Last time, we looked at how to make yourself more approachable and more direct when social dancing, scoring yourself more dance partners in the process. Now I’m looking at you, ladies. You know this is the age of equality, and that you can unashamedly ask a gent to dance without getting cut-eye from his friends. Continue reading "Social Dancing Popularity: Get Asked More"
Increasing Your Social Dancing Popularity
Going social dancing can feel like a crap-shoot, when it comes to whether it will be a ‘good dance night’. After all, who hasn’t had to endure a string of ladies who all had ‘headaches’, or men who seemed to ask all your friends but you? The key to increasing your social dance popularity isn’t simply learning more dance steps - or wearing less clothes. Continue reading "Increasing Your Social Dancing Popularity"
Dance Turns 2: Leading / Following the Spot Turn
Ah, the spot turn - easily one of my favourite movements in all of partner dancing. Last time, we took a look at the underarm turn as the informal ‘spot turn’. Now it’s time to look at the true spot turn; that is, a couple turning together around a common point. Don’t know what I mean? Check this out: Continue reading "Dance Turns 2: Leading / Following the Spot Turn"
Dance Turns: Leading and Following the Spot Turn
Turns are a huge part of any dance, and spot turns are probably the most common of the lot. So it’s amazing how few dancers know how to do it properly. As I’m sure you know, a poorly executed turn can lead to wrenched arms, loss of balance, or even a nasty fall. Here then, is a quick look at the basics for leading and following a smooth and comfortable spot turn. Continue reading "Dance Turns: Leading and Following the Spot Turn"
Your First Ballroom Dancing Shoes
Google ‘dancing shoes’, and you’ll quickly find there’s plenty of options to choose from. 1” to 3” heels. Open toes and closed. Snug or loose fit. It’s enough to make many would-be dancers throw up their arms and try and make do with running shoes and stilettos.
Fortunately, buying your first dance duds is a lot easier if you focus on a few simple criteria. But first, why do we need dance shoes anyway? Continue reading "Your First Ballroom Dancing Shoes"
Ballroom Rise and Fall Part Two: 3 Practical Exercises
In our last article, we covered the nuts and bolts of rise and fall - what it means, as well as general tips on how to do it. But you may still be wondering how to apply it in your general dancing. The following exercises will help you improve and master ballroom rise and fall on the dance floor. Continue reading "Ballroom Rise and Fall Part Two: 3 Practical Exercises"
Ballroom Rise and Fall Part One: 5 Essential Tips
We’ve all seen it - the elegant couple gliding across the floor, flowing up and down without a bump. It’s just one of those little details that separate the good dancers from the great ones. But here’s the thing: It’s not that difficult to start using it. Continue reading "Ballroom Rise and Fall Part One: 5 Essential Tips"
The Basics of Ballroom Dance Frame
Pic of ballroom frame
Welcome to one of the most overlooked elements in beginner ballroom dancing - and one of the most important. Step on your partner’s feet a lot? Feel off balance frequently? Having trouble connecting with your partner, or feeling the lead or follow? You can blame most of that on a poor ballroom frame.
The ballroom frame has many definitions, but my favourite is one quoted teacher and friend, Arpad Raymond: Continue reading "The Basics of Ballroom Dance Frame"
Partner Dance Lessons: How to Avoid A Divorce in 5 Easy Steps
Partner dancing is like going to a school where you have to take all the same classes, and your average score at the end determines whether you graduate. What if you had different interests? What if one of you learns faster than the other? Figuring out how to work together is the heart of partner dancing - the benefit of which, is that you will have new teamwork skills and a new romantic activity to bring you closer together. Here’s how to lay the foundation for fun and enjoyable partner dance lessons. Continue reading "Partner Dance Lessons: How to Avoid A Divorce in 5 Easy Steps"
6 Techniques to Avoid Collisions on the Dance Floor
Nothing jars you out of you a wonderfully flowing dance movement faster than an unexpected bump from behind. It’s just one of the things a leader must watch out for on the social dance floor, along with stepped-on toes, elbows to the face, mule-kicks to the shin, and bruised egos. Yet most collisions on the dance floor can be avoided, with a little awareness and the right instincts. The following 6 techniques will teach you the unspoken rules of dance etiquette, so you can take care of yourself and your partner on a crowded dance floor. Continue reading "6 Techniques to Avoid Collisions on the Dance Floor"