Benefits of Ballroom Dancing and DanceSport

So Ballroom Dancing is Good for your Health, did you know it?

The benefits of ballroom dancing have been well-documented. It only boils down to common sense when you consider that with all the turning, stepping and maneuvering in ballroom dancing, you stand to burn a lot of calories in a session with your partner. The exercise benefits of ballroom dancing apply to all age groups, which is another attractive reason to take it up as a form of working out. Ballroom dancing is not typically seen as an exercise first and foremost, which contributes to the fun of this kind of physical activity.

Here are several exercise benefits you’ll gain from ballroom dancing with a partner.

1. Flexibility

Flexibility is a key exercise benefit of ballroom dancing. While women are generally more flexible than men just by nature, both sexes can benefit from ballroom dancing’s provision of more flexibility. When you join a ballroom dancing class, you will find that it will likely begin with quite a few stretching exercises just to protect against injury, as well as to prepare your body to be able to do the dance steps with greater ease. Flexibility is something you come to gain more of as you do the actual dance steps. The reason for this is that many of these dance steps automatically call for moves that necessitate a lot of stretching and bending.

Neil Jones & Ekaterina Sokolova

2. Strength

You get to develop more strength as you increase the time you spend ballroom dancing with your partner. The manner in which ballroom dancing contributes to strength buildup is by forcing a dancer’s muscles to resist against their own body weight. For example, ballroom dancing involves the use of quick turns, spinning and strutting. Male dancers in particular get to really build up their leg muscle strength during the times when they must lift their female partners high above their heads. All these force-intensive actions require strength from your leg muscles, so your leg muscles are built up more and more just by doing the regular dance moves.

3. Endurance

A good way to define endurance is the capability of your muscles to work harder for longer and longer stretches of time without succumbing to fatigue. The intensity that you’re required to put into ballroom dancing makes this form of exercise a particularly potent means of building up your endurance. Each time you dance with a partner and work on your quick steps, lifts or twists and turns, you are conditioning yourself to be able to do these with less and less fatigue.

4. Mental Health

Since ballroom dancing is a communal activity, it has positive effects on your mental health. Studies back up what is common knowledge: Being around other people builds up your social ties, and socializing contributes to a positive outlook as well as a higher sense of self-confidence. Joining a ballroom dance class is one such way to accomplish this.

15 Truths About Being a Professional Ballroom Dancer

1. Dance is hard. – No ballroom dancer ever became successful riding on their natural born talents only. Dancers are artists and athletes. The world of dance today is akin to an extreme sport. Natural ability and talent will only get us so far. Ballroom Dancers must work hard and persevere. Dancers give years of their lives plus their sweat, tears and sometimes blood to have the honor and pleasure of performing on the best competitions and stages.

2. You won’t always get what you want. – We don’t always get the place we wanted, do it perfectly well when we want, hear the compliments we want, make the money we want, won a national competition as quick as we want, etc, etc. This teaches us humility and respect for the process, the art form and the masters we have chosen to teach us. The faster we accept this, the faster we can get on with being brilliant. We’ll never be 100% sure it will work, but we can always be 100% sure doing nothing won’t work.

3. There’s a lot you don’t know. – There is always more a dancer can learn. Even our least favorite teachers, choreographers and directors can teach us something. The minute we think we know it all, we stop being a valuable asset.

4. There may not be a tomorrow. – A dancer never knows when their dance career will suddenly vanish: career ending injury, car accident, death…Dance every day as if it is the final performance. Don’t save the joy of dance for the dance floor. Infuse even your routine classroom exercises with passion!

5. There’s a lot you can’t control. – You can’t control who likes your work, who doesn’t, the politics of a dance competition, etc. Don’t waste your talent and energy worrying about things you can’t control. Focus on honing your craft, being the best dancer you can be. Keep an open mind and a positive attitude.

6. Information is not true knowledge. – Knowledge comes from experience. You can discuss a task a hundred times, go to 1000 classes, but unless we get out there and perform we will only have a philosophical understanding of dance. Find opportunities to get on dance florr. You must experience performance firsthand to call yourself a professional dancer.

