How To Choose A Dance Style: Beginners Guide

When you think about it, dancing is one of the most natural things in the world. We all do it when we’re happy, we all do it when we’re sad.

It’s a way for us to communicate without saying a word. And yet, for some reason, when it comes to taking dance classes or learning how to dance for fun, many of us feel overwhelmed.

There are so many different types of dances out there that it can be hard to figure out which one is right for you.
But don’t worry – we’re here to help! In this beginner’s guide to choosing a dance style, we will walk you through the process step by step and help you find the perfect dance for you.

What kind of dancing would you like to do?

The first step in choosing a dance style is to think about what kind of dancing you’d like to do.
Are you looking for a workout? A way to meet new people? A way to express yourself? Once you have a general idea of what you’re looking for, you can start to narrow down your options.

Here is a great video that gives you an overview of existing dance styles. Watch it, it’s a lot of fun!

We all are different so is our perception of a dance experience.
We all have our character and energy. Search for your style.

What music do I like?

Have you ever heard a song and just felt the sudden urge to get up and dance? Music sets our mood and creates the motivation needed to start moving. Different styles of music correspond to different dance styles.
While some dances can be performed to any kind of music, there is usually a typical genre that it matches.

For example, slower songs are often associated with such dances as rumba, waltz, and foxtrot while fast and upbeat songs go well with cha cha or salsa.

You might be enjoying energetic Latin rhythms, never ageing classics of Ballroom or passionate Argentine tango.

Reflect on your past experience

Have you ever attended any dance lessons? Do you remember what you liked or disliked about your classes?  
Or maybe you were invited by a friend of yours to attend some dance event and you just loved it but never actually made it to a dance studio again?

It’s a good time to reflect on your experience to get an idea of what kind of experience you’re looking for now.

Is it beginner-friendly? Is it too easy (if you have danced before)?

Once you have discovered your new passion it is time to consider if it’s beginner-friendly. You don’t want to get discouraged after your first lesson and decide that you lack any natural ability.
If it’s a fast and advanced dance, it can be a good idea to learn basic dance concepts by starting with easier dances first and then jumping to your new passion.
I like introducing Rumba, Cha-Cha, Swing, Waltz, Tango and Foxtrot to my students first as it gives them a basic understanding of the main dance concepts, makes people feel more confident and their further learning process becomes smoother and more fun.

What is a learning format?

The next step is to find the right place to learn dancing!
As the famous saying goes – you cannot build a great building on a weak foundation.
The same applies to dancing. It’s great to learn a couple of moves and have an occasional dance or two for fun but you need to make sure that your teacher has a system that will allow you to progress.

Through your dance journey you will come across a lot of exciting concepts: dance frame, body isolation, Cuban motion, and other entirely new things.

It can be overwhelming if learnt in an unsystematic way. With a good learning system, you won’t feel that you are stuck and not progressing. You will be surprised that even the most complex moves and concepts can be manageable and easy to understand if they are given to you at the right time and in the right way.

It’s also a huge advantage if a studio offers group classes in addition to private lessons as it builds confidence, and gives you additional time to practice and have fun.
I always encourage my students to attend group classes as it can do a miracle even for the shyest people!

Time to try some dancing!

Once you have narrowed down your options it’s time to get out there and start dancing!
It’s great if a school offers a variety of different dances to try and explore, especially if you haven’t made up your mind about the styles yet.
Some schools offer obligation-free first lesson so you can learn some basic moves, get moving and decide if it’s for you.

There are so many different dance styles out there, and it can be tough to choose just one. And you don’t have to!
In fact, a lot of styles complement each other and the variety allows you to dance to different types of music.
It’s like a wardrobe: you have a beach dress, a formal dress, and a casual outfit and they all serve different purposes allowing you to be ready to attend different settings.

The same thing with dancing - learning multiple dances will give you a great variety of moves so that you are able to dance anytime, anywhere!
That’s it for today! Happy dancing!