Learn How to Dirty Dance

Taking the time to learn how to "dirty dance" can be an interesting variation to the normal social dance spectrum. Sure, everybody can foxtrot and waltz - but can you sway like Swayze?

Dirty dancing is actually a style of dance known as "blues dancing" and doesn't have much of a direct history to any one kind of dance. It was more a style of free-form and sultry, sensuous movement that was done by young people in the U.S. when their parents weren't around. Usually it simply involved a dance frame of close embrace, with the hips close together and sometimes with the woman straddling one leg of the man, bringing them even closer. From this primary position, a range of moves was done - from simply swaying back and forth... to full body lifts, dips, and more.

With the popularity of the movie Dirty Dancing starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, suddenly more people wanted to learn how to dance that way. In fact, there wasn't really a "method" to dancing in that style - it was choreographed for the movie. But the idea behind it is that it is a free form of movement that has more to do with the communication between dance partners than a certain series of steps.

However, with enough demand, dance teachers began utilizing some of the principles of the movement used in Dirty Dancing. Borrowing from swing dance, Argentine tango, samba and the conventions of lead-follow common to most social dancing, dance teachers came up with a kind of movement they called "Blues Dancing"; 'blues' because it resembled the kind of dancing done in classic blues bars in the South. Most of the music played for this kind of dancing was blues-based as well, or R&B style.

There are many different places besides "Blues Dance" classes to learn how to dirty dance. Having the feedback from a qualified dance instructor will certainly be the easiest way to learn quickly and make sure you're doing it right. However, there are other options.

Searching "how to dirty dance" on YouTube will turn up a plethora of videos trying to show you either step-by-step, or just by example, how to dirty dance. However, this approach is going to bring up a lot of low-quality videos. WikiHow has an entry on dirty dancing that includes a video which is both amusing and informative. It breaks the process of dirty dancing into sections including the "hip grind" described above, and also shows some "partner" moves like the dip and the spin.

Of course, one way to figure out how to dance like they do in the movie is to actually get the movie and try the moves. In fact, there are sequels and similar movies such as Step Up which also feature sensual couples-dancing. Of course, you can also tune in to popular shows like Dancing With the Stars to see other great examples of couples dancing, along with some of the techniques used to teach people to dance.

One thing that all the movies, websites, and dance instructors have in common is that a big part of dirty dancing is feeling confident in being dirty. You need to feel like you are hot and sexy as you move, and the mirror is your tool for that. Getting to know how your body moves - and it does not matter what kind of body you have - will give you more confidence out on the floor. You have to be confident in how you are moving when you're dirty dancing, or it makes everyone, especially your partner, uncomfortable.

So get your groove thing on and shake it!

• Photos of Ballet Dancers
• Dance Studio Equipment
• Pictures of Limbo Dancing

• Dance Steps to Thriller
• Popular Line Dances
• Famous Choreographers
• Country Line Dance Steps
• Famous Ballet Dancers