You’ve probably heard the phrase ‘two left feet before.’ It is a common excuse to justify the fear that we may have when it comes to trying something new, say ballroom dancing. Don’t get us wrong…walking into a new, unknown environment can be terrifying! But you never know what’s on the other side unless we give things a shot, right?!

No one was born with two left feet, and in any situation, we guarantee that you’re going to do better than you think your first time out. We want you to get rid of any misconceptions you may have and encourage you to live up to your very own potential. You don’t have forever, so why not start today? Sometimes we hear people say I wish I had started this when I was younger…but age is just a number people and many activities, including dancing may actually extend your life! Just keep that in mind…

First and foremost, if we want to overcome a fear we need to start by wanting to do so. Hesitation is probably one of the agents that tends to hold us back, so you may start with a simple decision and see what happens next. Based on that, we want to remind you that at this very first stage you probably won’t be participating in “Dancing with the Starts” (maybe later, who knows?), so let’s take it easy and focus on just trying out a few steps and listening to the music. We are all our harshest critics, but try to avoid early assessments. Every day that you try, you’re making progress.  It would be unfair to judge the entire process at such an early stage.  We don’t have the miracle  pill  for  everything  we  want,  but  what  we  do  have which  is  even  better  than  a magic  pill  or  wand…we have a PLAN! When we plan any project (whether it be personal,  social, or economic) we are a step ahead of the three ugly Fs: Failure,  Frustration,  and  Fear.

What  does  a  plan  for  overcoming a fear of  Ballroom Dance contain?
How could it be carried out?

Try these ingredients:

1. The first step is the first step
Conquering the  initial  nervousness  is  the  key. Starting something from the scratch may be hard, but there’s nothing that practice cannot defeat. Practice makes perfect!

2. Forget about the cliché “I have no rhythm”
Does your heart beat?  Do you breathe?  Do you walk? Then you definitely have rhythm. It’s scientifically proven! We just have to refine it!

3-. Ballroom Dancing has no age limits!
Anyone at any age can dance. Don’t believe me?  Do you remember the 106-year-old lady who danced with the Obamas a couple of  months ago?  When asked what was the secret to still dancing at 106, she said just keep moving.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/barack-obama-michelle-obama-dance-106-year-old-woman-visits-white-house-a6888656.html

So you have all the ingredients, what about the execution?

Once your ingredients are ready and your fear has started to fade away, what  else do you need?  Well…for dancing you need a dance floor or studio for you to step in to! You don’t actually even need a partner! Plenty of group classes are structured for you to rotate so you get a chance to meet new people, and learn at a faster pace. If you have a built in dance partner, then you’re also set – just remember you’re both learning new skills and patience is essential. This is a fun and exciting experience to share, so keep it fun and light!

Enjoy this new adventure and keep us posted on how it goes. Remember that you won’t be the newbie all your life. Try something new today…what do you have to lose? Hope to see you on a dance floor soon!

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In ballroom dance lessons, you will most likely need a partner to dance with. Just by going to group classes or lessons you will spend some time with various partners. Chances are that the instructor will keep the partners rotating, so you will get the chance to dance with and meet a lot of new people. After you get to know your classmates, you can always experience new classes, rhythms or styles during different classes and still meet new people along the way.

Getting along with your classmates in your dance lessons and group classes is only the beginning! Beyond regular classes, are gatherings called “social dances”, in which tons of people get together to move themselves to the beat and try out what they have learned, ‘in the wild.’ Thanks to your dance lessons, and the new people you have met through dance classes, you’ve got some moves under your belt, and you can meet anyone by just asking them out for a dance. It’s as simple as that! One great thing about people who dance is, that they always want to do it, so if you ask someone out, they will gladly say yes almost every time!

You will notice that every time you surround yourself with people who are dancing, you will be in a relaxed, safe and joyful environment. You’ll soon find out dance makes people physically and mentally happy, so you will be meeting new people in a time and place where they are at their best. That’s makes everything easier!

In other matters, if you decide to travel, dancing will also open a lot of doors for you, no matter if you speak the local language or not. You can typically hit a local dance studio and sign up for a random group class or lesson, or check the internet for “social dances” or dancing events in the area. Instantly, you will be meeting new people with at least one common interest, and that will make it easier to break the language barrier, and have a good time despite of it.

Dance is the universal language of the world, don’t you want to be a part of that? You never know who you will meet. So give it a shot – meet new people through dance and see how it changes and impacts your life!

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Keep your brain in shape!

Dance keeps the brain in shape. While dancing, you need to remember and apply a lot of different movement patterns, which is a great exercise for the brain. Think of a “Sudoku” puzzle for a moment…in it, you have to try different patterns and see which one fits on a column, something quite similar happens while dancing, only that it happens a lot faster, without noticing you are comparing all the different moves and turns you know. This comparison will give you the move or turn that fits the dance, then you try them in your head for a moment, and after all of this, you will perform them, all within split seconds of each other.

