Preparations And Considerations When You Take Ballroom Dance Lessons

If you would like to have a great exercise routine, be healthy, stay flexible, and hear great music, you should consider taking ballroom dance lessons. Ballroom dances include the waltz, the tango, the foxtrot, the cha-cha, the rumba, the mambo, and swing dancing. Ballroom dances are upbeat, have classic routines that give you a substantial physical workout, and are accompanied by great music. Here are a few preparations and considerations when you take ballroom dance lessons:   

Prepare Before You Take Ballroom Dance Lessons - You can prepare to take ballroom dance lessons as follows: 

• Pre-Dance Lesson Exercises - For 4 to 6 weeks before you begin ballroom dance lessons, walk briskly 3 to 5 miles per day/every day to build up your strength and endurance. While taking ballroom dance lessons, continue your walking exercises 5 times a week. If possible, add some strength training to your pre-class exercises by wearing wrist and ankle weights while walking to build and strengthen your muscles. 
• Food and Water Consumption - Eat sparingly before you exercise and/or take ballroom dance lessons. Most importantly, stay hydrated. It is recommended to drink the following amounts of water before, during, and after exercise or ballroom dance class:

- 15 to 20 ounces of water 2 to 3 hours before class,

- 8 ounces of water 25 minutes before class,

- 7 to 10 ounces of water every 15 minutes during class, 

- 8 ounces of water within 30 minutes after class.

• Appropriate Clothing - Wear comfortable workout clothing when you take your ballroom dance lessons. Stretch workout pants and light cotton jersey shirts of various sleeve lengths are best for ease of movement. Wear layers so that you can remove a shirt or two if you get too warm. Leg warmers can be worn to keep your legs ready for movement and can be removed when no longer needed.  

Wear Ballroom Dance Shoes - All ballroom dance shoes should be secured with laces or buckles to give your feet support and security. When you are a beginner, dance sneakers can help you to stay balanced and secure on your feet while learning dance steps and routines. At some point, women may want to wear laced or buckled dance shoes with a higher heel. These shoes can help to position your spine, shoulders, and arms in the correct ballroom dance postures. It is not recommended to wear stilettos or shoes with very high heels. Dance shoes with 2-inch or 3-inch heels are ideal. Men can wear light shoes with laces that allow for quick movements with a maximum of foot flexibility.

Take Private Ballroom Dance Lessons - When possible, take private ballroom dance lessons in addition to group dance lessons. Private lessons can rapidly improve your posture and execution as you can have the undivided attention of your dance instructor. Your instructor can evaluate your form and execution and make posture and dance routine suggestions, so you can move easily from one dance step to the next.  

Practice, Practice, Practice - Ballroom dance steps and routines can only be mastered with practice. Dance practice does not have to involve an extended period of time. It is best to practice ballroom dance steps often for short lengths of time. Go over your dance steps and routines when you practice and pay particular attention to your feet, your posture, your head position, your hands, and your attitude. The more you practice, the quicker all of these different dance steps and routines will become part of you. 

As with any physical activity, it is important to remain open and flexible as you learn a new discipline. Ballroom dance class is exhilarating and can quickly become something that you really enjoy. Most importantly, ballroom dance class is a time to set all of your life concerns aside, enjoy classic music, and have fun. This is a time for you to be yourself and dance to your heart's content. To learn more, contact a company like Absolute Ballroom Company.