Dance Shoes – A Guide to Buying Ballroom Dancing Shoes

When selecting a ballroom dancing shoe, there are many considerations that come into play. For some, particularly those new to ballroom dancing, price may be a determining factor. Other criteria include comfort, protection, support and appearance.

Shoe sizing for ballroom dance shoes is different from that of ordinary shoes. The shoes are intended to fit more closely to the foot. There should not be any additional room in the toe of the shoe.


Also, ballroom dance shoes are almost always listed in British sizes. Because of these factors, it is very important to try the shoes on, and spend a while walking around in them to ensure they fit properly. If you have ordered the shoes online, walk around on a carpeted surface to check the fit. Once they have been worn on a hard surface, you will not be able to return them.

When deciding on a ballroom dance shoe, it is important to examine the construction of the shoe. Examining the stitching of the leather will tell you something about the quality of the shoe. Small even stitches indicate a quality shoe, while large, uneven stitches suggest that the shoe will not last long.

Additional hints of quality can be found by looking for other flaws, like sloppy gluing. Poor construction may not only lead to a short life for the shoe, it can damage a dancer’s foot. Be particularly watchful for sharp edges around the ankle or poorly constructed seams on the interior of the shoe that can cause chafing.

For women, a standard rule is not to buy black dance shoes if you are planning to compete. Women rarely wear black shoes in competition, it is better to wear flesh-colored, gold or bronze because these colors blend into the foot and make the leg appear longer.

The Internet offers a broad range of ballroom dance shoes. Although it’s not always easy to select a shoe from a photo, the savings and convenience are well worth it (unless you happen to live near a well stocked ballroom dancing shoe store, which is pretty unusual).

Bear in mind that most of the online shoe sources are very understanding about returns as long as the shoe has not been worn on a hard surface. If it’s not clear from reading the FAQ on the site, just ask them.

Latin Dance Lessons – Learn from Michael Jackson Dance Moves

There is no denying that Michael Jackson was an icon of the 80′s and of pop music. Many people would have said just six months ago that his finest days were well behind him. In fact, many critics were speculating about how his upcoming tour would fare. Even today, it seems that people just can’t get enough of him. While there are many things he'll be remembered for, some of the most memorable will always be his dance moves.

One of the many reasons why Michael Jackson was so popular is that he combined his music with amazing dance moves. Many of us can remember dancing in high school to his songs, and mimicking various moves. Thriller is perhaps the one that most people remember as it had its own dance routine to it. Some of the guys even showed up at these dances with their white glove.

Who can forget the Moonwalk as well? It is debated about if Michael Jackson invented that dance move or not. Whether he did or not though, he is definitely the one that made it so popular. What many people believe is that the Moonwalk existed but that Michael Jackson was able to take it, perfect it, and to make it his own. In fact, it was often said to be his trademark dance move.

There are step by step instructions online to do the Moonwalk too if you are interested in it. Perhaps you once new it and you just need a refresher to get going with it again. There are quite a few videos online right now that take all of his dance moves from the past and put them into one place. This is a great way for you to see them and to appreciate all that this man offered to the world of dancing.

There are quite a few robotic dance moves that Michael Jackson introduced us to as well. These were actually introduced in the 1970′s. They weren’t moves that he did alone but that he did with several of his family members when they were known as the Jackson 5. Even so, when Michael Jackson did move forward with a solo career he continued these moves as well.

In Las Vegas there are plenty of impersonator shows. Several of them include Michael Jackson and it isn’t enough for these individuals to just look like him. Instead they also have to know the right dance moves to make it very realistic in nature. These dance moves weren’t just special effects but a definite part of his artistic abilities. There are very few people out there that can do them with the same high level of quality.

Michael Jackson will always be a legend in the world of pop music. Many of his dance moves are complex but that is one of the reasons why people lover to learn them. There is a revived interest in them too with the passing of this man, so you may state to see those dance moves in the clubs and other events once again.

The saying that everything old is new again is very true when it comes to the world of music and dancing to it.
What is very surprising for many people to learn is that Michael Jackson created almost all of his own dance moves. They weren’t choreographed by someone else as is the case for many artists.

With that in mind, you have to appreciate just how creative this man was. Anyone who has seen him perform live can tell you about the passion he had for dancing. He has definitely been an inspiration to dancers all over the world.

