Social Ballroom Dancing for the Real World

Ballroom dance includes a variety of partner dances from the Foxtrot to the Tango, Swing, Cha Cha and more. It  is enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world because of the many benefits that ballroom dancing has to offer including relieving stress and learning a new hobby. Because of its performance and entertainment aspects, ballroom dance is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television. Many TV shows have caused a wave of popularity to come over the world of dance. Shows like Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, America’s Best Dance Crew, and Dance Academy have exposed the world of dance and its many facets to the world which has sparked interest in prospective dancers, professional or not. Even Friends had an episode where Joey was drawn into ballroom dancing. With all this exposure and growing popularity in watching serious dancers show off their moves, many people of the general public want to join the craze but not to the same extent. This brings up the question: “What is the difference between social ballroom dancing and competitive ballroom dancing?”

To begin, social ballroom dance lessons focus on equipping you with the skills you need to dance in any social situation where dancing occurs. With private social ballroom dance lessons in all of the most useful styles of dance in Arizona like the Country Two Step, Swing and Salsa, you will be prepared for holiday parties, nights out on the town, date nights, weddings and the like. Social dance lessons are a great way to meet new friends, relieve stress and enjoy a fun and exciting new hobby. 

With social dance lessons at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, AZ, we will also teach you cool dance moves, proper dance form and posture, how to connect with your partner on the dance floor, how to lead or follow your partner, how to navigate around a crowded dance floor and so much more! When you join us at Dance FX Studios and invest in yourself with social dance lessons, you will gain much more than just dance skills. You will learn to move with confidence, poise, and good posture. Dancing is a great form of exercise that gives you a workout without even knowing it. Even better, FUN is included in the lessons at no extra charge!

Competitive ballroom dancing is also an option for those who love the idea of taking their dancing to a higher, more serious level. With competitive ballroom dancing lessons, students prepare for competitions where they will be judged on criteria like poise, posture, body alignment and shape, frame, timing, expression, and presentation. Competitive dancers take lessons that are geared toward perfecting specific technique and choreography for upcoming competitions. They fine tune their skills and their bodies to the type of dance they are going to compete in. Competitive ballroom dance studios can be found around Phoenix for those who want to master the art of ballroom dancing.

At Dance FX Studios in the Phoenix East Valley, you will learn technique and follow a syllabi much like a competitive dancer would, but in a more relaxed environment. All of the skills you acquire will apply directly to the “real world” outside of the studio to social settings where you can bond with your partner, unwind from your day and have a great time. 

At Dance FX Studios, we teach social ballroom dancing to people who live all over the Phoenix Valley. We are located in Mesa next to Gilbert, Chandler and Tempe, Arizona for East Valley residents to come and enjoy fun and useful dances. We recommend that beginner dances start with our Introductory private dance lesson for singles or couples for just $40. Private dance lessons will put you on the fast track to becoming a great social dancer.

If you want to dance like a star and apply practical new skills to your social life, check out our lessons at Dance FX Studios today!

Zumba Fitness Toning Classes

As we all know, exercise is a very important part of everyone’s health regime. It relieves stress, controls weight, speeds metabolism, strengthens the immune system, improves mood, combats health conditions and diseases, promotes better sleep, and boosts energy. An impressive list, right? At least 30 minutes of exercise is recommended every day, but sometimes it’s hard to find the motivation to get moving. Whatever the excuse... "Sweating isn’t fun, I have so much to do, I’m tired, There’s not enough hours in the day"; the recommendation is still there and exercise is still great for your well-being. If you haven’t found something to keep you motivated and active, maybe Zumba® fitness classes will get you off the couch! Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona offers Zumba classes three days a week: Mondays and Wednesdays 6-7pm and Saturdays from 10-11 am.

Zumba® is a unique, exciting exercise program that incorporates dance and aerobics. It combines choreography from Latin dances like samba, mambo, cha cha, salsa, merengue, bachata and more-even Country dancing and Swing are incorporated into Zumba classes!  Our high energy instructors at Dance FX Studios are all lively and positive and are sure to get you revved and moving in any of the hour-long classes we offer. The music is pumping and everyone is smiling while the instructor is grooving right along with the “fitness party”.

