Boost Your Self Esteem With Social Dancing

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Today, we’re going to continue our series on the numerous benefits of social dancing. Remember that social dancing, unlike traditional ballroom dancing, includes dances like the Country two step, salsa and swing because they can used in real-world situations like at weddings or holiday parties or on a cruise. And speaking of social.. have you ever considered that dancing is valuable for team cooperation, communication, and camaraderie? Let’s explore how…

Team cooperation: Partner dancing, like the Argentine tango, for example, allows collaboration in an environment supporting positive teamwork. Dancing is all about partnership and working together. It’s perfect for releasing inhibitions and enabling partners to interact with each other in a way that may never happen otherwise. As one partner leads, the other follows, building teamwork and confidence in each other and each other’s roles on the dance floor.

Communication: Social partner dancing provides a unique social interaction that sends both intentional and unintentional messages. Dancing may change moods, serve as a force of attraction, and influence perception, all through physical movements and nonverbal communication. Next time you’re at an event that involves dancing, watch some of the people dancing together. Notice that they don’t even have to speak in order to move around fluently together on the dance floor. And, did you notice all the smiles? It’s hard not to do when you’re dancing. : – )

Camaraderie: Social dancing is a great way to meet people in a non-threatening, relaxed atmosphere. You never know who you are going to meet on the dance floor. Lifelong friendships are formed, and many have met the love of their life at a social dance. Not only will you improve your relationship with your dance partner, but also with your instructor and fellow students in your journey of learning to become a confident social dancer. I can’t tell you how awesome it is to see students getting along so well with each other and forming bonds- all through their experiences through dancing! At Dance FX Studios in Mesa, AZ, students benefit tremendously through our Nights Out and Dance Parties because it gives them the chance to practice their dancing and socialize with their peers at a local venue or at the studio, along with their instructors. It’s a great time for all!

Confidence and Self-Esteem: Social dancing is also amazing for individual self- improvement. By giving social dance lessons a try, you will gain more confidence and self- esteem, become self-disciplined, gain a sense of accomplishment and increase persistence.
Many people really want to learn how to dance, but they allow their fear, anxiety or apprehension to stop them from “braving” the dance floor. Breaking through fear and anxiety of any kind always increases self-confidence. Taking those first steps to get on the dance floor can boost self-esteem, helping you to become more in touch with your courageous side, and bringing you greater joy than you have ever dreamed. I have seen first-hand how dancing can transform students from being timid and self-conscious, into individuals with pride, happiness, and self-assurance as the receptionist here at Dance FX Studios. It’s amazing to see such an improvement in how they perceive themselves and everyone around them. Dancing helps you to walk taller and exude the charm and grace you often see in others on the dance floor. So, whether you’re doing the bachata or the Country swing, dancing aides in a sense of assurance.

Self-Discipline: You can’t expect to grow and develop as a dancer without taking the initiative and feeling the drive and motivation to better yourself. Whether in a private dance lesson or practicing at home, we’ve always heard that “practice makes perfect”. Practicing your steps is using self- control to become a better dancer. What if you have questions? Do you just keep them to yourself and always wonder or do you take action and speak up? By being resourceful and asking your question, you’ve taken control of the situation, rather than just wondering what you wanted to know. Dancing can really inspire you to be pro-active.

Sense of Accomplishment: OK, you’ve made the decision to learn to Country dance. You’re determined, eager, and ready to go. You take the steps to get started. As you progress, you’re meeting your goals, and you along with others, are really seeing the results of your efforts. The satisfaction of knowing you are meeting your objective and have learned a specific dance or step leads to a real sense of accomplishment, both physically and emotionally, and is worth the time and determination you have put into learning to dance. Give yourself a pat on the back-you deserve it!

Increased Persistence: Persistence is not based on achieving a reward—it’s a quality that arises in and of itself. It’s a willingness to act, right now, in the moment. Learning to dance can sometimes become a challenge, especially initially, but students know that in order to move forward, they need to do the work, in order to achieve their goals. No one gets it overnight, but by sticking with it eventually you will become more adept at it. As everyone knows, persistence pays off. We want to help everyone get there and become a proficient dancer with dance classes at Dance FX Studios.

Dance FX Studios is THE dance studio in the Phoenix East Valley to go to for learning to be a competent social dancer. We offer “real dancing for real people”. Have you thought about how rewarding it would be if you could learn to dance for your next event, going out to a club, or just to get yourself up off the couch? It’s definitely something worth doing for yourself and/or your partner.
Dance FX Studios offer some of the most popular social dances in Arizona include Salsa, Swing, Country Two Step, and Argentine Tango. Check us out online to learn more about these dances and additional classes offered at Dance FX Studios.

