Country Dancing Tips
Three 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.
