In social partner dancing, great posture is everything! Learn few ways that your perfect posture will aid you in becoming a confident social dancer.

tango dancers

Fix Poor Posture in No Time!

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tango dancersDo you experience pain, aches, or stiffness in your upper back, shoulders, and neck? Do you have a desk job or are you a student, or someone who spends a lot of time in front of a computer or television? Do you feel slouchy or like there is pressure on your shoulder and neck area that you cannot relieve? It could be due to poor posture! According to Wikipedia, “Poor posture is the posture that results from certain muscles tightening up or shortening while others lengthen and become weak which often occurs as a result of one’s daily activities… Risk factors for poor posture also include psychosocial factors such as job stress and strain. Workers who have higher job stress are more likely to develop neck and shoulder symptoms.” While many of us have experienced injury or affliction that causes this pain, it can be caused or exacerbated by poor posture. Logging several hours every day in front of a screen while slouching or holding your neck in an uncomfortable position can create problems. One great way to relieve the pain and get started on fixing the problem is to do activities and exercises that elongate and align your spine. Social ballroom dancing, from Swing dancing to Salsa or even Country dancing does just that!

Ballroom dancing requires you to lengthen your torso, hold your head high, and constantly maintain good posture. Your frame in ballroom dance is very precise and your instructor will remind you if your posture needs fixing. They will also give you exercises and practices to do if you are still struggling, which is why giving dance lessons a try will get your poor posture nipped in no time!

With three months of dance lessons, you may see improved flexibility in your spine as well. This flexibility and proper alignment can even help ease or erase that upper back/neck pain you have been feeling. Strengthening your core muscles is vital to easing or fixing back pain, and dance lessons are a great workout for your core. You will constantly be shifting your weight, changing direction, and moving every part of your body, which will not only strengthen your core but also tone other areas of your body!

Stress relief is another well-known benefit of social ballroom dance lessons that will also ease your pain. The tension and stress from work, school, relationships, and life in general can manifest as physical tension in your neck, back, and shoulders. Physical exercise is a great stress reliever, which you can get through dance. Participating in activities that take your mind off of the stressors in your life is also important; dance lessons will require you mind and body to be in the moment on the dance floor. What better way to distract yourself?

Once you start to notice that you are not only applying your new posture to dancing, but also into your daily life, is when you have truly experienced the wonders of dance. You will start to notice that your body presence, appearance, and balance have improved as well. It will take some time and continual reminding during the initial learning phase, but you will get it! The confidence you discover with dance lessons is also another benefit that will have you holding your head high and facing the world with your shoulders back and tall.

 Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona is the perfect place for you to get started bettering yourself – posture included! To see just how much dance can do for you, schedule an Introductory Lesson. You will get out on the floor and begin your dancing journey, as well as discuss what your goals and reasons are for learning to dance. There is no better time than now to start dance lessons. Your back will thank you! Contact us now for more information on how to begin your dancing journey…

Country dancers

What Are Your Summer Plans?

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DSC03606As the Arizona summer approaches, we are all looking for cool things to do to beat the heat and still have fun in the coming months. While the movies seem like a great go-to idea, turning into a couch potato is not all that it’s cracked up to be. In fact, being sedentary is never ideal, even if it is 100+ degrees outside. So how else will you fill your summer months? We have the perfect thing for your to do that is just perfect for all Arizonans… Country dance lessons! That’s right, what better way to spend your summer than to discover a new hobby that you will use for years to come!

Country dancing in Arizona is as popular as ever. Arizonans love to boot scoot their nights away at Country bars including Whiskey Rose Saloon, Burbon Jacks and the ever-popular Toby Keith’s, I Love This Bar and Grill.

We at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, AZ are here to give you the skills to hit that dance floor with confidence. We love Country dancing, and even more than that, we love teaching others to Country dance so that you will always have a fun way to stay cool in the summertime. A great deal of our students come to our studio with the hope of learning something new that they will have for a lifetime. With Country dance lessons, you will soon replace those nights on the couch with evenings filled with laughter, fun and meeting new friends. In fact, knowing how to dance will also be a great source of stress-relief and even a romantic date night opportunity. Become a competent dancer and discover for yourself how to really heat up those summer nights.

The most popular Country dances are the Two Step and Country Swing, but we also teach many other dance types. it’s normal to be unsure as to what dances go with what songs, so here is a small guide to some popular Country music that may be helpful.

 

She’s Got it All – Country Two Step

Big Star – Country Two Step

How Forever Feels – Country Two Step

Ain’t Back Yet – Country Two Step

Guitars and Tiki Bars – Country Swing

Ain’t That Love – Country Swing

Living in Fast Forward – Country West Coast Swing

 

To start your summer journey now,  come try our Introductory Offer for Country dance lessons. Whether you are single or will be bringing a partner, the Introductory Offer is perfect to see what dance can do for you. We are open for lessons weekdays from 12 to 8 pm and Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm to schedule your first lesson today. Contact us today and get ready for an exciting summer in 2014!

dance lessons for men

Social Ballroom Dancing Boosts Confidence in Men

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dance lessons for menThis one is for the guys – the single guys! Taking the leap and deciding to take Salsa, Swing or Country dance lessons is the first step in your journey to becoming a confident social dancer. Oftentimes, just coming into a dance studio is the hardest step.  Once you get started, though, the fun really kicks in!  Soon enough, you will be well on your way to becoming a Two Step aficionado, a Salsa dancing stud, or a man with some serious Swing dancing skills. You will be a confident, skilled dancer who can sweep any lady off of her feet in no time! How cool is that!

