I don't know how to dance. How to learn to dance: video lessons for those who are not afraid to try
If you want to master the art of dance, learn the movements of the classic “samba” and “paso doble”, “waltz” and “tango”, then you need to enroll in a dance school. Now it is available not only for children, but also for adults of any age. There you can learn the basics of movements and become undoubtedly more confident on the dance floor.
Step 2
In fact, at dance parties, be it a corporate event or a vacation event, it is quite rare to find the need to dance something classical. As a rule, these are just musical evenings where you can have a good time. Therefore, if you control your body, you can handle it without a dance school. And in order to know and feel the abilities of your muscles, visit a fitness center, where the movements are also varied in complex classes. This will be enough to not seem awkward. Fitness classes such as step, dance gymnastics or colonetics will especially help.
Step 3
If you find yourself on the dance floor, in a dance circle, don’t be shy. Start moving in time with everyone. If you pay attention to the dancers, their main movement is stepping from foot to foot. Absolutely anyone can do this movement, even a person who is not at all experienced in dancing. It’s worth watching your hands; you don’t need to wave them or make large gestures, as this disturbs those around you.
Step 4
Don't make a fairly common mistake: don't overheat yourself with alcohol. Shyness, of course, will recede, but this way you can lose control over your actions. The next day you may very much regret such swagger.
Tell us about the dance direction you teach?
I teach Latin American dancing and salsa. Salsa is a very positive and fiery dance. It's quite easy to learn if you have a good sense of rhythm. I am also a certified Zumba and Zumba Sentao fitness instructor.
What to do if you don't know how to dance?
Dance, of course! Anyone can learn to dance. My dance styles are very fiery and rhythmic. By the way, you can study not only alone, but also with a partner. As for Zumba, it is a dance fitness program based on fiery rhythms. Today this movement is very popular all over the world because it is accessible to everyone: it doesn’t matter how old you are, whether you are a man or a woman, whether you can dance or not... Just come and start training. The beauty and precision of movements will come with experience.
Popular
How much do you need to practice to get the first results?
If we are talking about the Zumba direction, then you will only need a few classes. Salsa takes a little longer because the moves are more complex. You need to exercise regularly, at least 2-3 times a week. It is enough to attend group classes where you will be taught the basic steps.
Is it possible to learn to dance on your own? For example, at home, repeating the movements of the instructor on the recording?
You can learn to dance on your own; there are many examples of this - famous dancers and choreographers who began to take their first steps with video lessons. It was with video lessons that the great King of Pop Michael Jackson began. Just set yourself a goal and go towards it. Play your favorite music and let your body catch the rhythm.
How to feel confident on the dance floor?
To feel more confident on the dance floor, you need to devote more time to group classes. Hang out with people who love dancing. And don’t be afraid to dance outside the walls of the hall or your apartment! Often we set barriers for ourselves, we think that we don’t know how to do something, we can’t... In fact, we are simply afraid of being worse than others, we are afraid of what people will think of us. Don't get hung up on this. Better concentrate on your emotions and have fun!
How to express yourself in dance?
Just be yourself and listen to your body. It will tell you the right movements!
How did your collaboration with dance clubs GallaDance begin?
Why did you join Activia's "Good mood starts from within" campaign?
I love Activia products. My day starts with them. When you experience heavy physical activity, it is very important to watch your diet. I am for a healthy lifestyle, for movement, so it’s nice to know that you are part of a company that fully matches your lifestyle. And, of course, this is connected with dancing: I couldn’t find a better way to show people that dancing is a great opportunity to feel good and infect others with your mood.
Is it difficult to learn to dance?
It's really no more difficult than anything you're new to. Dance styles are very different from each other. Even if you have mastered one of them, it will be unusual for you to do the other.
However, all dances are associated with the ability to control your body. And if this is not new to you (for example, you have been involved in martial arts, gymnastics, swimming, and even more so dancing), it will be easier for you to adapt to new movements than for a beginner who is not friends with his body.
Even if you have a rather wooden body, you should not despair. The secret of success is constant practice.
Learning to dance from video lessons is more difficult than from courses. If your body is flexible and obedient, you can still do something similar to the movements of the instructor from the video. If not, you can quickly become disappointed in dancing: the difference between what is shown in the video and what you see in the mirror will be too strong.
Still, it's worth a try. At least in order to decide on the right one.
How many times a week do you dance?