Dance for the Art of It!

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The artistic benefits of knowing how to dance are endless! What do salsa dancing, swing, Country or even the Argentine tango have in common? They all allow us to explore our creative, right brain on a deeper level. Dancing opens the doors for self-expression, appreciation for the arts, musicality and rhythmic expression, creative freedom, imagination and innovation. When you think about it, dancing has much to offer in the way of enhancing ones’ life. Learning steps on the dance floor is minor in comparison to what one can gain by taking a Latin dance class or a Country two step lesson. Let’s further investigate the ties between dancing and the arts…

Art Appreciation: If you have ever watched television shows like “Dancing With The Stars” or “So You Think You Can Dance”, you may have seen the same waltz or salsa danced in a hundred different ways. As artists, the choreographers of those dances continue to push their creative limits to make the same dance unique in its appearance and therefore limitless in terms of creative possibilities. For spectators, the creativity of the choreographers provides true dance entertainment. This, in and of itself, makes dancing attractive to those who value creative expression.

Appreciation for the arts is the recognition of those timeless qualities that characterize not just dance, but all great art. By its nature, dance seeks to defy confinement and boundaries creatively.  By exploring dance through pure movement, ritual, lifestyle, communication, tradition, self-expression and high art, one can tap into a side of themselves that is new, life-enhancing and exciting.

Musicality and Rhythmic Expression: Musicality in dance has two main components, receptivity and creativity. Musical receptivity is the ability to hear, comprehend, be sensitive to and have a working knowledge of musical concepts like rhythm, tempo, phrasing and even mood. Musical creativity is the ability to connect with accompanying music, interpret it, and add movement dynamics that relate to music even in the absence of accompaniment in a way that is unique or interesting. Musicality in dance then might be considered a degree to which a dancer is receptive and creative in his/her translation of music through movement. It is a key ingredient in a dancer’s display of artistry. When dancing the Argentine tango, for example, the leads of two different couples may hear different nuances in the music and therefore dance a different set of moves according to what part of the music that they are interpreting. While musical interpretation does not often come naturally to leaders on the dance floor, one can be taught what to listen to so as to begin to train their ear for the patterns within each piece of music. Understanding musicality takes dancing to the next level and gives beginner dancers something to strive for and grow into with their dancing.

Creative Expression: Creativity is a matter of translating messages of passion, excitement, and soul into our own musical language through structure, harmony, rhythm, and style. The broader our exposure and the more sensitive our inner listening, the richer our unique interpretation will be. Dancing is about self-discovery, self-expression and spontaneity. When you dance, the body expresses itself by means of the motions which are natural to it. By making the body a free instrument of free expression we are able to express in bodily movement the ideas and emotions that come from within. Again, two people can be swing or salsa dancing to the same music and be inspired to do completely different movements with their bodies.
Imagination: Through listening to music and then responding to it, the body and brain are connected. We sometimes tend to concentrate on training the brain and forget the importance of the body in terms of human development. The language of music and dance provides a lot of nutrition to our human expression. Humans need to develop their creative potential and imagination and dancing is a great way to develop these skills.

Innovation: Creativity is thinking up new things, innovation is doing new things. Through dancing, we can inspire creativity, deep listening, and cross-generational understanding. Our minds and bodies are intrinsically linked; movement acts as a messenger between the two. When we can understand our own and others’ movements, our capacity to collaborate and harness our intuition skyrockets. And growing research in many disciplines–from neuroscience to sports medicine, from psychology to anthropology–supports these ideas.

If you are looking to have more creativity in your life, dancing is for you! Don’t have a dance partner? That’s alright! You can explore your artistic side with one of our dance  instructors at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona. At Dance FX Studios, you will enjoy the art of learning popular social dances like salsa, swing, Country two step and Argentine tango. We offer dance lessons for adults in Phoenix who want to have fun, connect with others and learn a healthy, new hobby. Get into dancing today by checking out our website. Our introductory offer will show you how you can become a confident and creative dancer in no time!

Getting Married? Check Out These “First Dance” Tips

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Getting married? Congratulations! Put aside those invitations and centerpieces and give your friends and relatives a gift and memory that they will treasure forever on your special day…a one-of-a-kind first dance! Knock their socks off with a sassy salsa dance or a sweet swing, or try a more traditional first dance-wither way your guests will never forget that perfect first dance that you took the time to learn.

At Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona, we have literally choreographed thousands of first wedding dances over the past 12 years. To give you a wedding dance that suits your personalities and style, we start with a wedding dance consultation for just $20. This one-hour meeting will give us a chance to gather as much relevant information as we need to customize the perfect first dance for you.

