Where Country Two Step Got It’s Name

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Country Two Step Dancing Tempe AZCountry Western two step is known as a traditional and very American-rooted, cowboy style dance. With fun turns and combinations danced to the likes of Conway Twitty and Kenny Rogers, Country Two step is as old as American pie.
Traveling along the dance floor, or along the Line of Dance (LOD), always requires counter-clockwise traveling. The confident reason as to why this occurs counter-clockwise as opposed to clockwise is unknown. One theory is that the travel moves to the left because the right side was the power position. From the queen to the ranking of military members, the person on the right is viewed as the most respected. It is also believed that if the line of dance was clockwise, the larger male bodies would block the audience’s view of the female dancers.
This type of partner dancing involves a basic step which occupies 6 beat of music; 2 ‘quick’ steps and 2 ‘slow’ steps. This is the typical timing for most social dancing.
So why does “two-step” dancing earn the most literal name? The waltz, in fact, appears to be the original dance style to carry the moniker.  The “valse a deux temps”, or two beat waltz, was an early 1800’s dance style rejection because many felt that it was too jerky to be enjoyable.  Not until 47 years later did Henri Cellarius lament over the terminology, stating that the term “deux temps” would be better accepted if it were called “deux pas” (two step). The dance style as we know today then actually transitioned into a dance similar to the foxtrot around the 1920’s. From this creation we now have adapted our current version of the two step!

More On The History Of Salsa

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Salsa Dancing Tempe AZLet’s take a look at the origin of Salsa. It is more that just a Cuban dance; still, the dance’s origins and initial developments are credited to this location.

Many people think that the term ‘salsa’ is an all encompassing term to describe all Latin American dance styles… on the contrary! Salsa is a very distinct dance style, with different beats, styles and overall feelings than other Latin American creations. In fact, the term ‘salsa’ itself is not Latin American—instead it is rooted in New York.

Original salsa dancing was inspired by the Cuban music style, Son (a Spanish word which translates to mean ‘sound’). Son was quickly adopted as the dance’s working name. Later, a country-esque version of Salsa would arise as well. Along with its Cuban counterparts, such as the cha-cha and the mambo, Salsa was popular in the 1940’s.

The fast paced and beautiful movement drew in many people to Salsa. Its footwork has been danced to beat of piano, conga drums, and even the cowbell. Son music and dance are even what helped bring the drum into much of the mainstream music.

Today, Salsa has taken the world by storm with many different styles of the dance being created including, New York, Colombian, Rueda de Casino, Miami, and Los Angeles. Each of these different versions of Salsa typically has only a few changes in the timing for the basic steps which are used universally for the dance. As seen with many, many other dances, there’s not only one part of the world that falls in love with a dance as cool as the salsa!

You too can get in on the excitement that can be felt while Salsa dancing! Learn to dance Salsa in Mesa, Arizona at Dance FX Studios. We offer both private and group salsa dancing classes for you to enjoy.

Bachata: A Dance of Love

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Bachata dancing in Phoenix AZWhat’s the first thing you want to do after a hard day at work? Dance?! This was the Dominican Republic’s surprising answer. Created by servants, bachata was known as a celebratory dance that would occur after being released from daily duties. Dancers would perform to music that was made by everyday objects that participants could get a hold of—garbage cans, fences, pipes or anything that was readily available. The dance style’s name comes from this collection of trash which was initially used to create the music to dance to. (Later, these makeshift instruments would be replaced with the guitar.)

 

As bachata gained popularity, it was often found in bars and brothels. These associations made the dance style a very taboo topic. The Trujillo Government all but nearly wiped out the dance in the 50’s. While Rafael Trujillo supported Merengue dance, a major influence for bachata, the censorship of bachata was enforced due to it being seen as a lowly form of dance which was looked down upon by the upper class. After the 30 year reign ended, the dance had only a small remaining group of followers. Nevertheless in the 80’s bachata made a strong comeback and became overwhelmingly popular.

 

Today bachata is known as a warm and romantic dance form. The harmonious and intimate movements within the steps draw many people to fall in love with it. The dance also now has multiple different forms, including traditional, moderna, urban, tango, as well as the original dominica bachata. Each of these different versions all carry the same basics steps but have also had different techniques integrated in, according to the dancers of the area. This really gives bachata its unique flair! If you are ready to try it out private lessons are a great way to learn the ins and outs of this beautiful dance.

Stand Tall and Dance!

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Ballroom dancing near Chandler AZWe were always told “sit up straight” by our mothers and teachers all throughout our youth. Yet here we are, all grown up, still having a case of the slouches. It can be hard to break the cycle! Even though it might feel comfortable, incorrect posture can be detrimental to your body. One of the most common negative effects of bad posture is fatigue. Increased pressure on the spine forces your muscles to work harder and compensate for misalignment in your body. This excess energy usage makes you feel more tired throughout the day. While poor posture doesn’t lead to scoliosis, it can affect your spine in other nasty ways: herniated disks, pinches nerves and pulled muscles—oh my!

