How to Spot A Good Leader (on the Dance Floor)

Have you ever gone out dancing and spotted one couple on the dance floor that just looked AMAZING? Chances are, you can thank the guy for that. Now, don't get me wrong... The lady is doing her fair share of hard work to look good, but she can't do it without the help of a strong leader. No matter how pretty the painting, you can't look at it if there isn't a solid frame holding it up, right? Right. A good leader can be hard to find, but he is definitely worth the hunt. Here are a few helpful hints from the professionals at Dance FX Studios for spotting a great lead so you can guarantee yourself a phenomenal dance.

The lady looks comfortable and the dance looks easy.

If someone looks like they're trying really hard, they probably are. Dancing on a social floor isn't necessarily easy, but it should generally look that way. Whether you're Salsa dancing at a Latin dance club or dancing the Country Two Step in a local Country bar, a good leader is consistent in his lead and knows how to guide a woman properly. When a leader knows what he's doing, his follower shouldn't have to struggle to get through the dance. If the woman looks lost and confused, her leader is in all likelihood giving her mixed signals.

Now, a lady could look confused on the dance floor because she doesn't know how to follow. This only brings up my next point that...

He dances to his partner's level, not above it.

If a good leader is dancing with a less-than-experienced follower, he isn't going to try tons of crazy moves. Since it's his job to make the lady look great, a good leader will determine the level of his follower and go from there. By simplifying his moves, he can keep the lady looking and feeling good instead of one-upping her. If you know a lady isn't necessarily the best follower, but she still looks like a competent dancer, her partner is doing something right.

A good leader also knows how to up his game with more advanced followers. He can pull out the tricks AND lead them with the right lady. But be aware... Just because someone knows cool moves, it doesn't mean he knows how to lead him. If the lady is struggling with the basics of Swing dancing and her leader is trying to drag her through flips and tricks, he isn't a considerate leader. Be wary.

Ladies ask him to dance.

The biggest telltale sign of a good leader? He doesn't have to ask women to dance... because they ask him. I don't mean a random girl happens to ask a random guy who happens to be standing next to her. I mean ladies beeline toward him the second they see he is free for a chance to dance with him. You think I'm kidding? I'm not.  If a guy is a good leader, ladies will compete to dance with him all the time. Watch for it, and stand in line to snag a dance.

He acknowledges his mistakes.

I'll be honest... This doesn't really mean a guy is a good leader. This just means he's a leader I want to dance with. Bad leaders will blame you for their poor lead and good leaders will blame themselves even if it's your fault. If a turn isn't executed perfectly or they end up off the music, a good leader will apologize and fix it. If that happens, he's probably been trained properly through private dance lessons to know how lead and follow works. (Hint hint, guys: if you get to be in charge, you get to claim the mess ups. Sorry not sorry.)

If you're looking to become the leader on the dance floor that everyone wants to dance with, or the follower that every good leader wants to dance with, check out Dance FX Studios in Mesa, AZ. As the only social partner dance studio in Arizona, we focus on teaching true lead and follow techniques so you can be the best dancer out there. Although you can get a lot more out of the one-on-one experience of private dance lessons, even our group dance classes focus on creating amazing leaders and followers. Just off the 101 and the 60, Dance FX Studios is easy to access from Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, and Phoenix. Join us to become the best Latin, Country, Swing, or Argentine Tango dancer on the dance floor in Arizona!

Ballroom Dancing in Arizona is Amazing!

“When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It’s to enjoy each step along the way.”

                              -   Wayne Dyer

Learning to ballroom dance is process. You don’t have to be a perfect Tango dancer or know every variation of Swing dancing to enjoy social ballroom dancing. We can help you to become a confident social dancer at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona. Our focus here at Dance FX Studios is on your enjoyment and helping you to reap the benefits of dance. We do this by providing the best social ballroom dance lessons in Arizona!

While we strive to help our students become proficient in what we call the language of dance as quickly and as efficiently as possible, learning to dance is a journey. There are endless types and variations of dances that people enjoy around the world, offering options for anyone with any interests. Here in Arizona, it would be practical to learn Latin dances to take to Salsa clubs and you could also become a Country Swing or Two Step connoisseur if you plan to seek out good times at any of the numerous Phoenix Country bars. With any dance type that peaks your curiosity, you will get the most out of your private or group dance lessons with both time and practice.

Many students here at Dance FX Studios are amazed by how much their lives are impacted when they take dance lessons with us. Dancing helps you to get in shape, relieve stress and improve communication and intimacy between partners. It also serves as a healthy challenge, and provides a host of new social opportunities for you. You will gain confidence and walk with a certain air about you with your shoulders back, light on your feet. Dancing actually enhances and creates new connections in your brain because of the physical and mental challenges it provides. Almost every aspect of your life will be enhanced by dancing-all you need to do is come and see for yourself how beneficial dancing can be!

While most of us these days seek instant gratification and want to have the best and be the best we can instantly, the payoff for learning a cool, exciting, and sometimes challenging, skill like dancing is everlasting. Enjoy the journey and remember this, dancing is an investment in yourself and, if you have one, your partner. As the quote above reminds us, enjoy the journey of learning to dance-it is so worth it! i