Make Romance a Priority This Year

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dance lessons for adults near Tempe ArizonaIn the poetic words of the late, great David Bowie (RIP);

Let’s dance,
Put on your red shoes and dance the blues
Let’s dance,
To the song they’re playin’ on the radio
Let’s sway,
While color lights up your face
Let’s sway,
Sway through the crowd to an empty space
Dancing with someone you care for…now that’s a way to connect on a more intimate level. Holding each other tight and “swaying through the crowd”, can you think of anything better?
If your goal in  2016 is to have a year filled with deeper, more meaningful connections, learning how to social dance will provide you with a really cool skill that can take you where you want to be. Whether you have a partner at this point or not, once you know some popular social dances, you can meet new friends (potentially even a love interest) and gain a hobby that will prepare you for tons of fun social opportunities in the future. Sounds like a great idea, right? I agree. 🙂
Now’s the time to seek out a social ballroom dance studio for adults in your area and see about taking some beginners dance lessons for couples or singles. 2016 is a fresh start for many, so why not develop some new talents that will help you to stand out above the rest. With the know-how to social dance well,  you will make an impression on your friends and onlookers alike. So what dances should you explore this year? Here are my top three picks for useful and popular dances that you will use in the year ahead.
1. Country Two Step: Country dancing can actually be quite romantic. Whether your favorite Country music is fast or slow, there are plenty of exciting dances and moves that can help you to ignite some passion with your partner.
The Country Two Step is great fun for those mid-tempo Country songs. It’s also pretty easy to learn, at least in the beginning stages. Once you get to the more complicated dance moves, hold on to your boots, because the possibilities are endless to twist, turn and tangle up in each other’s arms. With the Country Two Step under your belt, you’ll be prepared to go out Country dancing anywhere.
2. Salsa: If you’re thinking of a steamy, sensual, but very playful dance to check out, give Salsa dance lessons a shot. Being a proficient Salsa dancer means looking and feeling confident while on the dance floor. That’s a very attractive quality. Salsa dancing, as with all Latin dances, requires a little attitude and a lot of spunk. Salsa dancing is quite fun with a partner you know, and one that you’d like to get to know better…
3. Swing dancing. Most people wouldn’t generally associate Swing dancing with romance, but it actually is a super-fun way to connect with your sweetie. With all of the cool turns to know, Swing dancing will keep the energy up and the sparks flying! For a good time that’s sure to lead to some great memories, give Swing dance classes a try.
OK, it’s time to see how you want to pursue your 2016 resolution of becoming more connected with others. Social dancing is just one avenue, of course, but it’s one that will bring you more than just a new and fabulous hobby. Through social dancing, you can check off your health goals, and even goals of doing something really neat and unique in the upcoming year. Now’s your time…Make it amazing! Hope to see you on the dance floor!

Let Social Dancing be the Answer to Your 2016 Resolutions

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local dance studios for adults near Chandler AZWe’re on week two of what is bound to be an incredible year, don’t you agree? With hope on the horizon, and goals pasted on our vision boards, I am certain that each and every resolution will come to fruition. Many of us write general plans for the year ahead, including our financial aspirations, social intentions, and even our intellectual expectations, like to read more, or take on a new skill. Now you may not have thought of this, but knowing how to social dance/taking social dance lessons, can solve many of your needs and wants in 2016. “Like what, and how?”, you may be wondering. Let’s take a look!

  1. Make a sound financial investment. What an awesome New Year’s Resolution! Who doesn’t want to put their money in the best place possible? I know I do. When you invest in social dance lessons, you are setting yourself up for years of fun with a new and exciting hobby that will enrich your life on many levels. Now is that a good use of your time and money, or what? To elaborate, learning to Swing dance, Salsa dance and Country dance is a healthy way to spend your time. Dancing increases your heart rate, giving you that workout that our bodies all need. You will also get your social goals met, which we will look into next. Overall, though, social dancing is the cure-all for the mind, body and spirit, and a skill that I highly recommend that everyone learn in the year ahead.

2. Connect more with others. If you’re looking to put yourself out there more in 2016, social dance lessons will give you the confidence you’ve been looking for. Once you can Two Step, slow dance or even do the Argentine tango, you will have a cool and unique way to make new friends and meet interesting people who also love to dance. By making these connections, your business skills can grow right along with your personal opportunities for love and adventure with friends you may have not met otherwise. Cool, right? I think so!

