The Beginners Guide To Ballroom Dance Lessons
Step 1: Forget Every Myth You've Heard
You may have heard a few "Dance Myths" over the years. If not, we'll jog your memory, here are "6 Myths About Dance Classes". Consider them all false, but let's start at the top of the Myth pyramid: Two Left Feet.
The Truth Behind Two Left Feet
- Two Left Feet is an assessment that new, or non-dancers, make that implies a permanent malfunction
- The expression is actually a feeling.
- It is the feeling as a result of having taken very few, or no, dance classes at all
Bottom Line: Learning to dance is a process; A recipe. The "Two Left Feet" label halts that process from taking shape due to its "permanent malfunction" quality. In reality, most people claiming this have either not taken a lesson, or have made an unfair assessment too early in the process.
Another Angle: Kids who are learning to ride a bike are at the beginning of a process, but no one labels permanently. They are just encouraged to give the process time and repetition. Same with dancing.
Step 2: Harness Your Motivation
Are You Facing A Dance Crisis?
- Office party is around the corner, live band, lots of dancing, plenty of people to impress
- Wedding reception for a family member is coming up. "What do I do on the money dance?"
- Dreading the thought of standing at the buffet all week on your Caribbean cruise while people enjoy Latin dancing.
Perhaps you want to re-invent yourself:
- Learning to dance is a goal that's long overdue
- Newly single and want a skill upgrade
- Realize that you've been stuck in a cell in the shape of your cubicle
- Want to improve your health, or lose weight
Any of these external factors offers enough pressure to push you through the door. Even if learning to dance has been a fringe wish list item in your life, nothing will make that materialize faster than an awkward office party, or a new stage in your life.
Note: You don't need to be a professional ballroom dancer to impress your co-workers at your office party. Have a look at "Win The Holiday Party Season With Ballroom Dance Lessons" for more insight.
Step 3: Make Contact On Your Terms
Call, E-mail, walk in, or comment on an Instagram post - however you'd like to start the dialogue is fine (a letter may be a bit time consuming). The nice thing is that the person corresponding with you will be, drumroll please, a person. An actual dance professional that will:
- Help you integrate your first dance appointment into your crazy schedule
- Assist you with any questions
- Will be there to greet you when you arrive
Note: Your fire for taking ballroom lessons can get doused if you put too much time between your first contact and your first dance appointment. We recommend 2-4 days if possible.
Step 4: The Essentials
There are a few things that you'll need to have for your first ballroom lesson
- Directions to your local Arthur Murray Dance Studio
- Shoes that will not slip off of your feet
- Maintain full radio silence regarding your dance lessons with any pessimistic people in your life for at least a week
Note: You do not need dance experience, dance shoes, or a dance partner. For more on that concern, we recommend: "Do I Need A Dance Partner To Learn Ballroom Dancing?"
Step 5: The Information
No amount of research, not even a ballroom blog article (wink, wink), can deliver the experience of being at an Arthur Murray and taking a lesson. Even the greatest, most vivid, explanations pale in comparison to the first hand impressions you receive from the instruction, the environment, and the way it all makes you feel.
Bottom Line: Everything dance related makes more sense when you're on the dance floor.
Final Thought
There's nothing permanent holding you back from becoming a ballroom dancer.
The worst thing that can happen is you'll schedule an appointment, learn how to dance, and permanently lose the ability to use excuses like "Two Left Feet" for the rest of your dance party life.
Isn't that a leap worth taking?
Next Article: Should I Choose Private Lessons or Group Classes?