Dance Classes - The Benefits are More Than Just Dance Training

Dance Classes – Dance Classes – More Than Just Dance Training

Written by: Ballroom Dancing

Every week, children of all ages attend dance classes. They are filled with hopes and dreams of dancing like their favorite pop stars, rappers, ballerinas and celebrities. Girls and boys alike, energetically take the classes, while parents responsibly make sure they have transportation and the funds to attend.

Weekly classes provide technical training, body alignment, muscle control, rhythm, coordination and structure. The repetition of the training and the discipline of the techniques, create an amazing capability of movement and self-control of ones own body. These are such important elements in a child’s growth.

But what else is it about dance class that is so important to a child?

Structured dance programs give students confidence. When they learn to master a difficult step, technique or routine, it raises their self-esteem and allows them to be proud of something. It will give them the courage to show off the new accomplishment which helps them overcome shyness and feel a sense of appreciation for a job well done.

The exercise element is also a huge factor as to why dance classes are important. In the age of video games, children discover a physical activity that they enjoy doing. Most children have so much happiness about learning and participating in dance class that they do not even realize the extraordinary benefits they are receiving; such as team work, independent thinking, creativity, pride, discipline and structure.

When children are regular participants in a dance program they learn respect. Respect for the instructor, the other children and mostly, themselves. When a child can feel good about themselves, they open their minds to accomplish so many other things that are important for their well-being and healthy mental and physical growth. If you have ever spoken to an adult that attended dance classes as a child, it will be hard to find someone who has a negative opinion about the experience. Most will tell you how much it helped them in certain areas.

There is something special about the environment within a dance studios walls. Over the years, children grow and develop into happy, well-rounded adults. The transformation is beautiful to watch and an even greater experience to be involved in. There is nothing greater in this world than to be part of a child’s healthy, happy growth and development. As a dance teacher, it is my greatest joy.

As a parent, I encourage you to enroll your child in a local dance program. Talk to other parents for referrals and other children for opinions. Its important that the studio be a good fit for your child. Researching will help you make the right choice for both you and your child.

You have enrolled your child and are wondering how you can help make their experience better. Here are a couple handy tips:

Class Placement Proper placement in class is very important. There are a lot of fundamentals and techniques that the dancer must learn and master before they can move to a higher level. You would not enroll a child in algebra if they did not know how to add and subtract. Requesting or demanding that they be placed above their dance level will only discourage them and prevent them from reaching their full potential. Dance technique is not something you can ‘pick up’ along the way. Its a repetitive, structured process that forms a solid foundation for the dancer. Without a good, firm foundation, a dancer is more inclined to be injured and discouraged. Let the professionals place your child.

Class Conduct Bad behavior by your child should not be tolerated. It is not cute or funny when your child is misbehaving. And I can tell you with great confidence that the other parents who are paying for their own children to be learning are not happy with your child’s disruptions. No one thinks it is cute but you. This could be a great learning experience for the child about good and bad behavior and reward and punishment.

Gossip and Criticism Nothing will deflate your child’s experiences more than gossip and criticism. Your child is having a great character-building experience. Don’t tarnish it by constantly talking bad about the other parents, children and especially the instructor. How do you expect your child to ever learn respect for others when you are constantly criticizing the people involved. Gossip and criticism come directly from jealousy and envy and are bad lessons to teach your children. If you are that unhappy with the studio you are free to go somewhere else. If your child is the one gossiping and talking badly, you need to find out what the real problem is and find a solution. Its a great time to teach them about problem solving and how negative thinking and words are not the answer.

Using your child’s experiences and accomplishments from dance are a perfect opportunity for bonding between you and your child. Allow them to enjoy the experience and encourage them to share it with you. You will witness your child transforming into a well-adjusted, respectful, grateful and confident adult. Even if they never pursue a career in dance, the lessons that they will learn will benefit them the rest of their lives.

Dance Fitness Shoes – Choosing the Right Shoes For Zumba Class

Dance Instructor – Dance Fitness Shoes – Choosing a Shoe For Zumba Class

Written by: Ballroom Dancing

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One of the most frequently asked questions I get as a Zumba instructor is regarding the type of shoe to wear. Zumba is a cardio exercise class that combines both dancing and fitness moves. A regular dance shoe will not have the shock absorption for the impact of exercise, and an athletic shoe that is strictly for training may not have the lightness and movement capabilities needed for dancing.

The answer is to get a dance-fitness or dance-aerobic shoe. With the increased popularity in dance-fitness classes such as cardio salsa, hip-hop fitness and Zumba, the shoe manufacturers have come out with a great assortment of aerobic type training shoes geared to the dance-fitness enthusiast. These shoes have multi-directional support and very little tread on the sole. They are lightweight and make it easy to pivot and glide across the floor.