When coming in for a wedding dance lesson consultation, being prepared will save you both time and money.  Below are a few helpful tips from us to you so that your consultation will be a success. 🙂

  •         Have at least 3 songs pre-prepared (or at least an idea of the style of music you would like to dance to) for your wedding dance consultation.  Without music, where would dance be? Sit down with your fiancé and get some ideas together before your consultation. There are so many different routes that can be taken. You can choose something classic like a Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin, in which case you would be dancing to a ballroom Foxtrot. Are you a Country music lover perhaps? For all of you two-step dancers out there, there a endless fun and/or romantic Country first dance tunes.  For Latin lovers, how about a sexy salsa? Latin pop music is hot right now, giving you lots of options for just the right song. Have you considered something totally out of the box like a Hip Hop dance? The avenues are endless! If you are really not sure what you are looking for, bring in 3 songs that you like so your wedding dance consultant can get an idea of what you enjoy as a couple. From there, we can make suggestions based on your taste. Let’s say that neither of you can agree on any song choices before the consultation. No worries,this does sometimes happen. In this case, we suggest that each of you bring in your top 3 picks and we can get creative from there. The beauty of what we can do at Dance FX Studios is that we have the ability to fuse several songs together and create something completely original and special to each of you so everyone is happy and confident on your big day.
  •         Bring in a floor plan of the room that you will be dancing in. If you don’t have exact measurements, come in with an idea of how your reception room is set up so that we can plan accordingly. Please keep in mind where the dance floor is in relation to your guests and your band/ deejay. In order to make that first dance as husband and wife special, we want to know how your guests are being seated so they can get optimal viewing of you on the dance floor. If your room plans are not yet set in stone, let me recommend something. Seat your guests on as many sides of the dance floor as you can. No matter where someone is seated, they will get a great 360 view of you shining on the dance floor in your first dance.

Now let’s talk about the size of your dance floor. Make sure to get the dimensions of your floor BEFORE you come in. Your instructor wants to give you the best possible estimation as to what is realistic for your space. If you are looking for a first dance that is simple, slow and elegant, anything above a ten by ten will work. Let us say that you are looking for a little extra flair. I would go for no smaller than a fifteen by fifteen square feet of dancing space. For those of you who want to make your first dance a “Rock the Reception” routine and go full out, please try to get a twenty by twenty dance floor. We will need the space to show off your awesome dancing skills!

 

  •         Fashion anyone?  What the bride and groom wear is just as important as the dance and music itself. Let’s start with the groom and buzz through him because, let’s be honest, it is all about the bride. 🙂 Grooms, there are two things you want to be conscience of – footwear and your jacket. When it comes to shoes, go for a leather bottom so you can glide with ease across the dance floor and show off your bride in the brightest light. I highly suggest that the groom remove his jacket before the first dance or even incorporate the removal of the jacket as part of the choreography. Either the bride can take it off for him and toss it into the crowd or even he can take it off himself, twirl it around his head and pass it off to a groomsman. Whatever flavor “suits” you best, (Get it?)

Now, here comes the bride. Ladies, proper footwear is a must! Please try to keep your heel height below three to four inches. Your grooms need you to be balanced when they are showing you off. Also, platforms are not ideal because they create a sense of heaviness which no bride wants. As far as the dress goes, pretty much anything works. Beware of the huge princess ball gown as it has a tendency to get in the way of the feet. At the end of the day, as long as you, the bride, feel wonderful, beautiful and amazing, that matters.
Try out our Wedding Consultation for only $20! Dance FX Studios specializes in making brides shine and grooms feel confident on their wedding day. We are located on the South East corner of Dobson and Guadalupe Rd. in Mesa, Arizona. We are on the border of Tempe, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Chandler, so no matter where you live we are just a short drive away!

Salsa or Swing Dance Your Way To Happiness!

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Have you ever thought of salsa dancing to put a smile on your face or two-stepping to tackle that bad day at the office? How about swinging away your relationship blues on the dance floor? The advantages of social dancing are endless! Whether you are single or you want to learn to dance as a couple, dancing can vastly improve the quality of your life and your relationships. Let us explore  just a few of the numerous way that tango or bachata dancing can brighten your day…

