Country Dancing Tips

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country swing dancingThree Tips to Become a Skillful Country Dancer

Country dancing, from Two Step to Swing, is so much FUN! For couples, Country dancing is a great way to re-connect and add as a new, romantic hobby to do together. For singles, knowing how to Country dance is so helpful for meeting new people and socializing. Dancing in general is also a wonderful stress reliever and an excellent means of exercise without realizing that you’re getting a workout. (After an hour of fast-paced dancing, you actually burn between 350 and 400 calories!)

The benefits of dancing are endless! In spite of the numerous reasons why one should learn to Country dance though, just getting out there on the dance floor can be quite intimidating. What will give you that extra self-assurance is Country dance lessons with us! In private Country dance lessons at Dance FX Studios, you will be given further details on the three tips below plus so much more. With a new understanding of how to Country dance, you will have a fun activity for years to come. Check out our top 3 tips to conquer any social dance floor.

1. Find the Beat.

We are often asked what “kind” of Two Step we teach here at Dance FX Studios. The simple answer is that Two Step dancing is nothing more than a rhythm. Whether you are moving forward, to the left, or backwards, as long as you are on time with the music and communicating your moves to your partner, you are Two Stepping. Contrary to what you may witness at the Country bars around Phoenix, Country dancing is not just flips and dips to any song that is being played. As professionals, we will show you how to be mindful of others-for your safety and theirs- as well as how to look great and dance to the beat.

We apply these same teaching concepts to all of the Country dancing that you will learn here at Dance FX Studios. Whether you are taking Country Swing dance lessons or learning the Country Waltz, you will receive the knowledge that you need to do so much more than “fake it” on the dance floor.

2. Learn to Lead/Follow.

The thing with partner dances like Country Swing and Country Two Step is that you are dancing with someone else-not alone. For guys, that means that you must take charge on the dance floor. This DOES NOT mean yanking her around like a rag doll. She may “seem” to enjoy having her arms ripped out of their sockets and being flung into other dancers, but this is not what great dancers do. Quite the contrary. What we mean by “learn to lead” is to show your partner that you KNOW what to do in a way that helps her to relax and let you lead. We have found that ladies often try to lead their male counterparts because they don’t think that the guy they’re dancing with knows what he is doing. To still have fun, she begins turning herself. Ladies, he will NEVER enjoy dancing-or feel like a man on the dance floor- if you continue to pull him around. As much as he must learn to lead, we must accept our roles as followers by giving him a chance to sweep you off of your feet.

With private Country dance lessons at Dance FX Studios, both parties will understand their parts on the dance floor. With this, you will truly be able to enjoy partner dancing-he as the leader and she as someone who gets to go for the ride and relax. Remember…there can only be one cook in the kitchen and, on the Country dance floor, that would be him. With more confidence gained through private dance instruction, he can and will be able to “do his thing”, ladies, if you let him.

3. Etiquette First.

This is a biggie. Small, crowded dance floors need not to be looked at as a “free-for-all”. In order to be a Country dancer that respects others, please do not run your partner or yourself into those who are also trying to enjoy themselves dancing. Take small steps, gain navigation skills through private instruction and keep your eyes forward. Think of dancing as being on a racetrack. More timid drivers may want to head towards the middle of the dance floor, while speed demons may feel more comfortable on the outside track. Traveling dances like the Country Two Step and Country Waltz are two examples of when you need to choose your track and be mindful of the flow of traffic. For non-traveling dances like the Country Cha Cha, West Coast Swing, Nite Club 2 Step and Country Swing, keep your feet under your own body and again, take tiny steps. Those around you will appreciate it and you will have a more successful night of dancing.

For more informative tips on Country dancing, check out our blog and recent article on “Great Country Tips for Guys”. Blog articles will also include places to go Country dancing around Phoenix and so much more!

 

Country dancing can be your new hobby with Country dance lessons at Dance FX Studios located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona. Dance FX Studios offers purely social Country dance lessons in Mesa near Tempe, Chandler and Gilbert. We are also just minutes from Scottsdale, Queen Creek and Gold Canyon for dancing needs.

