Ballroom dancing is a fun hobby that many people enjoy as a way to relax and stay fit. For some, it can even become a competitive event!
If you want to learn dance and give it a try, you have a few different avenues to pursue.
Everyone learns differently and we all have different monetary and time budgets available. If you really want to learn to dance, you can find a way to make it happen that fits your needs!
The most important thing to remember when it comes to learning any new skill is to have patience, perseverance, and dedication. With these fundamentals, you can surely make your dancing dreams come true!
Can You Learn Ballroom Dance On Your Own?
The short answer is: yes!
One of the things that stop people from trying something new is the belief that they need to have an expert nearby or else there’s no point in even trying.
The truth is that unless you’re doing something that is actually dangerous, you can try almost anything on your own!
Dancing is one of those things. If you have natural talent, you might find that self-teaching suits you completely and you never need an instructor to become a rather adept dancer.
Even if you don’t have natural talent and you find dancing difficult, you can still learn quite a bit on your own that you could even use as a jumping-off point if you pursue classes with an instructor later on.
While you might not become a dancing expert all on your own, you can certainly learn enough to feel confident in your ability to ask someone to accompany you to the dance floor.
Your Home Studio
The important part about learning to dance on your own is making sure you have enough space to safely practice.
You will need to ensure that you have space where you won’t bump into anything or trip, the ground isn’t uneven, you feel safe practicing, and ideally, you have a mirror to help you see how your moves look.
Without the proper space to practice, you’ll likely never get the hang of many of the dance moves properly, so it’s critical to ensure that you have a large enough area to practice comfortably!
How to Learn Ballroom Dance Online
The first method for learning ballroom for beginners is to try to practice at home.
With the help of YouTube, movies, and even some shows like “Dancing with the Stars” can teach you a lot about dance.
Try looking up tutorials on YouTube and learning the fundamentals, like how to achieve smooth movements and the basic ideas behind different steps.
It can also be interesting to learn about the history and culture behind a dance to give you more context and drive your passion for learning the steps.
Some great channels to check out for dance lessons ballroom are:
- Passion4dancing
- Ballroom Mastery TV - Vaughan Liddicoat
- Freelydance
- 375 Dance Studio
- Ballroom Feed
In your dedicated practice area, set up a mirror or even record yourself as you practice dancing, so you can analyze actionable improvements that you can make.
Have patience, since learning this way may take some time. Without personalized feedback and guidance, and without a dance partner, it can take some time to learn.
Stick with it, practice often, and have confidence in your abilities! After all, dancing is supposed to be a way to have fun!
Private Instructor Dance Classes
Another route you can take is to hire a private dance teacher.
This option can be on the pricey side, but you can be sure to learn much quicker than on your own.
Private dance instructors can host you at their studio or come to your home to teach you to dance. Alternatively, you can attend an online ballroom dance class virtually with an instructor!
If you are having the teacher come to your home, make sure your dance space is big enough for both of you to work. The instructor will likely demonstrate movements and perhaps even dance with you, so your space needs to be large and safe.
If you have an online instructor, make sure you set up your webcam so they can adequately see you as you practice. And, you’ll need to have the screen close enough to see the feedback they give you as well.
Personalized lessons can go a long way in learning how to dance, but they are by no means mandatory if you want to learn to ballroom dance.
Find dance classes near me here.
Where to Find Dance Classes
Search online for reputable dance instructors on sites like Superprof, where you can read real reviews from past and present students. You can even arrange for a meeting with the instructor before you commit to taking more classes with them and make sure it’s a good fit!
Other places you can search for dance instructors include places like Facebook, local bulletin boards, and word of mouth.
Studio Dance Classes
A good middle ground for learning to dance is to take group classes.
Again, you can attend in person at a dance studio, or attend online.
In-person dance classes are helpful because you can use a dedicated dance facility with the appropriate flooring, big mirrors for observing yourself, other students to practice and socialize with, and a teacher to help you directly.
In an online dance class, you get the benefit of a teacher’s attention and you can practice in the comfort of your own home.
"There are shortcuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them." -Vicki Baum
Where to Find Group Dance Classes
You’ll often be able to find group dance classes if you search and ask around. Many studios have younger students at schools, but also offer classes for adults, so you can see if your local school staff or parents have any recommendations.
There are also many community dance classes, dance classes through a local youth or recreation program, dance clubs, and groups that use sites like Meetup.com to organize events.
What to Expect in a Ballroom Dance Class
So what can a ballroom dance class offer you that learning on your own cannot?
You might be a little intimidated by the idea of attending dance classes, especially as an adult. It can be hard to try to learn new things, especially since we are led to think that this type of activity is really only meant for children. That’s just not true! There is no wrong age to try something new!
If you want to learn on your own, out of the eye of others, that is also completely okay.
However, if you are willing and able to seek out an instructor, you can be sure to reap some great benefits.
Learn From Peers
When you’re in an adult dance class, you will likely have students of all different calibers surrounding you. More experienced students can teach you tips and tricks, and you can practice with students of a similar level to you.
Community
Classes are also a great place to make new friends! Your dance class can lead to some lifelong connections and some of the best friends you’ve ever had.
Individual Attention
The dance instructor can point out exactly where you need to improve as well as how, so you’re not left guessing if you’re doing well or unsure of how to get better.
Find Out The Intention of the Class
Many dance classes are run with the intention of a dance recital and the end of the year, or entrance into a dance contest.
If that’s your schtick, make sure you find a class where that’s the intention! But if you really only want to dance for fun and you don’t want to perform as part of the class, find a group that meets your expectation.
You can certainly learn how to dance on your own, but if you want some help, even on occasion, there are many different places to find dance groups!
One thing is for sure; if you want to learn how to dance, begin as soon as you can! You’ll wish you started even sooner, so jump in and enjoy the journey!
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