Ballroom Dance Lessons

In the 1950s ballroom dancing was the standard in nighttime entertainment. Although it has always been popular it is currently enjoying resurgence in the public eye due to broader indications such as television and the Internet. Today more people are interested in ballroom dance lessons than ever before and there are a variety of ways besides going to a studio that you can learn the most popular ballroom dances such as; tango, cha-cha-cha, waltz, quick step and the foxtrot.

Mention the words of “ballroom dancing” to anyone born in the baby boom generation and images of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers will come to mind. Probably more than any other two people these dance partners epitomized the ideal of grace and style in movement. Ballroom dance lessons at the Fred Astaire Studios was the way that many people learn how to make their way across the dance floor in the 1950s, 60s and 70s.

Today in addition to the Fred Astaire dance studios there are many others that teach a variety of styles and techniques that make ballroom dancing so amazing. But learning these dances are not only an enhancement to your social graces but also an excellent form of exercise. This has become very obvious as millions of people watched the popular television program “Dancing with the Stars” where viewers were able to get an inside look into the rigorous practice and training required to master the dance steps that look so effortless when performed on stage.

If you are not able to physically visit a studio, there are ballroom dance lessons available on DVD that can show you how each dance is performed and what makes it unique from the rest. In addition to purchasing DVD ballroom dance lessons you can also find a great deal of information on the Internet.

The advantage of taking ballroom dance lessons is that they can enhance any social gathering. For many people the first time they seriously begin to consider taking ballroom dance lessons is when they are planning their wedding and all eyes will be on them when they take their first dance as a married couple.

For other people who are more interested in the interaction between people rather than the exercise benefits, this experience can broaden your circle of friends as well as being a good platform for networking and promoting your business.

Without a doubt taking ballroom dance lessons can be a rewarding and fun experience that has the additional benefit of strengthening your body and its flexibility in movement. Many people are absolutely amazed when they master steps and are able to perform in front of their friends and family.

Of all the recreational activities you can choose from today ballroom dancing still is in a class by itself in terms of the amount of investment you have to make and the benefits you receive. Whether you choose to go to a studio, purchase a DVD set or take ballroom dance lessons online it is a skill that you can use in most social situations.

My first Ballroom Dance teaching lesson

I had my first dance lesson with Foster Lampert of DanceLovers.com. My goal is to become an exceptional Ballroom Dance instructor. Foster is over 70 years old and one of the finest men and instructors I know.

I started taking dance lessons from him back in 2002, met my future wife in class and then dropped out for a while. I wasn’t sure I wanted to make the effort at becoming a teacher in my 40’s however recent developments made me realize that if I didn’t at least try I would regret it for the rest of my life.

Foster and his wife Judi have a very detailed system for teaching which I hope to outline in these posts. Primarily it will give me the opportunity to review my lesson for that day which I believe will benefit me greatly.

So, what did I learn? Well, the Lamperts generally teach groups of students in 12-week increments. Each new course building on the previous course. Foster started me with the course for Beginner’s which has material in Single Swing, Waltz, Foxtrot, Rumba and Cha Cha.

Foster starts these classes slowly and repeats the previous weeks’ content the next week and adds a little each week. By the end of the 12 week course the students have a foundation they can take out that includes rudimentary knowledge in all 5 dances.

The very first thing he does is tell the new students that dancing is a lifetime hobby and is incredibly healthy being good for both the mind and body. He let’s everyone know they will have a great time and as dancers will make lots of wonderful friends.

He then has the students move to opposite ends of the room. Men on one side and women on the other. Then he shows them how to walk in place using the count 1-2-3-4. Since they are beginner’s he doesn’t mention what step he’s teaching or the dance it is in. This is so the students don’t get a preconceived notion about what the step might look like.

For instance if he were to say he’s teaching the box step in Waltz he’s found that several students have an idea of what that is and are often wrong. But if he were to say “Step, Side, Together” and have the students repeat that over and over again they are getting the muscle memory before knowing what they are actually doing.

In any case after the students learn to walk in place for four counts he than has them change the rhythm to walk, walk, run, run, or step, step, march, march. This is the foundation for single swing.

Foster taught me much more this day but it’s been a while since I took the lesson so I’ll elaborate within the next two weeks when I have my next lesson.