Buzz
Do you feel uncomfortable standing in the corner while everyone else is dancing happily? Are you about to attend an event that requires you to move a little? If your confidence takes a huge dip because you don’t know how to dance, don’t worry. If you're willing to dedicate some time to mastering a few basic steps, you can learn how to freestyle dance, perform a romantic dance, or even surprise guests on the dance floor at a family wedding.
Steps
Freestyle Dancing
Catch the beat with the music. Start by finding the rhythm of the song. If possible, try counting, snapping, or clapping to the beat. Once you’ve found the melody, begin moving to the first beat of the music.
- Once your head is in sync with the music, it becomes easier for the rest of your body to follow the rhythm.
- To find the beat, listen closely for the drums or bass. These instruments often set the tone of the song.
Tip: To get the hang of finding the rhythm, practice with songs that have a clear beat. For example, try clapping and swaying to the rhythm of the song 'Juke Joint' by Johnnie Taylor.
Shift your weight from one foot to the other. Once you’ve got the rhythm down, you can start adding some footwork. Begin by shifting your weight onto one foot, lifting the heel of the other foot slightly off the floor. Continue this back-and-forth motion with the music.
- At each beat, transfer your weight to one foot. You can bounce back and forth with each beat, but start slowly, and gradually, you’ll become more comfortable and be able to move faster.
- Relax your legs and slightly bend your knees. As your body shifts from one foot to the other, let it have a subtle “bounce” – a delicate motion as you transfer your weight between your feet.
Move your feet to the music. Once you’re comfortable with your body swaying to the beat, start moving your feet. Just before transferring your weight to the other foot, lift it slightly – just 2-5 cm off the ground. Keep your feet close to the floor as you move them.
- Pay attention to your toe joints, as they are key in making the movements smooth and easy.
- If you’re dancing with someone else, make sure you’re moving in sync with them.
Incorporate your hips. As your body sways from one foot to the other, gently move your hips (and body) in the direction of the foot you're shifting to. For example, when you sway to your right foot, move your hips to the right as well. You can even twist your torso a bit to add more movement.
- For instance, as you sway right, push your right shoulder slightly forward and your left shoulder back. Reverse this when swaying left.
Incorporate your arms. When you’re feeling uncomfortable, you might cross your arms or let them hang loosely. Instead, start moving your arms. Keep your hands open or loosely clenched. You can swing your arms in the air or bend your elbows and sway them to your sides, like when jogging. Whatever you do, don’t stick to just one move; mix it up. You can try these dance moves:
- The dice shake. Lightly clench your hands and shake your arms like you’re rolling dice. After shaking a few times, release your hands as if you're throwing the dice. Don’t overuse this move, or it might look comical.
- The lawnmower dance. Lean forward and imagine your hands are gripping a lawnmower handle, one hand tightly, and the other loosely, moving it back and forth like starting a mower. Once the mower’s running, take a few steps forward as if cutting the grass.
- The lasso spin. Clench your hands loosely as if holding an imaginary rope, and then spin your arms in the air like a cowboy preparing to rope a cow. Sway your body and push your hips in the opposite direction of the arm that’s spinning.
- The punch. Clench your fists and punch the air as if celebrating a win.
Find your own style. You should follow your natural impulses when dancing freely. You might believe that you can only perform a simple routine, but as you feel the rhythm, your movements will become more natural. Pay attention to the subtle details in the music and let your body flow with it. Most importantly, be creative! Create a unique dance style that boosts your confidence and helps you understand your body better.
- Try various dance steps, postures, and speeds.
- Don’t hesitate to craft your own dance moves. Freestyle dancing is all about personal expression and improvisation.
Yolanda Thomas
Dance Instructor
Dance Instructor
A positive attitude is key to learning how to dance. If you want to learn quickly, let go of negative thoughts and self-doubt. When you see a dance move, don’t think "I can't do that." Instead, give it your all, even if you make a mistake along the way.
Dance with your partner
Get into position with your partner. Stand face-to-face with your partner and assume the basic position. If you're leading, place your right hand on their shoulder and your left hand in their right, forming a 'C' shape with your arms. Your partner will place their hand on your right shoulder.
- The hand you’re holding with your partner can either be raised to eye level or kept lower at waist height, depending on your preference. Just ensure your arms are relaxed, elbows bent comfortably, and avoid making your partner raise their shoulders.
