learn how to ballroom dance

How I did it: Disclaimer: I am a trained Dancesport dancer, which means that I dance competitively and focus heavily on technique. I still have a LONG way to go.

I joined my college ballroom team, and went to as many lessons as possible. You pay dues per semester, but it's never more than $100 at my school (varies school to school) - and if you are taking at least 2 lessons each week and practicing for free with the dues, then it is already worth it for four months!

After I danced for a year, I started having serious dance partners (if you work hard in dance and keep practicing in a studio, you will find a partner), after which we started taking private dance lessons. I did simple steps over and over again, focusing on the correct way to do them while looking good on the dance floor. I stretched and stretched, and opened up the movement of different parts of my body (never knew I had lats!). I cross trained with yoga and more classical dance forms. I loved every moment of it, even if I was frustrated with my partner or myself.

I competed, and my placements got significantly better over a short span of time.

Lessons & tips:

• Dance is a very expensive sport. Ballroom is especially expensive.
• Talk to team members or dancers who are better than you to show you simple steps or make a small correction. They love to help!
• Watching dance videos can be super inspirational
• Before you blame your partner, think about what you can do better
• Different dance coaches will say different things. Listen to all of them, and do what each coach says. In the end, go with what you feel works for you the best.
• No matter how little time or space you have, you can always practice something.

Resources:

• Slavik and Karina's Latin DVDs
• Youtube
• Other people
• Tanning lotions like Loreal Sublime (no joke!)
• Humility

Mar 29, 12:07AM PDT | 0 comments