When choosing the right shoes for your feet, read the reviews or descriptions online. If you have a wide foot, narrow foot, or high arch, for example, there may be a brand of shoe that is better suited for you. Nike and Ryka brands have a popular selection of dance aerobic shoes to choose from.

Adding a well-cushioned insert to the shoe will make it much more comfortable. Take out the insert that the shoe comes with and place in one that is designed specifically for cross training or aerobics. Replacing the inserts often will extend the life of the shoe itself.

Athletic shoes should be replaced every 3 to 6 months, depending on how much mileage you put on them. When you feel your knees and legs begin to ache after exercise it could mean that it is time to get a new pair of shoes.

In summary, the best shoe for a dance-fitness class is one that is lightweight, supportive and has little tread on the sole. Find one specifically made for dance-fitness or dance aerobics. When you are wearing the right shoes you will have a better exercise experience, you will stick to your exercising and you will have more fun.

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Mark Ballas Thinks He and Chelsea Kane Are Going To Take Competition To Next Level (Videos)

Mark Ballas updated his journal again at USA Today. He’s feeling the “heat” as well as raising his expectations and feeling confident (almost too much so?) going into this third week with their Cha Cha.
Can you feel that? It’s definitely getting hot in here.
Just like the heat wave that hit Los Angeles this week, this season is really starting to heat up. After the first elimination, everyone is reminded that this is a competition. Sure, I have fun bonding with Chelsea while teaching her the new choreography for the week, and I’m sure the other couples are enjoying it, too. But at the end of our week, someone goes home. That takes the fun right out of it. The clock is ticking and we have a dance to learn and make perfect. There are less laughs and more stiff brows in rehearsal as we hunker down and see who can get through Tuesday’s elimination.

Derek Hough Dancing It Up And More in South Carolina

If you haven’t checked into Pure Derek Hough in the last few days, be sure to do so as Heidi has updated the site with coverage of Derek vacationing and dancing in South Carolina. See gobs of new pictures, interviews, and him teaching dance to fans (including one lucky lady who blogged on her touching experience with Derek). A MUST SEE DANCE FANS AND FANSETTES MISSING DEREK!!

Dancing with the Stars-Do You Know About Their Cardio Dance DVD?

Maybe I've been sleeping too much lately, but I recently discovered Dancing With The Stars has released a Cardio Dance DVD! Anyone who reads this blog knows that I constantly stress the value of dance as a viable alternative to a workout at the gym, so I was thrilled to make this discovery.

I had no idea until a day or two ago that one of my favorite shows has produced a DVD that gives you a great cardio workout based on steps from favorite Latin dances like the Cha-cha, Samba and Paso Doble as well as the fast paced Jive.

No more boring workouts, no more dreading going to the gym. Pop the DVD in your player and dance your way to fitness and weight loss!

Have You Picked Your Favorite on Dancing with the Stars?

First of all, I'd like to remind everyone to remember Jane Seymour in your thoughts and prayers. She was unable to attend the results show last week due to the unexpected passing of her mother. Jane sent word that she will continue the competition as a tribute to her mom. Having lost my mother several years ago, I understand the pain she's going through and my heart goes out to her.

As to the show, two of the dancers have now been eliminated, though I must admit I was not completely surprised about Albert Reed. I feared for him from the beginning because he came into the competition without the backing of a large fan base that most of his competitors possess.

There should be no room for doubt in anyone's mind though, that the frontrunners are beginning to pull away from the crowd. There was a lot of talk after the show about the 5-way tie for 4th place. What that said to me was that there are a couple of dancers at the bottom who just aren't that good, a handful of dancers at the top who are exceptional, and a whole bunch in the middle that are just average.

Those who found themselves in 4th place better be ramping up their routines if they intend to stay and compete against the likes of Marie Osmond, Sabrina Bryan and ohmygod, hellooo Helio Castroneves! I have to agree with the woman in the audience who said "He makes my engine run." Must be the Latin blood. Based on many of the comments on the message boards at ABC, lots of women agree.

Don't forget to catch tonight's show!

Dancing With The Stars Results

I hope everyone was able to watch all three nights of Dancing With The Stars, including the results show. This season looks like it'll be an exciting one. They've included ages from across the spectrum, so people of all ages should be tuning in and voting.