  • Many of the faster-paced social dances including swing, salsa, merengue and cha cha are great for those singles and couples who want to get fit without hitting the gym. Did you know that an average woman of average height can burn almost 300 calories by simply swing dancing for an hour? How great is that?! In addition to being a super-fun new hobby, you can shed extra weight simply by swing dancing!  If you are looking to tone up those muscles, try the Argentine tango. This beautiful and passionate dance will have you begging for more not simply because of the strength and endurance that you can gain by learning to tango, but because of of its sensuality, and diversity challenging aspects. (It is truly a dance like no other.) Other strength-building dances include the Country waltz (because of the “rise and fall” factor) as well as the West Coast swing (due to its earthy nature). Overall, social dancing is a workout in disguise. It is a fun and exciting way to get that body kickin’ into high gear all year ’round!
  • Dancing is an aphrodisiac. Re-kindle your relationship or create new sparks on the dance floor by getting that heart racing, those endorphins pumping and that body moving and grooving to your favorite tunes. Country two step your way into his or her heart with dance lessons for couples. Nothing is more fun and romantic, not to mention a great means of connecting with each other, more than dancing lessons for two. Social ballroom dancing gives you an opportunity to move together as one and work together as a team. Romance at its finest! For new couples, or singles who may be dancing together for the first time, salsa or swing dancing is a great way to assess how well you communicate as a leader and follower. This may reveal how well you fit together off the dance floor. For example, are you respecting each other’s roles on the dance floor? Do you let him be the leader that he needs to be? Are you taking control so that she can relax and enjoy her time on the dance floor? Partner dancing takes communication skills to the next level so that you can develop a true and deeper connection both off and on the dance floor.
  • Social dancing is healing for your spirit. How often do we hear, “Relax, unwind, let it go..”? The dance floor is a wonderful place to release all of your troubles and daily stresses. Shimmy away your fears and let loose as you begin to see your spirit soar. Get in the mood by checking out a Latin club and seeing how happy everyone looks when they’re out there salsa dancing. Or frequent a Country bar and watch how much fun it is for those guys and gals to get down with Country two step and swing.

You can begin your exciting journey of learning to dance right here at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona! We have an amazing introductory lesson for couples and singles that will show you how dancing can improve your life, with or without a dance partner. Dance FX Studios is near Tempe and Chandler, Arizona. We offer social dance lessons in all of the most popular dances that you will use in the real world including salsa, swing, Country two step and Argentine tango.

Country Two Step is Here to Stay!

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The Country two step has risen to become one of the most popular dances here in Arizona over the last decade. But that was not always the case. With its original pairing and development based on the ballroom waltz, the dance did not thrive at first. Not at all, in fact.

Digging deeper into the history of the Country two step was quite revealing. It appears that in the 1920’s, the two step was originally named “valse a’deux temps” which translates to the “waltz of two beats”. It was not a dance that people warmed up to mainly due to its jerky appearance, especially as compared to the fluid and elegant  look of the waltz.

You can say that the two step was “shelved” until it resurfaced with a new look and name several years later. The Country two step was reborn as the “deux pas” (two step) and was paired with the tempo of the foxtrot, giving it a more casual appearance. Gone was the look and comparison to the waltz as it evolved into a more bouncy and loose social dance.

Fortunately, thanks to hit movies such as Urban Cowboy starring John Travolta, the Country Two Step gained recognition. The choreographers of the Urban Cowboy took the two step and mixed it with it’s ballroom “cousin”, the foxtrot, as mentioned above, to create a similar dance with a Country flair. From that point  on, the two step grew in approval and adoration to become a staple in small towns and big cities alike across America.

Now, with the current demand of Country crossover music by pop stars like Carrie Underwood and Blake Shelton, the Country two step can be danced almost anywhere. No need to find your local Country bar to enjoy the ease and excitement of this dance. In fact, because Country music is so hot right now, the two step is a must-have dance almost anywhere you live.

Don’t like Country music? That’s OK, this is a dance that you can apply to other genres once you know the basics. What is so wonderful about the two step is its sheer versatility. You can use this must-have dance on a crowded dance floor or one that allows you to travel. You will make HIM happy in this dance because it is very easy to learn. SHE will love this dance because of all of the fun spins and dips that will sweep her off of her feet. It’s a win/win!

You too can enjoy Country dancing with private dance lessons from us at Dance FX Studios here in Mesa, AZ. With over a decade in business in the Phoenix East valley, we have taught thousands of singles and couples with no dance experience at all to become confident Country dancers. What’s our secret? We teach the everyday person the tips and tools to become great leaders or followers on the dance floor, not tricks. Within a short period of time, you will see how dancing is not as mysterious and intimidating as you may have thought it to be all of these years. From us, you will learn practical and useful steps that you can use with anyone-not choreography that you can only do with your dance partner.

Check out our introductory offer to see how to get started with Country dance lessons at Dance FX Studios. We are within minutes from Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert and Scottsdale, AZ for your convenience. We are less that 15 minutes from downtown Phoenix. Conquer that dance floor once and for all and get out and kick up your heels with us at Dance FX Studios for quality social dance lessons in the Country two step and so much more!