Getting Into The Groove

Dancing is not only a sport, it's a way to express or even release emotion. While taking a class or dancing on the floor, stop for a second and really listen to the music. What's it saying? What does the rhythm feel like? I don't just mean fast or slow. I mean, find the adjective. Is it happy, sad, sensual, funky, frisky, silly, groovy, flirty, distinguished, aggressive, commanding, elegant or graceful? How does the music speak to you? When you hear the feeling or mood, set the same tone in your dancing. If it's smooth and sultry, dance smooth and sultry. If it's elegant and drawn, dance with grace and elongate your movements to match the draw of the timing. If it's aggressive and commanding of attention, dance as though your a lion, matador, king or any intimidating thing you admire and yet are a little afraid of.

The point is, if you listen for the emotion, nine times out ten you will start to hear the music, the beat and the syncopations being offered to dance to. Your body will suddenly start to pace itself to rhyme with the music as if it were a reflection. The emotion creates the energy your body needs to get into the groove.