7. If you want to be successful, prove you are valuable. – The fastest way to loose a partner is to prove to your partner he/she doesn’t need you. Instead, be indispensable. Show up early, know your material, be prepared, talk to your partner, set goals and above all be willing to work hard.

8. Someone else will always have more than you/be better than you. – Whether it’s charisma, talent, energy, money, better teachers, great sponsors or trophies, it does not matter. Rather than get caught up in the drama about what others are doing around you, focus on the things you are good at, the things you need to work on and the things that make you happiest as a dancer.

9. You can’t change the past. – Everyone has a past. Everyone has made mistakes, and everyone has glorious moments they want to savor. “Would you keep a chive in your tooth just because you enjoyed last night’s potato?” Boston Common TV Series. Dance is an art form that forces us to concentrate on the present. To be a master at dance we have be in the moment; the minute the mind wanders, injuries happen. If they do, see #12.

10. The only person who can make you happy is you. – Dancing in and of itself cannot make us happy. The root of our happiness comes from our relationship with ourselves, not from how much money we make, what part we were given, what company we dance for, or how many competitions we won. Sure these things can have effects on our mood, but in the long run it’s who we are on the inside that makes us happy.

11. There will always be people who don’t like you. – Dancers are on public display when they perform and especially in this internet world, critics abound. You can’t be everything to everyone. No matter what you do, there will always be someone who thinks differently. So concentrate on doing what you know in your heart is right. What others think and say about you isn’t all that important. What is important is how you feel about yourself.

12.Sometimes you will fail. – Sometimes, despite our best efforts, following the best advice, being in the right place at the right time, we still fail. Failure is a part of life. Failure can be the catalyst to some of our greatest growth and learning experiences. If we never failed, we would never value our successes. Be willing to fail. When it happens to you (because it will happen to you), embrace the lesson that comes with the failure.

13. Sometimes you will have to work for free. – Every professional dancer has at one time or another had to work without pay. If you are asked to work for free, be sure that you are really ok with it. There are many good reasons to work for free, and there are just as many reasons not to work for free. Ask yourself if the cause is worthy, if the experience is worth it, if it will bring you joy. Go into the situation fully aware of the financial agreement and don’t expect a hand out later.

14. Repetition is good. Doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result is insane. – If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting. If you keep doing the bare minimum of required classes, don’t complain to your teacher when you don’t move up to the next level. If you only give the bare minimum in your company, be happy staying in the corps. If you want to grow beyond your comfort zone, you must push yourself beyond your self-imposed limitations.

15. You will never feel 100% ready. – Nobody ever feels 100% ready when an opportunity arises. Dancers have to be willing to take risks. From letting go of the ballet barre to balance, to moving around the world to dance with a new company, from trusting a new partner to trying a new form of dance, dancers must have a flexible mind and attitude as well as body. The greatest opportunities in life force us to grow beyond our comfort zones, which means you won’t feel totally comfortable or ready for it.

Found via Credit towards Melanie Doskocil on her blog, Ballet Pages. Tottally applied to Ballroom and Latin dancers. Thanks Michelle for bringing it to our attention! Dancers, any thoughts? Teachers, any other points you would add?

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TIPS FOR BALLROOM DANCE SHOES

Ballroom Dance Shoes are the ballroom dancer best friend.

They provide you balance, they are light and... beautiful. At the same time they are difficult to take care, and when you find the perfect pair... its time to buy another one. To help you, we want to provide you some tips we have learned over the years.

The Basics of Ballroom Dance Shoes:

1. Buy your first pair of dance shoes in person (store, dance studio or dance competition). You are not obligated to purchase if they do not fit and you can try different ones untill you find the one.
2. Most times once you know your shoe size in a brand, other styles run similar in sizing. The better ballroom dance shoes are made in Europe, mainly in UK. You will need to know your size using the UK or European System. You can also use those following links: Men's Shoe Size Conversion or Women's Shoes Size Conversion.
3. Ladies, your first pair of dance shoes should be nude (tan) because it goes with everything. Then you can go for a black ones or even another colour. The most common colours are Tan and Black.
4. Go for a shoe that feel firm. With the time the leather tends to go bigger and you finish with a big dance shoes.
5. On the other side, your shoe should feel firm but not too tight. There is a balance...
6. If you have a large feet, there are brands that will provide you the same model but with a bigger width, like the UK manufacturer International Dance Shoes. There are also other dance shoes with an expandable front (elastic or buckle).
7. To start go for a 2'' or 2,5''  (6,5 cm) heel. Of course, if you are used to high heels don't be afraid to try a 3'' (8 cm) heel. You will look much better.
8. If you have a small feet and you are ok with a low heel, you can choose a Girls dance shoes. You will save a significant saving and the quality is similar.

