You were happily dancing away until your instructor starting using words such as line of dance, diagonal centre and reverse wall. Huh? In Ballroom dancing there are different directions that go with different steps. This article is all about understanding the different directions in Ballroom dancing.

What are the different directions?

Dance directions look like a compass with 8 cardinal points. We have four main points, Line of Dance, Wall, Reverse Line of Dance and Centre, these are split up into another four points which are Diagonal Wall, Reverse Diagonal Wall, Reverse Diagonal Centre and Diagonal Centre. The compass looks like this:

This can be a bit confusing, especially for us ladies as we are generally facing our partner and have our backs to the compass. If you are in hold and your partner is dancing towards Line of Dance then as ladies we are ‘backing’ Line of Dance as our back is towards where we are going. A bit brain bending in the beginning.

Where do we start?

We always travel anti-clockwise around the floor to avoid collisions. Gents, when you start the wall is usually on your right hand side and the centre of the floor is on your left hand side. Every time you turn a corner the dance compass turns with you creating your new Line of Dance.

If you are moving forward towards any of the compass points you are dancing ‘down’ that line. If you are moving backwards then you are ‘backing’ that line of dance. So you can be facing Line of Dance but be ‘backing’ Reverse Line of Dance if you are moving backwards.

Dance directions can be used for both movement or positioning of the body. For example you can be facing towards Diagonal Centre while still dancing down Line of Dance.

 

 

Dance directions can be confusing at first, but with a bit of practice and help from your instructor you’ll catch on in no time.

Happy dancing!

Lauren

 

So, you’ve been dancing for a while now and are thinking about investing in your first pair of dance shoes. Awesome! But where do you start? I’ve heard many horror stories about people buying shoes that don’t fit, are the wrong type etc. Hopefully this article will help you in choosing the perfect pair first time around.

Why do I need proper dance shoes?

Dance shoes have been developed over the years by professionals to give you the best possible performance while you dance. As a beginner you can start out in street shoes but as you progress you will need to upgrade to dance shoes. Here’s why:

Dance shoes have a suede or leather sole to stop you from slipping on the floor, while still giving you freedom of movement. Rubber soles stick to the ground while plastic soles have no grip and slide all over the place. Both of these can lead to injuries on the dance floor. Dance shoes are made to support your ankles, have metal supports built into the heel and are flexible enough for all different types of movement.

That sounds great! What do I look for?

Ladies, it is usually a good idea to start in Latin shoes, this is because they are versatile and you can use them in both Latin and Ballroom dancing. Ballroom shoes are suited only to Ballroom dances. Shoes come in an array of colours and can be dazzled up if you wish. Heels on a Latin shoe are situated more towards the back of the shoe which pushes you onto your toes, a must in Latin dancing. You get various heel heights and heel broadnesses, ranging from an inch high broad heel to a 3 inch high stiletto heel, in any combination you can think of. If you are comfortable in heels and want the added height then a taller heel is right for you. If you are not so comfortable with heels than a shorter broader heel may be the way to go.

Gents, it’s advisable to start in Ballroom shoes, they have a lower, broader heel (Cuban heel) and are easier to get use to than the higher heeled Latin shoe. Ballroom shoes have a thinner suede or leather sole, this allows you to easily glide across the floor. Ballroom shoes are flexible but hug your feet, making them an extension of your body. Men’s shoes generally come in one colour, black. Or there is the option of a slightly more vintage look with two tone shoes in black and white. Gents shoes are lace ups, so there is no stress about straps, speaking of which;

Straps! Straps everywhere!

Ladies, here comes the second decision when buying shoes, the type of straps. There’s the ankle strap which is the most common strap and is the least supportive of the straps. If you are nervous about your ankles then this strap isn’t for you. The T-strap has a strap from the toe to the ankle, this secures the shoe to your foot more firmly and takes some of the pressure off your ankles. The X-strap has either an ankle strap or an arch strap. If you are prone to rolling your ankles then the X-strap with the arch strap is best as it gives you more support than the others. They are all designed to keep your heel in place and stop your foot from sliding around inside the shoe.

What size should I get?

