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dancing in class

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!

3 Dance Tips for Ladies When Dancing With Someone New

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Yessss! That hot guy that has been eyeballing you from the bar has finally asked you to dance! Now is your chance to show him all of those cool moves that you learned in your Salsa dance class, right? Wrong! Let’s explore a few tips from us pros on what it means to be a lady on the dance floor. Whether your doing the Country Two Step or the Latin Bachata, the rules are the same. So ladies, heed our warnings on what not to do once you have been asked to dance for the first time with a man that you don’t know.

1. Don’t Lead Yourself: Talk about making him feel inadequate! While this may not be your “intention”, he will feel like he wants to run for the hills if you pull his man card by leading yourself into all of the cool moves that he should “know”. Remember ladies, on the dance floor, he is in charge. Let him do his thing and figure out what feels right for him. Hey, he got on the dance floor to impress you, so help to build his confidence by making him the leader on the dance floor.

2. Don’t show off-Match His Style: So you know he’s cute and you think that if you shake just a little more in that Salsa dance, he’ll want to dance with you again. This may work for a minute, but remember, you are rolling the dice on this one. Intimidating your partner may again make him feel inadequate and “not good enough” to keep dancing with you. Try to match his style and tone things down until he is ready to take it to the next level. This way, he directs you on the dance floor and not the other way around. We get to be in charge off the dance floor, so throw him a bone and relax girls.

3. Don’t Teach Him His Part: NEVER, EVER teach a guy that you have just barely met how to dance on the floor-in front of everyone. If you really want to be strategic, make him look good by smiling and going with the flow. Teaching a guy that has just built up the courage to ask you to dance is deflating. I know that is not your objective, so why turn your dance into a dance lesson?

It’s tricky to be a lady when it comes to ballroom dancing, including Swing, Latin and Country dancing. We usually have to wait to be asked for a dance, wait for a good leader to approach us, and hope that once we get out on the dance floor that he knows what he’s doing. That’s a lot of pressure for him too, though. Go easy, develop a relationship and over time, maybe suggest a few private dance lessons for that cute beginner dancer. Keep these tips from us to you in mind and send him over to Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona, located just minutes from Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert and Scottsdale, AZ. We will build his confidence in no time so that you can enjoy dancing with him rather than directing him. Better yet, give him a gift card for an introductory dance lesson at Dance FX Studios and join him so that you too can pick up a few pointers on how to develop a partnership with your new man. Dancing will bring you closer, guaranteed, as long as you relax and enjoy the journey.