3.  Learn more. Some may take a college course to gain knowledge, or read an interesting book, two really cool ideas, but if you’re seeking that total transformation, consider learning to social dance. Again, the mind/body connection in partner dancing is powerful. What social dancing has to offer, as discussed in a recent blog on how dancing makes you smarter, is the opportunity to think fast and make split-second decisions on the dance floor. From what dance moves to remember, to which ones to use on a tiny, crowded dance floor, social dancing requires thought and a sharp mind. Keep your memory active and learn to social dance, you’ll love the results you gain!

As you can see, social ballroom dancing has a ton to offer you in the new year and beyond. Get the confidence to take that first step into a local dance studio near you. You’ll surely find in a very short time how many of your resolutions can become a reality-just by knowing how to dance! 🙂

Swing dancing Arizona

Popular Swing Dance Styles

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Swing dancing in Mesa ArizonaDid you know that there are over 20 styles of Swing dancing? Pretty amazing, huh? Swing dancing has grown and evolved over that last 80 years to take on many unique looks and variations. From playful to sultry, Swing dancing today is both useful and popular. If you’re interested in discovering Swing dancing, here are the top three Swing dance styles that would be key for you to explore in 2016.

Of course, if you’re going to take the time to learn to Swing dance, let me begin by recommending Private Swing Dance Lessons, rather than Group Dance Classes. With one-on-one instruction, you will gain the information needed to be a confident social dancer. You should also receive great tips based on how you learn best. For example, if you’re a visual learner, your instructor can show you specific techniques as he/she is explaining them to you, so you can get on the fast track to learning to dance. Regardless of the dance style you want to try, Private Dance Lessons are always the more efficient and productive way towards reaching your goals of becoming a comfortable social dancer. Now, on to my suggestions for which Swing dances to learn in the new year.

  1. Country Swing. OK, I’m sort of cheating here because Country Swing is not one of the recognized Swing dances of the 20+ styles that I mentioned earlier, at least in the ballroom dance world. It is actually an offshoot of East Coast Swing (Single Time Swing), an official ballroom dance. But, if you happen to be an Arizona resident like I am, “Country Swing” dancing has definitely taken on a life of it’s own. It is considered a social dance, at least by laypeople, that many come in to our Phoenix dance studio to learn daily. For that reason, and due to Country music’s extreme popularity these days, I say go ahead and ask for Country Swing. Any social dance studio should know what you mean, and what look you’re going for, so that you can fit in at any Country bar.

On that note, it is important to realize that when you go to a dance studio for instruction, you will learn timing, technique and detail that may not be used by untrained dancers. That’s a great thing, because you can then approach the dance floor with great style and a fun new skill. How exciting!

2. West Coast Swing. West Coast is a really cool version of Swing dancing that applies to more mid-tempo music. It is done on what’s called a “slot” where you move back and forth in a linear fashion, without traveling. Although West Coast Swing lessons are best for an intermediate dancer, rather than a beginner (just my opinion), it’s a very useful Swing dance style to know. I suggest learning the principles of lead and follow through other dances first before touching on the West Coast Swing, but please take the time to learn this amazing dance down the road as it will most likely be used for some of your favorite tunes.

3. Jitterbug. Jitterbug is also an East Coast Swing dance style, which, according to dancers, is technically the same as the Country Swing. The main difference is the styling associated with the Jitterbug. There’s more finesse and control included in the Jitterbug, and it covers different kinds of music, but many of the moves are the same. With Jitterbug dancing, you will be able to dance to Rock and Roll music and oldies, so it too is a very common, easy and popular kind of Swing dance that I think is a must-have in your repertoire.

It’s your turn to discover how to Swing dance this year! Once you do, you will see all of the amazing benefits of knowing how to dance, from improved health to meeting new friends to gaining confidence at social events. Give yourself the gift of dance, you’ll be glad you did!

adult dance studios

What is Your Ideal Wedding Dance?

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adult dance studios near Gilbert ArizonaAhhh, your first dance. It’s romantic, sweet and elegant. Wait. You don’t want a “sweet” wedding dance? What type of wedding dance do you want? The great news is that today’s first dance can be ANYTHING you want, as long as you’re in capable and qualified hands, of course.

Modern brides and grooms are looking for more and more when it comes to making their wedding dance one to remember, and that means that no idea is off the table. At Dance FX Studios in the Phoenix East Valley, we have literally choreographed it all. From the cheesy 1980’s Journey songs with the groom sliding across the dance floor on his knees playing air guitar, to dramatic Argentine tango routines that require costume changes (and a fedora, of course), we have brought many a vision of the perfect first dance to life. In 2016, dream big, or small, because your options are limitless.