For both Ladies and Gents it is best to get a pair of shoes half a size too small for you. Don’t worry there is logic behind this. As you dance your shoes will stretch. If you start at your normal size or a size bigger than your foot then within a month or two the shoe will become loose on your foot which can lead to blisters and injuries. So if you are a size 5, you want to get a 4.5 or if you are a 10 then a 9.5 etc.

Ladies, for your first practice or two in your new shoes you may want to wear a thin pair of socks or bring other shoes with you. It takes awhile to break new shoes in. Pack some plasters just in case of blisters.

I have my shoes! How do I care for them?

Rule number one, never wear your shoes outside. The soles are delicate and can get damaged or destroyed when used on tar, gravel, grass etc. Invest in a shoe bag to carry them around, the best is a net bag for ventilation.

If you have leather shoes then a weekly shining should be done with a proper polish to keep the leather soft and supple and to remove dirt and scratch marks. For satin shoes wipe them down with a soft dry cloth. If you have a stain on them, wet a cloth and blot it on the stain following the grain of the material. Dry your shoes immediately after. Don’t rub them dry as that could leave water streaks but dab the damp areas with a dry cloth.

Use a wire brush to keep suede soles from becoming hard or shiny. Run the wire brush against the suede making it stand up or bristle. This will get rid of residue from the dance floor and dust. Keep the wire brush away from the rest of the shoe as it can damage the leather or satin material.

Any last bits of advice?

Yes! Ladies, if you are going to compete or want to look taller on the dance floor then invest in a skin coloured or beige pair of shoes. This creates the idea that your shoe is part of your leg and gives you a longer, taller look and a cleaner line. A dark or colourful pair of shoes can make you look shorter as it ‘cuts off’ your line at the ankle. The shoe is more visible and pulls focus to it.

If your shoes have long straps that sticks out while you dance you need to cut them down. There’s nothing like a strap flapping around to distract you. Put your shoes on and make sure they are strapped correctly before cutting. You don’t want to cut off too much by mistake. They need to be long enough for you to be able to put them on, but short enough to lie against your shoe. I suggest cutting about two inches down from where you fasten them as a safety measure.

 

New shoes can be uncomfortable or strange at first, but after awhile you’ll notice how they can revolutionise your dancing and become an extension of your body.

Enjoy your new shoes, it’s time to get them dancing!

Lauren

 

 

LAUREN KRUGER IS THE CREATOR AND AUTHOR OF DANCE101. SHE IS A QUALIFIED DANCE INSTRUCTOR AND CURRENT S.A NATIONAL SILVER BALLROOM CHAMPION. SHE TEACHES AT FIVE6SEVEN8 DANCE STUDIO, WHICH YOU CAN CHECK OUT HERE:HTTP://WWW.FIVE6SEVEN8.CO.ZA/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many people believe that talent is an absolute must if you want to dance, if you have no talent then why even bother? Well let me let you in on a little secret, talent is created. It doesn’t just appear out of thin air to bless some and leave others destitute. Talent is your own creation and I have the formula to start growing it right here. Professional Public Speaker, Douglas Kruger talks about a ‘Talent Formula’ which goes as such:

Talent = Yearning + Input + Coaching + Deliberate Practice, Sustained over Time.

So what does this mean? How can it help us to create our own talent? Let’s dig a bit deeper.

Yearning:

Is dancing something you crave? Do you long to be a better dancer? The first step to growing talent is to love what you do. If you don’t love what you do then chances are that you won’t put in the time and effort necessary to improving it. If you are a dance lover then you are already building your talent by sheer yearning power. Score!

Input:

One of the central rules of moving forward in any given aspect in life is learning how to. Whether your knowledge is self-taught or learnt from a coach, you are gaining the know-how. Without the know-how it is almost impossible to move forward. (Imagine someone trying to learn to speak with no idea where to start, what to do and no one to lend them a helping hand. Not going to happen right?) You can learn a lot from self-gleaning but ideally the best way to gain input is from a coach or mentor who has been where you are and knows how to help you advance.

