How to dance well: tips to excel

How to dance well: the basics to know

It is not uncommon to hear that dancing is a gift. So how can you dance well if you don't have this gift? Several solutions exist. Choose your dance style, watch online tutorials, take part in dance classes, learn from professionals in the profession, train on your own, etc. 

Dance Basics 

Before starting to dance, it is always interesting to know the basics which represent the foundations of discipline. 

We can summarize the essentials of dance as:

• rhythm

• movements

• the weather 
• space occupation

Thus, the choreographies of all types of dances bring together all of these elements. No matter which dance you choose, you will find these fundamentals. You must master these principles to be able to excel in the discipline!   

If you would like more information about which dance to choose, do not hesitate to read our article on the subject. 

The benefits of dancing

Dance has numerous benefits for the body and mind. It is both a sport but also an effective way of let off steam and of clear your mind.

Thus, dance allows:

• to improve your cardio

• to give free rein to your creativity

• to improve flexibility

• to develop their sense of rhythm and their musical ear

• to clear your head 

• to refine your silhouette
• etc.

Tips for dancing well

Here is a non-exhaustive list of several basic tips to start dancing and dance well from the start. We'll explain!

STEP 1: Choose your dance style 

To begin, you must choose the dance style in which you want to start and progress. 

There are a large number of different styles of dance coexisting:

• Timeless dances : classical dance, contemporary dance, Modern jazz dance, modern dance, street jazz dance, etc.
• Latin dances : tango, salsa, rumba, samba, cha cha cha, etc.
• Traditional dances : oriental dance, Tahitian dance, Bollywood dance, folk dance, etc.
• Couple dances : waltz, rock, etc.
• Ballroom dancing : jive, English waltz, Viennese waltz, samba, etc.
• Urban dances : hip hop, breakdance, etc.
• Sports dances : zumba, pole dance, etc.

It is important to choose a dance that match with your personality, with your objectives and your desires. As a result, you will be perfectly motivated to get started in the discipline and progress! 

To find out more and know which dance to choose, do not hesitate to consult our article on the subject!

STEP 2: Watch online tutorials

To get into the swing of things, you can start by watch videos online for you imbue basic movements. 

Afterwards, when you feel comfortable, start to reproduce the movements at home in front of your mirror, following the instructions of the teachers.

This will allow you to become aware of the movements and your body little by little. 

STEP 3: Participate in dance classes

When you have found the dance style in which you project yourself best, you can move on to the next step: registering for a dance class!

For that, organize your schedule to know your availability. Afterwards, look for a dance studio near your home or near your workplace and check if the course times match with your availability. 

This will allow you to motivate yourself because if you take a studio too far away, you will never have the courage to go to your classes before or after work for example. 

STEP 4: Train on your own

The learning doesn't stop at the end of your dance class. If you want to see good progress, you must practice outside of class ! 

Memorize the steps of the choreography learned during the session and retrieve the name of the music.  

In this way you can practice at home, at your own pace and see your progress during your next dance classes. Enough to motivate you and make you see that your efforts are not in vain!

STEP 5: Look at professionals in the field

In addition to your classes, go to events which allow you to observe professionals in action:

• shows

• festivals

• competitions

• battles
• etc.

You will then memorize gestures, THE choreographies and soak up a little more of the attitudes, of the techniques and dancers' expressions. 

Bonuses that enhance your learning

If you are really motivated to learn to dance well, you can apply several additional tips which will help you to progress even faster ! 

Develop your musical ear

L'musical ear is a relatively important element when you want to improve in dance. 

In fact, this allows you to know which step to take according to the tempo, according to words or according to the different parts of the music (chorus, verse, etc.). Your sense of rhythm will therefore be of better quality and your choreographies will be perfectly executed.

To improve your musical ear, the only secret is practice and regularity ! Nourish yourself with music every day, listen to well-known songs without lyrics to try to find out which one it is, vary the musical styles, etc. 

You can also get started playing a musical instrument. This will help develop your musical ear while practicing!

Adopt a specific diet

Depending on the type of dance and the level you wish to achieve, it may be important or even essential toadopt a special diet. 

Once again, this is not an obligation but if you practice dancing a lot, your muscles, your joints and all other requested parties will have need strength. 

Therefore prefer fruits and vegetables, THE proteins (white meat, fish, etc.) and avoid sugar and the processed foods (prepared meals, etc.). 

Without forgetting the part hydration which is absolutely essential. During your workouts, you push yourself and you lose a lot of water through sweating. 

As you probably know, you must drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day. However, if you do very intense sports sessions, your body may require up to 1 liter of water per hour so as not to be dehydrated.

Create your own style

When you start dancing, you may get stuck in your chosen dance style. 

However, the more time passes, the more important and beneficial it is for you to free yourself from the rules of your discipline and of give free rein to your own imagination.

Of course, if you are teaching, you must follow your teacher's instructions. So, let yourself go during your solitary workouts to create your own style!

Be selfconfident

Be selfconfident is not necessarily easy advice to apply. This can be a long and treacherous process but it is worth it!

The more self-confidence you have, the more potential you will unleash. judgment of others and what they may think of you and your way of dancing. 

The most important thing is to feel good in your body, well in your choreography and in harmony with yourself ! 

Enjoy !

The last but surely the most important piece of advice is to you amuse ! Dancing allows you toexpress your emotions and of free yourself from all your negative thoughts and stress. 

Take advantage of these moments when you are alone with yourself, in harmony with your body and your movements to truly let go and have fun !

Learn to dance without complexes at DECIBEL®

Do you want to learn to dance well? THE studio DECIBEL® is the place for you! Come dance to music with wild rhythms and let go. 

Put aside your daily routine to take full advantage of this blend of dance and workout ! Follow the movements and let off steam to the music. You are alone in front of yourself, nothing matters around you anymore.

The coaches are there to motivate you throughout your 50 minute session ! Trust us, you will sweat!

There is only one thing left for you to do: