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Ballroom Dance Songs – Ian’s Pick #4

Come on in and pull up a chair near the DJ, because this is the ‘music remixed’ edition! After all, who doesn’t wish they could dance the moves they know best to the music they love most? Thanks to the increasing number of ballroom disk jockeys out there, there’s a ballroom version of almost anything.

I’ve scoured the web and my library for some of the best ballroom remixes out there, so click that play button and start rocking to these modern tunes! Continue reading "Ballroom Dance Songs – Ian’s Pick #4"

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5 Reasons to Enjoy Ballroom Dancing Classes NOW, not Later

Every time I greet a new student, I like to take them out on the floor and move them to music right away, so they can get a taste of how much fun ballroom classes can be. It’s usually then that I hear the phrase ‘I wish I’d started dancing sooner.’

Why do we hold off on pursuing the things we enjoy? There’s a mentality that traps us, where we feel the things we really want can’t come to us without years of hard work and toil - as though we could somehow free ourselves of all responsibilities, if we just pushed hard enough. Continue reading "5 Reasons to Enjoy Ballroom Dancing Classes NOW, not Later"

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5 Ways Ballroom Dance Helps You Create Successful Relationships

I’ve previously written about how ballroom dance became my key to building successful relationships. Although it began as a source of confidence for me, I gradually became aware of just how much it helps create meaningful connections between people.

In fact, ballroom dance partners are often jokingly compared to romantic partners, because excelling at romance can help you in dancing - and vice versa. Even social encounters help prepare you for meeting potential friends and more-than-friends.

Still skeptical? Then I’ll explain. Continue reading "5 Ways Ballroom Dance Helps You Create Successful Relationships"

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Ballroom Dance Songs – Ian’s Pick #3

I have a confession to make. I love music.

I mean, I really, REALLY love it. My taste for music includes everything from Enya to Eminem. My total iTunes song count numbers in the tens of thousands. I could play music non-stop for a month and never play the same song twice.

This unfortunately causes me to overlook some of the dustier gems in my collection, until I rediscover them years later. This then is my (mostly) forgotten tracks edition - the ones I don’t play nearly enough. Give them some love for me! Continue reading "Ballroom Dance Songs – Ian’s Pick #3"

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Facing Your Fears: My First Salsa Club Night

So often I see students spend hours learning to dance, yet never actually going out and using it at a salsa club or ballroom dance hall. They’d like to go, but feel afraid to put their skills to the test.

I feel for you, I do. Despite what a lot of people say about dance instructors, we weren't born with some special ability that lets us dance anywhere without a care in the world. We all had to face that fear at some point.

Here is how I faced mine. Continue reading "Facing Your Fears: My First Salsa Club Night"

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5 Easy Tricks to Learn Dance Timing

In the past, I’ve tried to explain how to improve dance timing in a variety of ways. In return, I’ve frequently met with frustration. I recall one reader brusquely replying, ‘I’m not a music major.’

I needed something simpler, some ideas that worked for anyone. And so, after hours of research, I’m finally ready with five new exercises. I recently used these in a group class, and they worked great! I hope they work for you too. Continue reading "5 Easy Tricks to Learn Dance Timing"

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How Ballroom Dance Lessons Gave My Life Direction

It occurs to me, dear reader, that I’ve been hiding myself from you. I’ve gone on about how fabulous ballroom dance lessons are for years now, yet I’ve never talked about what a transformative event it was for me.

In the interests of giving you new inspiration for your own progress then, here is the story of how ballroom dance lessons helped shape my own life. Continue reading "How Ballroom Dance Lessons Gave My Life Direction"

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Ballroom Dancing Songs – Ian’s Pick #2

Click here for part one

What dancer isn’t looking for new music to dance to, right? Even if you prefer the same classics over and over, the reality is the musical landscape is always evolving, both socially and competitively. The dancer who doesn’t adapt to different music is a dancer quickly left behind.

This time, I’ve included TWELVE of my favourite dance songs, each focusing on a different style of ballroom. Give them a listen, and enjoy! Continue reading "Ballroom Dancing Songs – Ian’s Pick #2"

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Why Ballroom is an Expressive Dance

Ballet. Hip hop. Jazz. Contemporary. By comparison, ballroom dance is often found wanting, described as ‘stiff, flat, and lacking real self-expression.’ But an expressive dance is defined by more than range of motion alone.

True, you are compromising for your partner, sacrificing some movement so you can move better together. But there’s plenty of character that can still be conveyed, not only through each of you separately, but in the story you tell together. Continue reading "Why Ballroom is an Expressive Dance"