Learn How to Dance

Dances to Try Out

There are so many dances out there. Even if you didn't take ballet as a child and you feel far from a natural when it comes to club dancing, it's not too late to learn! Here are some of the dances you may be interested in learning in a class, online, or from instructors on DVD:

• Belly dancing
• Swing dancing
• Ballroom dancing
• Hip hop dancing
• Country line dancing
• Salsa/Latin dancing
• Breakdancing
• Irish dancing
• Ballet
• Tap
• Jazz

Learn How to Dance at Home

There is a plethora of dance DVDs out there on the market. You can order them online or you may even be able to pick them up in stores. Even better news is that you can find free dance tutorials on websites like YouTube. If you're self-conscious about your dance skills (or lack thereof for the time being!), you can learn in the privacy of your own home, with whomever you wish.

Your computer screen may not have the best display for learning to dance, but you may be able to hook your computer up to your television and show it on a bigger screen. That will make it easier to watch and follow both arm and leg movements.

Grab your partner if you need one and get moving in no time! You don't even have to wait for shipping if you're lucky enough to find online dance lessons. Just type in the dance you'd like to learn followed by "lessons" and wait for the results to roll in on Google or YouTube. You can learn how to dance in no time!

Here are a few other sites dedicated to teaching you how to "shake your groove thang" in whichever style you'd like:

• Learn to Dance has video and text lessons for tango, ballet, ballroom, breakdance, country line dancing, hip hop, Irish dance, Latin, salsa, swing, and tap.
• Bust a Move can teach you how to do hip hop, salsa, east coast swing, west coast swing, wedding dances, and even party dances.
• Dance TV offers instructions so you can learn to waltz, fox trot, or swing.

Here are a few DVDs worth checking out, as well:

• Dance Off the Inches: Hip Hop Party
• Nightclub Dance Series: Sexy Moves for the Club
• Sensual Bellydance
• Dance Lessons 101: The Ultimate Couples Dancing Instruction Video for Beginners (Shawn Trautman's Dance Collection)

Classes You Can Take

Are you better at learning in groups? Do you need immediate, direct feedback from a teacher? You may want to look into taking dance classes in your town. They can be a fantastic date activity, too, if you're looking for a new project to start together. Why not learn how to dance together?

Check with your local college or dance schools. Find out what they offer. To decide if a class is going to be right for you and your partner (if you need one), first watch online videos or DVDs of the dance. See if you feel inspired. Then check with the instructor to find out if you can come in and watch all or part of one or two classes.

If you have the opportunity and there's not a specific dance you've been dying to learn, try to check out different dance classes. That way you can decide which type you prefer before committing. Taking classes to learn a dance can be rewarding, yet expensive. You don't want to make the decision lightly.

A Final Word

No matter which type of learning method you choose, you can be dancing in no time. Don't be intimidated. Go with whichever makes you most comfortable: learning at home or learning in a class.