Needless is to say, this is a complex process that will get your brain running and exercising on a regular basis. Most of the time you are having too much fun or your brain has gotten so strong after dancing, that it does it effortlessly.

Keep depression away & relive stress

A good state of mind needs a brain in good shape, but some endorphins (happiness hormones) can make a lot of difference in keeping depression away, and releasing stress. Guess what – dancing makes the body secrete tons of endorphins! Almost all physical exercises will do this, but studies shows that due to dancing’s low impact on the “pain receptors” of the muscles, the endorphins are more effective and more powerful on the mind. More studies suggest that being able to keep a beat, gives the mind a sense of triumph and winning that would generate more endorphins, too! Next time you see people smiling while dancing, you will know what is going on their bodies and in their brain. 

In other studies, the American Council of Exercise found out that people who do ballroom dance at least twice a week are least likely to suffer mental disorders or Alzheimer’s. Dancing helps gain and maintain a healthy memory, and because it is a social activity it helps to alleviate a lot of the conditions that usually generate mental disorders.

Improve self esteem!

Last but not least, is the increased level of an individual’s Self-Esteem. After dancing for a while, your self esteem will be better than before, because you will see yourself as someone who is capable to learning something new, Someone who is capable of having fun and being sociable, and most of all someone who is doing something that you love. Different types of rhythms like salsa or flamenco celebrates different types of bodies and looks, so if you choose one that fits you, it will make you feel a lot more comfortable with yourself.

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Dance helps get you into shape. When you dance you move your whole body, literally from your head to your toes, so there is no secret that if you dance, you will burn calories. That may even result in your pants feeling a little loose eventually, but more important than that, your muscles will get stronger and more agile. When going up stairs you won’t feel so tired, and in your daily life you will see that your body will respond better to daily activities. Dancing will get your body in shape and working like a well oiled machine.

Your heart will say thank you.  The American Heart Association says that dancing can reduce the risk of having heart disease if it is being done regularly. Dance is an aerobic exercise, and it will get your heart pumping and active. Over time, this will make your heart much healthier and in shape for a longer time.

Dance prevents osteoporosis. All bones get thinner as we grow old, but if you dance, you will tell your body that you are still using them, and that It should not neglect them. Even if you are in an older demographic, if you dance, your body will work on getting you stronger bones. Since your muscles will be active also, they can hold a lot of weight, and not leave this responsibility only to the bones. 

Want more benefits of dance for your body? You got it!

More energy!! Who doesn’t want that?! When you are having fun, your body releases endorphins, and they will have a residual effect on your body that will make you feel more energized. Because you are working out with aerobic exercise, it will take longer to feel tired, giving you that feeling of having more energy throughout daily activity.

Dance improves your posture. When dancing, along with your bones and muscles getting stronger, your back and joints will get more flexible too!, Because dance is fun and low impact, a lot of the muscles or joints that are tense due to daily stress will get more loose. All of this will improve your posture, and why is it important to have a good posture, you ask? Good posture actually prevents fatigue and injuries; Especially in parts of your body that are not made to hold the weight when you assume a bad posture position, like your lower back or shoulders. Good posture makes for better overall daily experiences in all aspects of your life. 

Dance improves cholesterol and sugar levels. Most exercises can help on this matter, but dancing is more effective than other activities because it can be practiced in any place, at any time and with no age limit! Since dance is also a low impact activity, you can do it more often and get the most of it. How great does that sound?

Now that you’ve read all about just a few of the benefits of dance for your body – what are you waiting for?! Get out there and start shaking your groove thing. Your body, mind and heart will thank you!

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• Great workout alternative! Unless you are one of those girls who can eat whatever comes in their way and not gain a pound, you will always appreciate any activity that can help you get into shape. Dancing is a great way to do so, the best way in our opinion. When you dance you move your whole body, literally from your head to your toes, and best thing about it is that you won’t even notice it! For real, it is great exercise, but you will be having so much fun that it will be done effortlessly and you’ll keep wanting to do more!

• Releases Stress. As said before, dancing is a fun activity, you might not be the best in the beginning, but from day one you will feel the great energy that dance rooms have. Whether in group class or private lessons, the studios are full of happy people and smiley faces, the kind of place that gives good vibes, and helps you forget the rest of your day.

• Improve your confidence. Ballroom dance lessons are, at the end of the day, lessons; meaning that every day you will learn something new. Every class there will be several people including yourself, that won’t know how to perform a dance move, or that do not coordinate with some rhythm, at first. By the end of the lessons you will learn something, and you will show it in front of other people who also learned the same. That public learning process will fill your confidence, every day you will leave the room knowing that you’re capable of overcoming and achieving.