I haven't narrowed it down to a single favorite yet, but I have to say I wasn't too surprised that Josie was sent home. Alec, her dance partner, made a comment early on that Josie was unfit. I'm wondering how much, if any, did that affect her practice and performance? Anyway, I wish her well in whatever else she does.

I'd love to hear your comments about the show, your favorite dancer or anything else you'd like to say.

Hope everyone has a great Sunday.

He who doesn't hear the music thinks the dancer mad.

Who's On Dancing with the Stars?

The new season of Dancing with the Stars is about to start, and I thought I'd give you a quick rundown on who will be competing this season. It should be another interesting competition! If you won't be home, be sure to set the recorder!

The Women

Jane Seymour-At 56, she's the oldest woman on this season's show, but wow...we should all look so fabulous at 56! She says she hasn't had a dance lesson in 40 years but wanted to be a dancer when she was a little girl. She's hoping the herniated disk surgery she had in 2001 won't hinder her performance. I doubt seriously if that will present a problem.

Marie Osmond-Hard to believe little Marie is 47 years old. Even harder to believe she's a mother of eight! Still as pretty as she was when she was singing with Donny in the 70's. I look for her to go far in the competition.

Jennie Garth-She played Kelly Taylor on Beverly Hills 90210. Now she's a 35 year old mom of three and sees the show as a way to get back in shape after the birth of her third child, now 11 months old.

Melanie Brown-With a new daughter in April, a wedding in June and preparing for a Spice Girls tour, I'm not sure how this busy lady found time to be on the show. She's 32 years old and claims she could "tear that show apart". We'll see. She's also looking forward to wearing the costumes, so it'll be interesting to see what she chooses.

Josie Maran-A 29 year old Sports Illustrated model, Josie also has a 14 month old little girl and her own line of cosmetics. This may be the year to get your husband interested in the show. Tell him one of the SI's swimsuit models is competing.

Sabrina Bryan-She's the baby of the group at 22 and plays Dorinda in 'Cheetah Girls' on the Disney Channel. She's described as 'a bundle of energy'. Add youth on her side and she may be a force to be reckoned with.

The Men

Wayne Newton-Leads the men in life experience at 65 years old, but has had no dance training. He says his advantage will be that he understands rhythm. Understanding it doesn't necessarily equal keeping up with it, so this should be interesting.

Mark Cuban-The 49 year old billionaire owner of the Dallas Mavericks. He had a recent hip replacement (at 49? kinda young for a hip replacement, isn't it?) but he says it won't stop him. That remains to be seen. Dancing can be taxing even for someone with all their original parts.

Cameron Mathison-38 year old star of All My Children. It's already being predicted that he'll go a long way because of the loyalty of soap opera fans. If he's got dance talent as well, he could be a formidable opponent.

Helio Castroneves-At 32, this native Brazilian has won the Indianapolis 500 twice, driving 200 miles an hour. But can he handle the speed of the Jive and the Quick-Step? He says dancing with his fiancee makes him nervous. (and driving 200 miles an hour doesn't?)

Floyd Mayweather, Jr-Following in the footsteps of Evander Holyfield and Laila Ali, this 30 year old welterweight boxing champion hopes to become a champion on the dance floor as well.

Albert Reed-A 22 year old Abercrombie and Fitch model, this one's easy on the eyes, ladies. He's doing the show to honor his late grandfather who was an accomplished ballroom dancer. We'll see if dancing's in his genes. Even if it's not, this one will be fun to watch.

As always, the show will be fun and interesting and the excitement will build each week. Don't miss out on a single episode! Feel free to add your comments and post your favorites here!

Ballroom Dancing on Ebay!

If you can't find what you're looking for, do your own search on Ebay at the bottom of the page!

Your Wedding First Dance-The Spotlight's On You!

Have you noticed what's been happening to wedding first dances? No longer are couples bound by tradition to dance a basic waltz or foxtrot for their first dance as husband and wife. I'll be putting up some posts over the next few weeks that will show you what some of the more adventurous couples have done for their first dance.



But what if you want to stay traditional? A flowing waltz or elegant foxtrot may be the perfect fit for your wedding. So how do you prepare for that special dance on your special day?



You have a couple of options. You can choose to learn from an ballroom dance expert in a studio. For this option, you'll need to allow about 6 weeks, meeting with the instructor at least once a week for a lesson that typically lasts about 50 minutes. Many studios offer special deals for couples wanting to learn a specific dance for their wedding. If the studio you choose doesn't, and instead charges the going rate for private lessons, you can probably expect to pay $300 or more.



