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How to Meet New Friends Through Social Dancing

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Country dancing near Chandler AZWith hectic schedules and rare pockets of free time, many people these days are choosing to meet, and even date and marry, after connecting with each other online. Thanks to modern technology, we can find others with similar interests, like social dancing, at the click of an button. How wonderful! When it comes to loving to dance, though, there’s an even easier way to start new friendships. Grab a buddy, or head over solo to a local Country bar, Jazz lounge or Latin dance club and see how simple it can be to make friends with other dancers.

Generally speaking, people who love to social dance are very open to meeting other dancers. It gives both parties a chance to find someone new, fun and interesting to enjoy time with on the dance floor, and off the floor as well. With social dancing as a common interest, you will have lots to talk about, from the most comfortable Cowboy boots to dance in, to the trendy new Salsa dance clubs in town.

If you have thought about how nice it would be to have more friends, and you haven’t learned to dance yet, now’s your chance. Country, Swing and Latin dancing is the perfect way to socialize without it being awkward, since everyone is out to have a great time and let go of their stresses.

Now that you see how fun and easy it can be to connect with others just by knowing how to dance, it’s time for you to learn to Two Step, Swing or Salsa dance! To begin, I recommend contacting a local adult dance studio that offers social dance lessons for singles and/or couples.

The studio you find may offer both Group Dance Classes and Private Dance Lessons. I am going to encourage you to start the right way with Private Dance Lessons. After 20 years of instructing, I know that it is only through Private Dance Lessons that you can learn in a way that is not only specific to how you think, but will also put you on the fast track to becoming a confident social dancer. As a single, you will dance directly with your instructor, so they can give you exact feedback on what you will need to feel and look your best. That’s what every new dancer needs to succeed! 🙂

While Group Dance Classes sound like a fun way to meet others, it can be a very frustrating learning environment for singles. One, there may not be an even amount of leaders and followers in the class, potentially leaving you, or someone else, out on the sidelines waiting for a dance partner. Also, you will be joining in a class with others who will be at different levels in their dancing. Some may have taken five classes, while you’re on your first. This will either make you feel pressured to catch up, which usually makes for an overwhelming experience, or will make someone else have to go slower that they hoped, while you’re catching up to them. Either way, I have found Group Dance Classes to be great supplements to your dancing after you have taken the time to learn to dance one-on-one with a qualified social dance instructor.

Regardless of your age or situation, social dancing will lift your spirits, add joy to your life and is a wonderful, timeless hobby. Expand your social circle in a healthy and exciting way-just by learning to dance, and give yourself a chance to pick up a new skill that will forever enhance your life. You’re worth it!

social dancing Mesa AZ

More Benefits of Social Dancing…

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social dancing in Mesa AZWelcome to part two of our blog on the numerous benefits of knowing how to social ballroom dance. We barely scratched the surface on our previous blog on the positive effects of partner dancing, so let’s pick up where we left off…

4. The Mental Perks of Social Dancing: The process of becoming a confident social dancer requires so much more than just repetition in terms of your steps. Great dancers log many hours on the dance floor remembering how to apply their new language, the “language of dance” to social dance floors anywhere. With that comes lots of practice learning and memorizing your “A,B,C’s” of dance, so to speak. Then, there’s actually taking those letters of the alphabet and putting them together in a variety of ways to keep your lovely dance partner happy and wanting more dances with you. Now that’s an art! The mental energy involved is quite extensive when you think about it. While going out Country dancing, or Latin dancing is a major source of stress relief, it is also something that does take thought initially. From navigating your lady around tons of people, to keeping her excited and on her toes with new combinations of moves, social dancing is a skill that is definitely earned. So, if you’re in search of a metal challenge, give Tango or Two Step dancing a try, and see how you do.

5. The Physical Benefits of Social Dancing, Part 2: A few things that were left out of the previous blog cannot be forgotten about in regards to how dancing is physically beneficial to everyone. From spine health, due to elongating your torso, to an increased surge of endorphins, dances like the Salsa and Country Swing are going to keep you fit and trim all year long.

Lastly, social dancing, especially with a partner, is a great form of expression and creativity. Be yourself, let go and dance! Whether it’s with someone new, or your life partner, dancing is carefree and stimulating. It’s your chance to reveal your inner temptress, diva or Cowgirl, even if for just one dance. You may not be able to shake it in the boardroom, but it’s always OK to be free in the ballroom! Express yourself and see how freeing it can be!