- Maintain a 7-15 cm distance between you and your partner.
- Be sure both of you are clear about who’s leading from the start!
Tip: The slow dance is typically performed by a man and a woman, with the man leading. However, you don't have to follow tradition. You can pair up with a partner of any gender and decide who will lead based on factors like confidence, height, or any other element you choose.
Step the left foot to the left. As you begin the dance, smoothly glide your left foot out. Your partner will follow with their right foot. This is the initial step of the ‘foot tap’ movement in the slow dance.
- If you're leading, allow your partner to take the first step, and you focus on moving smoothly in sync with them.
- Make sure to match the rhythm of the music with your steps. Counting beats in your head can help.
Bring the right foot to meet the left foot. After taking the first step with the left foot, glide the right foot to meet the left. Your partner will mirror this movement.
- Avoid bouncing or bobbing when bringing your feet together. Focus on making the movement as smooth and fluid as possible.
Repeat the foot movement, but in the opposite direction. Once your feet have met, continue stepping to the right with your right foot. Then, glide your left foot to meet the right. Keep repeating this pattern throughout the dance.
- You can also try alternating between two steps to the left, then two steps to the right.
Use your hands to guide your partner if you want to move around the floor. If you wish to dance around the floor, gently push or pull your partner in the direction you want to go. Once your feet meet, push with one hand while pulling with the other, all while stepping into the new rhythm.
- For example, if you're stepping to the left but want to turn to the right, start by bringing your right foot back to the left. Then, push with your right hand while gently pulling your partner's right shoulder, all while stepping to the left.
Wedding Dance
Learn the Chicken Dance, a fun choice for many people. The Chicken Dance is a popular move at weddings. It’s easy to perform with just three basic steps that you can adjust to the music. This dance is low-pressure since no one will mind if your moves aren’t perfect. Here are the steps to the Chicken Dance:
- Lift your arms to shoulder height and bring your thumbs together with the other fingers to form a chicken beak. Moving your thumbs up and down will make it look like a beak clucking.
- Next, clench your fists and place them under your arms to mimic chicken wings. Flap your wings to the beat of the music.
- With both hands still acting as wings, continue flapping, but now step back, bend your knees, and gradually sway your hips toward the floor.
- Repeat the above steps until the song ends.
Master the Hora dance at a Jewish wedding. The Hora is a dance performed at Jewish weddings, usually to the song "Hava Nagila" or other traditional Jewish tunes. It’s a collective dance where participants join hands or drape their arms around each other in a circle:
- Step your left foot to the right. Follow with your right foot. Then, step your left foot behind your right. Your right foot will follow again.
- This dance is done in a circle with everyone holding hands or resting arms on each other’s shoulders while dancing.
- The pace of this dance is generally fast. Sometimes the music starts slowly but then speeds up as the song progresses.
Did you know? At traditional Jewish weddings, men and women will dance the Hora separately. At more liberal weddings, men and women are allowed to dance together.
Dance the basic slow step for the dollar dance. At some weddings, guests line up to give a dollar (or more) to dance with the bride and groom. You can dance slowly or sometimes it’s simply about sharing a joyful moment with the newlyweds without dancing at all.
- In some cases, male guests will dance with the bride, and female guests will dance with the groom. In other cases, guests may dance with both the bride and groom.
- If it’s easier, simply hold hands and sway in place. This can be a perfect opportunity to have a private conversation with the bride and groom.
How to Dance Correctly
Sign up for a beginner dance class. There are many dance classes available for all kinds of styles, from hip-hop to ballet, modern dance, and salsa. You can search online for classes in your area. No matter what style you prefer, you might find some benefits in learning the basics of classical dance, as many other dance styles are rooted in fundamental classical steps.
- When learning a dance routine, pay close attention to the teacher's movements. Try to follow them as closely as possible. If it doesn’t work, watch the teacher again and focus on the small details they are incorporating to make the steps easier to follow.
- You can ask your teacher for tips. Experienced teachers have worked with hundreds of students and likely know how to help you overcome any challenges.
- Even a few hours in class can help you grasp the basics and build more confidence.
Yolanda Thomas
Dance instructor
Dance instructor
Experts agree that: Practicing 3 or 4 routines in a class can help you overcome shyness and master basic steps and techniques. Just make sure you choose a class that matches your skill level. Look for beginner or basic level courses designed for newcomers, but be cautious with open or beginner-level classes, as they may not be suitable for true beginners.