Deliberate practice:

Focusing on one thing at a time and becoming good at that thing before moving onto the next piece. For example, dancing at a social is not deliberate practice. Before you shout me down with “But you said socials were a good way to practice.” Let me explain. Yes, a social will develop your dance overall but deliberate practice looks at breaking down each step and slowly mastering them. For example if you are practicing you might focus on how to do a spot turn and practice each aspect of a spot turn until you are good at it and understand each element. That is deliberate practice. A word of warning, if your practice has gotten to the point where you no longer have to think about what you are doing then chances are that you may need to spice it up, break it down or risk regressing.

All of these things need time, which is where ‘sustained over time’ comes in. As they say, practice makes perfect, they just forgot the ‘over time’ part.

In all things it takes time to become good at what you are doing. Don’t worry about if you are talented or not, that comes later. One day you are going to look back at all the yearning, input and deliberate practice you’ve put in and be surprised by how far you’ve come.

Until then, practice, practice, practice!

Lauren

DOUGLAS KRUGER IS A MULTIPLE-AWARD WINNING INTERNATIONAL SPEAKER AND BUSINESS AUTHOR, FOCUSING ON ‘EXPERT POSITIONING,’ ‘TALENT’ AND ‘INNOVATION.’ SEE MORE AT HTTP://WWW.DOUGLASKRUGER.CO.ZA/

LAUREN KRUGER IS THE CREATOR AND AUTHOR OF DANCE101. SHE IS A QUALIFIED DANCE INSTRUCTOR AND CURRENT S.A NATIONAL SILVER BALLROOM CHAMPION. SHE TEACHES AT FIVE6SEVEN8 DANCE STUDIO, WHICH YOU CAN CHECK OUT HERE:HTTP://WWW.FIVE6SEVEN8.CO.ZA/

So you’ve starting dancing and you are really getting into it, but have you wondered what dance is doing for you? You’ve probably had a few stiff muscles, but what other benefits are there to dance? This article looks at the benefits of dance both mentally and physically. All the more reason to grab those dance shoes and head for the studio.

So what mental benefits do I get?  

Dancing works out the brain. No seriously, it has been scientifically proven to ‘train’ your brain. Concentration is a key factor in dance, especially when learning new steps and routines. When music is added to the mix the brain then correlates dance steps to certain beats and tempos. This creates new neural paths. The more you dance, the more the new neural paths are used and strengthened. So dancing can actually make you smarter. Bonus!

When dancing you often need to make snap decisions, whether it’s about where and when to move your body, or how to avoid running into another couple. This increases your brain’s ability to make rapid fire decisions and quickens your reflexes. Giving your powerhouse a real workout.

Scientific studies show that dance can reduce the risk of dementia by up to 76% (twice as much as reading) This is due to those rapid-fire decisions which force your brain to, metaphorically, stay on its toes.

Dancing helps to eliminate depression and reduces stress. We release endorphins, our feel good hormone, while we dance. It’s a great outlet for pent up emotions and feelings. There is something to the expression, ‘Dance your troubles away.’

Dance develops and builds your self-confidence and self-awareness. It is also socially satisfying as you get to interact with others and can develop your social skills.

Great! But how will it benefit me physically?

Dancing keeps you young. (Insert cheering here) It keeps you limber and active and benefits all ages. It constantly works your heart and cardiovascular system, improves your circulation and increases your lung capacity.

Dance improves your balance, co-ordination and flexibility. It also improves your endurance, allowing you to dance for hours at end. And let’s not forget that dance improves your posture and can relieve back and shoulder pain.

You develop stronger bones and your joints become more lubricated. This also strengthens your lower body (Hips, legs, ankles etc.) This helps to ward against arthritis.

And the age old question, how many calories does it burn? This is dependant on the individual dance, but in an hour, dances such as the Quick Step, Jive and Samba can burn up to 600 calories. The Cha Cha and Tango can burn about 500 Calories per hour while your Waltz, Rumba and Slow Foxtrot can burn between 350 to 450 calories per hour.

 

Sounds fantastic doesn’t it? The great part is that you are generally so involved in your lesson and learning new things that you don’t realise how much of a workout you are getting. While you are working at dance, dance is also working at you.

To the many health benefits coming your way!