At first, after exercising, your muscles may ache. But, unlike strength training or running, the body does not require a recovery period.
Therefore, you can safely practice dancing all the time. One of my teachers said that you need to dance 25 hours a day. In any case, the more you dance, the more noticeable your progress will be.
How to learn to dance modern dances
From this direction we have chosen three types that can often be found in the schedules of fitness clubs and dance schools. And the first is plastic and incredibly beautiful contemporary art.
Abel M/Flickr.comContemporary mixed elements of modern jazz, yoga and martial arts, seasoned with improvisation and attention to breathing. This is freedom and plasticity - the natural beauty of movement.
Here is a video with a combination in contemporary style. Give it a try, just be sure to warm up and stretch thoroughly before teaching.
And here is the second part:
By the way, about warming up. The video below contains a full lesson with warm-up, stretching and analysis of the combination. In English, but everything is clear without translation.
If you don’t have time to repeat or consider how a certain movement is done, set the speed to 0.25.
If you liked the combinations, but you can’t repeat them yet, here are some more videos with routine contemporary exercises.
Most likely, you will have to do the same in dance school before you can perform beautiful combinations.
imperiamarket.by Many people confuse pole exercises and strip exercises. The second is a simply sensual dance that can be performed without a pole.
When doing strip plastic, you won’t have to stand at the machine and pull your toe. Everything here is based on the natural sexuality of the female body. Of course, many teachers diversify strip dance with elements of contemporary or modern, Latin American dances and other styles, but here everything depends on the teacher.
How beautiful your dance will look depends again on how well you can control your body, how mobile your joints and muscles and tendons are.
The video below contains an analysis of the combination. Not too simple, but very sensual and beautiful. And you won't have to do any movements on the floor, so your knees won't get hurt.
And here is a playlist with strip dance lessons from different dance schools. There are both individual movements and combinations.
And one more, simpler combination. Try it if the first one didn't work out.
·júbilo·haku·/Flickr.com This is a sensual and beautiful dance, which, among other things, helps to develop plasticity and even get rid of some health problems.
There are a lot of belly dancing lessons on YouTube. Below are some of them.
The basic movements are explained very clearly here:
And the second part:
Below is a playlist with five lessons for beginners from another teacher.
How to learn to street dance
pinterest.com Hip-hop has only been around for about 50 years. But during this time, many trends and styles have appeared, with different elements, plastics, and special features.
In addition, modern hip-hop is often supplemented with movements from other dance styles, which provides even richer vocabulary and original combinations.
But before you come up with your own combinations, you need to master the basics. In the playlist below you will find basic movements, steps and many combinations. They explain everything clearly. If you can't keep up, reduce the video speed.
The videos in the next big playlist explain the concepts of inertia, manipulation, and isolation in hip-hop. There's also a story about improvisation, battle behavior if you're ready for that, and several options for ground hip-hop moves (on the floor) to diversify your combinations.
Colonne/Flickr.com Breakdancing consists of different elements: tricks and power movements on the floor, waves, fixations, as well as changing the levels at which the dance is performed.
Here on this channel There is training in different styles: Waving, King Tut, Robot, - analysis of the technique of power elements and basic movements at different levels.
Below is a video with a detailed analysis of the “6 steps” element from Footwork.
And here you can see how the “turtle” is performed.
Here is a voluminous playlist in which there are quite a lot of breakdancing elements with a detailed analysis of the technique of dance and strength elements.
Lauren Wood/Flickr.com A sexy dance in which you need to actively work your buttocks, hips, stomach and arms. In this playlist you will find several lessons with analysis of twerk movements.
How to learn to dance ballroom dancing
vimbly.com You will probably need a waltz at least once in your life. Moreover, dancing it at an amateur level is not so difficult.
Here are four good lessons that will teach you how to hold your hands and perform the basic waltz steps as a pair or individually.
How to learn to dance social dances
Social dancing is not created for competition, but for communication between partners and enjoyment. Improvisation is encouraged here, through which the dancer can express himself, his feelings and emotions.
pinterest.com This dance comes from the Dominican Republic. He is very sensual and sometimes erotic. The basis of bachata is four steps with an emphasis on the last one. In the dance there are rotations and flips of the partner, small supports.
Despite the fact that bachata is a pair dance, you can also learn solo combinations. For example, if you don’t have a partner yet.
The video below shows an analysis of the main steps. Where to shift your body weight, how to hold your hands, how to make an accent - everything is described in great detail.
