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How to Avoid Country Dancing Disasters

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Country dance classes in Mesa ArizonaHave you ever been out Country dancing and had someone get flung right into you? What about being stepped on by a huge pair of Cowboy boots? Ouch! Well I have, and let me say, neither is the greatest feeling. “How do we avoid these dancing disasters?”, you may be wondering. Well, I have a couple of ideas. Thy these out next time you go Country dancing here in Arizona, or anywhere for that matter, and see if they make a difference.

My number one suggestion for those who are brave enough to get out on that Country dance floor is to come prepared. By that I mean, take Country Dance Lessons for beginners BEFORE going out Country dancing. How nice will it feel to actually know what you’re doing when you’re out there versus looking at the guy to your left and mimicking him. That’s how these disasters started happening in the first place! It’s seriously the blind leading the blind out there. To change that, be the dancer who has the tools to navigate that crowded dance floor with ease. With Private Country Dance Lessons, you will definitely get valuable tips on how to lead and follow, how to connect with anyone on the dance floor, how to navigate around a crowded dance floor, and how to dance with etiquette. The best part is that your learning experience will be personalized for how you learn best, since Private Dance Instruction is all about you!

Next, seek out Country dance bars that seem to have more mindful dancers in them. We all want to feel cool by showing up at the trendy Country bars, but some Country bars here in Arizona have turned into more of a “club” scene than a true Country bar. If you’re looking for a more authentic experience, you can visit a bar or two first to get a feel for the type of dancers that attend and what style they lean towards. You don’t have to try and fit in amongst what I call the “Wild Horses” of the Country scene if you’re looking to test out your skills in the real world and be safe at the same time.

Finally, come into this new world of Country dancing with an open mind. Start by patting yourself on the back for giving Country dancing a try in the first place! It is going to be intimidating wherever you go dancing as a beginner Country dancer, but if you relax, take it slow and enjoy the experience of getting your feet wet for the first few times, I promise it will get easier and easier each time you go out there. Don’t give up! There is room on that dance floor for you, you just have to carve out a little space for yourself and own it. Think back to what you learned in your Private Dance Lessons and have some fun! You’ve put in the time to learn, so you might as well get out there and enjoy your new hobby!

Country dancing is a blast, especially when you know what you’re doing. Take the time to do it right and you will be able to use your skills for years to come! If you live in the Phoenix East Valley, stop by and visit your Country dance pros at Dance FX Studios for incredible tips on how to be a confident Country dancer.

Country Two Step is Here to Stay!

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The Country two step has risen to become one of the most popular dances here in Arizona over the last decade. But that was not always the case. With its original pairing and development based on the ballroom waltz, the dance did not thrive at first. Not at all, in fact.

Digging deeper into the history of the Country two step was quite revealing. It appears that in the 1920’s, the two step was originally named “valse a’deux temps” which translates to the “waltz of two beats”. It was not a dance that people warmed up to mainly due to its jerky appearance, especially as compared to the fluid and elegant  look of the waltz.

You can say that the two step was “shelved” until it resurfaced with a new look and name several years later. The Country two step was reborn as the “deux pas” (two step) and was paired with the tempo of the foxtrot, giving it a more casual appearance. Gone was the look and comparison to the waltz as it evolved into a more bouncy and loose social dance.

Fortunately, thanks to hit movies such as Urban Cowboy starring John Travolta, the Country Two Step gained recognition. The choreographers of the Urban Cowboy took the two step and mixed it with it’s ballroom “cousin”, the foxtrot, as mentioned above, to create a similar dance with a Country flair. From that point  on, the two step grew in approval and adoration to become a staple in small towns and big cities alike across America.

Now, with the current demand of Country crossover music by pop stars like Carrie Underwood and Blake Shelton, the Country two step can be danced almost anywhere. No need to find your local Country bar to enjoy the ease and excitement of this dance. In fact, because Country music is so hot right now, the two step is a must-have dance almost anywhere you live.

Don’t like Country music? That’s OK, this is a dance that you can apply to other genres once you know the basics. What is so wonderful about the two step is its sheer versatility. You can use this must-have dance on a crowded dance floor or one that allows you to travel. You will make HIM happy in this dance because it is very easy to learn. SHE will love this dance because of all of the fun spins and dips that will sweep her off of her feet. It’s a win/win!

You too can enjoy Country dancing with private dance lessons from us at Dance FX Studios here in Mesa, AZ. With over a decade in business in the Phoenix East valley, we have taught thousands of singles and couples with no dance experience at all to become confident Country dancers. What’s our secret? We teach the everyday person the tips and tools to become great leaders or followers on the dance floor, not tricks. Within a short period of time, you will see how dancing is not as mysterious and intimidating as you may have thought it to be all of these years. From us, you will learn practical and useful steps that you can use with anyone-not choreography that you can only do with your dance partner.

Check out our introductory offer to see how to get started with Country dance lessons at Dance FX Studios. We are within minutes from Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert and Scottsdale, AZ for your convenience. We are less that 15 minutes from downtown Phoenix. Conquer that dance floor once and for all and get out and kick up your heels with us at Dance FX Studios for quality social dance lessons in the Country two step and so much more!