There are eleven variations of Zumba® and here at Dance FX we offer three of these variations. One of the most popular types of Zumba® is Zumba® Toning. In this type of Zumba® class, there is more focus on strength training exercises within the dances than a normal Zumba class. It’s basically circuit training: a few minutes of cardio followed by a few minutes of strength training, accompanied by more cardio, and so on. This combination creates a higher-calorie-burning exercise than regular Zumba. Maraca-like Toning Sticks are used, which are weighted and used to the beat of the music to enhance rhythm, build strength, and aid in toning the target zones, like arms, abs, and thighs. These tools also help in shaping other muscles throughout the body. Not only will you enjoy your time in the class, you will also love the results! This class is geared towards creating a toned, shaped look of the arms, legs and core. Your posture, balance, coordination, agility, bone density, joint mobility, and more will all improve with Zumba® Toning (and other Zumba® classes too!). Zumba® Toning is an outstanding way to sculpt your body and get an aerobic exercise while having fun and dancing!

If you’re looking for a new exercise routine, a new hobby, or even if you don’t have an exercise regime at all, come to Dance FX Studios in the Phoenix East Valley of AZ and try out Zumba® Fitness! You can join the craze with our great Membership Packages and Newcomer’s Specials. Visit the website for packages and the Zumba® class schedule.

Dancing Through the Holidays...

Though it seems to have crept up on us, the holiday season is upon us!

It is so easy to fall out of regular physical activity routines and put your hobbies on the back burner when the holidays roll around. Family comes to town, gatherings need planning, meals require prepping, and the list of to-dos seems to keep growing and growing. Whatever you do this holiday season, don’t let your dancing fall behind! The holidays can be stressful and dancing can help you stay sane through it all. Not to mention, social ballroom dancing is great exercise, which is much needed to work off that extra comfort food that is such a part of the holidays. No need to feel guilty this year about indulging if you’re keeping up with your dancing! We are always happy to see you here at Dance FX Studios here in the Phoenix East Valley, AZ to help you to keep moving and having fun throughout the winter.

Dancing, from the Country Two Step to the Swing, Tango and Salsa, is an excellent form of exercise. It is a great way to raise your heart rate, work off unwanted body fat, and build lean muscle. Social dancing uses a wide variety of motions to engage multiple muscle groups in an effective, dynamic way. And, since this is also cold and flu season, regular workouts like dancing can even help you ward off sickness! 

Sticking with exercise throughout the holidays is much more likely if the activity is enjoyable, and dances like the Swing and Cha Cha are tons of fun! You are much more likely to get fit and stay fit if you are having a great time while exercising. Dancing burns a significant amount of calories so get moving and breeze through this season in your favorite jeans without fear. :)

The types of dances that will get you the most results this holiday season vary in style from Country to Latin.  Depending on your weight, muscle mass, gender, and intensity, you can burn up to 650 calories in an hour with us at Dance FX Studios. How much effort you are putting into your dancing also affects the amount of energy required. Dancing can actually burn as many, if not more, calories as more traditional forms of exercise like running and lifting weights. It is very easy to “plateau” in a workout routine, but if you switch up the types of dances you learn and learn many styles, you will keep your physical activity fresh! Here’s a list of different dance styles and an estimate of how many calories you can burn while dancing them. We offer all of the following types here at Dance FX Studios, near Tempe and Chandler, AZ!

• Salsa – Roughly 405 to 480 calories are burned in an hour of Salsa dancing.

• Swing – Different moves and styles of Swing dancing can change the intensity of this dance. You can burn between 300 and 550 calories depending on how high impact the style is. Swing dancing can easily expend even more if you perform intensive maneuvers.

• Country Western – Again, energy expended relies upon the speed and difficulty of the movements, but Country dancing typically uses up 290 to 420 calories per lesson.

• Zumba – Zumba is an exceptional way to burn calories, as it is designed to be an exercise class that provides toning as well.  Anywhere from 350 to 650 calories can be burned in a Zumba class!

• Cha Cha – An energetic dance with a steady beat, the Cha Cha can burn from 260 to 530 calories.

• Waltz - As a simple, yet elegant ballroom dance, the Waltz can burn 140 to 275 calories. If a faster paced song is danced to, even more calories can be expended.

• Tango – The Argentine Tango can burn from 150 to over 220 calories per hour!

Whether you taking private dance lessons or Zumba fitness classes at Dance FX Studios, we can help you to keep trim this holiday season. We have great specials during our Holiday Savings Season to give you even more reasons to stay on track! Take advantage of great private dance lesson deals now through December, 2013. If you've never tried Zumba, we also have a new member special so you can give it a test run, or we have great membership deals if you want to continue with your classes. Give us a call at Dance FX Studios and keep moving this holiday season. Do it for you! 