Another option that many couples are finding attractive is learning at home, on their own time, at their own pace. There are many videos on the market that allow you to practice whenever the two of you have time. You can rewind as often as you need to, and the best part is when you mess up and feel like a doofus, the only witness is the love of your life. Just be careful when choosing video or DVD instructions. These days anybody with a camera can create a video and all videos are NOT created equal! When picture quality is poor or camera angle is wrong, your learning experience will not be as good as it could be.

A third alternative is one that combines the best of both worlds; learn the steps for your wedding first dance from not just a ballroom dance expert, but a ballroom dance expert who's also a wedding dance expert.
The 'Learn a Fabulous Wedding First Dance' link on the right (under the Best of Ballroom Dance Links) will take you to an awesome package designed to make learning your wedding first dance a stress-free experience. And if you're planning a wedding, you've probably got all the stress you need!

Be sure to bookmark this site and visit again. I'll be digging a little deeper into the subject of wedding dances and offering tips on how to choose your wedding first dance, the right music to go with it, mistakes to avoid, and lots more.

Can a Dress Help You Dance Better?

By Maria Chitul


If you are like me, you don’t pose too many requirements on a normal evening gown. The only important thing is that it has to look good on you and shouldn’t fall off while you’re walking from your car to the party and back. You’re happy as long as the dress survives past one or two special occasions. You won’t wear it more often than that, anyway.

With competition dress it’s completely different. You spend a large sum of money on the dress to start with. You will be taking it to every competition, putting it on and taking it off hastily, jumping, sweating and wiping your make up with it. And you will still expect to use it at least for one season and to look gorgeous in it whenever you get on the dance floor. Buying a ballroom dress is an important step and you don’t want to make mistakes here.

The problem finding the right ballroom dress is that not only does it have to look good on you while you are standing in front of the mirror, but it should also help you look great while you are actually dancing. It means that:

a) The dress shouldn’t impede your movements during the dance
b) it should emphasize all your good sides: your dancing technique, your beautiful figure, and, whenever possible:
c) it should conceal your bad sides, (if any) such as weak techniques or figure flaws.

Of course no dress in the world can substitute hard training. However, by knowing your technique flaws you can get a dress that will partly disguise them. As a result – you will improve the overall impression of your dancing performance. Try choosing the dress that does the opposite – and you’ll see the difference.

In this article I tried to summarize common technique flaws and my suggestions on how to conceal them with the help of a gown:


Weak hip movements
Weak hip movements is one of the usual problems among the dancers. This flaw can be easily solved by choosing an appropriate skirt. All you have to do is to say "no" to slinky skirts and choose fringe or flounce decorated skirts instead. An A-shaped skirt would create a nice waving impression around your hips/knees, improving the look of your hip movements. Another suggestion is to use some bright decorations on top, and thus drawing the audience’s attention from your bottom, however I’m not sure you can fool the judges with that!





Slouched spine
This is mostly the problem of standard dances, as you constantly have to keep your spine right. If this is your problem then try to hide your spine with chiffon scarves attached to your neck or shoulder. You may even use several of those, so that instead of frowning at your slouched spine, the judges would see nice “wings” floating behind you.

For Latin dresses simply try to avoid gowns that expose mainly your back. In this case the attention is drawn to your spine automatically and this is not what you wish to do.


Weak frame
Do you keep letting the hands and elbows down in standard? Again, the trick is the same. Try to conceal this lack of technique by getting your hands covered with layers of flimsy/floating fabric or wide sleeves.


Protruding bottom
Another flaw that happens rather often in standard dances. In the effort of balancing your upper posture, smiling at the judges, and keeping in mind the dance steps, you forget about the need to strain the bottom muscles and end up with your buttocks stuck out backwards. If you are still working on this - don’t choose the mermaid-like silhouettes, or any skirts made from one heavy layer of fabric (like satin). Such skirts will bring attention to your bottom automatically so even a small mistake gets visible. Instead opt for multi-layered floating skirts that would smooth your curves and conceal the problem.





And the last piece of advice for today: If this is your first performance and your first dress – don’t leave it in the box until the day of the competition. Even if you felt great when trying the dress on and you are now afraid to stain it – test it together with your partner. You might discover that dancing feels different now that you are wearing the dress and that some steps or movements need adjustment.

For your first time – don’t choose skirts that are too long. If you don’t have enough experience you risk stepping on the hem during the competition. My suggestion is to choose a dress with the skirt a bit above your ankles. For latin dresses – make sure you don’t wear long fringed or ripped skirts where you could get your heel entangled during the dance.