Are you sold on why everyone, including you, should know how to social ballroom dance? Why sit on the sidelines when you can be out there burning up the dance floor, and off the calories!? Enjoy yourself at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona with our New Student Offer for Country, Swing and Latin dance lessons. For just $25 to get started, your mind, body and spirit will thank you!

social dancing in Arizona

Lead Your Best Life and Dance!

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social dancing in ArizonaCan you picture the life of your dreams? Does it include being stress-free, surrounding yourself with wonderful and supportive friends, discovering new and interesting hobbies, and having fun? If so, have you considered learning to social ballroom dance? “What does dance have to do with my happiness?”, you ask. Everything! Knowing how to social dance as an adult offer benefits to both singles and couples on so many levels. From physical benefits, to social, metal and emotional rewards, you can create your best life just by learning to social dance.

Before we explore these incredible benefits, what is social ballroom dancing exactly? Well ballroom dancing in and of itself generally refers to dances that you do with a partner. Those dances can be anything from the Foxtrot to Swing dancing. It is an umbrella term that covers partner dancing, but social dancing goes one step further. Social dancing includes dances that you can actually use on crowded dance floors anywhere. If you live in Arizona with us, popular social dances consist mainly of the Country Two Step, Swing, Salsa, Bachata and even the spicy Argentine Tango. These dance styles, Country and Latin, are most commonly used due to our southwestern culture. Now, on to the incredible impact that social dancing can have on your life, for the better, of course.

  1. The Physical Advantages of Social Dancing: On a physical level, an hour of social dancing, which hardly feels like a workout, can help your body burn up to 450 calories. That’s pretty exciting, if you ask me! That means that while you’re out with your friends having a blast, you can also get your fitness goals met! Yay! Also, social dancing requires you to shape your body in all different ways. This equates to working new muscles that you didn’t even know that you had. Traditional workouts focus on more commonly used muscles, but what about the hidden ones that need strengthening? No need to fret! You can get to them on the dance floor.
  2. The Emotional Benefits of Social Dancing: A key part of dancing with others is the connection experienced between two people. Whether you are single, or you’re dancing with your sweetheart, social dancing gives you what every person needs, closeness to others. Social dancing is, in fact, the solution to feeling excluded or left out. When you are on the dance floor sweeping a lady off of her feet, or being swept off of your feet, it’s hard to not feel something with your partner. It’s a beautiful feeling, especially when accomplished with skill and finesse. Most importantly, you are never alone when you are dancing. You can combat loneliness and discover a new and way to express yourself, just by learning to Two Step dance!
  3. The Social Rewards of Social Dancing: Can you think of any other skill or hobby that you can do with others socially that keeps you connected to new people without even speaking the same language as them? When you know how to dance, you can literally go anywhere in the world and have a blast with new friends. What that leads to is increased confidence which will trickle into every area of your life in no time. A higher sense of confidence will help you to make better decisions and the snowball effect of leading a better life is soon in high gear!

There are so many more benefits that we will discover about social dancing in Dance FX Studio’s upcoming blogs. In the meantime, come and try out an Introductory Dance Lesson to begin your journey towards a happier you!

Country Two Step dance lessons

Reconnect With Private Dance Lessons In Arizona

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Country Two Step dance lessons ArizonaGreetings to all the leaders and followers on social dance floors everywhere out there in blog land! Another day here in John’s Little Corner and another day loving life! Speaking of love and life, how is your love life going these days? Is it on track and going the direction it needs to go? Are you sharing things together on a deep enough level? How strong is that bond between you? Whether you are just dating, married, partnered or even the “friends with benefits” type of relationship, going social dancing , from Country Two Stepping to Salsa dancing around Phoenix, truly does help in your love life. So today I want jump into this topic and elaborate on how dancing improves romance at home and beyond!

No matter where you are in your journey to becoming a confident social dancer, one thing is for sure, knowing how to Country, Swing or Latin dance means fun date nights! Even better for those of you who are bargain shoppers like myself, a possible inexpensive date night! If you’re just starting out taking private lessons together, each lesson is a mini date in itself. How cool is that!? Can it be challenging, yes, but the rewards for the challenge are unlimited and everlasting. Think endless romantic opportunities wherever music is playing. Holding your sweetie tight and swaying to your favorite dance music.