Incorrect pressure distribution created by bad posture can be bad for your organs as well. When undue pressure is placed upon them, it inhibits their functionality.  Often you’ll hear that sitting straight helps you digest your food better—and it’s completely true!

Now, if you take a dance class, such as Tango, Nite Club Two step, or Salsa, your body is probably thanking you! Dancing improves posture more than you might think. All those basic steps, torso rotations, and legs extensions engage many different muscles in the body, but especially the ones in the back. In order to be responsive to your partner you must be able to keep a good frame, or body shape, while dancing. It requires you to stand tall with your chest muscles out and your back muscles engaged. Often, your arms and back will feel tired after a good dancing session because your body isn’t used to good posture!

If you invest in dancing, and practice daily, you will likely notice that your will posture improve and you might even see some of the other benefits too. Dancing can lead to a healthier overall lifestyle.

Think you’re ready to try it out? Dance FX has new group classes starting in January. Check out all the classes we have to offer for the new year and see how dance “FX” you!

Dance For The Health Of It!

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Gilbert Dance Classes for couplesAs we age, there are many things to look forward to; maturation, increased confidence and retirement are just a few. But not often will you look forward to aging itself. In fact, many people spend a good portion of their lives trying to prevent or reverse it.

Little did they know that we might be able to stop time in its tracks… with Tango? It’s true! Not only Tango, but dancing in general has been shown to help slow the aging process. In the last two decades the rate of disability among older people has declined dramatically. Much of this decline can be contributed to the encouragement of a more active way of life. Exercise (along with a healthy diet) is the most recommended lifestyle change in order to prevent premature aging.

How you might ask? In fact, there are many ways in which dancing can improve your overall health. Regular exercise keeps the skin firm, improves skin elasticity and promotes an overall beautiful glow. Building muscle also helps prevent osteoporosis, especially in women, and arthritis can be prevented (or lessened) through regular aerobics as well. Even thin people need exercise—for they can suffer from high blood pressure and heart disease too.

Harvard itself recommends 30 minutes daily aerobic activity to keep muscle tone, heart-lung fitness, decrease the chance for type II diabetes, and to ward off many different types of cancer.

Most importantly, the dance exercise truly needs to become part of a regular routine in order to be effective. The more you practice, the more you will be able to slow down the aging process. Practice makes perfect, right? Find a regular routine of and stick with it if you want to fight against aging.

So dance and dance often!

The Beginnings of Argentine Tango

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Argentine Tango Phoenix ArizonaArgentine tango has not always been known as an elegant, rich and timeless dance style. Its origins can be found infused within the introduction of a new instrument to Argentina—the German Bandoneon. Similar in physical appearance to an accordion, the Bandoneon inspired dancers to be more sensitive to music and to truly feel a connection with their dance partner.
The word tango itself comes from the Latin word tangere which, perhaps unsurprisingly, means ‘to touch’. Cuban and Uraguay dances (such as the habonera and the candombe) were great influences on the overall style that developed into Argentine tango. African folk dance is has also been greatly incorporated into the style. As tango gained popularity it was brought out of the dance halls and into the streets. It was so unique compared to the dances of the time that it was considered somewhat obscene. The Argentine tango challenged the conventions of acceptable public behavior. However, the immigrants living in North Buenos Aires fell in love with the dance style which propelled its popularity forward. It was only a matter of time before the Argentine tango was contagious worldwide.
More Argentine Tango Facts:

The antique Argentine tango was never danced with castanets or with a flower.
In the 1900’s the dance was banned by the Pope after a private viewing, and Kaiser Wilhelm 1 forbade his officers to dance it whilst wearing their uniforms, effectively banning it from all state balls.
There are many different types of tango, each with their own distinct style, including ballroom, Finnish, salon, Nuevo and many others.

Become a Healthier You and JUST DANCE!

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Dance Fitness Phoenix ArizonaDancing is an incredible form of exercise. Not only does it raise the heart rate but it can also burn just as many calories as walking, swimming or bicycling. But here’s the difference; as opposed to a typical work out, with dance you can do something you enjoy while getting into shape! It’s the best of both worlds.

The Mayo Clinic states that regular participation in dance can help you fulfill a recommendation of 30 minutes for daily adult aerobic activity. Dances that involve interval timing, such as Zumba, make for an especially great calorie burning work out because the interval training keeps your muscles in a constant change of motion.

Along with serving as a great way to burn calories (of which you can burn hundreds during a one hour class) dance also benefits the body in additional ways.