• Widen your social network. You will meet new people, you will live new experiences, but more importantly…you will make new friends. No matter if you are the social butterfly, or the person that sits on the couch waiting for someone to talk to –  you will always bond with some special people in a very special environment.

• You get to dress up! Ok, so everyone want to feel pretty, right? Dressing up is exactly that – a good way to feel pretty, you will finally have a perfect excuse to wear or even buy that cute dress and those gorgeous matching shoes with ballroom dance lessons! In fact, you could even get your hair done for special days too. Nothing like a little pampering to go along with your ballroom dancing! Dance lessons are those magical times during the week when you can also devote the much needed ‘me time’ we all need from time to time.

There are many other reasons that women should take ballroom dance lessons, but these are just a few of the highlights! There is something special about the ballroom dance studio, and until you have walked in and experienced it for yourself, you don’t know what you’re missing. Here are our 5 reasons women should take ballroom dance lessons! Happy Dancing!

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1. It’s a challenge: It’s a known fact that conquering or mastering something new brings a lot of joy to any man. It could be climbing a mountain, making a touchdown or as simple as fixing a leaky sink. No matter what it is, if it is a challenge, there are big rewards waiting for any man. And guess what? No matter if you already dance, or if you feel that you have two left feet, from day one in ballroom dance lessons there’s always something new to learn. It could be a new step or turn, or maybe is a new rhythm, even dancing with a new partner implies a level of challenge. So get ready to have a lot of fun in each lesson or group class, because after each one you will leave with that great feeling of having conquering a challenge.

2. Leadership: So, for dancing you will need a partner, and that partner will be waiting for the leader (that’s you!) to lead the whole experience. It’s on the men to decide when to turn, when to try a different step, and at the same time, he needs to find a pleasant way to let his partner know what’s happening too. All these skills are the foundation of any great leader, and they will be gained on each lesson at a gradual pace.  At first this will probably be one of the hardest things to learn, but once you get into the swing of it – you’ll be golden!  

3.Creativity: The man is in charge of leading the dance, and with these comes the responsibility of keeping it entertaining, but most importantly fun. This is also a challenge! A challenge that will stimulate the creativity of the men. You might need a bit of guidance at first, but in time the men who dance will inevitably become more creative, in all aspects of your life. 

4. Self-esteem: Imagine this, after some time taking ballroom dance lessons you will become more creative, you will also be a better leader, and what seems more important, you will always have that great feeling of accomplishing goals and conquering challenges. Imagine a man with all these qualities, isn’t he a good man? Well, that is the way that you will feel about yourself, and it follows you into other areas of your life. It takes a small great feeling to have a major impact on your life in general. 

5. It’s a great way to meet women: Not all men will see this as an advantage, but a lot will, and if you are looking to meet new people, ballroom dance lessons are a great place to do so. You will get the chance to dance with a lot of partners in a fun and relaxed environment, not to mention that you will be meeting people with at least one common interest, DANCING. That makes it easy to strike up any conversation! 

There are your top 5 reasons Men should take Ballroom Dance Lessons! Be adventurous, try new things, you never know what might happen. Hope to see you on the dance floor soon!

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Have you ever felt that you hit a plateau in your dancing? Maybe you have lost focus and feel your enthusiasm for dancing slipping. Maybe you are super excited and can’t imagine EVER losing your love of dance, and you simply want to learn as much as possible as fast as possible. I want all of these thing for you too!

My name is Brian Barakauskas and a ballroom dancer with over 20 years experience I’ve felt the same thing at many points along my journey thorough ballroom dancing. As a teacher its become my mission to teach the lessons that have helped me the most. I sincerely want you to enjoy dancing EVEN MORE THAN I HAVE! Here are my 3 favorite tips to faster learning and avoiding plateaus.

#1. Set a goal for your dancing

This may seem simple but I can’t tell you how many people simply don’t have clear goals. Pick the next thing you want to achieve and write it on a sticky note. I’m serious! Write your goal down RIGHT NOW! Stick that note on your desk by your bed or even on your bathroom mirror. Your goal could be learning the bronze syllabus for Waltz, Foxtrot and Tango. I could be doing a ballroom dance competition. Whatever your goal is write it down!

Another pitfall I see in goal setting is TOO MANY GOALS! If this is you, you might want to read this article on too many goals at once. Trust me, you can’t be good at every all at once. Faster learning in ballroom dancing does not mean do everything at once. Please sort through your goals. Pick the one dance goal that is most important to you right now, and write it down. All those other goals running thorough your mind…don’t worry we will get to those in a second.