If you are half way into your dance lessons and able to complete combinations on a dance floor, there is a sense of accomplishment that you both will share. And when you have reached that level of dance where instruction is no longer needed and you are creating your own dancing moves, then you have made one heck of a memorable date night. How many couples can really do that well? Anywhere you are in your journey of dance (unless you count the gas money for the trip to the Country bar or Latin Club, or if there is a cover charge at the door), a date night of dance costs you $0.00! How awesome is that to know that the investment you made in your dance lessons begins to pay itself back immediately. The more dates you go on, the more payback you get. And the best part is that you will grow more confident dancing each time you give it a try.

More dates! How does that sound to you? A date is time away from work, life and children, and gives you the opportunity to connect or reconnect with your partner. How often do you look around you when you are out, lets say at work or at the store or at a restaurant? I do all the time. You see couples walking next to each other but not holding hands, or even worse they walk behind one another! Or how about the couple at the table across from yours. They sit in silence and look around while they eat, never saying anything more than, “This tastes good”. Depending on your line of work, you may even see similar situations with couples, that no matter what their proximity to one another, there is distance between them. Life does this to us and yet life also gives us the solutions… if we know where to look. Time away from it all, even if for a short amount of time, is key to a successful rewarding relationship. It’s right up there with communication being important to the relationship, and dance solves both of those! Get away and take a social ballroom dance lesson, share in something, create a conversation from that lesson you shared and do that as often as you can. Make time before it is lost, or in many cases too late to try! You will see that even after the lessons are over with you will be closer than you were and have something to talk about and something to share, not just with yourselves, but with others around you.

Let’s not forget romance as it does fade away if you allow it to. And it’s easy to let romance slip from your relationship. You spend all that time in the beginning getting to know one another and learning how the other person lives and has lived. You make compromises and creative solutions to blend your life styles together and once that has been established, then what? We drift apart unintentionally with all life throws at us and since we already know all there is to know about the other we begin to grow silent and lose the connection we worked so hard to build. Dance is all about connection, and as you learn it together, it fills that void of silence between you and opens you back up to one another, just like in the beginning. Now that’s romance! Its not the flowers, chocolates or gifts…romance is quality time together where no matter what is happening around you. Your entire world is right there moving along the track of life with you.

Now hopefully you answered my earlier question with a positive answer, but if not, or if you truly could not answer my question, it’s not too late! The fact that you can see the need for more connection in your relationship is a true blessing that your partner needs to share in with you. So grab your partner’s hand, pull them close, and show them with your body language how much they mean to you. Show your partner how much time you want with them, away from everything else, and let them feel how romantic the two of you are together!
From Johns Little Corner, I’m John, thanks for reading, and I will see you hopefully on the dance floor and not at a silent table across from mine!

Arizona social dancing

Broaden Your Horizons and Dance!

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Arizona social dancingI’m sitting at an empty table outside of Jamba Juice and Starbucks. It’s blazing hot out here in Mesa, Arizona, and I’m second-guessing my choice of location to write. I just finished talking with two guys inside Jamba. I commented on the band playing over the stereo system. Neither one was familiar with the band I’ve mentioned. However, being the music junkie I am, I had to convince these random strangers they were missing out on something magical. I’m fairly confident my mission failed, but it got me thinking… It’s really difficult to engage with people these days! Meeting people who capture your attention is hardly a common occurrence. As a single, some days you wonder to yourself, where am I ever going to meet someone? It seems like there are few good outlets for singles to meet. It becomes discouraging at times. Then I got to thinking, one of the best ways I have gotten to meet new people is through social dancing.

Country dancing is where my social dancing experience all started. I remember going out to a bar shortly after arriving home from a trip to Nashville, Tennessee. I walked up to the dance floor, and stared in amazement at the people spinning round and round each other. It was that awkward prom scene. You know, that one where all the dorky girls stand around begging the heavens that someone would ask them to dance. Only I was standing around mentally laughing at the thought of myself dancing with another human being. The irony is the heavens must have been listening, because literally as the thought crossed my mind, a man asked me to dance. Nervous as could be, I accepted the offer, but politely warned the gentlemen I had no idea what I was doing. Thankfully he accepted the challenge, and I had a great time. He was an incredible teacher and leader, and I made a new friend too.

When I continue down this thought process of why all singles should social dance, a couple things come to mind. The first is taking chances— risks. They cause us to grow. They sometimes make us uncomfortable too, but in the end it’s all for the greater good. You go new places, try new steps and combinations with people you’ve never met before, and you become better! It takes practice and work to reach any goal. You build up your confidence doing this too. With every night out you become more comfortable in your own dancing shoes. You stand a little taller because you now have skills! Skills that few people have, but so many want and desire. Haven’t you ever wanted to learn to Country Two Step or Swing dance? It’s so cool when you actually get to hit the dance floor and kick up your heels! You end up making new friends with people who share a common interest with you. And who knows, maybe one of those friends will become something more one day? Since my first night out Country dancing, I have met so many cool people. They come from all different backgrounds and are a blast to be around.

