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Country Dancing AZ

Why You Can’t Learn How to Dance From Videos

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rsz_3photoI’m sure you’re wondering why you need to take lessons at all to learn how to dance. In today’s day and age technology is literally right at your fingertips. Virtually anything you could do without a phone ten years ago, you can do with one now. So why don’t we teach through YouTube or through a live feed? Good question.

Dancing is all about connection. Without an instructor being able to physically make you feel what they are talking about you will have a hard time grasping the concept of connection and won’t be able to dance with every person in the room! Sure, we could have you memorize some moves and you can try to use them when you go out, but chances are you won’t be as successful as someone who comes in to take a Private Dance Lesson with us. Connection is such an important thing to know and we focus a lot of our lessons around this subject because all successful things start with a great foundation. Our foundation being connecting with your partner!

If we just created videos and tried to have our students learn from them they would never be able to ask questions! This a great benefit to taking private Country, Swing, or Salsa dance lessons. You can experience the connection we talked about earlier and when you have a very specific question your instructor will definitely be more qualified than google or YouTube to answer it for you. Different instructors can answer in a way that will click for you. Someone in a video doesn’t know how to give an answer that is custom to YOU! (They can’t even hear your question in the first place)

As we teach our lessons here at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona we can walk around and spot any mistakes that you are making and help you realize what feels wrong and how you can fix it. Since an instructor in a video cannot see you, it is impossible for them to correct you. So when you are confused and trying to figure out the first move they taught you, they are already on to the third one and it becomes overwhelming.

The lady in this partner dancing situation does not want to have to memorize footsteps (this coming from a lady herself) trust us! Women love to be twirled around and, though they may be the leader off the dance floor, as soon as their feet hit the floor they want to be led! So lead your lady over to us and try out our New Student Offer and turn off the computer. You won’t need videos when you have us!

Arizona country dancing

Putting Your Best Foot Forward…

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Arizona Country dancingSo you’ve decided that you’re tired of bellying up to that barstool and watching everyone else on that dance floor have fun. Why should they be kicking up their heels while you are watching from afar? It’s time for you to learn to dance and you’re ready to finally do something about it. Does this guy or gal sound like you? Then give your local dance studio a call and get the ball rolling!

There’s no better time than now to invest in yourself with private dance lessons. With private dance instruction, you can get great tips on how to lead or follow, how to connect with a variety of partners (or your special someone) and how to actually do all of those cool moves in your favorite styles of dance. If you’re like most people, you have questions when embarking on a new hobby such as social partner dancing. Here are a few of the most common questions along with answers from us, the pros at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, AZ.

1. What styles of dance should I/we learn first? This question comes up often.  You wouldn’t want to begin exploring a dance that is not useful to you as a couple or single, so our instructors begin by asking you what kind of music you enjoy. If you’re a couple that loves Rock and Roll, we will show you how to Swing dance. If you love Country music, the Country Two Step is definitely in order. For those that love Latin music (and it is so popular here in Arizona), of course we will explore the Salsa and Bachata as your two most useful dances.

With so many dance styles to choose from, we believe in quality over quantity, so our suggestion is to start learning 3 or 4 dances, at the most, initially. That will lead us into Most Common Question #2…

2. Can I start with just one dance and go from there? We don’t recommend it. Not only is learning just one dance limiting, but it is also the slowest way to progress. With one dance, you will be sitting out a majority of the night. What’s the fun in that? Taking in at least two styles will keep you out there on the dance floor longer, which is exactly what you wanted, right? Since dancing is healthy and enjoyable on so many levels, you wouldn’t want to take lessons only to find yourself watching from the sidelines again.

In terms of slowing down your progress, learning several styles that are relatable all at once is ideal. You will be working smart and not hard, as well as staying up on that dance floor having a blast!

3. What type of footwear should we wear for our dance lessons? Proper footwear is a main component of partner dancing, believe it or not. For you golfers out there, would you consider golfing with a stick if you didn’t bring your clubs? Or using an apple as your ball if you ran out? Of course not.

