  Social dancing is only fun if people are social.  Do your part to help keep it fun!

Filed Under: Ballroom, Cha Cha Cha, Facts, FAQs, Featured Articles, For Adults, For Beginners, For Dance Instructors, For Men, For Women, Guide, Information, Resources, Salsa, Styles, Swing

Get off the Treadmill! Go Swing Dancing!

By thedanceinstructor Leave a Comment

Burn 800 caloroies/hour with Swing Dancing

It’s time to revitalize your workout routine and get off the treadmill!  Exercise can be fun and exciting.  It doesn’t have to mean dragging yourself to the gym, lifting weights or getting on the elliptical for an hour!  Instead of doing the same old boring routine, try couples dancing at your local ballroom studio, park district or recreation center!

From burning calories to socializing with friends, dancing offers a huge number of physical health benefits (in addition to mental and emotional benefits not mentioned here)!

Calories:

Looking to burn a few calories.  Dancing burns as many calories as riding a bicycle, walking, or even swimming.  A simple half hour of sustained dancing can burn between 200 and 400 calories!  (The ballroom is looking more appealing by the minute!)

Cardiovascular conditioning:

Regular exercise can lead to a slower heart rate, lower blood pressure and an improved cholesterol profile (see Medical Essay, June 1991). 30 to 40 minutes of continuous activity three to four times a week is usually recommended.

Taking a class probably won’t provide all the conditioning you need, but it can help. Remember, how vigorously you dance, how long you dance continuously and how regularly you do dance are all factors in conditioning. Once you have a few moves under your belt, hit the dance floor to show off what you’ve learned and get all the bonus health benefits.

Strong bones:

Side-to-side movements have been shown to strengthen your weight bearing bones (tibia, fibula and femur) and can help prevent or slow loss of bone mass (osteoporosis).  Most ballroom dances incorporate side-to-side movements and all of them help with coordination!  All the Swing dances use side-to-side movements – give one a whirl!

Rehabilitation:

Most people recovering from heart or knee surgery, have ‘movement’ assigned as a part of their rehabilitation.  Dancing is a positive alternative to walking, aerobic dance, jogging – or anything else that gets repetitive.

Sociability:

Since Swing (as well as ALL the ballroom dances) contains a social element that solitary fitness endeavors don’t, it gives people an opportunity to develop strong social ties.  Those ties contribute to self-esteem and a positive outlook; both of which are integral parts of healthier, longer lives.

The health benefits of anything depends on how much ‘oomph’ that’s put into it.   The same is true with dance.  Different types of dance require varying amount of energy.  East Coast Swing and Lindy Hop require more energy than most swing dances – but any ballroom dance will get you moving, accruing health benefits and providing joyful exercise.

If you are new to exercise, or using dance for rehabilitation, ease into the pace and know your limits!  Get to know what to expect and what you can and can’t do.  Be sure to breaks throughout the evening so that dancing will be a lifelong enjoyable form of exercise.

Filed Under: Classes, Facts, For Adults, For Beginners, For Men, For Women, Guide, Resources, Styles, Swing

Learn Ballroom Dancing: Men Get It

By thedanceinstructor 1 Comment

So let’s just say it loud and say it proud: Real men ballroom dance! Or do they?

SS Class Bill Judy

Football greats on Dancing With the Stars have helped to dispel some of the myths around ballroom dancing for men… so let’s look at a few of the excuses that men use …and the actual reality!

Lots of guys balk at the notion of a ballroom dancing class.  Why?  Unfounded fears and cultural myths.  The benefits of ballroom dancing far outweigh the excuses, many of which are laughable.

“I won’t like it.”

“I’ll look silly.”

“It costs too much.”

“I’ve got two left feet” (this is REALLY common).

Each excuse is really just fear and a lack of confidence speaking. Here’s the good news… studies have shown that ballroom dancing boosts your confidence! It also improves balance and posture, is a phenomenal cardio workout and enhances your social skills.

Get Fit
In addition to the better posture and balance, dancing improves flexibility and stamina, requires use of the major muscle groups and gets the heart pumping.  Some doctors consider dancing one of the most beneficial physical activities. (Have you noticed the bodies of the professionals on “Dancing With the Stars” and the Stars that are shedding inches?)

Brain Power
That’s just the physical.  Learning ballroom dancing steps keeps the brain alert and active as well.  Unlike running on a treadmill, which is fun for – um, well about 30 seconds.  Ballroom dance is the only physical activity that has been proven to slow, and in some cases reverse, the effects of dementia.

Instead of chess and word puzzles, you can be dancing with a cutie of the opposite sex and improving mental function.  Sign me up for a ballroom dancing class!

Social God
Of course, this brings us to the social aspects of ballroom dance.  Let’s start with: it builds self-esteem and confidence.  Then we can move to: a man that can dance is highly desirable (ask a woman for yourself) and finally mention: since ballroom dancing steps inherently require ‘two to Tango’, developing good social skills is a natural by-product.

Final Word
One of my male dance instructors put it quite succinctly when he said, “I get to put my hands all over women throughout the night, 3 minutes at a time, and they thank me for it afterward.”

So, stick to your unfounded fears or change to a new and better story – real men do dance… and they get the girls!

By Maren Oslac

Filed Under: For Men, Guide Tagged With:
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