For those of you who are on the conservative/traditional side, not a problem! Make sure to 1. Find an adult dance studio in your area that choreographs wedding dances for brides and grooms, and 2. Let your choreographer know what ideas you may have/what overall look you’re going for. A great dance instructor will listen to your vision and give you something that you’re comfortable with for your first dance. A slow song is most likely in order here, so doing a little research on wedding songs that you enjoy prior to setting up a Wedding Dance Consultation. Videos from YouTube will also be helpful when it comes to articulating what excites you. Video really says a lot, so we as choreographers can use that as a place to start when customizing your wedding dance.

For those of you who want to rock your reception with an unexpected and surprising first dance, the sky is the limit. As a dancer, it’s wonderful to be creative and choreograph something unique! Here’s a bit of advice that I always give my wedding couples who want a more elaborate wedding dance.

1. Don’t dance for more than 3 minutes. Keep your edited music short. Two to three minutes is plenty so that you can capture your guest’s attention and keep them intrigued. They will definitely remember your wedding dance, as long as you keep it short and sweet.

2. Never include a lift in your wedding dance. Please, for the safety of you and your guests, keep all four feet on the floor for the entire dance. While lifting your bride above your head, a la Dirty Dancing, sounds like a really cool idea, too many “accidents” can occur, making your dance one that no one will forget, and for all the wrong reasons. Avoid this disaster by staying away from lifts and tricks that can cause harm to anyone, especially the bride and groom.

3. Consider your clothing. An out-of-the-box wedding dance that may include Hip Hop, Salsa, or another non-traditional dance style may require a costume/shoe change. Five inch heels or a tight, fitted dress will not be ideal or comfortable for something out of the ordinary, so consider changing into a reception gown, or a different pair of shoes, if even for only the dance.

Wedding dance lessons are great fun for brides and grooms! You can discover a romantic, new hobby that you can use for years to come once you know how to dance. The key is to finding the right dance studio for you with a comfortable learning environment.

If you’re getting married in 2016, it’s not too early to begin your search for that perfect dance studio for you. Wedding Dance Lessons will be one of the best investments you will make into your big day. Enjoy!

adult dance instruction

Kick off 2016 With Social Dance Lessons

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adult dance instruction near Chandler ArizonaIt’s 2016! Happy New Year! You’re off to accomplish all of your resolutions, right? Well, if losing weight in a fun and healthy way is one of your goals this year, boy do I have an idea for you. Begin taking social dance lessons for adults! You can Country dance your way into a firmer bod, or learn to Swing dance to boost your heart rate and keep your blood pressure down. Now that’s how you get this year started!

How you want to get fit this year is up to you. What I know for sure is, once you get started with social ballroom lessons for beginners, you will be on the fast track to fitting into last year’s jeans. That’s never a bad thing… Not to mention, social dancing is a way to get multiple resolutions, not just your health goals, completed at once. What else will you get out of trying Country, Swing or Latin dance lessons this year? From my perspective, TONS, but let me highlight a few things that knowing how to social dance will do for you in 2016.

For Arizona residents, you will be prepared for the biggest Country event of the year, Country Thunder. I’m sure that other states hold similar types of parties; four days of dancing, drinking and hanging out at campgrounds with old friends and new ones, so why not get a jump start on your version of Country Thunder? Here in Arizona, Country Thunder is held in April, so if you start with beginner’s Country dance lessons now, you will surely be ready to dance in the next few months. I suggest taking Private Country Dance Lessons versus Group Dance Classes so that you can get all of the finer points and tips that you need to hit that dance floor the right way. Knowing a few cool moves is not enough these days. Why not learn to Country dance with great habits so that you can feel confident on any social dance floor? One-on-one dance instruction will get you the comfort level you need to make a great impression anywhere.

Social dancing is a great way to make new friends. Think about it. If you can Swing dance, wouldn’t it be easier to ask an attractive person to dance with you? Wouldn’t you impress him or her more if you could lead or follow well? Wouldn’t that be a great way to open the door for conversation that may lead to a new friendship? Are you seeing where I’m going with this? I think you are. 🙂

Social dance lessons, like learning to Salsa dance, for example, can also be an exciting way to spice things up at home with your other half. Even if you never make it to a Latin dance club, Salsa dancing in the kitchen can be steamy and quite romantic. Sure, diamonds will put a smile on our faces, but it takes more time and energy to learn  skill that the two of you can enjoy as a hobby for many years to come. Now that’s special.

There are so many more reasons to learn to social dance this year. In future bogs, believe me, I’ll lay them all out for you. 🙂 For now, get the ball rolling by contacting a local dance studio for adults near you. Don’t wait! You’ve already been missing out on the fun! Start soon so that you can look incredible for those 2016 holiday parties on the other side of the year.