There are so many fun dance classes to choose from, it’s hard to decide which style of dance is perfect just for you. From the Country Two Step to the Salsa and Swing, each dance style offers a plethora of benefits.  Just a few of the benefits you can receive from knowing how to dance include: increased confidence, meeting new people, a long list of health benefits and weight loss. But the real question is, what dance will “do it” for you. What dance will “have you at hello” or “complete you”. We live in Arizona, and Country dancing is very popular, so why not try putting an extra kick in your step by learning  to Country dance?

Are you interested? Then put on some Kenny Chesney or Miranda Lambert and keep reading to find out what Country dances could be perfect for you…

The Country Western Waltz is the perfect partner dance that allows you to get close and cozy with your partner as you move across the dance floor together. The Country Western Waltz is mostly progressive, moving counter-clockwise around the dance floor. Both the posture and frame are relaxed, with posture bordering on a slouch. The exaggerated hand and arm gestures of some ballroom styles are not part of this style.

The music of Country Waltz songs usually has the word “waltz” in the title. Early Country Waltz music includes “Tennessee Waltz” written by Redd Stewart and Pee Wee King in 1946. Patti Page recorded the song in the 1950s and it became her signature song. More recently Norah Jones recorded a version of the “Tennessee Waltz” and currently there is a lot of good music for dancing the Country Waltz which shows the Waltz is still very popular.

Put a Little Two-Step in Your Step! Another popular Country dance is the Two-Step, which has a more upbeat tempo. As with other Country Western dances, there are different versions of the Two-Step including the Texas Two-Step and Arizona Two-Step. Dance partners generally begin in closed position with the leader facing the line of dance. Traditionally the follower stands facing the leader where the leader places his right hand over his partner’s left shoulder. In the more contemporary styling the frame is formed by placing the right hand under the follower’s left arm and on her back. In either case, the leader holds the follower’s right hand in his left hand at about shoulder height.

Express your inner Cowboy as you move through this style of dance that is all about having fun and enjoying the sounds of some great and sometimes more patriotic versions of Country music. Examples of Country Two-Step songs are: “All my Ex’s Live in Texas” by George Strait, “A Better Man” by Clint Black, “Love’s Got a Hold on You” by Alan Jackson and “By the Dawn’s Early Light” by Marcy Brothers.

The West Coast Swing is a partner dance with roots from the Lindy Hop. The rumor is this slotted dance was developed because Hollywood films love the dance and asked dancers to perform it in a way that the camera could capture the sides of their bodies. Therefore the dancers had to stay in the same plane when dancing, they also did this to avoid going in and out of focus. The distinctive elastic look that resulted, is from its basic extension-compression technique of partner connection. West Coast Swing is danced primarily in a slotted area on the dance floor. On crowded dance floors a couple will “claim” an area while other couples cooperate and establish their own slot parallel nearby other dancers.

Swing music is one of the most eclectic forms of Country music. It’s free-wheeling diversity also shows up in rock and roll, an example is Kid Rocks “All Summer Long”. Based in traditional string band music, West Coast Swing is also found within traditional pop melodies, jazz improvisation, blues, and folk music. West Coast Swing may be danced to almost any music in 4/4 time. You will find recordings of Swing music by popular artists such as: Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Tim McGraw, Randy Houser and Carrie Underwood’s popular song “Cowboy Casanova”.

Dance lessons help you gain confidence in all your abilities.  Even if you feel that you have to left feet, our instructors at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona will show you how easy it is to Country dance.  So kick up your heels and learn a Country dance style of your choosing and you will be sure to have great time anytime you step out on a dance floor.