How to.... Dance

If you fancy yourself as a younger Fred Astaire, or think you can bust a move like the dance company Diversity, but spend more time tapping your feet on the sofa; if you’ve always wanted to strut your stuff on the dance floor, but didn’t know where to begin…then this how to guide is for you. 

Along with looking fabulous on the dance floor, and getting jealous stares thrown your way, there are many other benefits to dancing including: Improved fitness, flexibility and mental health.  In Dubai, there are lots of stage schools that offer year-round and holiday dance classes for children, but there are also lots of choices for adults too. 

There’s so many dance genres to chose from…Latin, ballroom, street…it really depends what you’re interested in, we would suggest giving as many different styles a try, so you can make an informed decision regarding what you might want to focus on longer term. 

Let ActiveMile, lead you towards the dance floor, as you begin to chasse towards those classes, dance floors and possibly stages!

Variety is the spice of dance!

As we said, there are so many different dance genres, have a go at lots of different ones when you are first starting out. Learn a little bit about the history of the dance, where did it originate and why?  Don’t take it too seriously, you might be fabulous at one style and not so good at another.  That’s okay!  Don’t put too much pressure on yourself and laugh as you shimmy those shoulders. 

Pace yourself!

Be prepared not to keep up!  Sometimes dance instructors teach choreography at a fast pace, especially if they have been teaching the same routine for a few weeks.  This is deliberate and over time you will pick steps up quicker. At first, pick up what you can, and don’t compare yourself to others.  They might have been attending for weeks, and were probably as confused as you in their first lesson too. Your movement memory will eventually kick in and you will begin to remember the steps.

What’s your end goal? 

Decide as you start, what do you want to achieve? Learn a new dance style? Improve your fitness? Have fun and meet new people?  Perform to an audience?  It doesn’t matter what your goal is, but it is important to have one.

Look up!

It’s usual for a beginner to constantly be looking at their feet when learning dance for the first time.  Try to train yourself not to do this.  Try to feel what the steps are like and how your weight shifts.  This is training yourself to learn a series of patterns that make up the dance.  Most dance studios have mirrors, you might not want to, but you can always watch yourself in the mirrors, to check your technique and posture is correct.

Have fun!

Dancing is supposed to be fun!  It shouldn’t feel like a chore, or something you don’t want to do.  Your blood pressure should be going down not up!  Relax into the session, find a dance friend that can help you in the breaks if needed.   Laugh at your mistakes, we all make them!

Practice makes perfect!

You’ve heard it so many times, that’s because it’s true. Keep going over the steps until you have them, and then add onto the routine.  Practice in the breaks, when you’ve hydrated yourself, and when the teacher is prepping for the next section.  Use your time wisely.

Don’t compare!

No two people dance the same! You might be required to have a certain posture for a certain style, but how you interpret and perform this is yours and yours alone.  Any good dance teacher will encourage students to put their own flair to a dance when they have mastered the steps and the rhythm.

Benefits of Dance

There are so many benefits to dancing, too many to mention here, but we have summarized some of the most important for you. 

Did you know that the average human has 642 muscles in your body?  Even the smallest dance move will be working and improving a number of muscles at the same time.

Improved health.  Including your heart and lungs

Improved fitness

Developed flexibility

Improved co-ordination 

Lowers blood pressure

Improves balance and core stability

Improve your confidence

Support your mental health

Increased creativity

Developed performance skills 

Improved rhythm

Improved social skills

 
There are lots of dance classes in Dubai for both children and adults, many places offer a free first class to see if you like it.  Have a look, and give it ago, and who knows we might be watching you in the next Dubai Dance Showcase.