Experienced Dancers Beginning Ballroom
Using Ballroom Dance to Stay Active and Stay Dancing
Once a dancer has reached their mid-twenties often they find there are limited options available to continue with dancing. Most studios that offer the popular styles of tap, jazz or ballet are geared towards high school age and younger pupils. While many dancers join college dance teams, post-graduation they can become lost as to where to turn to continue dancing. Ballroom dancing offers an avenue for the older dancer to continue to develop dancing skills, maintain their physique, express their love for dance and gives them an opportunity to compete.
Benefits of Dancing Ballroom
Having a strong core and legs is essential and practice will help to tone the dancer's body. The legs will receive a strenuous workout through many hours of rehearsing. Men will develop upper body strength through the dance lifts as they support their partner.
Flexibility is a great asset in ballroom dancing as it will help increase the length and flow of body lines. Stretching is an effective way to tone and strengthen muscles. The more flexible the body is, the more impressive the moves and lifts will be.
Ballroom Dance Studios and Classes
The first step in pursuing ballroom dancing is choosing a studio. Calling local studios and speaking with owners and instructors is the best way to find a studio that will fit your needs. Inquire about the levels of difficulty and if they offer opportunities for competition. Potential students should sit in on a lesson to see if the class or studio is the ideal place.
Most ballroom studios offer various class options. Private lessons would be the most effective due to the one-on-one instruction they offer, however these are typically the most expensive option. Group or couples lessons are other options that offer an outlet to learn both from the instructor as well as others in the class that may be more advanced.
Speak to the instructors about dance attire and shoes. Ballroom dance shoes will likely be different than the shoes typically worn for past lessons like tap or ballet. For safety reasons as well as being able to perform to the highest ability, secure appropriate dance shoes before the first lesson. Although many ballroom studios are casual, the instructor may have special preferences for what is worn to class. For a Viennese Waltz, for example, they may want the dancer to wear a long skirt.
International Ballroom Vs. American Ballroom
There is a variety of dances to choose from if selecting a specific style to focus on. The Ballroom focused website, Outdancing.com, breaks these styles into two categories; International style, which is danced globally and American style, which is danced primarily in the U.S. They are:
International Standard Ballroom:
- Waltz
- Foxtrot
- Tango
- Viennese Waltz
- Quickstep
International Latin Ballroom:
- Cha Cha
- Rumba
- Samba
- Paso Doble
- Jive
American Smooth Ballroom:
- Waltz
- Foxtrot
- Tango
- Viennese Waltz
American Rhythm Ballroom:
- Cha Cha
- Rumba
- Mambo
- Bolero
- East Coast Swing
Ballroom Lessons Add Years to a Dance Career
Beginning Ballroom Dance Lessons after completing the traditional years of dance is a way to keep dancing in a dancer's life for many years to come. Not only will this have an impact health-wise, it will keep the dance mind growing and evolving. Learning to dance Ballroom can also have a personal impact, as social dancing is becoming increasingly popular. Many couples enlist Ballroom studios to help choreograph a wedding dance for them. For dancers with a competitive drive, ballroom dance competitions may be an exciting new avenue to explore.
A dancer Warms Up Before Rehearsing
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A Dancer Stretches at the Ballet Barre.
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