Ballroom Dancing ? Shake A Leg Now

Ballroom dance is a style of dancing with a partner of the opposite sex, which has its origins in the Western Europe and is now enjoyed at both social gatherings and competitions around the globe. It?s a form of entertainment which is widely enjoyed on stage, films, and on television. There are a variety of social dances performed by couples in the ballroom like Foxtrot, Tango, Waltz, Swing, Cha Cha, Polka, Charleston, Jitterbug, Merengue etc.

In the early 20th century, the on-screen dancing pair Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers greatly influenced ballroom dancing in the USA. Ballroom dance was popularized in U.S. by Arthur Murray and Fred Astaire, who established ballroom dance studios throughout U.S. Here 'Fred & Ginger' classes and workshops introduced the ?American Smooth" style of ballroom dance. The other popular one is the "American Rhythm". Ballroom dance contests are particularly popular in Europe and feature both amateur and professional dancers. The other types include Nightclub Dances such as Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing and Hustle. In Europe, Latin Swing dances include Tango Argentino, Lindy Hop, Mambo, Swing Boogie and Disco Fox.

Variety and Judgment in Ballroom Dancing

Classic and Vintage dance groups are dedicated to the performance and preservation of ballroom dances of the past, having its origins in the folk dances associated with a particular place, time and costumes like The Twist, Minuet, Quadrille, Mazurka etc.

In U.S. amateur dance proficiency levels are defined by USA Dance as Bronze->Silver->Gold for syllabus dancers and Novice -> Prechampionship -> Championship for open competitors. Among professionals, the levels are classified as Rising Star and Open Professional. In a competition, ballroom dancers are judged by various criteria such as connection, frame, posture, speed, proper body alignment, proper usage of weight/ankles/feet and grooming.

Each type of dance has its own specific set of movements and dancing methods. While dancing in a crowd, always move counterclockwise around the floor following an imaginary line of dance for both the Waltz and the Fox Trot. The Swing, on the other hand, is more of a confined dance and is great for dancing on crowded dance floors. The people that are moving fast are on the outside of the floor while those who are moving slower or in more confined areas are in the middle. In other words, Waltz and Fox Trot are typically done on the outside of the dance floor Swing is performed in the center.
Jeff Van Persie is a regular article contributor on many topics. Be sure to visit his websites Ballroom Dancing, Ballroom Dancing Lessons

Ballroom Dancing Is So Great

If you are looking for a night out or you just want to meet new friends, ballroom dancing is a fantastic way to achieve this it doesn?t how old or young you are. The experts acknowledge that ballroom dancing is unique in that it provides both brain stimulation and physical exercise. Ballroom dancing is fun, and there are more opportunities to go out dancing than you might think. Ballroom dancing is also a great way to stay in shape and is much more pleasurable than merely exercising to music. The exciting difference between round dancing and free-style ballroom dancing is that each round dance has been fully choreographed ahead of time.

Many dance styles offer dance lessons for a minimal fee, while intricate ballroom dancing lessons will naturally cost you more. Professional dance lessons by qualified dance teachers are given in all types of dancing. You want to know the low more about dancing before you commit to lessons.

Try to find ballroom dance instructors or classes in your area. Group classes are an important aid in learning to dance. Classes are meant to show the fun in ballroom dancing and prepare everyone for a lifetime of social dancing enjoyment. In addition you should practice as much as possible.

If you do tango dancing, do you have to do other ballroom dancing too. Body language can be as important as movement with the tango:. Hip hop, jazz dance, pop-n-lock, tap, ballet, modern, lyrical, tango, ballroom dancing, flamenco dance; break dancing. Other specialties include Argentine Tango, ballroom dancing, swing, and performance arts photography. During the Nineties, of the six major Ballroom Dances, only the Tango had not been accepted by western dancing. Tango is a dramatic, sensual social dance form that originated in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It's sexy, and step by step, whether it's the salsa, swing, meringue or tango, ballroom dancing is sweeping across the country.

Ballroom dancing is a great way for anyone to learn how to dance, develop self-confidence, and improve social skills. Ballroom dancing is basically a performance, so a bit of a flair for the dramatic is a useful attribute. Ballroom Dancing is by definition a man and a woman moving as one. To some people, ballroom dancing is a hobby or serves as a social outlet. Even ballroom dancing is enjoying something of a renaissance. Ballroom Dancing is for students interested in developing ballroom dancing comptency/skills, coordination, rhythm, and diversity. Ballroom dancing is the best contact sport in the world. Ballroom dancing is really easy, more so than most people seem to think. Ballroom dancing is by its very nature both a competitive and/or social activity that can easily be learned and enjoyed by all.

David Marc Fishman is the owner of bornasuperstar.com The online audition

 

Real Men Aren't Afraid Of Ballroom Dancing

Anybody who still believes the myth that ballroom dancing is for sissies has either been living under a rock or is simply using that as an excuse for their own fears.

Emmitt Smith of Dallas Cowboys fame, and former Superbowl Champion, waltzed away Wednesday night with another winning trophy to place on his mantel, this one the championship Mirror Ball Trophy from ABC's "Dancing with the Stars".

I am so proud of this man for shattering all the stereotypes, and offering a resounding response once and for all to the age old question: what type of man learns ballroom dancing? The answer....a REAL man!

There can surely be no question as to this man's virility, nor his confidence in himself. Not only did he plunge wholeheartedly into unfamiliar waters, but he chose to do it on nationwide television, in front of millions of viewers. How many men (or women, for that matter) have the guts to do that?

I've heard all the whiny excuses for not taking ballroom dancing lessons...I've got two left feet....dancing is for sissies....I don't have time to learn something new....what good does it do to know how to dance, I'll never compete...I'll look stupid....I'm no good at it...I don't like it....it's too expensive...and on and on ad nauseum. It doesn't matter the words they choose, they're all saying basically the same thing..."I lack confidence in myself and I'm scared". How terribly, pathetically sad.

Knowing what I know about ballroom dancing, there simply is no excuse for not learning. I've seen men without legs on the ballroom dance floor. I've watched macho types, geeky types and overweight men move with grace as they executed a beautiful promenade. I've known men who took on odd jobs to pay for continued lessons. I've witnessed men literally dragged into the studio against their will and watched with pride as they developed into, not just great dancers, but one even went on to become a phenomenal instructor. How much they all would have missed if they had let their fears keep them from trying.

There are many things in this world to be afraid of. Ballroom dancing isn't one of them. Don't be afraid to open yourself to new possibilities. The numerous benefits you'll receive may shock you.

Honey WesleyRN, has been a lover of ballroom dancing for over 15 years and tremendously enjoys sharing her passion with others. For news and information about ballroom dancing as well as related links for ballroom dancing products, visit http://www.ballroom-dancing.blogspot.com