How to Dance

Guide Note: Got two left feet? Not to worry. There's a form of dance out there for everyone.

How to Dance offers a few basic tips for all would-be dancers and aggregates all of Mahalo's dance-related guides.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

The benefits of dance are well-documented. It's great for losing weight, alleviating stress and just plain having fun. The best part is that there's a type of dance for everyone regardless of age, body type or fitness level. So, what are you waiting for? Isn't it time you cut a rug?

Find the Right Type of Dance for You

There are hundreds of different kinds of dance, and there's one that's a good fit for you. Take the following into consideration as you decide which type of dance you'd like to learn:

Classical Indian Dancer (Photo by Radharadhya d)

Interests: Your interests - both musically and culturally - can help you decide which type of dance you'd like to learn. If you love hip hop music, you may want to take a hip hop dance class. If you're Irish-American, you might want to get in touch with your roots by attending a ceili.
Age: Some forms of dance, particularly folk and ballroom dance, are more accommodating of people of all ages and body types. While not being a spry youth shouldn't stop you from pursuing your breakdancing dreams, you should take the time to find an instructor who understands the limits of your body. You may need to recalibrate your expectations as well. You can become a very good ballet dancer late in life, but your prima ballerina fantasies may not be fulfilled.
Physical Ability: Different types of dance require different levels of athleticism. Do you want to and are you capable of doing handstands? If not, you might want to avoid Capoerira lessons. Try a ballroom dance class instead, or if you're looking for a great work-out, give West African dance a try.
What You Want Out of It: Are you taking a dance class to lose weight, make friends or get in touch with your roots? Do you just want to get off the couch once a week and move, or do you have semi-professional aspirations? There are a million reasons people pursue dance classes or go out dancing. What's your reason? Knowing this will help you pinpoint the right dance option for you.

National Ballet of Cuba (Creative Commons photo by innoxiuss)

Types of Dance

While by no means a complete list, the following are some of the types of dance you might consider learning or just doing if they're offered in an informal nightclub setting:

Nightclub Dancing: Hip Hop - Bhangra - Disco - Salsa - Country Line Dancing

Evolution of Dance by Judson Laipply

Where to Learn to Dance

Where you learn to dance will depend on what's available in your area, what type of dance you're learning and whether or not you actually have to "learn" the dance at all. Here's a rundown of the places that you can either learn to dance or just get on with the getting down:

Dance Studios: The most obvious and popular option for learning a new form of dance. Most studios offer by-the-class rates as well as memberships. If the studio offers it, be sure to take a free introductory class before making a larger financial commitment. You want to be sure that you the class is at your level, and that the teacher is attentive. Teachers should modify moves for you if you have any physical problems or injuries. The studio itself should be clean and welcoming. (Use the Dance Magazine Dance Finder or LearnToDance.com Studio Locator to find a class near you.)
Ballroom Dance Studios: Ballroom dance studios deserve special attention. Be wary of studios that press you to make a large financial commitment upfront. Also be wary of studios that push you into a competitive environment and force you to buy expensive costumes before you're ready or even interested. There are plenty of legitimate studios offering instruction—just be sure that their culture matches your needs.
Gyms: Some gyms offer dance classes in addition to their standard fitness curriculum. You'll find everything from hip hop to salsa in most gyms. Keep in mind that the emphasis may be more on keeping your heart rate up than on technique, but it will depend on the teacher. Always take a trial class when possible.

Modern Dance (Creative Commons photo by Missy)
Online: There are hundreds of instructional dance videos available online at sites like YouTube, Expert Village, VideoJug and the soon-to-debut Dance Jam. If you decide to learn a dance via video, be sure to take it slow. You don't have a teacher there to correct you, and it can be tough to stay motivated on your own. However, it doesn't cost you a dime, and you can get truly funky in the privacy of your own home.
Churches, Community Centers and Clubs: Many churches and community centers offer liturgical and folk dance classes or events. If you don't belong to a particular church or club, look for ads in the "dance" events section of your local paper. Most folk dance events, like contra dances or ceilis, offer a free lesson an hour before the event's start time. This is a fun way to go out dancing without having to invest in weeks worth of classes.
Friends, Family Members and Neighbors: Different cultures have different dance traditions. It's possible that someone in your family or community knows a type of dance that he or she would love to pass on. Ask around. In a city like Washington DC alone, you can find old school hand dancers, awesome step teams and a neighborhood kid or two who might be willing to teach you how to beat yo feet.
Nightclubs: You don't have to take classes to dance. You can just go do it... unless you live in that town in Footloose. So, find a nightclub that plays the music you like, loosen up and hit the floor.
In Your Own Home: You've got two options. You can relax, turn up the music and dance like you just don't care, or you can invest in the home version of arcade fave Dance Dance Revolution.

Egyptian Dance (Creative Commons photo by Hamed Masoumi)

Tips for Novice Dancers

Even though there are hundreds of different types of dance, some rules always apply. Keep the following in mind as you begin your personal dance odyssey:

Warm Up: It doesn't matter if you're busting a move at the local juke joint, square dancing or taking your first cardio-pole dancing class, you need to warm your muscles up. Start slow and build up to your stunt moves.
Wear the Appropriate Clothing and Shoes: Dance, just like sports, requires the necessary equipment. Flamenco dancers need flamenco shoes, and belly dancers need to expose their, well, bellies. Besides, the specialty equipment is part of the fun.
Loosen Up: Dancing is fun because it gives you a chance to loosen up, get out of your analytical mind and just move. There's a reason dance has been a part of every cathartic religious movement and culture known to man. It's a chance to get out of your head and transcend the pressures of your everyday life. You may need to do some thinking to memorize the moves and get a combination down, but there's nothing more satisfying than when that movement becomes part of your muscle memory and you unselfconsciously move for the first time. Find the right kind of dance for you, and you've found a source of joy that will last a lifetime.