Summary: I believe that every girl can and should look her best on competition day. It’s a great experience and a huge incentive to move on. Even if you are not interested in a professional dancing career, you should take competitions seriously - you will see the results for yourself. I hope that using the above suggestions, you can make the most of your assets and do your absolute best on this important day of your dancing life.



I think Maria's article is extremely informative and very helpful in selecting the perfect ballroom dance gown and thought it might be useful for some of you. For exclusive gowns and accessories tailor-made just for you, visit her at Ballroom Sparkle

So You Think You Can Dance

I hope you've seen the TV show "So You Think You Can Dance". If you haven't, you're missing a real treat. While it doesn't focus exclusively on ballroom dancing, there's certainly enough included to entertain ballroom dancing fans, and I found a new appreciation for other styles of dancing, some I'd never even heard of before watching the show. (Anybody out there know how to 'crump'?)

It's currently in it's third season and I wouldn't be surprised to see it run for many years. The premise is much like 'Dancing With The Stars' and 'American Idol', people audition, there's a panel of three judges, and in the end, America votes for their favorite dancer.

Last season's favorite was a young man named Benji Schwimmer. He auditioned with his cousin Heidi Groskreutz and it was apparent even to the most untrained eye that these two were exceptionally talented dancers. As well they should be. Benji's dad is Buddy Schwimmer, known as the 'King of Swing', and according to Benji, everyone in his family dances.

This season, his sister Lacey is competing. Benji partnered with her for her audition. I find him to be not only an amazing dancer, but a genuinely likable young man. I expect Lacey will do well in the show. Their cousin Heidi remained in competition a long time last season, but it was Benji who won the most hearts of the voters.

I say all that to say this. The other day I was looking through some YouTube videos on a completely unrelated topic and ran across some videos of Benji that I just had to share. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did, and if you haven't seen 'So You Think You Can Dance', I hope now you'll make it a point to watch.


This is the earliest video I found of Benji and Heidi. It's from 1989.
Benji was 5 and Heidi was 8.




Sixteen years later, in 2005, at the US Open Swing Championship.
Not surprisingly, they took first place.


This should serve to prove two points:
1. It's never too early to introduce someone to ballroom dancing.
2. Practice does indeed make perfect.

I Need Your Help

This little ol' blog about ballroom dancing gets a decent amount of traffic every week. I'm sure it would probably get more if posts were made on a more regular basis....but I do what I can. What I need to know from my visitors is this: What are you looking for when you come here? Are you finding it? What would you like to see...or see more of? I'd like to be able to provide whatever information you're looking for, and it would help a great deal to know in what area your interests lie.

I have begun compiling an online ballroom dance directory which I hope to offer for sale in the not-too-distant future. Would that be an item you would be interested in? I'm thinking it could save you a great deal of time if you have one source that you can look to that would direct you to specific websites that specialize in whatever you're looking for....music, shoes, attire, studio locations, lessons, etc. I'd love to hear feedback.

What I'm asking you to do is to take less than two minutes of your time and leave a comment, answering the questions I've posted here. I want to take this blog to another level. I want it to be as informative as possible.
In order to do that, I really need your help...and I thank you in advance.

Happy New Year!

The rush of Christmas is behind us, and I hope everyone had a great time over the holidays. We have a new year facing us, a time for new beginnings, fresh starts, and unknown adventures. As always, I insist there is never a better time than right now to start ballroom dancing if you've never had the pleasure.

If you're a seasoned dancer, when was the last time you were on a dance floor? If you've been neglecting your passion, the new year is a perfect time to re-dedicate yourself. Commit to learning a new dance, or a different style of a old favorite.

Make a resolution to introduce someone new to the magical world of ballroom dancing. A friend who's been dragging their feet, a co-worker you'd like to get to know better, your spouse, brother or sister, parents or in-laws....commit to sharing this gift with someone you care about in the coming year. A year from now, you can dance in the new year together!

Ballroom Dancing--An Easy Way to Fitness

Our column has been receiving queries about the health benefits of ballroom dancing and we are more than pleased to share with our dear readers that, indeed, even just 20 minutes of nonstop dancing increases the heart rate and produces benefits equal to low-impact aerobics.

There are actually two types of ballroom dancing: standard like the quick step, and waltz and the Latin like cha-cha, salsa and meringue. Therefore, whether you shimmy to the pulsating salsa beat or fall gracefully into a foxtrot, you are likely to burn 200-400 calories an hour. The better dancer you become and the longer you enjoy dancing, the more calories you burn.