#2 Set a time limit for achieving your dance goal

Do you ever wonder why people flock to stores on Black Friday? Its because that’s THE ONLY DAY that you can get those special deals. (honestly the prices are lower in July but I digress) Honestly its a mental trick that retailers play on us to get us to shop. The psychology works. Thats why you NEED TO HAVE A DATE on your goals! Write down the date on your goals. “I want to learn bronze waltz, foxtrot and tango by the fall.” or “I want to dance at the “Ohio Star Ball” this November!”

#3 Find a teacher, mentor or coach

This is one that has been a HUGE TIME SAVER for me personally in dancing but also in my dance studio business as well as in my other hobbies. I even wrote a blog on it. Investing in a ballroom dance coach will do wonders for your progress. Its not only taking dance lessons that will be helpful but dance coaches are EXPERTS AT THE BALLROOM DANCE LEARNING PROCESS! Let me say this again, they are experts at the process for learning ballroom dancing. They are expert goal setters. They have the knowledge to asses you personally and help you set goals that are right for you!

Now let me say this….

As a dance teacher its SHOCKING to me to see how many student don’t take the advice of the coach they are paying. We all want to think we are special or different and our egos sometimes won’t let us submit and listen. (trust me I know. I have a big ego lol) But provided you have a good relationship with your teacher, then trust them! Keep in mind that you won’t always agree. You’ll have to trust them! The title of this blog post was faster learning in Ballroom Dancing while avoiding plateaus. Your teacher is your greatest resource in this process.

Oh and what happens when you get to your ‘pot of gold’ at the end of the rainbow and achieve your goal?

Go back though the process and set another one! Perhaps you can reach a little higher next time. After all its about the journey, not the destination!

All the best in dance,

Brian B

Dance Louisville

PS I know I suck at editing but writing is a learning process for me. One step at a time. LOL

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This is a fantastic 15 min talk by former world champion ballroom dancer Pierre Dulaine about the positive effects dancing can have on our lives. Pierre’s work in teaching essential life skills through dancing was the subject of the Antinio Bandares movie ‘Take the Lead’. In 1994 he founded a program in New York City to teach ballroom dancing to city school children. The program was documented in the movie ‘Mad Hot Ballroom’

If you are a ballroom dancer you need to watch this. If you are not a dancer perhaps this will inspire you to become one. Enjoy! -Brian ‘B’

MAY I HAVE THIS DANCE PLEASE?

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1. Dancing is a cheap high

Endorphins are released when the body has to exert itself. A lot like the ‘runners high’ that we have heard about, dancing can produce its own high! The combination of physical activity, mental stimulation and a connection to music make the dancers high something quite unique!

2. Dancing will save brain cells

In 2003 the New England Journal of Medicine studied 9 different physical leisure activities trying to determine if any of them could help delay the onset of dementia. Of the 9, only ballroom dancing demonstrated a significant impact in lowing the risk of the participants.

3. Dance can be more fun than the gym

Its an easy way to burn calories and stay fit with out having to go to a gym. You can burn several hundred calories per hour without feeling like you are ‘working out’

4. Dance can make you, Ahem, more cultured.

Who doesn’t like the worlds most interesting man? (or woman for the matter) Being able to perform a little Foxtrot or Rumba and a social function can lead you one step closer to being that guy or gal. How cool would it be the be able to dance some salsa on the cruise deck of a fancy cruise ship or literally Waltz across the floor when the mood struck?

5.  Dance will give you courage to try new things.

Scared to walk into a dance class? Thats exactly why you should!  Learning a skill like ballroom dancing will give you the confidence to try just about anything! Sometime the most difficult step is the first one and in a dance class there is a teacher to help. See you on the dance floor!

Do YOU want to learn to dance?

Check out our SPECIAL OFFER! At Dance Louisville we love helping people get started dancing so we will give you your FIRST LESSON FREE Give us a call (502) 377-4859 and let us know how we can help. -The Dance Louisville Team

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Ok so we just got back from a 5 day trip to New Orleans for a dance competition. The hotel we stayed at was right in the French Quarter on the corner of Canal Street and the famous Bourbon Street! New Orleans is famous for is Cajun food and Jazz music. Bourbon Street is famous for its one of a kind party like atmosphere. During one of our daytime strolls we came across a street performer and what I’ll call the single best dance move ever.

Watch the BEST DANCE MOVE EVER!

Bourbon Street – New Orleans

Just in case you’re wondering… no we will not be teaching that in group class! We are gonna stick to ballroom, salsa, swing and country dancing. Anything where our feet stay on the ground!  Nor did any of our students have the urge to try it. We did however have a great time at the competition and really enjoyed dancing to the cool music on Bourbon Street.

There were about 12 of us form Dance Louisville that made the trip down. Everyone danced fantastic! It was a really big competition with dancers from all over the country. New Orleans Dance Mardi Gras is fast becoming a ‘don’t miss’ dance weekend. We look forward to visiting New Orleans to dance again next summer!

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