Zumba Fitness Classes-Great Workout, Great Fun!

Being healthy and fit is not just about trying to fit into a smaller pair of jeans. Although this is a great advantage and motivator, being fit is really a lifestyle choice. In today’s society, many people are looking into improving the quality of their life and are taking the necessary steps to achieve this goal. Keeping this in mind, we at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, AZ have the perfect suggestion for getting and staying fit- Zumba® fitness classes with us!

You may be asking- what is Zumba® fitness? Well, Zumba is a dance-fitness workout class that integrates great music, exciting Latin dances such as Salsa, Swing, Cha Cha and Merengue along with exciting, easy-to-learn moves that are all choreographed into easy-to-learn dance routines. Sounds like a lot of fun, doesn’t it? Well it is! In addition to getting into shape, you will also be releasing stress and tension, increasing your cardio and improving your muscle tone. Because of the enjoyment, versatility and fun of Zumba, instead of dreading going to class, you actually look forward to it! 

At Dance FX Studios, the leading social ballroom dance studio in the Phoenix East Valley area, in addition to our private dance lessons, we offer Zumba fitness three times a week. A great advantage of taking Zumba at Dance FX Studios is our sprung wood floors. It’s incredible how sprung floors can really affect your workout since they absorb shock and reduce the impact on your body. You will really feel the difference and your body will be most thankful.

Kicking the week off, Frankie Valenzuela teaches our Monday night Zumba class from 6-7pm. Frankie has been teaching Zumba® fitness at Dance FX Studios for years and he packs the room every week. His personality, energy, and love of teaching Zumba spills over into his sessions and his students just love him! In addition to Frankie’s regular Zumba, he also teaches Zumba Sentao on the second Monday of each week. Zumba Sentao is a Zumba variation using a chair that focuses on using body weight to strengthen and tone the body. So, whichever style of Zumba you choose will definitely be fun and beneficial. Come and check it out!

Dance FX Studios also offers Zumba fitness classes on Wednesdays  from 6-7pm with Kisha Klein. Kisha has also been teaching Zumba at Dance FX Studios for a while. Her sessions are empowering and butt-kicking!  In addition to the dance moves, she integrates a lot of fitness/bootcamp moves into her choreography. Kisha’s students love her style as she has a very dedicated following. On the last Wednesday of each month, Kisha instructs Zumba Toning. Zumba Toning focuses on the abs, thighs, arms, and other muscles, while also adding body sculpting and cardio, using toning sticks. If you’re looking for a high energy, versatile workout, this is the one for you!

Lastly, we offer Zumba fitness classes on Saturday mornings, from 10-11am. Maggie Colecchia leads Zumba Toning each week. She has been teaching Zumba at Dance FX Studios for the past year. Maggie discovered Zumba years ago when she herself needed to lose weight and get healthier.  Not only did she change her diet, but she was so inspired by Zumba, that it motivated her to stick to her lifestyle change and she has since kept the weight off for years.  Maggie‘s story is great encouragement to those who are looking to get in shape.  She loves helping others to achieve their fitness goals by approaching each class with enthusiasm.

Whatever your reason for coming to Zumba fitness at Dance FX Studios, you will find each class therapeutic for the mind, body and soul.  Dance FX Studios, near Tempe, Gilbert, and Chandler, Arizona welcomes everyone to come try Zumba out. Who knows, you may also become a Zumba® fitness enthusiast and find you just can’t live without it!

Dance, Men, Dance!

Most men think they don’t like to dance. They might think it’s not masculine or that they aren’t good at it and it would be too hard to learn. The reality is that dancing is FUN and puts the man in control when he is leading his partner around the dance floor. With social ballroom dance lessons from us at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona, men can learn to dance and discover how enjoyable and rewarding it is. From the Country Two Step to Salsa dancing to the steamy Argentine Tango, dancing is not only manly, but a huge bonus for sweeping the ladies off of their feet.

As a man, you should learn to dance because it’s a fun and exciting form of exercise. It raises your heart rate, works off extra body fat, and builds muscle. Swing, Country or Latin dancing uses a wide variety of motions to engage multiple muscle groups in an effective, dynamic way.  Because dancing is so enjoyable, it is a much easier form of exercise to stick to in order to maintain your fitness and health goals. Social ballroom dancing is also very good for coordination and balance because it engages so many muscles and requires multiple body parts to work together. These are things that guys may not realize, but that are certainly beneficial to remain young in body and mind.

