Top 3 Ways Ballroom Dancing Will Enhance Your Relationship

Valentine's Day 2014 is tomorrow for all of those last-minute shoppers who are looking for the the perfect gift for their sweethearts. If you haven't an idea of something fun, creative and original for your special someone, do we have the perfect Valentine's Day gift idea for you: Private dance lessons with us at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona, of course! Come in to explore to fun and excitement of Country dancing, Latin, or Tango dancing and see for yourself why dance lessons for couples make for the BEST gift of the season! Dance lessons for two are special on so many levels. Why, you may be wondering. Let me explain:

1. Time to re-connect: When you are enjoying a new and romantic hobby together, how can you help but fall back in love with each other again? Ballroom dance lessons in popular dances like the Swing provide the perfect balance of fun and relaxation. When you make time to give to each other without distractions, we have found that couples have reignited the passion that they once had. Reconnecting is key to a long-lasting, happy relationship. How is that even possible with kids, work and life? Just making the time by setting up a private dance lesson is the start. From there, you will see how important it is to set those date nights aside just for the two of you.

2. Dancing affects the mind, body and spirit: Dancing is powerful in so many ways. From gaining more confidence to shedding unwanted weight to learning a hobby that you can share forever with your loved one, Salsa or Two Step lessons gives you these benefits and so much more! While it may be out of your comfort zone to try something as unique as dance lessons, you will be forever changed by the positive aspects of learning to dance.

3. You can dance anywhere!: From a beach club resort to a company holiday party to a Country bar, couples that can social dance have a hobby that they can use anywhere! Heck, some people don't even need to leave their living room to enjoy spending time with each other dancing to their favorite tunes. How cool is that! Rain or shine, social dancing is something that you can enjoy anywhere. Hey, with more practice, you even get better as you are having fun!

Arizona couples, give each other the gift of dance for this Valentine's Day and beyond. Contact us at info@dancefxstudios.com for details or check out our website to see what makes us unique in the Phoenix Valley. Enhancing lives through dance is what we love to do so let us help you to grow closer together right here at Dance FX Studios.

Three Ways to Ensure a Second Dance With Her

You've been practicing for weeks. You've finally gotten enough confidence to ask a girl onto the floor. You've found the lucky lady, popped the question, and… She said yes! You've clearly already read Dance FX Studios' do's and dont's of the dance floor already, but how do you guarantee that second dance? Let's talk about it!

Why So Serious? Have A Little Fun!

Dancing is fun, right? If it isn't, you're doing it wrong. Talk to your lady! Make her laugh!
There's so much more to dancing than knowing how to swing a girl around the floor. Ladies love a great dancer, but (from experience) are more likely to dance with an okay dancer with a fun, exciting personality than a good dancer with no personality. Laugh off mistakes, play with your partner, and enjoy the dance!

Keep Your Hands to Yourself, R. Kelly.

Let's be honest: creepers exist. Please don't be one of them. There is such a thing as personal space and it should be respected. A dance can go from fun to "Oh, I see my friend over there who needs to cut in RIGHT NOW" really fast. Dance requires a follower to have a lot of trust in her leader. Your job is to keep her feeling safe and protected. This is especially true for the sensual dances out there such as bachata, Argentine tango, or what have you. They are intimate enough without wandering hands turning an innocent dance into a grope-fest.

Side note: If dancing with your significant other (and they don't mind PDA) grope away! Although it may get you some interesting looks from fellow dancers and observers...

Keep it Comfortable. Don't Show Off (Too Much).

Okay, show off a little. You want to impress your partner, because, why not? Just be careful not to go overboard with it! The dance should be comfortable, and a lot of followers feel lost when their leader breaks frame for a little free-style. This was supposed to be a partner dance, right? It's also never fun to be on the follower's side when the leader decides now is a great time to throw in an over-the-shoulder lift. If you flip me, we will never dance again. End of story. Keep it fun, keep it comfy!

Want more ideas to keep her coming back for more? Visit us here in Mesa, Arizona at Dance FX Studios, just minutes away from Scottsdale, Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler, and Queen Creek, AZ! Learn some killer moves in private dance lessons, or try out one of our group dance classes. Want to tear it up with country two-step? We've got you covered. Need some waltz or foxtrot in your life? We understand. Call us at 480.968.6177 or stop in today. See you soon!