Who can speak about the benefits of ballroom dancing better than a star athlete of the US Jerry Rice? "I lost 14 pounds dancing for eight weeks - and at 212 pounds, I was in good shape to begin with," he said. But I like the way my body changed. I stayed strong and yet became leaner, more flexible and fluid," he added. The three-time Super Bowl champ wished he had danced while playing for the San Francisco 49ers. "That added flexibility and awareness of my body would have helped prevent injuries," he explained.

An added bonus is the speed that comes with learning all that fancy footwork.
Of course, the pay-off is not purely physical. A 25-year study of nearly 500 senior citizens found that those who cut the rug regularly lowered their risk of mental decline related to aging. The researchers surmised that dancing increases blood flow to the brain, curbs feelings of loneliness and challenges the brain through learning new steps and routines.

Although women prefer dancing to traditional exercise, more guys are giving ballroom a fair shake. "Listen, I was out of my football uniform and definitely out of my comfort zone," stressed Rice. "But if I could do this, anyone can." And that's what makes hoofing it the perfect couples' workout. You don't have to be super-coordinated or even in tip-top shape. Both come with time and practice. And don't forget, it could be a lot of fun.

Like any workout, it is highly recommended that you need the proper gear. For men, that means no tight belts or ties. For women, heels and open-toed sandals are a no-no, unless you are a professional dancer. Flat comfortable shoes with leather soles and loose-fitting clothes are the way to go.

The following dance forms promise a head-to-toe workout. Swing is fast, furious and filled with flips, kicks and twirls that can burn 370 calories per hour. Tap offers the possibility of stomping away stress while slimming your thighs and improving circulation to the lower extremities. Hip-hop is at par with any step-aerobics class in terms of difficulty and the calories you will work through - about 400 an hour. And how about the more exotic belly dancing, which is all about thighs, abdomen and the buttocks - and of course, a women-only affair for now? The pace is slower and repetitive but you'll burn 300-400 calories an hour.

Whatever your choice, put on your dancing shoes and see you in the dance floor!

Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo

Dance for the Rhythm of Your Heart

Ballroom dancing is as good an exercise as a full workout in the gym, researchers have found.

Half an hour on the dancefloor improves physical fitness as much as a session on the treadmill or exercise bike.

But ballroom dancing is more likely to attract people - especially the elderly - who would never dream of doing conventional cardiovascular training.

Dancing to other music - including salsa or rock 'n' roll - also has the same effect as long as it's done vigorously, said a heart specialist at the National Institute of Cardiology, Mexico City.

Dr Hermes Ilarraza, who organised the unconventional study, said it works for heart patients and could do wonders for people who may appear healthy but need to get more activity into their lives.

He said: 'The benefits of physical training in patients with heart disease is well established. "However, exercise compliance is often inadequate because patients find exercise boring. People like to dance so we thought it would be an attractive option.

"Some exercise is perceived as being difficult, but ballroom dancing can improve physical capacity in heart patients like traditional training such as indoor cycling or aerobics.
But it has the added benefits of being fun and social."

Over five weeks for five days a week, 40 heart disease patients were asked to take part in 30-minute routines of dancing or indoor cycling routines at a gym. Half the patients danced a routine designed by a professional dance teacher - who was also a patient with cardiac valve disease.

The rest of the patients exercised with a conventional indoor cycling programme, he told the World Congress of Cardiology in Barcelona.

All patients were supervised by doctors throughout and their blood pressure and symptoms were monitored. Doctors measured the physical fitness of the patients before and after exercise testing.

The dancers used a variety of dance music including salsa, rock and roll, and Cuban dance music, according to the patient's ability to exercise.

The study found both groups achieved a similar training effect.

Patients who danced increased their exercise capacity by about 28 per cent - meaning their heart and lung capacity had risen during the exercise regime.

Almost the same effect was found among the cycling patients who gained 31 per cent extra exercise capacity.

Dr Ilarraza said dance hall dancing could make a significant contribution to physical fitness in patients and others. He said: "It is important to highlight that exercise capacity is closely related with the hazard of death.

"In other words when an unfit person increases his physical capacity, the probability of death diminishes. So the message is you should be dancing for the rhythm of your heart."

If you hate to exercise, you've gotta read this!

Put down that barbell and head to the barre.

Ditch the sneakers and put on your swankiest pair of shoes.

