Wouldn’t it be so cool to take a pill and instantly become a great social dancer? We could just skip right over all of the fear and anxiety that surrounds coming in for Country, Swing or Latin dance lessons and magically look and feel amazing on any dance floor. Heck, I would want that too! Even more so, I would like to pass that pill out to all of the dancers around me at the Country bars and Latin clubs who may need some help of their own.

While none of us are born knowing how to dance, many common mistakes on the dance floor are avoidable with adult dance lessons. Country Two Step or Salsa lessons for couples and singles are fantastic for developing great skills and habits that will set you up for success when you’re at your best friend’s wedding, on a date, or even at that annual holiday work party.

Until you get started with lessons, here are a few bad habits that you can be mindful of while you’re out dancing. See if you notice these bad behaviors in others, too, as you try to steer clear of those “wild horses” on the dance floor.

A huge, but very common issue, with newer or untrained social dancers is that they tend to exaggerate their movements. There’s no need to Swing dance your partner into another couple in order to have a good time. In fact, she’ll have much more fun if you can keep her arms in their sockets. My tip for you: Keep your steps small and your partner protected so that you can guarantee a second dance and even more fun ahead.

Next, pay attention to your timing. You may not yet know if the song you’re dancing to is a Country Swing or a Country Two Step, but hopefully you can find the beat, and when you do, stick to it. If you’re one of the many who can’t hear music, or don’t think that they have a sense of rhythm, that’s OK! Remember that Country dance lessons will help prepare you for your next night out on the town. I firmly believe that anyone is trainable, so stay positive and seek out lessons. With the right information from your local adult dance studio, you should be shining in no time!

Lastly, please pay attention to your surroundings. Keep your head up, eyes open, and plan ahead for where you want to move next. Otherwise, you may end up on someone’s lap (yes, this has happened many a time) or who knows where else, if you fling your partner around like a rag doll. There are many obstacles that can seemingly “pop out” at you if you’re unaware of your surroundings at all times . My tip for you: Be strategic. think one move ahead, kind of like you’re playing billiards, and know your stuff so everyone stays safe and has a blast dancing with you.

Again, all of these errors are typical yet completely avoidable with the correct information. Start with beginners dance lessons near you so that you can look and feel your best the next time you go out dancing. Trust me, dancing is so much more fun when you know what you’re doing. 🙂