How to feel comfortable with your dance shoes:

1. If shoes are too tight you can stretch them a little by using a traditional shoe stretcher or any type of cylinder (like a vitamin bottle) that fits snugly in the shoe. Carefully wet the under part of the straps (don’t get water on top or you will have water spots). Place stretcher or cylinder inside the shoe and let it dry over night. You may have to do this twice.
2. You can also put on a light sock the first couple of time to allow it to stretch without the ouch!
3. With the shoe off bend the front part of the shoe almost in a rolling action up and down. This makes the front part of your shoe more flexible so when you point it is easier.
4. For Men’s Dance Shoes to stretch them. Sit down with the shoes on and using your hands bend (arch) you foot and then flex your foot and toes. Continue doing this for a while. This would be a great thing to do while watching your favourite program on TV.

How do I extend the life of my Ballroom Dance Shoes?

1. If you plan to dance for a while, get a good pair of shoes such as Supadance, International, or Ray Rose. They are expensive but will last longer and will provide solid support for your feet.
2. There are a few aids to make shoes last longer: Clear heel tips, replacement heels (easily replaced), heel protectors, and a suede brush.
3. If you brush your shoes away from the heel the nap stand us longer.
4. Outside of obvious breakage (ie the nail is scratching the floor) these are the times when you should replace your shoes…. when the suaded leather does not come back to a suaded finish when brushing, when the padding inside of them is so flattened that you can see the circles of the nail heads in the heels, when your shoe is stretched so much that you are now slipping, and when you can smell your shoes when you are standing up (haha).

How to Become a Better Ballroom and Latin Dancer

In Ballroom Dancing, improving your dancing skills after you've been a beginner for a time requires increased dedication and a willingness to try new skills that will push you beyond beginner boundaries. Here you will find some tips to become a better Ballroom and Latin Dancer.

1. Practice

Practice makes perfect. This is basic... Of course, no one is perfect, but everything can be improved. Practicing can definitely improve your technique, steps, confidence, etc. But attention. The way you practice is very important on your future success. Practice clever is better that practice 25 hours a day.

2. Strech & Warm Up

Stretching and Warm Up can improve your flexibility as well as your dancing. The more stretched you are, the better your lines will look, and your steps, etc. Stretching can also help prevent injuries. Even small stretches like jumping-jacks or stretching in the running position helps stretch out your hips for more flexibility. You want to do your best on the the dance floor, so don't forget to warm up correctly all the times.

3. Nutrition

A good diet (not one of the ones you go on to lose weight!) can make you a better dancer. The better you eat, the better you are. If you dance you are doing a body exercise. So you will for sure need more nutrition then a "normal" person. Pay attention to your blood levels, and take supplements if you need it.

4. Exercise

Exercising can help you be a better ballroom anda latin dancer, too. Crunches can make it easier to keep your balance on turns and steps that you have to hold. Push up makes your posture and your shoulders look much better.

5. Do ballet.

Whatever your choice of dance, ballet is the foundation of all dance. It can help improve your technique and your posture. Even if you don't do ballet or not interested. Just dance for fun.

6. Rest

You need to practice, you need to eat well, but you also need to rest. If your body is not rested enough your practice will be waisted. A good night of rest is very important to your success as Ballroom and Latin Dancer. Don't forget also to rest your head. At least one day a week take one day off to do different things, not related to dance.

7. Have Fun

We understand that you want to be the next World Latin / Ballroom Champion. But meanwhile don't forget to have fun during all the way. You will find difficulties and obstacles, so keep focus on your goal and have fun in every single step. In the end of the day is that smile that you will keep :)