As popular as ballroom and latin dancing has become, the term "partner dancing" seems to limit the hobby to those with, you know... dance partners.
The pace of your instruction and dance progress is completely up to you. Whether you are a visual learner that likes to take a bottom line approach, or a hands-on learner that needs to break a sweat - your Arthur Murray teacher has that covered.
Bottom Line: Dancing on your own allows you and your teacher to customize your learning.
Whether your goal is weight loss, body sculpting, or to just fit into an old pair of skinny jeans - working one on one with your instructor will burn more calories than working with a partner.
Bottom Line: Working one on one gets you into skinny jeans sooner.
This may not seem like a big deal, but scheduling can be a nightmarish challenge. It's a shame, but sometimes the only thing stopping someone from making a dance breakthrough is their calendar. Taking dance lessons on your own leaves only one scheduling hoop of fire for you and your teacher to work through.
Bottom Line: The easiest approach is to have one schedule for every one appointment.
Remember these? You used to have a ton of them when you were younger? They recharged your batteries, created a positive distraction, and gave you an outlet to connect with friends, or make new ones? Those.
Bottom Line: Take a hobby inventory.
If you've ever uttered the phrase, "I want to do it the right way, the first time", then working one on one with an instructor is right up your alley. This allows you to work on your specific role, styling, and execution.
Bottom Line: One on one allows for custom tailored content that suits your dancing needs.
Dancing is a language. If you are well versed in this language, then you can speak it with others when it matters most.
Bottom Line: Dancing is a skill you can keep so you are prepared for the expected and unexpected dance moments.
Here's the unfortunate math - any two dance students can turn into zero dance students if one person doesn't feel like they're making progress. You follow?
Two amateurs can, unfortunately, give feedback that is detrimental to the hobby as a whole. For more on this, we recommend: "9 Joy Killing Behaviors That Can Doom A Dance Partnership."
Bottom Line: Single or couple, your teacher's perspective can insulate you from hobby ending decision making.
Learning to dance is a healthy addiction, it's a training program for your mind, and it unlocks things in your character that may have been dormant for longer than you can remember. Fortunately, it's also fun, interactive, and creates a new community of "offline friends" that support your goals.
Bottom Line: Dancing is a fun challenge that improves your physical and mental health.
Q. "I'm married, but my spouse doesn't dance, are there options for me?"
A: There are plenty of students who choose ballroom dancing as their hobby. As with any of your spouse's hobbies, you may not take part in any of them, but you still support them. Lessons at Arthur Murray are no different. If having your spouse dancing is your goal, we recommend "5 Ways To Convince Your Man To Take Dance Lessons", or if it's not, you can always invite them in so they can see what you're learning, meet the staff, and eliminate any mystery from your new activity.
Q. "How am I going to find someone that knows what I am learning?"
A: One of the most important ingredients, that can sometimes get lost in this process, is that you are learning to lead or follow. This is your number one job as a social dancer, and it's the universal tool for dancing with other people. If you were learning in a large group class or via a dance video, that would be a different story, but because you are in a hands-on dance school like Arthur Murray, leading and following is something that is woven into everything you're learning.
Q. "I'm a little worried about working one on one with a professional dancer, is that normal?"
A: Think of it this way, you're working with a professional teacher. Arthur Murray instructors go through a rigorous hiring and training process to develop a great communication, teaching skills, and are champions at delivering the information in a Fun, Quick, and Easy way. Sure, they are professional dancers, but keep in mind that you're not there to become their professional dance partner, you're there to learn at your pace, and at your level.
Want to get to know the Arthur Murray Live staff? Check out our staff Bio Page to learn more
Your first consultation is free, only 45 minutes, and it is designed to give you a chance to make an informed decision about dance lessons. You'll be dancing within 5 minutes of your appointment, and it could be the first step to a rewarding new hobby.
Being interested in something is easy. Whether it's a favorite TV show, fashion designer, or comfort food - it's part of what makes you "You!".
Unfortunately, it gets difficult without support. The people around you can enable you to pursue your interests, or they can hinder your pursuits if it isn't something they understand.
The great thing is that there are Arthur Murray students who have experienced the same feeling. There are Arthur Murray instructors that can make the learning process easy, and when you have taken the steps to take your first lesson, they can help pave the way for the loved ones in your life to get a glimpse of what you're learning.
No one ever said, "I'm so glad I waited all this time to learn how to dance", so, partner or not, now is the time to make your move.