Dance Confidence

At times we can be our own worst enemy.  We all have that nagging little voice inside that criticizes, compares and questions our every move.  This voice is especially paralyzing when it comes to dancing.  However, there will come a point when you have to just let go to see and feel what your body is capable of.  This is most often how styling is acheived.  It's what makes everyone else in the room look over and say, "Wow he/she is a great dancer."  When you can silence the voice inside sputtering out nothing but negativity, you'll soon be having fun dancing.

Anyone can compete. Are you ready?

Ballroom dance competitions offer a structured competitive environment that motivates dancers to challenge themselves.

Not only are they self gratifying, they are a lot of fun! The professional shows and competitions are something everyone should get to witness at least once in their life.

Check out www.thedancelounge.com

for more detailed information on dance competitions and what you should know.

Allyson Lockhart & George K. (student) competed in the Pro-Am division at the California Open. George did very well placing 1st in almost every dance category.

Stand By Your Man

Ladies, it's hard to lead! There are so many things that need to trigger at once just to keep a dance going. These are just to name a few: starting the dance, timing, frame, body positioning, thinking of the next pattern before the current one is over, people on the floor, floor-craft, leading you (while you're right in front of him), not to mention technique or styling. As a follow, we get the luxury of not having to really know all of our patterns inside and out. We get to work on technique & styling pretty early on so, it's understandable that a box, after a box, after a box might get boring. However, it's so important to be patient while your man is learning to lead. Imagine us getting thrown in front of a stalled out car (unless you're the exception) and told to figure out what is wrong with it. It would take a while before we'd be comfortable enough to know right away how to fix it. That's usually how the lead feels while learning to dance. He's processing everything he's learned in a 5-6-7-8 countdown that sometimes may stall out a bit. It's okay, it's normal. Have fun and enjoy his company. Dance with him and all of your patience will eventually pay off. It's better than him getting frustrated and quitting before realizing that he's quite capable of dancing.

West Coast Swing - week 1

Thank you to everyone who showed up for West Coast Swing Class tonight. Here is a list of the patterns learned in class.
A complete breakdown like the one below will be offered on-line to participating students.

Basic Starter Step:

Lead

• Rock-step, triple-step, triple-step, lunge-replace, triple step (moving slightly forward on count 4), anchor-step
• (L, R, L-R-L, R-L-R, L (leading lunge), R (replace), L-R-L (moving slightly forward towards lady), R-L-R)
• 1, 2, 3 & 4, 5 & 6

Follow

• Rock-step, triple-step, triple-step, rock-step, run-run-run, anchor-step
  
• (R, L, R-L-R, L-R-L, R, L, R-L-R, L-R-L)
• 1, 2, 3 & 4, 5 & 6

Send Out
Sugar Push (3x)
Inside Underarm Pass

Practice Makes Perfect but, remember to have fun! See you on the dance floor!

Dance Shoes

Swing shoes made by Very Fine

I have some favorite places to buy dance shoes. Check them out and then blog about your favorites.

Discount Dance Supply
I love the dance sneakers found here and the shipping is incredibly fast! They are a local company and the owners are awesome. They take pride in their business and customer care.
*Sansha & Bloch brands are my favorite



Showtime Dance Shoes - Latin*
I love the shoes offered here (shipping takes a bit longer and you really need to note the fit on the shoes however the selection is fabulous.
The Dance Lounge Studio Reward number is: 0363
*"NADIA" (pictured) is my all time favorite Latin Shoe. I buy them in nude tone satin. The straps are supportive of every aspect of my foot and ankle without being too restrictive or bothersome. Some straps can dig into the achilles tendon which I can't handle (these don't).



Elegance Dance Shoes
14006 Ventura Blvd. (between Woodman & Hazeltine)
Sherman Oaks, Ca.
(818) 788-3216
Ask for Yupa!
*Ask for the professional version of the "Shazdeh (flexi)" practice shoe. It has a double padded sole for additional comfort (worth the extra $).
WorldTone
I just found out about this place so please post a blog about your experience.
2138 Westwood Blvd.
Los Angeles, Ca. 90025

Online Ballroom & Latin Mega Store

Very Fine Dancesport Shoes

The Importance of Learning Your Dance Vocabulary

It's very important to take a minute to learn the names of certain actions. It will help you to see that the same action is danced in many different dances (with slight variations to the timing or step to achieve the desired fit).

For example, there are "Open Breaks" in almost every dance across the board (whether in Ballroom or Rhythm). Open, means to release your partner to enable her to move away from your body. Break, is another term for a rock step. So, the action "Open Break" means to dance a rock step away from your partner and release the hand on the back to create an open space between the bodies. Once you understand your dance vocabulary, it's easier to realize that you might be learning the same action in several different dances.

Listen to the name of the pattern you are learning as well. More often than not, the name will reflect the actions that are needed to create the pattern.

For example: "Open Break and Underarm Turn" means you will dance an open break followed by an underarm turn.

Many times I hear students say, "the little spinny thing with the twist at the end"...huh? This won't help your dancing because you'll soon have a thousand little pet names for everything and your patterns won't cross reference to other dances. Trust me, it's worth the extra effort to learn and understand dance vocabulary.

Get to studying and I'll see you on the dance floor!

East Coast Swing - Beginners Class

1. Basic
2. Ladies Outside Underarm Turn
3. Inside Underarm Pass
4. 4 Rotating Closed Basics
5. Promenade Swivels
6. Send Out (aka Throw Out)
7. Back Hand Change
8. Inside Underarm Pass
   

FoxTrot Routine - Beginners Class

1. Zig Zag - 3x
2. Promenade with a Quick Underarm Turn
3. Promenade
4. Left Rock Turn
5. Twinkle
6. Turning Twinkles
7. Promenade Chasses