Dance Lovers

Learn the names of the steps. If you're practicing with a partner, you can then be specific about which pattern you'd like to work. Learn how to count the steps in slows and quicks and also with proper numbers. For example, cha cha has the "feel" of slow, slow, slow, quick-quick" or "1, 2, 3, 4 and." East coast swing (triple swing) would be counted "1 and 2, 3 and 4, 5, 6" or "triple step, triple step, rock step" or "quick quick slow, quick quick slow, slow slow." As you count, don't let your lips move; do it mentally. Practice with nobody watching - preferably in front of a mirror if possible; you can even video tape yourself periodically. If you take private dance lessons or group dance classes (in addition to instructional dance videos or DVDs), practice immediately after the lesson - or as soon as possible - while things are fresh in your mind. Frequency of practice is more important that just one long practice session: you can practice less time more often. People can usually find 10 to 20 minutes to practice here and there; don't be discouraged if you can't find an hour or more to practice. Frequency and repetition are very productive. For example ... 1/2 hour four times a week is actually better than one 2 hour session a week.

When watching an instructional dance video or DVD, check to see which foot to use, which direction your body turns, and which hand is doing the leading. For example in swing or in cha cha, notice whether the lead's left hand or right had might be causing an underarm turn for the follower. Don't be afraid to use the rewind button and watch and practice along with the video. Try to stand tall and also be working on your posture; look and feel as elegant as possible ... it helps one's attitude and appearance. Learning the foundation or basic step is far more important than learning a fancy pattern first. When you watch someone else dance, it's not how many patterns they know but how well they move.

Learn, in the beginning, one step at a time. practice it over and over and over until you can do it naturally. Practice with your arms and body, using proper position and dance frame; how you practice is how you dance. Keep the arms rounded in front of you, for example, if you're working on smooth dances like waltz or foxtrot. When you learn a second or newer step, when you're comfortable with the newer step, do it before the first step (the one you are most comfortable with). Each time you learn a new step, put it in front of the routine instead of at the end of the combination or dance amalgamation. Do it over and over with the video while you're watching your part. Don't study or practice sitting down. Be an active participant.

People just starting out learning to dance do not need to go out and buy elaborate dance shoes but one does need shoes that are conducive to dancing. Tennis shoes or crepe soles often grab the floor and put you at a handicap; they're great for the basketball game where you need to be able to stop quickly. Leather bottom or a suede soles with a little give work best. You need your leg muscles relaxed not tight. If a shoe is too slick, a shoe brush can brush up the bottom slightly so you have some control. If you do buy dance shoes, I recommend carrying them in some sort of shoe bag and putting them on at the location of the dance. Don't wear expensive dance shoes outside; the different surfaces can affect their performance and use. Especially if it's raining or wet outside, carry the shoes you will be using for dancing. Wet soles will "stick" to the floor and not allow any give. Ladies, it's ideal to also have some sort of strap to help keep the shoe on your foot; you don't want to have to be "tightening your toes" to keep the shoes on. Also ... if you're use to only wearing flats and want dance shoes, I'd recommed a low rather than high heel to get use to the balance. Good dance shoes help to balance the foot properly.

Latin styling should be used in rumba, cha cha, mambo, merengue, bolero, and east coast swing. In a very simplistic basic form ... one knee bends as the other knee straightens; you step with a bent leg with no weight. Practice going up stairs slowly to understand the mechanics and the sense of muscle movement. Start, for example, with your weight on your right foot and leg as you step up, with a bent knee, with your left foot. (At this point one leg is bent and one leg is straight). You initially step with a bent leg with no weight. As you transfer your weight to go up the step onto your left foot (which starts to "straighten"), your right leg bends as you place the right foot on the next stair step up ... stepping with a bent knee with no weight. Another nice way to practice latin motion at first is to the side. Start with your feet together. Transfer your weight onto the right foot, straightening the right knee. (Your right hip will settle diagonally back). As you step side onto the left foot, the left knee is bent and the right leg is straight. You're stepping with a bent knee and no weight; your stepping toward the inside edge of the foot. As you transfer the weight onto the left foot, your left knee straightens as the right foot, with a bent right knee with no weight, is placed next to the left foot. You're now ready to repeat; you can also reverse the actions and practice going side to the right.
In the cha cha, no step or movement should be more than 12 inches in length. Several suggestions for counting cha cha: instead of thinking " 1, 2, 3, cha cha" or " 1, 2, 3, quick quick" think " 1, 2, 3, slow step." The proper count is " 1, 2, 3, 4 and." Most people do the "4 and" too quickly and too small. Most people also incorrectly make the "4 and" seem like 3 movements (cha cha cha) but the "1" needs to be held for a full count. Learning about timing and style well greatly add to your dance enjoyment and your appearance.

I can't imagine that any new seasons of Dancing with the Stars will have the caliber and high level of dancing that was on this year. There were so many amazing routines ... professional, athletic, and charismatic. It was so difficult to see people voted off ... to have anyone as "a loser" when, in fact, so many were first class winners. Each one gave it their all. Each one sacrified to produce fabulous performances. I oftened questioned Len's judging; he appeared to be way too harsh on Mario. The show was for entertainment purposes ... not just an international ballroom dance competition. I also thought at various times the music was in appropriate for the dance and handicapped the dancers.
Emmitt and Cheryl were great. If I, as a dance teacher, were to pick a student to work with, it would have been Emmitt. From all appearances, his attitude, work ethics, and abilities would have been a joy to mold. Mario, however, in my humble opinion, was the better dancer. One routine after another just blew me away with his style, precision, and strength. It's been a joy to see all the quickstep, rumba, samba, mambo, swing, foxtrot, waltz, tango, and cha cha routines ... all presented with pizzazz, flair, theatrics, grace, talent, and LOTS of hard work. It was AMAZING that they could learn the routines they did in such a short time. My hat's off to each one.