Real Men Two-Step

We at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona are avid Country dance fans! Anything from the AZ Two-Step to Country Swing, we just love the fun, energetic dances that come along with Country music. So let's talk about a few of the different boot-scootin' dances that you can whip out at your favorite Country dance bar!

AZ Two-Step

Arizona Two-Step is a great dance for your mid to fast-tempo songs. Think along the lines of "Wagon Wheel," "How Bout Them Cowgirls," or "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy", to name a few popular Country dance songs out today. These songs keep a comfortable walking pace and are fantastic for the relaxed, but fun feel of  the Country Two-Step. This is a dance that can look and feel effortless while still keeping your partner entertained!

Country Swing

Country Swing is a super exciting dance for your uptempo songs! With lots of turns and pivoting around your partner, the Country Swing is the perfect choice for crowded dance floor and fast beats. Songs like "Guitars and Tiki Bars," "Knee Deep," and "She's Country" are a few examples of the tempo you want to look for. Just be sure to take your Cowboy hat off before you try all those spins and twirls!

Country Nite Club

Country Nite Club is our (and your!) go-to slow dance. It's a romantic, smooth dance that can be simple and beautiful, or a bit showier, depending on your personal style. It matches just about any genre, but fits incredibly well with songs like "Bless the Broken Road," "I Do (Cherish You)," and "Desperately". With smooth gliding steps and a nice closed embrace, Nite Club 2 Step is basically a grown up version of what we like to call "the 8th grade sway."

Country dancing is pretty much a staple in the greater Phoenix area. The best way to hone your skills and gain confidence on the dance floor is through private dance lessons here at Dance FX Studios in Arizona. We can even introduce you to other country dances like the Country Waltz and West Coast Swing if you want to become a Country dance superstar! We are just minutes away from Scottsdale, Tempe, and Chandler,AZ but anyone from Queen Creek to Flagstaff is welcome to come try out lessons with us. Country isn't your thing? We also teach Latin, Swing, Ballroom, and Argentine Tango, so anyone can find the dance that's right for them.

Looking for a place to practice your new skills? Check out our Country Dance Party on Saturday, April 12, 2014. Live music, a Country Swing Lesson, treats, and a night full of dance si what you can expect! Get your tickets today for just $15 per person and enjoy an evening of fun with us!

5 Practice Ideas to Improve Your Social Dancing

Here at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona, we highly encourage our students to practice what they have learned in their private dance lessons outside of the studio. But HOW do you practice? Ah, that is a wonderful question that we are happy to help you with! Whether you're trying your hand at Latin dance lessons, Swing, Tango, or Country dancing, here are a few tips for what you should be doing outside of your private lessons or group dance classes to see some great improvements:

1. Practice counting music

Counting music is an incredibly important aspect of dancing. If you aren't a natural at hearing beats of music, private dance lessons with us at Dance FX Studios are a great asset. Your instructor can give you the tools to find the beat in multiple types of music, from the Foxtrot to the Tango. After this, try to count any music you hear. At the gym, while cleaning the house, in an elevator - anywhere there is music playing - try to find the beat! With enough time, assistance and effort, hearing the music in all of your favorite dances becomes second nature.

2. Walk through your footwork

Is that underarm turn giving you a hard time? Go through the steps over and over until you no longer have to think about it. Repetition is the key to success here, so walk through your footwork until it feels natural. Just remember to take nice, small steps while you're dancing up a storm in your kitchen.

3. Shadow dance

It's difficult to practice lead and follow without a partner, but you can get serious benefits from shadow dancing. How does one shadow dance, you ask? Pretend you have a partner in front of you! Hold your dance frame as you would with a partner and pretend you are leading/following them. This trains you to maintain a solid frame while giving you a chance to practice leading techniques on your own.

4. Dance with a comfortable partner

The best way to practice is ultimately with another person. If you have a go-to partner (s.o. or otherwise), practice together in a comfortable environment. This is the time to try out any new moves or techniques you want to work on without feeling intimidated.

5. Dance with a NEW partner

Once you're pretty comfortable with your moves, it's time to dance with a new partner. The true test of your lead or follow is to give it a whirl with someone you don't know. The goal is to be able to dance with anyone, right? So grab a friendly looking stranger at that salsa club and give it a shot.

Ultimately, dancing is not about just getting your footwork down, so the sooner you feel comfortable with those feet, the sooner we can show you all of the cool stuff that you can do with your body. From turns to wraps, you can truly enjoy social dancing once your feet are on auto-pilot and you can focus on leading and following. That's when the fun really begins...


These are all fun, simple ways to improve your dancing faster along with your private dance lessons. Private dance lessons will give you the tools you need to be able to practice at home and enjoy any social dance floor, so if you live in the greater Phoenix area, come check us out! We are located in Mesa, Arizona, near Tempe, Chandler, Scottsdale and Phoenix, just off the 60 and the 101 freeways. If private lessons aren't for you, we also have awesome group dance classes and rockin' Zumba fitness classes throughout the week. Let's get you on that dance floor!