Social Ballroom Dancing vs. Competitive Ballroom Dancing

Competitive Ballroom Dancing can be seen on shows like So You Think You Can Dance and movies like Silver Linings Playbook and Mad Hot Ballroom. Some of the dancers shown are extremely talented and compete very seriously. Others compete as a hobby and are not quite as intimidating at the more competitive dancers. Social Ballroom Dancing can be seen virtually anywhere. A bar, a wedding, a club, even in the streets of places like Madrid, Spain and Cuba! There is more variety and more room for personal touches in Social Ballroom Dancing. Dance FX Studios can prepare for any social dancing setting! In Mesa, Arizona, just off of the 101 on Guadalupe and Dobson Roads, we teach Social Ballroom Dancing and have prepared our students for Country Swing dancing at bars around the East Valley, taught the Argentine Tango to clients who want to dance with strangers abroad and choreographed some pretty exciting wedding dance routines. Social Ballroom Dancing is a useful, fun skill to have that you can take anywhere!

When Social Ballroom Dancing, there is less pressure on the dancer than there is in Competitive Ballroom Dancing. Both in lessons and out dancing in social settings, Social Ballroom Dancing is all about just having fun. You get to let loose, enjoying yourself and your partner's company. There is no pressure to win an award or to be the best dancer on the floor. Competitive Ballroom Dancing focuses on technicalities like poise, the hold or frame, posture, musicality and expression, timing, body alignment and shape, floor craft, foot and leg action, and presentation. Phew! With Social Ballroom Dancing, there are only two measures of success: no one gets hurt and everyone is smiling! Sounds like a better, less stressful set of standards, does it not?

Between the two types of dancing, Social Ballroom Dancing is arguably less expensive. Social Ballroom Dance lessons and outings cost less than Competitive lessons, dance gear, and competition expenses when you add it all up. There are travel expenses, costumes, dance shoes, competition entrance fees and more involved with Competitive Ballroom Dancing. With Social Ballroom Dancing, social outings like bars and clubs might have a cover and you might spend money on a few drinks (or not!), but costumes and multiple pairs of dance shoes are not necessary. Plus, with our great deals on lessons like our Introductory Offer and  Valentine's Day specials, you can learn to dance at a bargain!

The world of Competitive Ballroom Dancing is remarkable, but we love sharing Social Ballroom Dancing skills with our students. With social dance skills, you can go anywhere and dance your heart out! You don't need a ballroom floor or a set of judges to dance the night away (though dancing on a ballroom floor does make dancing easier!). At Dance FX Studios, we are confident we can show you how fun and rewarding Social Ballroom Dancing is in just one lesson! Come learn to dance and get ready to groove wherever your two feet take you!

The Do's and Don'ts of Social Dancing (Part 2)

Welcome to part 2 of Dance FX Studio's social dancing etiquette! Did you read our DO's of social dancing, yet? Okay, go do that first. Caught up? Good! Now that you know a few things you should be doing, let's move on to some of our DON'Ts for social dance - be it country, swing, ballroom, or latin:

Don't #1

DON'T ask if you don't know the dance.

Identify the dance style before asking for the dance. It's uncomfortable for both you and your partner to say "Let's salsa!" only to discover 30 seconds in that it's actually a bachata… and you don't know how to bachata. Listen to the music, find the rhythm, then ask for your dance once you know you're in familiar territory.  If you aren't able to identify the music yet, there's nothing wrong with asking others near you or sneaking a peak at what others are doing.

There's a part two to this one… Don't know how to waltz? Don't ask someone to waltz. Now, I don't mean "You're new to dance, so stay off the floor!" Advanced dancers are more than happy to help beginners through their basics. But walking on a dance floor without an inkling of what the dance even looks like can only lead to trouble. Be nice to your fellow dancers and take a group dance class or even private lessons first! It'll make you AND your new partner more comfortable.

Don't #2

DON'T dance above your partner's level.

I'm really happy you can do a triple free spin, a rag doll dip, and then flip me over your shoulder, I really am. But, dancing is a partnership, not a competition. If your partner is struggling with the basic, forcing them through crazy turns and tricks isn't your best option. Avoid the embarrassment and potential danger by keeping it simple and comfortable. You'll thank me later!

If they seem like they are a bit more advanced, ease into the harder moves. Test the waters a bit before throwing out multiple turns and harder leads/follows.

Side note: No flips or aerials on the dance floor!! With lots of people and little space, it is incredibly dangerous to you and those around you.

Don't #3

DON'T give lessons on the floor.

