Entertainment
2009-02-01 14:22:00
Ballroom and Latin dancing
Question: Is ballroom and Latin dancing just for couples and if I don’t have a partner what would I get out of partnership dancing?
Answer: No, ballroom and Latin dancing is not just for couples. It is for everyone.
This is one of the biggest questions pertaining to partnership dancing. More and more singles are beginning to realize that you don’t have to be in a relationship or have a specific dance partner to enjoy one of the most popular social activities out there today. There are so many reasons that singles are getting off the couch and out of the house and on to the dance floor. Whether it’s for exercise, to improve their social life or to figure out how to express themselves and add some spice to their life.
When people think of exercise they usually think about machines, running or aerobics classes and not about partnership dancing. But, what most people don’t realize is that dancing is a great cardiovascular and core workout. When a person is dancing their blood is pumping, their heart is pounding, their lungs breathing evenly while the body is moving through the patterns of the dance. Instead of doing sit-ups to strengthen your abs try some salsa or swing dancing. Partnership dancing is a great way to strengthen and tone muscles in your arms, stomach, hips and legs. As with other forms of exercise, it is not something that happens over night but once the dancing itself becomes comfortable then people start to see themselves in a totally different way. They are moving their bodies in ways they may not have before.
Getting out and dancing is a great way to improve one’s social life. There are many singles who decide to take dance lessons to meet new people and to add a little more to their life. Dance studios have both male and female instructors that you will be paired with if you do not have a dance partner. So the best place to start is to find a dance studio and begin with some social dance lessons. A studio itself is a great place to meet other singles who have chosen to make dance a part of their life. Once you start to feel comfortable with what you are learning then the next step is to take it out on the town and use those new dance moves. Check the newspaper for dance mixers, join some group classes, or just go out and ask someone to dance. People find that once they get a few moves under their belt their confidence level goes way up.
Many of my single students have commented that learning to dance has been a positive life changing experience for them. They have learned how to express themselves in ways they didn’t know before. They are confident even going out on their own for an evening and asking someone to dance. Some have even found the love of their life just by asking them if they would like to dance.
From the lyrics of a famous song sung by Leann Womack, “If you get the choice to sit it out or dance….. I hope you dance”.
