Where Do You Start?
With hundreds of different dance styles in the world, it can become very overwhelming trying to figure out which ones to start with. The first thing to consider is where you will be dancing. Dancing happens all around us, all the time. The opportunity to dance is everywhere; clubs, weddings, parties, festivals, cruises, vacations, even in the car! So we recommend looking into the Ballroom, Latin and Club dances as these will be the ones you will use in all of these social situations. However, there are still over 25 different dances just in these styles alone! So…where do you start? Well thats when we come in!
5 Most Popular Dances To Start With
1. SALSA
If you are looking to get out in the social scene and meet new people, Salsa is a great dance to learn. It is fun, sexy, fast, and exciting. It is also one of the most popular social dances as it is done all over the world in night-clubs, bars, ballrooms, restaurants, and festivals.
2. Tango
One of the most dramatic dances. Tango is exciting, fiery and sexy. Having sharp and precise movements, it is a great dance to learn because it helps improve a man’s leading skills and a woman’s ability to respond. There are many nightclubs around the world primarily for Tango dancing, so this dance is a great one to know to get yourself out in the social scene. Plus…who wouldn’t want to learn the tango?!
3. Waltz
This classic dance is the foundation of all Ballroom dances. It is also the ultimate ‘Cinderella’ dance. One of the keys to becoming a sought out dance partner is how you carry yourself. Waltz develops beautiful posture, grace and poise. It also helps with balance and control.
4. Swing
This is an All-American playful dance. It is usually danced to jazz or big band music, but can also be danced to contemporary. Swing is one of the favorites among social dancers as it can be danced almost anywhere and is an energetic, quick and exciting dance. The various speeds of music are excellent training for quick footwork and the exciting turning actions develop good leading and following. ⠀
5. Foxtrot
This fun, classy and flirty dance is composed of fairly simple walking steps and side steps. Foxtrot is a great dance to start with for beginners. It allows you to combine steps easily and smoothly, and teaches you how to move around the floor with ease. It is a very popular social dance, used in weddings and parties.
Best Place To Learn
If you are new to dancing, it can definitely be overwhelming to narrow down the dances you want to learn. The best way to start is by finding a local dance studio that offers a first time consultation. JT Ballroom Dance Studio in Tarzana, Los Angeles for example, offers a free first lesson for all first time students. That will give you a perfect opportunity to try all dances and see which ones you enjoy the most. Fair warning…you will probably love them all!