You are not a teacher, and (even if you are) the social floor is not a proper teaching space. Think about it - there is little room, it's impossible to hear, and no one asked you for a lesson. Even if you do have truly helpful info for your partner, unsolicited advise can make your partner feel uneasy. Social dance is supposed to be fun, so laugh off the mistakes and move on!

If your partner does ask for help, try to move away from the main dance area. Find a space with plenty of room, so you can break things down without getting in the way.

Now that you know some manners for the dance floor, come visit us at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, AZ and learn your moves! As I said earlier, you've gotta know the basics before you jump out on the floor, so check out our private dance lessons. We are conveniently located off the 60 near Tempe and Chandler, minutes away from Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Queen Creek. We teach everything from Jitterbug to Argentine Tango, so no matter what kind of music or dance you like, we've got you covered!

The Do's and Don'ts of Social Dancing (Part 1)

Let's talk etiquette for a second. Everyone knows basic table manners - keep those elbow off the dinner table! - but do you know the rules of the dance floor? They may seem self-explanatory, but you'd be amazed at how many dancers go out with little to no concern for everyone else (at least here in Phoenix). Whether it's salsa, ballroom, swing, or tango, dancing is a joint effort. We at Dance FX Studios are here to help, so let's talk about a few of the "do"s of social partner dancing!

Do #1:

DO ask for a dance. 

I understand. She's gorgeous, a great dancer, and super intimidating. But, she's there to dance just as much as you are! Dancers are super friendly, so give it a shot. The worst she can do is say "No, thanks." If she does, move on to the next one. There are plenty of fish in the proverbial sea who'd love to tear up the floor with you!

Ladies - a tip: Make yourself accessible if you want to dance! If you're seated in the farthest away corner from the dance floor, you don't exactly look ready to boogie. Stand near (but not ON) the dance floor, and let those guys know you're available for a dance. If you're feeling extra bold, find that shy guy and ask him yourself! We ARE in the 21st century, after all.

As a side note, I do mean ask for a dance. Walking up to someone and dragging them onto the floor sans invitation (unless you're already close friends/partners) generally leaves a bad taste in said partner's mouth. Use your words!

Do #2:

DO know how to navigate the dance floor.

No one wants to run into the other dancers on the floor, so it's the leader's job to know the rules of navigating the dance space. Are you dancing foxtrot or Country Two Step? Make sure you follow that line of dance! And practice going around those corners (and other dancers) with something a little more exciting than a rotating sway. Swing? Salsa? You may not be traveling quite as much, but you definitely have limited space. Keep an eye out for flying arms and feet of the dancers around you. It's your job as a leader to guide your follower out of danger at all times. And my lovely followers, give your lead a helping hand. He has blind spots that you can see, so don't be afraid to let him know (with either words or a slight tug) that a couple magically appeared behind him. 

Lucky for you, we at Dance FX Studios are here to help you learn floor navigation as part of our lessons. We know that there is more to dancing than just knowing the moves, so we're happy to put your driving skills to the test and help you grow.

Do #3:

DO practice good hygiene.

It seems like I shouldn't have to say this, but I've encountered my fair share of smelly guys and girls on the dance floor. Be kind to your fellow dancers - shower, brush your teeth, and use deodorant. Dancing is cardio! You are also putting yourself into someone's personal space while performing said cardio. Do I need to say more? 

Careful not to overdo it though! A lot of people are sensitive to strong smells, so be respectful of your allergy prone friends and leave the AXE/Victoria's Secret body sprays at home. 

Want more DO's? Come on down to Dance FX Studios in Mesa and ask our instructors! We all have plenty of dance floor experience that we're happy to share with you. We are conveniently located off the 101 and the 60, near Tempe and Chandler, just minutes away from Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Gilbert. We have private lessons as well as super fun group classes, so you have no reason not to come visit us. No matter what your preferred style of dance, we'll teach you some killer moves, as well as how to achieve them successfully on the dance floor. Now, take these tips and go bust a move!

Guys, Are You Ready For Valentine's Day?

We are just two short weeks away from Valentine's Day-every woman's favorite holiday and the one time of the year that guys could do without. Well guys, if you would like to make your wife/girlfriend happy this February 14th, do we have the perfect gift-giving idea for you! Can you imagine a gift that includes quality bonding time together, light exercise, tons of romance and is jam-packed with FUN and EXCITEMENT? And, to top it all off, you get to be in charge the whole time that she is enjoying this gift? Well, we have the solution to every relationship, old and new, this Valentine's Day. Couple's dance lessons in Salsa, Swing, Country Two-Step, Argentine Tango or Ballroom dancing is exactly what she wants and, believe it or not, what both of you may really need.

