For Everyone With Two Left Feet (A Poem)
You’ve said it before – maybe even believed it. “I have two left feet.” It’s the go-to excuse for anyone who’s ever been invited to dance and felt that wave of panic wash over them. But here’s the thing: That excuse? It’s actually a welcome sign at any Arthur Murray studio.
Before we get into the “how” of learning to dance, let’s start with some verse. This poem is for everyone who’s ever felt like rhythm passed them by.
Two Left Feet (A Poem)
They say I have two left feet,
A clumsy soul who can’t keep beat.
The music plays, my body stays,
Frozen still in awkward ways.
I’ve watched them glide across the floor,
Wishing I could learn some more.
But fear has held me in its grip,
Afraid to take that first small trip.
Then someone said, “It’s not a gift,
Dance is something you can lift
From lessons learned and practice done,
Not magic saved for only some.”
The moves they teach are moves you know,
Just walking forward, stepping slow.
A gentle turn, a subtle sway,
You’ll use this knowledge every day.
So here I stand at something new,
A first step that could lead me through.
Two left feet? Perhaps before.
But watch me now – I’ll find the floor.
The Truth About “Two Left Feet”
Here’s what we’ve learned from teaching thousands of students over the years: The people who claim they have two left feet often become our best dancers. Why? Because they come in with zero bad habits. They’re not trying to unlearn something they saw on YouTube at 2 AM. They’re starting fresh.
In fact, the phrase “two left feet” is more common than you’d think. It’s not a diagnosis – it’s just a feeling. And feelings can change the moment you start learning the right way.
What Actually Makes Someone “Uncoordinated”?
Let’s break this down. When people say they’re uncoordinated, they usually mean one of three things:
- They’ve never been taught – You wouldn’t expect to play piano without lessons, right?
- They’ve had a bad experience – Maybe someone laughed at them at a middle school dance (we’ve all been there)
- They’re comparing themselves to professionals – Watching Dancing with the Stars doesn’t count as realistic expectations
None of these things mean you can’t dance. They just mean you haven’t danced – yet.
The Arthur Murray Approach for Beginners
What makes our method work for people who think they can’t dance? It starts with moves you already know. Walking. Shifting your weight. Turning your body. You do these things every day without thinking about it.
Your first lesson won’t look like a competition routine. It’ll look like conversation – but with your feet. We teach you patterns that feel natural, then build from there. Most new students are dancing a recognizable dance within their first 30 minutes.
How do we know this works? Because we’ve been doing it since 1912. That’s over a century of turning “two left feet” into confident dancers.
Why the Fear Feels So Real
Your comfort zone voice – that inner critic telling you that you’ll look foolish – is loud. It’s been building its case for years, collecting evidence from every awkward moment you’ve ever had on a dance floor. Weddings. Holiday parties. That one time at your cousin’s quinceañera.
But here’s what your comfort zone voice won’t tell you: Everyone starts somewhere. Every professional dancer once took their first step. Every confident social dancer once felt exactly what you’re feeling right now.
The difference between them and you isn’t talent. It’s that they decided to start anyway.
What to Expect at Your First Lesson
Nervous about walking through the door? Fair. But here’s what actually happens:
- You’ll meet your instructor (who has seen it all – and we mean all)
- You’ll learn about your goals – wedding dance, social confidence, or just trying something new
- You’ll actually dance within the first few minutes (no lengthy lectures first)
- You’ll leave knowing a few moves you can use immediately
No one will ask you to do the splits. No one will expect you to know anything. In fact, that’s the whole point – we teach you from wherever you are.
Read the Poem Three Times
Here’s your homework: Go back and read that poem three times. Let it sink in. Take a deep breath. Then schedule your first lesson.
Your two left feet are just waiting for someone to teach them what to do. And safe to say, they’re more capable than you think.