A Brief History of Swing Dancing

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swing dancing coupleA Brief History of Swing Dancing

With the evolution of Jazz music, Swing dancing emerged in the 1920’s through the 1950’s Swing in African American communities, most notably in Harlem, New York. Swing dancing grew from a combination of African dancing, tap, ballroom dancing and sheer creativity from some of its founders, most notably Dean Collins, Frankie Manning and “Shorty George” Snowden.

The first of the Swing dances included Lindy Hop and the Charleston and developed into over 24 variations including Shag, Balboa, West Coast and Jive. With stylistic differences from bouncy and hoppy to smooth and subtle, the Swing was versatile and exciting!

In the late 1930’s, the Jitterbug, with it’s big movements and fast footwork, brought Swing dancing into the mainstream. By the 1940’s Swing dancing was offered in schools of dance and was recognized among the American Society of Teachers and dancing as a style that was here to stay.

Did You Know…

Did you know that the Jitterbug, a common term representing several styles of Swing dancing, was named after the way alcoholics acted while drunk? The “jitters” suffered by alcoholics reminded trombonist and drummer Harry Alexander White of the lively movements that he saw on the dance floor as he coined the term “Jitterbug” in the early 1900’s.

While Mr. White named the Jitterbug, Cab Calloway often receives credit for title of the dance because of his 1934 song titled “The Jitterbug”. This song made the swing a household dance from that point on.

Swing Dance Tips

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swing dancing coupleThree Tips To Becoming an AMAZING Swing Dancer

Swing dancing is energizing, exciting and timeless. Looking to put a little pep in your step? Then get on the floor for a Swing dance or two and become revived! Feel your blood pumping and have fun burning calories while exploring a new hobby all at the same time.

Swing dancing is also a wonderful social opportunity. Meet new friends, learn a healthy new activity and watch your social life begin to expand as you now have something a lot more interesting to do than sit on the couch and watch tv.

For both couples and singles, Swing dance lessons are a great way to become confident and comfortable before hitting the social dance floor. At Dance FX Studios, you will learn useful dance tips like how to be a great leader or follower as well as how to build a connection with your partner. We will also give you a variety of moves to keep your dancing dynamic and lively. Check out a few Swing dancing tips below to get you started on your dancing quest.

1. Determine your style.

With over 24 variations of Swing, from Country Swing to Lindy Hop to West Coast Swing, the “look” you want on the dance floor can be yours. Do you like oldies, Rock and Roll or Big Band music? Would you like to look sultry and slinky or dance with a bounce in your step? Maybe a set of Cowboy boots are more your thing. Either way, with private Swing dance lessons from us, you can be yourself and find the right style to suit you. Since Swing dancing can be used almost anywhere, your style can keep you feeling comfortable as you learn to dance, making dancing that much more fun! Be yourself AND learn to dance, how cool is that!?

2. Know your leader.

Ladies, ladies, ladies. Let’s chat. Rule #1 on the dance floor is knowing who is in charge…on the dance floor. While we know how much FUN Swing dancing is, PLEASE let your guys decide when you will be turning and how often you will be doing so. It is a true challenge to wait for our leaders to whip out the cool moves on the dance floor-especially when he is a beginner dancer, but if we start to take over, he will never build his confidence. You do want a confident leader on the dance floor, right? Give him a chance to show you that he CAN be the man on the dance floor. What will it take to get him Swing ready? Private dance lessons, of course. For our leaders to shine, they must KNOW what they are doing and learn to do it right. Then they can go out and give this whole dancing thing a shot. Be patient, ladies, and let your men learn to dance so that they can sweep you off of your feet and give you a night to remember-whatever the occasion.

3. Give yourself time to learn to dance.

While those on the dance floor may make Swing dancing look so effortless, great dancers are never born. In fact, they probably put more miles on the dance floor than they do in their car making their footwork and style seem so complete. Be patient with yourself as you learn to dance and realize that with effort, great things can happen. The benefits of knowing how to Swing dance are endless, so keep plugging along and your time will pay off. :)

Become a confident Swing dancer with lessons from us at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona. We will give you useful tips to help you shine on any social dance floor! Dance FX Studios accommodates residents from Phoenix to Queen Creek and in between. Give us a call today to begin your journey into the exciting world of dance.