And here is a variation of bachata from the same teacher.
Below is a playlist for those who want to dance bachata as a couple. These are Dominican bachata lessons from the Imagine dance school.
youtube.com This is a passionate couples dance originally from Africa, more precisely from Angola. It is now performed all over the world and is especially popular in France and Portugal.
Steps, a lot of hip work and close contact with your partner. Sometimes very cramped. For example, in the Tarraxinha style, a slower and more sensual version of this social dance.
Here is a playlist with kizomba lessons.
And another playlist with videos from another dance studio.
That's all. If you have favorite training videos, share them in the comments to the article.
Who among us has not felt at least secret admiration when looking at people who know how to dance well? For some people, such a sight also evokes a feeling of joy and inspiration, because a beautiful and well-executed dance is a real art. And some people, after seeing it, decide that they will definitely take up dancing. But how do you learn to dance? What should you do and where to start?
The purpose of training
If you're interested in learning how to dance just so you don't have to stand in the corner at a party, you don't have to sign up for a dance school. All you need is to learn how to listen to music correctly, relax and move to the rhythm. The Internet is full of videos that will help you learn a couple of simple club moves, and even more, which will allow you to feel comfortable at discos.
But if you want to learn how to dance a specific style, then you will have to seriously try.
How to choose a dance style
If you don't have a specific style in mind that you plan to learn, then think: perhaps you like classic motifs combined with innovative ideas? Then choose the jazz-modern style. You are fascinated by the culture of American ghettos - dance one of the styles of hip-hop. If you like classic graceful movements, learn ballroom dancing. 
You can think about what kind of songs you like. This way, you will sooner decide what kind of music, and therefore what style, you will like to dance to the most.
Search for videos of a variety of dances on the Internet and try to understand the basics of the different styles. Perhaps not every type of dance will suit you. Some styles require a certain amount of physical stamina, such as breakdancing. People with bad knees or other health problems, unfortunately, may also find themselves limited in their choice of dance options.
Learning from professionals
If you decide to study with a teacher, then first you need to choose a school or dance studio where they can teach you exactly the style that you have chosen.
Classes at a dance school are disciplined, and the teacher will immediately give you an idea of how the training will proceed, what stages await you and what you will do, and will provide timely assistance in correcting mistakes that you will certainly make at first. 
The competitive spirit among newcomers to dance school encourages them to work harder, and dancing with other students is much more fun than dancing alone at home.
Let's dance at home
If you don’t have the opportunity to take dance courses or study with a teacher, but you still have a desire to dance, then don’t despair - you can learn dancing at home. But if you study on your own, you will have to put a lot more effort into your studies.
Where to begin
To practice dancing, you need to acquire the appropriate equipment - comfortable shoes and clothing. This could be sneakers, a T-shirt and leggings. But depending on the dance you are learning, the style of clothing may also change: for hip-hop classes, for example, wide sweatpants are suitable, and for classical dances you need special shoes 
It may happen that before taking dance classes you will have to improve your ear for music. At first you will dance to the count, but then you will have to navigate the music and coordinate movements on your own, and therefore the ability to correctly hear the music and rhythm will come in handy.
Dance warm-up
Each workout begins with a warm-up and stretching. If you don't prepare your body for training, you are more likely to suffer various injuries when unexpected stress is placed on your muscles and joints. 
The set of warm-up exercises in different styles of dance sometimes differs and, depending on the parts of the body that are used in this dance, the emphasis is placed on them. But the general warm-up and stretching for dancing follows the same pattern: a couple of minutes of active movement - running, walking, freestyle dancing; turns and tilts the head to the side, lifting the shoulders, abducting/spreading the shoulder blades, bending the torso, squats, stretching the back and legs.
We invite you to watch a video with warm-up exercises before dancing.
There is no need to do a too intense warm-up. Its task is not to leave you without strength at the very first stage of training, but to prepare your body for dancing.
Body work
Perhaps not a single dancer can answer the question of how to learn to dance and not take care of your body, because it is impossible. For many types of dances, one warm-up will not be enough to cope with all the accompanying loads - it is necessary to develop endurance, strengthen your body and prepare it for performing power elements, such as lifts in ballroom dancing, stands in breakdancing, active footwork in tap dancing and etc. 
Remember to eat properly and hydrate your body to control your weight and replenish the moisture you lose during your workouts.