For Country dancers, we always recommend a nice pair of leather bottom shoes that you can find at your local boot store. Rubber does tend to stick to the floor, so leather is best. Latin dancers ideally should be in a heel with a strap around the ankle (for ladies) and a leather bottom dress shoe (for guys). Ease of movement is what we’re after here. Think back to the golf analogy when beginning your dance lessons so that you set yourself up for success out there and you don’t waste your time being distracted by your shoes.

Social partner dancing is a skill that makes an impression on others. It’s hard not to be impressed by someone who’s a confident social dancer. Embark on your exciting new journey into the world of social dancing with us at Dance FX Studios! We will take you, the everyday single or couple, and give you the tools to dance anywhere with ease and certainty.

Arizona residents… give our New Student Offer a try and see how dancing can help you to put your best foot forward in any social situation.

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Physical Benefits of Ballroom Dancing in Arizona

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Many of you know that social ballroom dancing can be a rewarding hobby. In order to be great at popular social dances like Country Two Step, Swing and Salsa dancing, dance lessons are in order. Did you ever realize just how beneficial dance lessons are your physical health? Though it doesn’t seem like exercise in the traditional way we think of lifting weights and running, dancing actually offers a total body workout. When you Cha Cha or Swing dance, you use all of your major muscle groups and improve your cardiovascular health as well! With ballroom dance lessons, you will become more toned, and your heart will thank you too. Located in Mesa, Arizona, Dance FX Studios has been a leading social ballroom dance studio for many years, helping couples and singles enjoy the benefits of dance, while having fun!

Getting fit should be pleasurable, not boring. Ballroom dancing, from the Waltz to West Coast Swing, can actually burn as many calories as a gym workout. For many people looking to get fit, the dance floor offers an exhilarating alternative to the drudgery of the gym, and experts say sticking to an exercise regime is much easier when it’s not a chore. It makes sense – if you enjoy what you’re doing, you look forward to it and won’t be looking for excuses for why not to go. With the stress relief and fun that comes along with Country and Latin dancing, you will be surprised as to just how much you are enjoying a work out regime.

Depending on the dance, like Country Swing, Bachata or even the sultry Argentine Tango, ballroom dancing can burn anywhere from 250 to 500 calories an hour. It is considered a moderate form of exercise, about the same as a brisk half-hour walk on a treadmill. Even better, fast-paced dances like the Salsa and the Cha Cha, can be equivalent to a weight lifting session at the gym (but much more glamorous!). Dancing also improves flexibility, aiding in the relief of chronic pain and stiffness. Wouldn’t you rather be out somewhere at a Latin dance club or Country bar here in the Phoenix East Valley area kicking up your heels dancing, instead of being on a treadmill? You can meet new people with similar interests and let off some steam while enjoying the music, food and culture of our great area! Way better than the gym, right?

If you have noticed a drop in your motivation and energy levels, taking ballroom dance lessons may just help. Research has found that dancing can increase energy levels. A lot of us have sedentary lifestyles, working in offices behind computers and studying for several years in schools and universities. This lack of activity and physical stimulation can take away our energy and leave us feeling drained. Once you get yourself out on the dance floor and put a little Swing dancing or Country dancing in your life,  your metabolism will rev up and get that blood flowing so you will feel yourself starting to come alive again!

Dancing sounds pretty great, right? But what if you don’t even know where to start or you are afraid that you won’t be a good dancer? That’s where we come in! Dance FX Studios here in Arizona has been teaching adults of all ages and abilities to gain the confidence and skills they need to let dance affect their lives in a great way. From the ever popular Country Two Step to the sexy Tango, it doesn’t matter which dance you learn first. Give ballroom dance lessons a try and you will see your body transform itself before long.

Are you ready to experience this enjoyable and beneficial alternative to the gym? Private dance lessons at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, AZ are made by appointment Monday-Friday from 12-8 pm and on Saturdays from 11 am-4 pm. To get started, we suggest you begin with our Introductory Special, only $40 (per couple or single) for a one hour private dance lesson. We are confident that one hour is all we need to show you our unique method of teaching and how invigorating dancing can be for YOU!