Get off that elliptical trainer and get ready to do the electric slide.

You’re going dancing.

Regardless of your sex, generation or fitness level, hitting the dance floor is a great way to get moving.

“It’s better than going to the gym or taking up a new sport because it’s easy, it’s simple and it’s fun,” says Dr. Rita Beckford, a family physician and creator of the fitness video Home With Dr. B. She is medical director of the urgent-care center at the Twinsburg (Ohio ) Medical Center.

“Research over the past 10 to 15 years has found that exercise only works if it’s done consistently. So if people are happy and they enjoy what they’re doing, they tend to stick with it much longer than just picking up an activity for the benefit of exercise,” she says.

The U. S. Department of Agriculture considers dancing a moderate physical activity, like walking briskly, golfing (walking and carrying clubs ) and bicycling faster than 10 mph. The recommendation for general health is at least 30 minutes of this type of activity a day.

Wanda Deagen, who has been teaching ballroom dance since 1984, says even the most basic elements of dance can contribute to physical fitness.

“In ballroom dancing, it’s all about form, so you’re holding your body and your core so that you have your abdominals tucked under and you’re dancing with a nice long back,” Deagen says. “All of the things that are good for your body posture-wise, stretching-wise, those are all the basics in dance.”

Ballroom dancing, like most dance, is usually a low-impact exercise and provides the same kind of benefits as low-impact aerobics, Beckford says. Other disciplines, including hip-hop with its jumps and turns, are high-impact.

“Regardless of the type of dance, you’ll get benefits like an increase in flexibility, strength training and fat burning,” says Beckford, who lost 80 pounds with a program that included an hour of cardio dance five days a week.

“The more intense and highimpact, you’re probably going to build more muscles, you’ll burn more calories. But even with lowimpact dance, the benefits in your bones are still going to be there, the impact on reducing your blood pressure is there.”

Dance is good not only for the body, it’s good for the mind as well.

A study reported in the June 2003 New England Journal of Medicine found that elderly people who engaged in activities such as dancing lowered their risk for dementia.

About half the fitness clubs that are members of the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association offer dance-based classes. One reason for the popularity of these classes is that dance doesn’t feel like work, says Elsa Williams, the group fitness coordinator at the Concord Athletic Club in San Antonio.

“With dancing, the perceived exertion is less than a boot-camp class where you might be working just as hard,” she explains. “It’s pleasurable, and the mood is completely different from a typical fitness class.”

There is also a social component to dancing that can be missing from other activities.

“You’re not only interacting with your partner, but you’re interacting with other dancers,” says Deagen. “Many people after a divorce or the death of a spouse will start dancing.”

And because it isn’t usually competitive, dance can be an enjoyable, healthy and creative outlet for children who aren’t interested in sports.

Studio in the Spotlight- Ric Seeling's Dance Studio-Baton Rouge Louisiana

If you ask anyone in the Baton Rouge area where to go for ballroom dance lessons, the name you'll hear most often is Ric Seeling. Ric has been dancing and teaching ballroom for more years than he likes to talk about, and has the most active ballroom dance studio in Baton Rouge.

In addition to all the traditional ballroom dances, you'll also find lessons in the Hustle, Country and Western 2-Step, Salsa, Jitterbug, California-style West Coast Swing and nightclub slow dance.

Group classes as well as private lessons are offered and the studio hosts a workshop and a dance every Friday night. The dance is open to the public, so it's a great opportunity to introduce friends and family to the magical world of ballroom dancing. There's almost always a special package available for newcomers, and you won't find a warmer, more welcoming group of people than the students and instructors there.

The studio participates in the South Central Regional Dance Championship and the Louisiana Challenge and many of the students come home with well-deserved trophies! Once or twice a year Ric holds a Student Showcase at the studio, providing an opportunity for students to display what they've learned.

In October, there's usually a huge Halloween Costume Dance, in December of course there's a Christmas dance and the fabulous end of the year New Year's Eve party is a reservations-only bash not to be missed!
The studio is also available for rent for special occasions such as weddings and receptions, anniversaries, birthday parties, retirement parties, and company Christmas parties. But you'll need to book early, like I said, it's the most active studio in the Capital City area!

You can contact the studio at 225-928-2788 or better yet, stop by and pick up a free calendar of events at 10776 North Harrell's Ferry Road in Baton Rouge. Be sure and tell Ric that Honey sent you!

If you have a favorite studio that you'd like spotlighted, just let me know! Until next time, keep on dancing!