Learn to dance
And remember: mastery only comes with practice and experience. All the wonderful performances you have seen from dancers hide behind them hundreds and thousands of hours spent in training and training.
These people, just like you, doubted whether they should start dancing and whether they would achieve such success, but look what they have achieved now. All in your hands!
If you're too shy to dance in public, you're really depriving yourself of a lot of positive emotions. It's not that difficult to learn basic moves and dance them on stage, even if it's a small sequence. Train at home, work on improving basic movements, develop self-confidence - this will help you dance calmly in public without being embarrassed by anyone.
Steps
Dance with confidence
- Don't look at the floor and don't look back. Otherwise, you will look like you are shy and not very comfortable.
-
Don't drink too much. A couple of sips will help you relax and give you the confidence to dance great. But if you drink too much, you'll likely end up feeling embarrassed again. When a person is drunk, his honed skills begin to dull. There is an increased risk that you will start performing some new dance moves right on stage. Plus, when you're drunk, you don't have as much control over your body, so you might accidentally bump into other people or just fall on the dance floor.
Don't worry about what others think. Perhaps you're nervous because you're worried about how others will judge your dancing skills. You don't always have to be prepared to dance if you go somewhere to a bar or to some event. Just try to blend in with the crowd. Remember that most people are more worried about how they themselves look while dancing. Even though they are paying attention to you and your movements, they are more worried about their dancing.
Avoid any awkward or too fast movements. If you're worried about being self-conscious about the way you dance, you should stick to more basic moves. Don't try to replicate some incredible move you only saw once at a dance show. Leave it to the professionals and include in your dance only those movements that are sure to look good. For example, you should not depict elements of breaking, krump and other styles that may attract undue attention.
- Again, avoid sudden or sliding movements (such as the moonwalk). Agree, you are unlikely to be able to slide like Michael Jackson.
-
Dance with a partner or in a team with friends. You'll likely feel much more comfortable if you're surrounded by your friends. In this case, you will not have the feeling that the audience’s eyes are directed only at you. In addition, when dancing with a partner, you focus on him and on the interaction with him, and not on how the audience will evaluate you.
- If you dance in a team, respect other people's personal space. Don't spread your arms too wide or step on other dancers' feet.
Learn basic dance moves
-
Understand the tempo and rhythm of the music. You need to move to the music, so it is very important to determine its rhythm. The tempo can be fast or slow (depending on the music track). Listen to the track and try clapping your hands or stomping your feet to the beat of the music. If you are trying to determine the rhythm of a track for the first time, it is better to choose music with a well-defined musical rhythm. This will make it easier for you to hear him.
-
Try using hand movements. Once you determine the rhythm of the music, you can start moving to it. If you are just learning to dance, it is better to learn different movements separately. Start by simply placing your feet straight and moving your arms in rhythm. To start, you can try moving your arms from side to side or from top to bottom.
- The hands are in contact with the shoulders and shoulder girdle, so be sure to include the shoulders and chest in the dance.
- Try experimenting with soft, wave-like movements of your arms.
-
Learn basic leg movements. Once you have learned to move your arms to the rhythm, add your legs to the dance. You can start with the simplest thing: lift one leg, then the other (the movements are roughly similar to marching in place). If you feel comfortable enough, you can try bending your knees a little and jumping a little to the rhythm of the music. Try bouncing slightly and adding side steps.
- Try to include your hips and the entire lower half of your body in the dance.
-
Take dance lessons. Search online for a dance school near your area and see what classes you would like to take. Choose a dance style that you would be interested in learning. For example, you can try hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, ballet dancing.
- Alternatively, if you're looking for something more casual, you could take a dance class at a community center.
- You can watch video dance lessons on the Internet or on DVD.
Practice your dance moves
-
Try dancing for yourself. To get rid of complexes on this topic, try dancing for yourself in a secluded environment where there is no one to judge you. This method will help you become completely accustomed to the dance movements and will develop your confidence in these movements. Be sure to practice dancing to the music!
- Lock yourself in your room, give yourself some space so you can dance freely without bumping into anything.
- If you're worried about someone walking into your room while you're working out, choose a time to workout when you're alone at home.
Smile and have fun. The best way to stop feeling shy about speaking in public is to become more confident, even if confidence isn't your thing. Straighten your back and lift your chin. This will give you a confident look. Smile all the time and enjoy your time on the dance floor. This will help you feel more confident when performing different dance moves.