The incorporation of dancing into any lifestyle is also great for improving endurance. Dances such as swing and ballroom are especially great for building endurance. As you dance, your muscles work hard so that over time your body can handle more movement with less fatigue.

You may incorporate dance into your life as a weight loss plan but it can do so many other wonderful things for your body, some of which may be a little more subtle. Dancing can help lower your heart rate, blood pressure and cholesterol. It can also help strengthen bones, boost the immune system and improve posture. Often the sense of well being that is found within a dance-filled lifestyle is just as rewarding as the physical exercise itself! How do you incorporate music and movement into your life?

Try Zumba and Dance Your Way Into A Better YOU!

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What would be created if you combined all of the greatest parts of Salsa, Merengue, Mambo, Flamenco, Samba, Hip Hop, Belly Dancing and Tango into one incredible dance? Well then, wouldn’t you know it, that’s where the brain child of Zumba dance originated.

Zumba is a fast-paced dance style that’s specifically designed not only to be entertaining but a great fitness program as well. The name “Zumba” even comes from a Colombian term that means to move fast and to have fun! Although this dance has only recently gained force at many gyms, studios and even senior citizen homes, it has been around since the early 1990s.

You can thank fitness instructor Alberto Perez for combining the exercise of aerobic videos with the excitement of Latin and other dance techniques. After misplacing his original music for an aerobics class Perez improvised with some Latin salsa and meringue music allowing his class do dance to the beat. It was a dynamic hit, and nearly 12 million people have fallen in love with his creation since then. Zumba was even the first branded fitness program to launch a video game version for the likes of Xbox and Wii.

You’re probably wondering if Zumba sounds like something that you could fall in love with too. If you enjoy high energy, motivating music, and if you like to try unique moves and combinations then Zumba may be a necessity! It’s is a fantastic way to release stress and tension from the body, as well as increase your cardio work out and improve muscle tone. Not only will you enjoy it, but your body will thank you too!

Before Your Wedding Consultation at Dance FX Studios…

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dance studios for wedding lessonsThis is Rachel here, wedding choreographer for Dance FX Studios for almost 7 years. Read these 3 things below that I recommend you do before coming in for your first wedding dance lesson and you’ll be on your way to a fun adventure with your fiance- one that you’ll remember forever!

1. Discuss with your significant other what he/she would like for their first dance. Knowing how your partner wants to look on the dance floor and communicating that with each other is half the battle. Coming into your lessons as a couple who also knows what they want as far as songs, budget and availability speeds up the process and gets you to your goals that much faster!

2. Try to have some song options picked out even if you are not set on any of them. A small guide can go a long way for your choreographer. I guarantee that I will always have more options for you to choose from once I understand the direction you are trying to go by listening to the type of music you like. Your first song is going to be a special one for years to come, so let’s not waste any time picking out the perfect one for you!

3. LADIES: Bringing in a photo of your wedding dress is very helpful. We want to make sure that everything goes absolutely perfect on your big day. Knowing what kind of dress we are working with helps your choreographer tailor your routine so you can sparkle your very brightest on the dance floor.

With these three tips, your first dance consultation will be a breeze. We will get you on the dance floor and, before you know it, you will have a one-of-a-kind dance to remember!

Dance and Become a Loser!

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lose weight dancing Mesa AZDance, dance, dance…Lose, lose, lose…

Dancing is a great, fun way to lose weight. Lose weight, you ask? Yes, lose weight!

Have you ever given thought to the physiological effects that take place as you are stepping, turning, twisting and sliding to your favorite music with your favorite dance buddy? Why would or should you?  You’re simply out there enjoying the music sounds, the exciting atmosphere of the dance floor, the company with whom you are dancing, and more. But, if you WERE to think about what is going on with your body while you’re having so much fun, this is what you would realize.

We all know that to lose weight you must use more calories in the day than you take in. This means that you must be active. A good way to enhance your ability to burn calories is to perform some form of aerobic activity – something that causes your heart rate to increase to meet the oxygen demands of the muscles you use during the activity. Dancing does just this because as you are dancing you are using the large muscle groups of the lower body (legs, glutes, back). And, while you have to move your entire body through space in a balanced and steady manner, all your stabilizer muscles from head to toe are in use as well. In addition, if you are the lead, you’ll be using even more calories as you guide your partner along while simultaneously moving your own body. This all translates to MORE CALORIES being used! And THAT means you are participating in physical activity that will contribute to weight loss.

If you’re looking to enhance your health, dance to your heart’s content (pun intended). You’ll know you’ll be losing weight and creating a fun pastime that you will be able to enjoy for the rest of your (healthy) life. What a great healthful “secret weapon” dancing is!