Country dancing has opened a new door for me; one with so many benefits and perks. Social dancing in Arizona is not limited to Country dancing either. If Country isn’t your style, try Swing dancing or Salsa dancing! If you aren’t sure where to start, Dance FX Studios knows how to teach social dancing better than anyone in the Phoenix Valley. We love individuals with goals. We love having fun, and we also love developing confident dancers to go out and make their dreams a reality. Let us help! We have a steal of an Introductory Offer for beginners’ dance lessons. It’s just $25, and it will get you started down the road to becoming a confident social dancer before long.

Arizona Country Dancing

Give Back To YOU This Summer!

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Arizona Country DancingDo you feel exhausted, overworked, and burned out?  In our Western culture, we are encouraged to hurry about:  Work our 9-5 jobs, pick up the kids, walk the dog, get groceries, make dinner, and oh, don’t forget to go to the gym too!  It’s so easy to wear yourself out from living this busy lifestyle.  Some have been doing this routine for the majority of their lives just begging for the day they can retire and catch a breath.  But then what?  Perhaps you have retired, and you’re actually wondering what to do now that you no longer have that 9-5 job or those little munchkins running about the house.  I’ll tell you what you do.  Social dance.  Dance?  Yes, you dance.  Think Country Two Step dancing, Latin Salsa dancing, or the fun of Swing dancing. Sound a little more exciting?? Here’s why I think your tired soul needs dance to spice up your life.

First, you deserve it. Be good to yourself.  You’ve mastered the art of “everything”, from child rearing to your job.  There’s no situation you haven’t handled with the grace of an Olympic ice skater balancing porcelain plates on her head and finger tips.  So now is the time to give back to yourself.  Do something that is not only fun, but good for you too.  Social dancing is one of the best leisure activities a person can do for him/herself.  The benefits of dance are all over the spectrum, but today I’m going to touch on the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of getting your feet moving on the dance floor.

 

Physical:

The physical benefits of dancing are numerous.  I could write you a book on all of them, but I’ll keep this short and sweet for your sake.  The most pronounced are increased balance, posture, and flexibility, but if you aren’t interested in those, you can be sure of increased muscle tone (and who doesn’t want more of that?).  The benefits don’t stop there.  Social dancing, from Bachata to Ballroom, is also good for boosting the immune system and reducing your chance of heart disease.

 

Mental:

Oh, the mental benefits of dancing!  Here’s a shocker for you.  Did you know dancing can dramatically reduce your risk of acquiring dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease?  It’s true!  A study done by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City over a 21 year period, discovered dancing reduces the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease by an incredible 76%!  The study tested both physical and mental activities such as reading books, completing crossword puzzles, playing golf, tennis, and walking to name a few.  The study revealed dancing reduces your chance of dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease more than any other physical activity.

 

Emotional:

Ever notice how dancers have a certain aura about them?  They seem to be more confident and comfortable in their own skin.  Ever wonder why?  The reason, dance allows people to become more aware of their bodies and expressive with the movement of it.  Social dancing gives them a safe, creative environment to be themselves.  It also reduces the amount of tension an individual holds.  Wouldn’t you feel great after a night out on the town Salsa dancing? Many people dance to shake off the stress of a long day at work.  They may recharge their batteries in a hopping social scene such a club, bar, or ballroom floor.  Others love the simplicity of going home pushing the living room furniture to the side, plugging in their favorite Country or Swing dance tunes, while taking it easy with their partner, letting the music slide over them, and allowing the dance to melt their cares away.  Whichever you prefer, dance is the perfect stress relief outlet for anyone.  And who knows, it may add to the romance in your life and create a few new friendships.

Now that you have discovered just some of the benefits of becoming a confident dancer, it’s your turn to give dancing a try. Dance FX Studios’ New Student Offer for beginner dancers is a great place to start if you live here in the Phoenix East Valley. Come experience the joys of social ballroom dancing and see how you can spice up your summer in no time.

Ballroom Dancing Arizona

Kick Up Your Heels With Country Dance Lessons!

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Ballroom Dancing in Mesa, ArizonaThere 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.