Also guys, take the dance skills you will learn in your private dance lessons, and notice the confidence and sense of accomplishment you will find by knowing how to dance. Your newfound ability to lead your partner around ANY dance floor will keep the ladies coming back for more! Mastering cool dance moves and styles that you’re learning will make you feel accomplished and give you assurance that you can truly dance the night away. Before long, you’ll be able to take what you learn and improvise on a dance floor with the tips and tools that you will receive in your dance lessons here at Dance FX Studios in Arizona. Many other areas of your life will experience this confidence boost and you will walk taller and more proud with your shoulders back-just by learning to dance! (Who knew?!)

Having dance skills is undeniably a social asset. At Dance FX Studios, we offer social dance lessons, not competitive dance styles. Not only will you gain knowledge of exciting new moves and styles, but we also teach you the proper dance form and how to lead and connect with your partner.  Knowing how to dance is very useful at weddings, parties, nightclubs, bars, and other social settings. Having fun is much easier when you know what you’re doing and can lead any lady around the dance floor. Your partner will also have more fun if they can follow your lead and trust your moves.

All of these perks are beneficial for men whether they are single or not. For single men, learning to dance will help tremendously on the dating scene. Most women love to dance and they absolutely love a guy who knows how to dance; her toes goes unsquished and she doesn’t have to bear through awkward, jerky movements.  A man who is willing to lead her on the dance floor is attractive, but a lot of men aren’t inclined to do so. If you learn to dance and become one of those rare men who can dance and lead her, that sets you apart from the crowd! The ability to dance will also give you access of all sorts of new dance environments. Not only will you have more skills to sweep her off her feet at this point, but you will also have more opportunities to do so.

For those men who are not single, chances are your wife or girlfriend loves to dance and wishes you would dance with her more often. When you discover the benefits of dance, you will be able and willing to take your lady out dancing. If you’re married, you know that a happy wife is a happy life! Make her smile by taking time to learn something for her – or with her! As a couple, you will turn heads when you go to weddings or when you go out on date nights and rock the dance floor. Who doesn’t love looking talented and connected as a pair? Remember, she wants you to dance with her. Dance lessons are a great couple’s activity and you will earn major brownie points if you take regular lessons with her. Learning to dance takes time, so get started today and begin to dance the nights away before you know it!

No matter what type of dance lessons you want to take from Latin to Country to Swing, we at Dance FX Studios can equip you to go out into the social dancing world with the confidence and ability to show someone a great time, while enjoying yourself thoroughly! So guys, no longer do you need to run from the dance floor. Run towards it, the benefits of knowing how to dance can be yours!

Social Ballroom Dancing is a Blast!

You have been thinking about learning to dance for quite some time. So, are you ready to do something about it? We know that this is a big step and it can sometimes be a little intimidating- don’t let that stop you! Social ballroom dancing will help you to become more confident and no longer will you be sitting on the sidelines while everyone else is having all the fun dancing.

Now that you have decided to take the big step into a dance studio, you may be wondering where to go to get started. Well, in the Phoenix East Valley region, Dance FX Studios, in Mesa, AZ can help you on your way with private dance lessons. We recommend starting with our Introductory Offer, which is only $40 (per couple or single). In this one hour private dance lesson, you will sample several types of social dances like the Country Two Step, Swing and Salsa and learn how to connect and communicate successfully with any partner. Sounds like a perfect way to begin, doesn’t it?

At this point, you may not be sure exactly what type of social dancing you would like to learn. That’s OK, since you will be sampling several types of dances in your introductory lesson, you may realize which dances you really enjoy. Another thing to think about is the type of music you like. Do you mostly listen to Country music? Then, you should consider taking Country dance lessons. There are several dances to learn in this category, including Country Two Step, Country Swing, and Country Waltz. Country dancing is very popular here in Arizona and there are plenty of venues to go strut your stuff on the dance floor. Why not give it a shot?

If the golden oldies, Frank Sinatra, or the Big Bands are more your speed, then the Foxtrot, East Coast Swing or even West Coast Swing may be right up your alley. These dances are classic and can be used for a variety of occasions. So, if you have a wedding coming up or maybe you’re going on a cruise, you will find that all of these dances will come in handy. And how nice it will be to be holding your loved one close in your arms dancing the night away!

