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Preparing for Private Dance Lessons

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So, you’ve taken the leap and signed up for social ballroom dance lessons. You have always wanted to learn to Country Two Step, Salsa or Swing dance here in Phoenix, Arizona. Good for you for trying something new! You will soon discover the world of social partner dancing and its many benefits. But, what now? What should you remember and what is there to expect in your private dance lessons? We at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona want you to thrive on that dance floor. We want you to be confident and comfortable, with all of the tools that you need to really shine out there at any Country bar, wedding or Latin club. With over a decade of experience training the everyday person useful social dances like Country Swing and Argentine Tango, we have come up with a few things that you should keep in mind when attending your private dance lessons.

1. Be Comfortable. Even though traditional “ballroom dancing” may bring some swanky scenes to mind, there is no need to wear your Sunday best when you come to your private dance lessons with us Dance FX Studios. In fact, we want you to be as comfortable as possible since we will be preparing you to dance out in the real world, from Country bars to Latin dance clubs. Comfortable clothing that allows movement is best-as opposed to tight skirts or jeans-so that you can move freely . For shoes, we do not recommend wearing tennis shoes or flip flops, however a pair of heels with straps around the ankles or Cowboy boots will be just fine. (Rubber soles of tennis shoes tend to grip the floor, which is not ideal for dancing.) Also, since dancing requires backwards movements-mostly for the ladies-in which you can easily lose your shoe, trip or fall, those straps will really come in handy. Comfort is key, but appropriate shoes are a must.

2. Be on Time. Make sure you arrive a few minutes before your private dance lesson starts. This gives you time to mingle with other students, get your proper footwear ready and get settled. Additionally, learning to dance is an investment. Make the most of it by coming in early and getting ready to dance! Arriving late to a lesson results in a loss of the time you have paid for and the time that your instructor has reserved for you. Another fun part of coming early is that you can relax for a bit and watch other dancers while you wait for your lesson to begin.

3. Practice. Everybody knows that practice makes perfect! The fun and easy homework assignments that your Dance FX Studios’ dance instructor gives you will include great ways to practice and apply what you learn here at Dance FX Studios. If your memory is less than stellar, then you can even take some shorthand notes to help you remember steps and movements. If you are a visual learner, you can record parts of your private dance lesson for review. Dance FX Studios’ Nights Out, In House Dance Parties, Group Dance Classes and going out on your own are all also great ways to practice. Whatever your preference, just make sure you get those moves down and don’t forget to practice.

4. Have Fun. You probably signed up for dance lessons because you want to have some fun, right? Take a deep breath if you have to, but don’t be reluctant to shake things off. In no time, you will be able to get the dance steps, so don’t get discouraged when you don’t nail something right away. Frustration and loss of confidence in your abilities will actually hinder your performance even more, so breathe, smile, and enjoy yourself!

If you are ready to sign up for your first private Country, Latin or Swing dance lesson, come into Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona, or give us a call today at 480-968-6177. Dance FX Studios offers Private Ballroom Dance Lessons, Group Dance Classes and social events. To get a taste of what we offer, try our private dance lesson Introductory Offer. You can learn  the basics of several fun social dances as well as tips for how to be a great social dancer. Also, meet with your instructor to discuss where you see yourself dancing so they can maximize your dance goals. Our Introductory Offer is only $40, and you are sure to get hooked! And when you do come in, don’t forget to be comfortable, be on time, practice and have FUN!

Learn Social Ballroom Dancing in Arizona 2014

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Interested in learning to ballroom dance for your upcoming social events? Swing, Latin and even Country Western dancing is a wonderful activity that benefits people of all ages. Whether you have always wanted to learn to Tango with that special someone or just have fun with a variety of partners at a club, there are numerous benefits to integrating social ballroom dancing into your life. If you live in Phoenix, Arizona come explore some of the cool aspects of knowing how to dance with us at Dance FX Studios!

Did you know that social dancing isn’t just about learning the steps and listening to the music? It is truly a perfect combination of physical activity, social interaction, emotional well-being and mental stimulation.

