Saturday, April 15, 2006

Tip Number Seven for Beginners

Arrive a few minutes before the time the class actually begins. There is typically a sign-in sheet and many studios give out name tags to help you learn your fellow dancers. If you have dance shoes, you'll need those extra minutes to change from your street shoes. Arriving early also gives you the opportunity to mingle a bit with others who are there for the same class. Nothing disrupts a class more than someone rushing in late while the instructor is demonstrating a new step.

Often you'll see couples arrive early and retreat to a far corner or a back room and practice the steps they've learned. It's also a good time to ask for help if you're having trouble with a particular step or pattern. Those minutes before class also provide a good time for you to get to know some of the other students in your class. Sometimes there's a class just finishing up and I always enjoyed seeing the dances that others were learning.

After class is another good time to practice what you've just learned, as long as another class is not gathering on the floor. If it's the end of the night though, be considerate of the instructors and the studio owners and don't delay their closing. They work hard all day and when 'quitting time' comes, they're ready to call it a night.

You'll find the longer you take ballroom dance lessons, the more you'll look forward to spending time at the studio. You'll make new friends, meet new business contacts, and more importantly, constantly improve your dancing skills. Next week, try to make it a point to spend some extra time taking advantage of all the studio has to offer. The more time you invest in your dancing, the more you'll get out of it.