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Refine your Social Ballroom Dancing with a Few Tips

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istock_000012228843xsmallSo you have learned the basic steps to some social Ballroom dances, but you still want the grace and poise that professional Ballroom dancers have. Well you are in luck because we are going to cover some tips for you to get that elegant look into your social Ballroom dancing! This can apply to both the leader (usually men) and followers (usually women)… women aren’t the only ones who can and should be graceful. However, don’t expect grace and poise to happen overnight, it will require practice just like learning those dance steps did.

To begin, we are going to have you start off with something easy. One way to make your social Ballroom dancing a little more elegant is to take lighter steps. Stomping around with heavy feet makes your dancing look awkward and may appear like you are trying too hard. Instead, you want the appearance of your dancing to show the slightest effort. The lighter movements with your feet and body are a great way to start heading in the right direction.

Next, think of fluid movements. Being able to blend your moves together and not have staccato footwork and transitions will help you to achieve a graceful look, mainly for the Foxtrot or Waltz. To look light and airy on the top half of your body, ask your dance instructor for exercises on how to move your arms in an elegant way. One exercise that we recommend is to imagine that you are stroking velvet drapes. Bring your arms up and down slowly while extending your fingers. This motion will help you to begin to move with exquisite form. Are you starting to envision looking like an elegant Ballroom dancer yet? Keep reading for more advice on how to be even more smooth on the dance floor.

Bring gracefulness to your social Ballroom dancing by elongating your neck and standing up tall. Posture is everything in partner dancing. Did you know that your head can weigh up to 11 pounds? If you let it slip forward and down, it will affect your posture, frame, and ability to lead and/or follow. Pull those shoulders back and down and round your elbows forward for an upscale look and great feel on the dance floor. Stand tall and confidence while social dancing is sure to follow.

As with any hobby worth having, it can take time to master some of these ideas. Keep practicing and, before long, you will shine on the social dance floor in your Ballroom dances.

To discover social Ballroom dancing for yourself, come visit us at Dance FX Studios in Arizona! We have an amazing New Student Offer that will give you a window into all of the fun and excitement that social dancing has to offer. Happy Holidays!

Ballroom Dancing Pointers

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istock_000002455320smallHave you been anxious about taking your first Ballroom Dance Lesson? Well don’t get too worked up before you have even tried it. Here are a few tips to help prepare yourself if you are planning to take a Ballroom Dance Class or have just started taking one.

1. Be Comfortable. Don’t think just because it is a Ballroom dance class that you have to come into class in your Sunday’s finest. You should wear clothes that are comfortable for you and allow movement. However, when it comes to shoes you may not want to be too comfortable. The rubber soles of tennis shoes tend to grip the floor, which is not ideal for dancing. Other shoes that are not ideal for the dance floor are flip-flops and sandals. Since a lot of movements in Ballroom require backwards movements, you can easily lose your shoe, trip, or even fall. You should be comfortable, but not risk injury.

2. Be on Time. Make sure you arrive a few minutes before your dance lesson starts. This gives you time to mingle with other classmates, get your proper footwear ready, and get settled before the dance class starts. Late arrivals usually miss the first couple of steps, which can cause them to be thrown off until they are able to catch up again. It is also somewhat of a distraction to the students and teacher who have already begun the lesson.

3. Practice. Everybody knows that practice makes perfect, well this applies to Ballroom dancing as well. It will help immensely if you practice right after your dance class or later on within the same day. If you have issues with remembering, then you can even take some shorthand notes to help you remember. But if you are a visual learner, that may not work for you. In this case you can have someone film you while you practice the moves you just learned right after the class, just make sure you have the instructors approval to stay later to do so. Another way to help you remember your dance steps is to teach it to someone. Whatever your preference, just make sure you get those moves down and don’t forget to practice.

4. Have Fun. This is probably the reason why you wanted to sign up for Ballroom Dancing Lessons in the first place. Just remember to have fun. Take a deep breath if you have to, but don’t be reluctant to shake things off. In time you will be able to get the dance steps, but until then relax and enjoy.

If you need to sign up for that first Ballroom Dance Lesson, come into Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona. Dance FX Studios offers Private Ballroom Dancing Lessons and Group Dance Classes. For more information, please visit https://dancefxstudios.com/ballroom-dancing-mesa-arizona/ .