Let’s start with the fact that dancing is a great fitness activity. Swing or Salsa dancing is an excellent cardiovascular exercise that uses countless major muscular groups, even those that do not often get used enough. With turns, quick steps, arm movements, and spins, ballroom dancing makes for a great workout that is a lot more fun than running on a treadmill! And, as you continue to dance on a regular basis, it also helps you to lose weight and stay fit. Dancing is an enjoyable activity, so you won’t be looking at the clock to see how much longer until you can bolt out the door.

Talk about relieving stress! Ballroom dancing is similar to meditation when you just relax and let yourself go, so there is no time to think about your troubles. As you enjoy dancing, your body releases endorphins, which produce positive feelings similar to a runner’s “high”. Just one vigorous dance session can eliminate stress more than a challenging exercise routine or even listening to upbeat music. Some consider it a holistic healing method since it focuses on the connection between the mind, body and spirit.

Another great benefit of social dancing is flexibility. This is an important part of being healthy. Ballroom and Latin dances like the Foxtrot or Cha Cha and require a good amount of flexibility. When dancing, you use a full range of motion for your major muscle groups. The greater the span of motion, the more your muscles will flex and extend. Most forms of dance require you to perform moves that involve bending and stretching, so dancers naturally become more flexible by simply dancing.

Now here is an advantage of social ballroom dancing that you may not have thought about- gaining confidence. When you learn how to dance, your whole outlook takes on a renewed sense of energy, motivation, and creativity. This confidence will begin to blossom after your first lesson, just by overcoming your fears and doubts by taking action to improve yourself. As you progress, so will your level of confidence in what you can do! This new self-confidence in your dancing ability will transfer to other aspects of your life as well, which may help to explain why dancers tend to possess self-confidence and an ability to enjoy themselves more in social situations.

And speaking of social situations, dancing is a wonderful way to socialize! Meet new friends and potential dance partners with confidence once you have skills on the dance floor. There’s nothing more attractive than a new friend with a cool hobby like knowing how to Salsa dance or do the Argentine Tango.

Improve your life in so many ways by learning to social dance. Before long, you will have the physique you have always wanted with the self-assurance to match. Private dance lessons in Country, Latin or Swing dancing are a great gift to yourself or those you love. It’s a new year and time to have some fun, so give us a call at Dance FX Studios in Arizona to begin your exciting transformation today.

Integrating Dance in Schools

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Ballroom dancing for confidenceMost of us remember the terribly awkward week in school where we realized the school dance was only a few days a way and we had absolutely NO idea how to dance. The best we could hope for was that incredibly strange high-school dance style, with stumbling movements back and forth, and where nervous sweaty hands kept you at a solid arms length away. Although some of us may look back on those moments fondly, many will try to remove them from memory altogether. But today, dance in schools has gained support in public education, not only to prevent those terrible memories, but also as a form of exercise. Dance is now incorporated into most high schools as an alternative to traditional P.E. (physical education). In fact, not only are schools supporting it, but they are also promoting it in lieu of P.E. Dancing in schools is believed to carry a multitude of benefits for student participants.

There is evidence of the power of nonverbal communication through dance. Beyond facial expressions, verbal language versus body language can be a difficult concept for high school-ers to apply in real life applications. Dance can help create an understanding of how the body directs an action without the use of verbal cues.

Ballroom dancing can also promote positive interactions between the two sexes. Social ballroom dancing is often seen as a productive outlet for young ladies and gentlemen to learn dance etiquette. Qualities such as self-esteem, courtesy and the ability to work politely with the opposite gender are often seen as being just as important in dance classes as the dance steps themselves. Many of us could have used all the help we could get in our early teens!

Other benefits attract teachers and schools to dance as well. The Frank Black middle school of Houston Texas says that “Students who excel in the Fine Arts… make better grades in academics, instill self-discipline and increase self-worth and confidence”. Dance falls under this category of fine arts—whether the class is a core class or an optional elective. In many of these dance classes students are required to learn a variety of culturally diverse dances; hip-hop, salsa, ballroom and tango are just some of the dance styles often seen in classrooms or school gyms.

Many of the students who explore social ballroom dancing at a young age will build some (more often than others) much needed confidence as they grow up. This will allow them to feel more comfortable in social situations—not limited to dancing. Perhaps all of the junior high and high school dancing experience can prevent the next generation from at least a few bad memories down the road!