A Brief History of Salsa Dancing

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couple salsa dancingA Brief History of Salsa Dancing

“Salsa”, the Spanish word for sauce, or “mixture”, is an exciting Latin dance with a rich history. With cultural influences stemming from Cuba, Africa and Puerto Rico, Salsa dancing exploded amongst immigrants in New York in the 1970′s. Corresponding to Salsa music with complicated percussion rhythms and a fast paced tempo, Salsa dancing soon followed. Dancers of all levels were immediately drawn to the inviting and vibrant sounds, creating a dance that is now known world-wide.

As Salsa dancing spread around the world from North America to Asia, Europe and Australia, variations of the dance developed. Some of these styles include Colombian, Salsa Rueda, New York Style, Los Angeles style and Casino style. This playful and passionate dance has made it’s mark as the world’s the most popular Latin dance today.

Did You Know…

Did you know that the Dominican Republic was where Bachata dancing originated? Dominican natives performed the Bachata as a celebration of the end of each working day. Poor locals would gather around and dance to enjoy their time together with instruments created from garbage cans, pipes and fences.

As Bachata dancing became grew in popularity amongst the lower class, it move into the brothels and bars. With this, it was frowned upon by the government, making the dance taboo. From the 1950′s to the 1980′s, other dances like the Merengue developed until Bachata dancing came back into style once again.

Today, the Bachata has varying styles from traditional to urban and moderna. It is seen as a warm and romantic dance that has gained acceptance among the people of the Dominican Republic once again.

Latin Dance Tips

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Couple Salsa DancingThree Tips to Becoming an AMAZING Latin Dancer

Latin dancing…it’s exciting, it’s passionate, it’s sexy! Not only is Latin dancing visually appealing, but it is also a fantastic means of reducing stress, reigniting the flame with your special someone and a major confidence-builder. For men, knowing how to dance the Salsa or Bachata is a HUGE asset. Women LOVE a guy that is fearless on the dance floor. For ladies, Latin dancing allows you to explore your femininity in a new way. Latin dancing is actually both feminine and masculine, making it appealing and useful to both genders.

It is not always easy to get out there and just start shaking those hips, though. When you begin learning to dance, keep in mind that no one is born knowing how to dance. Below are three tips to becoming a great Latin dancer.

1. Be patient with yourself.

Latin dancing is all about attitude and sass. Neither of those come until you get the basics of the dances down first. The actual steps to the Salsa, Merengue and Bachata are fairly easy. That is is the good news. What may take a bit of time is letting go, understanding the music and slowly developing the “look” of a Latin dancer. With time and private dance instruction with us, you WILL be able to relax and soften those legs to add that style to your Latin dancing.

2. Fake it til you make it.

Even though you most likely won’t come out “shakin’ it” right from the start, get into the music and let go as much as you can on the dance floor. Most onlookers will be looking at your face, not your feet. If you look intimidated and frightened, that will show through. Appear calm and relaxed and remember to breathe as you run through the moves you learned in your Latin dance lessons and the rest will come.

3. Learn more than just steps.

We would like to leave you with our most important tip: remember that Latin dancing is not merely about memorizing steps. In fact, your footwork should become secondary to what is most important on the dance floor-your connection with your partner and having fun! If you are in a Latin club, it is also extremely important to be mindful of others. Don’t seek out flashy moves that require a lot of space or that may injure others just so that you can look good. Blending in and respecting others on any social dance floor is key. Have fun, be safe and enjoy the dance!

Looking for beginner Salsa lessons near Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert or Scottsdale, Arizona? Dance FX Studios in Mesa, AZ is the perfect place to prepare you for the Latin dance clubs around Phoenix. Check out our blog for places to go Salsa dancing the Phoenix East Valley and more cool Latin dance tips.