Dance Tips for Social Ballroom Dancers in Arizona

Social ballroom dancing, including Country Two Step, Salsa, Argentine Tango and Swing dancing,  is a wonderful hobby for couples and singles to explore. You learn about yourself and your partner, get a little exercise, relieve stress, and enjoy some new! Private dance lessons are a great way for beginners and advanced dancers to grow in their dance skills. Dance lessons should be structured, detailed and FUN! With a great dance instructor, you are sure to grow quickly and get out on the dance floor in no time.  But what about when you are out at a club or bar? When you are applying the steps and skills your instructor taught you, finding dance partners or enjoying your spouse or partner in the “real world”? We make a point at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona of teaching our students dance floor etiquette and giving them tips to stay safe and smiling on the dance floor anywhere from a crowded Salsa club to a wedding. In any type of dance lesson, from the Country Two Step to the Jitterbug, and more, we incorporate social dancing skills into each of your private dance lessons. 

Here are just a few of the tips that every social dancer must know:

•   Gentlemen, when you spot a lady that you would like to dance with, keep your invitation to the dance floor simple and polite. “Care to dance?”, “Would you like to dance?”, and “May I have this dance?” are all nice ways to ask a lady to the floor. Unless she requests it, avoid asking the same person to dance several times in a row. Invite different women to the dance with you so as to improve the social dynamics of a dance and practice leading different types of followers. This will vastly improve your ability to ultimately lead anyone, anytime as your confidence increases through time and experience.

•   Ladies, do not be afraid to ask a guy (or a few!) to dance. Enjoy yourself and practice following the lead of men with different skill levels and styles. You should only decline a dance if you need a rest, promised the dance to someone else, or haven’t learned the dance (men, take note of this as well!). If someone declines you a dance, don’t get discouraged, just find a different partner.

•  If you are leading a lady around the dance floor, guys, be sure to keep her safe and comfortable. Lead her in an area where she won’t back into someone or be run into by another dancer on the floor. Avoid any lifts or low dips, especially if the floor is crowded or you aren’t a seasoned dancer. Girls, take small steps and let the man lead you to a spot where he feels comfortable and confident. Partner dancing is all about communication and cooperation, so pay attention to each other and ladies, follow his lead.

•   Make sure to make eye contact with your partner throughout the dance. You don’t have to stare them down, but staring at your feet is a no-go, too! Be warm, positive, and friendly; you and your partner are both out to enjoy yourselves! Make the most of it!

•    If your partner is more advanced than you or is stumbling a little, don’t stress! Everybody starts somewhere, so dance to your partner’s level and be patient. Ladies, avoid leading, even if the guy seems to have no idea, because leading is his job on the dance floor. He could be shy, and what better way to practice than on the floor with a positive, patient woman? Both ladies and gents, avoid teaching your partner during a social dance if your partner doesn’t ask, because this can make your partner feel uncomfortable or frustrated. Again, you are both out dancing to enjoy yourself and have FUN!

•   At the end of a dance, be sure to lead your lady back to where she was sitting before, and thank each other for the dance.

If you follow these guidelines on the dance floor, chances are you will have more fun and make your partner more comfortable on the dance floor. If you haven’t started up with private dance lessons yet, we can help you learn key tips and techniques to the dances you want to learn, like the Country Swing or Bachata. Tips like these to keep you dancing the night away happily. Our $40 Introductory Offer will give you a taste of how great dance lessons with us at Dance FX Studios in Phoenix, Arizona can be!Within a short amount of time, you will be able to tackle any social dance floor with confidence and ease.