Lauren

 

 

LAUREN KRUGER IS THE CREATOR AND AUTHOR OF DANCE101. SHE IS A QUALIFIED DANCE INSTRUCTOR AND CURRENT S.A NATIONAL SILVER BALLROOM CHAMPION. SHE TEACHES AT FIVE6SEVEN8 DANCE STUDIO, WHICH YOU CAN CHECK OUT HERE:HTTP://WWW.FIVE6SEVEN8.CO.ZA/

 

Ok, the big day has finally arrived. You have found a studio that suits your needs, booked your first lesson and are starting to get just a little excited. Now what? What should I wear? What should I bring? How does this work? Deep breaths, in this article we are looking at surviving (and loving) your first dance lesson.

 

So what do I wear? 

Start off with clothes that are comfortable, won’t chafe and are light. The likelihood is that you are going to be generating some body heat during your lesson, so you don’t want to wear clothes that are tight or constrictive to movement. Think casual and comfortable. If the studio has a formal policy then ladies can opt for smart pants, a skirt or dress while the gents can opt for smart pants and a button up shirt. Most studios are fine with casual attire.

With regards to shoes it is best to start off in sneakers or shoes that have straps that will keep them on your feet. There’s nothing like chasing your shoe across the dance floor… Things like slip slops or “plakkies” don’t work and may result in blisters from the shoe moving independently to the foot. Ladies if you have comfortable heels and are feeling brave then by all means wear them. Gents, office shoes can also work as an alternative to sneakers. Later on proper dance shoes can be bought but for now stick to shoes that aren’t going to try and make a break for it and that are comfortable.

If you have long hair or hair that will get in your face then it is best to clip it back or tie it up before your lesson so that it doesn’t get in your way.

What should I bring with me?

A bottle of water. Staying hydrated is important when you start to generate body heat and burn up the floor. It also gives you a chance to take a breather if you need it.

If you know that you sweat or um, glow, then it would be a good idea to bring along a small towel to freshen up with.

A bag. Or something that you can put all your thing in while your are busy dancing. Most studios have lockers or a place where you can leave your valuables.

Are there dance ‘rules’ that I should know about?

There are a few dance etiquette guidelines to keep everyone happy and safe on the floor, three simple ones are:

If you have to walk across the dance floor it is better (and safer) to walk around the outside of the floor than through the middle. You don’t want to ‘meet’ anyone by accident or interfere in others’ lessons.

The floor is usually split into three invisible squares or lanes. The split goes like this: the first square is the smallest and is in the middle of the floor, it is used for the Latin dances or for dances that stay on the spot and don’t need much space. The second square is a bit bigger and goes around the middle square. This zone is for your beginner couples or less advanced couples who are practising Ballroom, this is so that they can ‘travel’ and aren’t restricted to one spot. The last square is the biggest, it encompasses the two other squares and reaches the edge of the floor. This zone is for your advanced Ballroom dancers who need the space to move around, and are generally moving at speed.

When dancing Ballrooms we always travel in an anti-clock wise direction. This helps the flow and no one is fighting to go in their own direction. It would be chaos!

Don’t worry if this sounds like a lot to remember, you’ll soon get use to how the floor works, and if you get confused or uncertain your dance instructor is there to help and guide you.

I’m at the studio, now what?

The first thing to do is to take a deep breath and walk in the door. If someone hasn’t greeted you already then head for the main desk. A secretary or dance instructor will be there to help. You may be asked to fill in a short form or give some information on yourself and what you are looking for, this is so that your instructor knows what you want. You may be introduced to your instructor right away or asked to take a seat if the instructor is still teaching. Each instructor has a different personalised approach to teaching a first lesson, but the chances are that he/she will likely show you the rumba, foxtrot and maybe a social dance like the boogie. Don’t worry, you are in their hands now and that initial, “Oh my word what am I doing?” feeling is getting smaller and smaller.

 

You are ready to start your dance journey, the last thing you need to remember is to have a great attitude and an open mind. You are about to try something that is probably outside your comfort zone and it is going to challenge you, but here’s the thing, its’s a good challenge! Once you get past the initial jitters, chances are that you are going to have a blast and keep coming back for more.

GO GET ‘EM!

Lauren

 

 

Lauren Kruger is the creator and author of Dance101. She is a qualified dance instructor and current S.A National Silver Ballroom Champion. She teaches at Five6seven8 Dance Studio, which you can check out here: http://www.five6seven8.co.za/