Join a flash mob to boost your confidence. A flash mob is a group performance, usually a dance, where everyone suddenly appears and performs together before quickly dispersing. While these performances might seem spontaneous, they are actually carefully choreographed. You can find flash mob groups online, practice with them for weeks, and then perform in public spaces.
- Some flash mob groups upload instructional videos online to help you learn the dance and rehearse the moves.
- Flash mobs welcome people of all skill levels and focus on fun, creating an energetic atmosphere, so the more participants, the better.
- You’ll also learn many great dance moves and connect with others who share your passion for dancing.
Watch dance shows on TV for more inspiration. Dance is a popular activity worldwide, and you'll see plenty of it on TV. Try tuning in to reality dance competition shows. Instead of focusing too much on the professional-level dance steps, you can observe the dancers' stage presence, how confidently they perform, and how much joy they seem to have while dancing.
- Some famous dance competition shows currently include Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance.
Watch dance movies for fresh ideas. Watching dance-related movies can spark your creativity. There are many films in this genre to choose from. Watch as many as you can or pick titles that suit your preferences, such as:
- Try watching Dirty Dancing or Shall We Dance, both films about individuals who didn't know how to dance, who build their skills and elegance through practice and perform with energy.
- Watch Footloose or Flashdance to see how dance can serve as an act of resistance against authority or a personal triumph over difficult circumstances.
- Watch any film featuring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers for inspiration from the grace and charm of these iconic dancers.
- Watch Stormy Weather to witness how the Nicholas Brothers take tap dance to new heights.
Enter dance competitions to improve your skills. Dance competitions, formally known as DanceSport events, are held all over the world. Look up nearby competitions online. Participating in dance competitions helps set clear personal goals and develop your dancing abilities.
- Check out websites like The International Grand Ball, United States Dance Championships, and Access Dance Network for events.
Tip: If you're not quite confident enough to compete, consider attending as an audience member to get inspired and understand what to expect.
What to wear for dancing
Wear comfortable shoes. Choose shoes that fit well with flexible, thin soles suited for the dance floor. Avoid wedge shoes, as their thick soles and heels can hinder your connection to the floor. Make sure the shoes feel safe and secure. Sandals are best left at home. Don't wear sneakers or shoes with rubber soles that stick to the floor, as they can impede smooth movement.
- Different dance styles require different types of shoes, so research what you need for your style. For instance, sneakers are great for hip-hop and freestyle, while high heels are ideal for Latin-style dancing.
Prepare your clothes. If you're prone to sweating, choose natural fabrics. Sleeveless tops and tank tops may look great, but sweat-soaked skin can make you feel uncomfortable while dancing. Be sure to pack a towel and some talcum powder just in case.
- If you're dancing with a partner, avoid slippery fabrics like silk. Sweat on their hands may make it harder for them to support you during movements.
Pro tip: Consider bringing an extra shirt if you tend to sweat a lot during dancing.
Wear clothes that allow free movement. While form-fitting velvet may look stylish, it can restrict your movements on the dance floor. Worse, you might find yourself embarrassed if your clothes tear. Choose outfits that are loose or stretchy enough to let your body move freely. Pick tops with sleeves that don't restrict arm movement—ensure they allow you to raise your arms effortlessly.
- Try on your clothes at home beforehand to make sure you're comfortable while dancing.
- To avoid mishaps, make sure your clothes fit well and won’t slip off as you dance!
Tips
- Learn the dance moves to your favorite songs, especially when you're familiar with the melody and can sing along. This will help you anticipate changes in the music and adjust your movements accordingly, while enjoying the music you love.
- Observe other dancers. If you're unsure how to move to the beat, look for cues from other dancers. You don’t have to imitate them exactly (unless it's a standard move), but you can gather inspiration from their style.
- Smile and try to appear upbeat, even if you're feeling nervous and unsure about what you're doing. Acting with confidence can help you feel more confident.
- If you're feeling shy or can't get a step right, don't give up—keep practicing.
Warning
- Don't push yourself or attempt moves you're not comfortable with or ready for. Skilled dancers make challenging moves look easy—don't be fooled. You might end up straining a muscle or even falling (especially when wearing high heels). You can still dance beautifully without having to perform difficult moves. Seriously.