Yes, it's true! Ballroom dance lessons for couples are a wonderful way to re-connect, or to build something really special, with the lady in your life. Whether its been 30 years or just a month, private dance lessons for two are quite the remedy when you want to feel closer than ever to your lover.

If you live here in Phoenix, Arizona, you can begin your romantic adventure into a new and exciting hobby that will keep you united with your sweetie with us at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona. Dance FX Studios is THE place when it comes to focusing on all of the many benefits of learning to ballroom dance. We are not just here to have you memorize foot patterns. Oh no, we want you to enjoy dancing for years to come! With that, each of our private dance lessons is geared towards giving you an experience that you will always treasure.

Let's say that she has always wanted to take a spin around the dance floor at that Country bar you always go to. Sounds great, but there's one glitch. You don't know how to dance. We know that guys usually won't tackle the dance floor until they absolutely have a clue what to do. That's where we come into play. Let us show you how to overcome your intimidation of that not-so-scary dance floor with Country dance lessons for two!

In our private dance lesson introductory offer, we will take the mystery out of learning to Country dance or Latin dance and show you how to have a date night made just for you for the rest of your lives!

Each private dance lesson here at Dance FX Studios is geared for your goals and abilities. Let us show you how to how to Swing dance or Tango into each others hearts once again and ignite something new, beginning this Valentine's Day. Dance FX Studios is just off of the 101 freeway in Mesa, right next to Tempe and Chandler. We are less than 10 minutes from Scottsdale and Gilbert and oh so worth the drive. Take a peek at our Valentine's Day special offers to see how we can help you to sweep her off of her feet this year. It's never too soon or too late to show her how much you care with the perfect gift from us at Dance FX Studios.

Make Zumba Fitness Classes Part of Your Healthy Lifestyle!

Sometimes some of us have a hard time sticking to a healthy lifestyle. Let's face it; cookies, chips and soda usually taste pretty dang good. The guilt, weight gain and energy slumps from these types of foods are not so great, though. But for some reason, we eventually crave them again like junk food fiends. This is because the processed sugar and carbohydrates in unhealthy foods can actually become addicting. The lack of energy you experience from eating foods like these (after that sugar high) results from the absence of nutrition and energy-giving vitamins and minerals in them. Without energy, it can be a challenge trying to find the motivation and drive to exercise. It's just a vicious cycle! While we can't change your eating habits for you, we can offer a fun way to exercise: Zumba Fitness Classes! At Dance FX Studios, we offer Zumba classes three times a week and offer a few varieties of Zumba. Our studio is in Mesa, Arizona, near Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Scottsdale, and the greater Phoenix area, and our Zumba Instructors were hand picked and come to our studio to teach these fast-paced, unique exercise classes and keep the Zumba craze alive.

Zumba Fitness is a dance-fitness class that incorporates great music, exciting dances from Salsa to Belly Dancing and cool, choreographed, easy-to-learn routines all into one hour of FUN. It’s a workout without knowing that you’re working out! In each high energy, hour long Zumba Fitness class, you can burn between 500 and 600 calories! Stress and tension relief is also a perk. You can improve your endurance and cardio abilities, as well as tone your whole body, especially your legs and core area! At Dance FX Studios we offer three different types of Zumba Fitness Classes: Zumba, Zumba Sentao and Zumba Toning. In regular Zumba classes, your instructor will pick a target zone to focus on and use specific dance moves to work these target areas. Zumba Sentao involves using a chair as a tool; doing push ups holding the back of the chair and do leg raises and other movements while sitting. Your instructor will lead you through moves using light weights in Zumba Toning, also targeting certain focus areas. Zumba Toning classes are especially great for sculpting your upper arms and forearms, your back and your chest. No matter which class you choose, our instructors make sure each student is comfortable, motivated and hydrated throughout the duration of the class.

The group class aspect of Zumba creates a community of individuals that keep each other motivated and coming to class consistently. Fitness classes are a great way to meet new people who are like-minded as you and are driven to be fit and healthy. Many of our students have become close friends with each other and their Zumba instructors. In fact, some of our instructors are attending the Zumba Convention and will meet up with other instructors and students. They love their Zumba family!

If Zumba Fitness Classes sound like something you could see yourself enjoying, we have several memberships, class packages and a Newcomer's Special for you to do so! Visit the Zumba Fitness page on our website to view the packages and learn more. Come join the Zumba craze at Dance FX Studios!