At Dance FX Studios, we work with men from across the Phoenix Valley with a wide range of personalities, goals, and interests. One thing they all have in common? They came to us because we are the #1 dance studio in Arizona for social dancing lessons. The guys that come to us don’t need or want to learn what competitive ballroom dance studios teach, they want to be able to dance in any social setting they come across – bars, clubs, weddings, cruises, grocery store aisles… And they made the right choice coming to us!

 

Dance FX Studios, located near the Tempe/Chandler/Mesa border in the southeast corner of Dobson and Guadalupe Roads, teaches social ballroom dance lessons to singles and couples six days a week. What we mean by social dancing is that we will prepare you to dance anywhere where people gather-from bars to weddings and cruises to date nights. We will agile you the tools needed for how to be a great leader, a leader who can show any woman a great time on the dance floor. We also incorporate dance tips that you can use to make sure you stay on the dance floor all night long! Things like making a great connection with any dance partner and how to maneuver busy dance floors to keep you and your partner safe and comfortable are vital to becoming a great social dancer, and these things are incorporated into each of your private dance lessons.

 

While you will learn a great deal in your dance lessons, practicing in the “real world” is also crucial to accomplishing your goals. To be the best leader you can possibly be, you need to be comfortable dancing with different partners and their varying frames. The more time you log on the dance floor, the more comfortable and the better a dancer you will be!  So get out there and shake your groove thing – comfortably, confidently, and with mad leading skills from us at Dance FX Studios.

You too, can make the right choice when you schedule your first lesson with us! Our Introductory Offer is a great way to see just what we can do for you and how social dancing can affect your life in so many ways. Call us or visit the studio today and set up a time that works for you to begin learning! We look forward to hearing from you 🙂

History of Ballroom Dancing

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Did You Know…

Did you know that Ballroom dancing can be used as a weapon for anti-aging? Specific results that you may see from Ballroom dancing include stronger bones, a slower heart rate, an increase in stamina and agility, improved posture and a sharper mind. In fact, there is growing evidence that dancing can assist in warding off Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia!

In a 21-year study of people aged 75 and older led by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, frequent dancing was the MAIN physical activity that aided in the prevention of dementia. Surprisingly, dancing even outscored activities such as reading books and crossword puzzles. Here is a portion of they found:

• Reading- 35% reduced risk of dementia
• Biking or swimming- O%
• Doing crossword puzzles at least 4 days/week- 47%
• Playing golf- 0%
• DANCING OFTEN- 76%!

Ballroom dancing combines the physical, mental and spiritual creating the perfect recipe for a long, healthy life. So if you’re looking to stay young and live life to the fullest, just dance!

A Brief History of Ballroom Dancing

Ballroom dancing comes from the word “ballare” meaning “to dance”? A ballroom, therefore, is known as a place to dance.

Ballroom dancing spawned from folk dances like the Minuet and the Polonaise in the late 16th century. Once shunned for being inappropriate because of the “closed hold” between dancers, ballroom dancing soon became popular among the privileged, leaving behind its folk dancing roots for the lower classes.

In the early 20th century, modern ballroom dancing evolved with the onset of jazz music. Popular dances including the Foxtrot, Tango, Waltz and Cha Cha Cha were created between 1910 and 1930. Each of these dances are still used today both socially and in ballroom dance competitions.

Modern day ballroom dancing encompasses a variety of partner dance styles. Used as an umbrella term for partner dancing in general, “ballroom” dancing includes Latin and swing.

Ballroom dancing has earned positive recognition most recently through television shows like Dancing With The Stars and So You Think You Can Dance. Everyday onlookers can now appreciate the efforts it takes to become a great dancer through these kinds of programs. Ballroom dancing has received such recognition as a sport in fact, that it is being considered for the Olympics in the future.

couple dancing in dancefx studio

A Brief History of Country Dancing

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couple dancing in dancefx studioA Brief History of Country Dancing

Country dancing can be traced back to a popular ballroom dance, the Foxtrot, as well as the Swing. Using similar variations derived from the Foxtrot, the Two Step is also known as the “country cousin” to the Foxtrot. Country dancing as a whole includes many dances including the Country Waltz, the Texas Two Step and the Country Swing, with new country dances and offshoots being created often.

The Two Step received its Country traits and name back to the 1940’s when it reached the square dancing community. Some people say the Two Step also has roots dating back to European and Mexican dance history. In the 1800’s it was said to have appeared in Germany and Hungary and it is connected to Mexican dancing by an influence of the Mexican fandangos.

Did You Know…

Did you know that there is a form of the Country Two Step that is done almost exclusively in Arizona? “Arizona” or “Rhythm” Two Step, as it is also called, is a common variation that stays mostly stationary. Generally, other styles of Two Step dancing, like the Texas Two Step, travel around the dance floor counter-clockwise. This counter-clockwise direction is commonly referred to as the “line of dance” amongst dancers, signifying the flow of traffic, so to speak, on the dance floor.

We teach many forms of the Country Two Step at Dance FX Studios, however the Arizona Two Step is most popular here. What’s great about the AZ Two Step is that it can be done in a very small, crowded space which is perfect for social dancing! Another plus with the AZ Two Step is that you can interchange it with the Country Swing within the same song adding more variety to your dancing.

Grab a pair of your favorite cowboy boots and let’s hit the dance floor! You’ll be twisting, turning, and twirling in no time with the Country Two Step!
Country dance lessons at Dance FX Studios are by appointment 6 days/week. We are located in the East Valley of Phoenix in Mesa, Arizona on Dobson Rd. and Guadalupe, near Tempe, Chandler and Gilbert, AZ. We serve all residents of Phoenix and outside areas including Sedona, Flagstaff and Prescott, AZ.

country swing dancing

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.

swing dancing couple

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 dancing couple

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.

couple salsa dancing

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.

Couple Salsa Dancing

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.