Now, for all of you hot-blooded types, have we got some dances for you! We definitely recommend the Latin genre, such as Salsa, Bachata, Merengue and Cha Cha. Whew, these dances are sizzling! What an ideal way to really spice things up. And let’s not forget about the Argentine tango. Talk about a great way to add some excitement in your life! All of these dances provide an opportunity to enhance the connection with your partner. They add passion and romance to any relationship. Who wouldn’t welcome that?

At Dance FX Studios, in addition to helping you become a proficient dancer and gain more confidence, dancing offers other benefits as well. Social dancing is the perfect stress reliever, so if life is stressing you out, get up and dance! You’ll find your problems and worries just melt away when you’re out there dancing. 

Learning to ballroom or Country dance is also a chance to meet new friends since you will no longer be a wallflower watching everyone else have a good time. You’ll be the one asking the pretty ladies to dance or the belle of the ball when all the gentlemen are asking you to accompany them onto the dance floor. Wouldn’t this be a nice change from sitting on the sidelines watching?

And, if that’s not enough, social dancing is an easy way to get in shape! Dancing is a really good workout that doesn’t even seem like a workout. We’ve had many students who weren’t even thinking about losing weight and to their surprise, after taking dance lessons on a regular, steady basis, starting dropping the weight. What a great added benefit!

Dance FX Studios in Phoenix, Arizona is definitely the place to go for learning a variety of social ballroom dances that you will use for any occasion. Instead of other studios who don’t offer the option of the dances you want to learn, you will receive personalized instruction based on your rate of learning and specific dancing wishes and goals. Don’t hesitate- give us a call, 480.968.6177, to begin this exciting new hobby for yourself today!

Country Dance This Weekend at Dance FX Studios!

Attention all Country dance and music lovers!  Are you looking for a place to go dancing to live music this Saturday night, the 9th of November, 2013? Well, have we got a treat for you! If you live in the Phoenix East Valley area, Dance FX Studios, in Mesa, Arizona is hosting a Country dance party with live music from 8-11 pm. Come on out and dance to one of Phoenix’s top Country Western bands- Two-bit Shotgun. Two-bit Shotgun features new Country mixed with traditional Country, Rock, Pop, and Bluegrass music. They always pack the house when they play for us at Dance FX Studios.

Dance FX Studios is close to Gilbert, Chandler, and Tempe, AZ. We have been teaching students how to dance with private dance lessons not only in Country, but also in dances like the Argentine Tango, Swing, Salsa, Bachata and more! If you have been thinking about learning to dance, why wait any longer? For over 12 years we have prepared thousands of everyday people for weddings, parties, clubs, date nights, etc.- any occasion where there is social dancing actually. Dancing is an ideal skill that can be used no matter where you go throughout your life.  How awesome is that?

We are so excited to offer these Country dance parties with live music for students and non-students as well. It’s a great opportunity to dance Country Swing, Country Two-Step, Nite Club two-step, Country Waltz, and West Coast Swing. We’ll kick the night off with a mini group class so that everyone can learn the basics of Country dancing and how to navigate around a crowded dance floor, so you won’t be bumping in to everyone else, especially on a small dance floor. And that’s not all! You’ll also get some helpful tips on how to lead and follow as well as the best way to hold your dance partner in an appropriate dance frame. 

After the group class, the band will kick off the night with great dance tunes- YEEHAW! Two-bit Shotgun is the perfect combination of old and new Country music and attracts people of all ages.  They play all over the Phoenix area as well as other states throughout the Southwest. We have found them to be the perfect choice for our Country dance parties since they play such a terrific variety of Country music and dances. Two-bit Shotgun really knows how to get people two-stepping, swinging, and waltzing their way out onto the dance floor! It’s hard not to get out there and kick up you heels.

Dance FX Studios’ Country dance party will be offering light refreshments for you to enjoy in between dances. YUMMY! Advanced reservations for this event are $15 per person or $20 per person at the door. Purchases for this event can be made by phone, on our website, or in person. Bring your friends to meet and mingle with new ones as you listen to great music and dance the night away! Incidentally, Dance FX Studios instructors will be in attendance at this event, so in case you have questions on how to do a certain step, don’t be afraid to ask- after all, that’s what we are here for! So, don’t hesitate... Give us a call, 480.968.6177 or go online to sign up now. We would love to see you this Saturday night for a rootin’- tootin’ good time!