First dance lesson

Tygirljojo · June 2010

So FI and I have had 1 of our lessons at Arthur Murray earlier this week. It went pretty well, but we feel like dorks who don't know what we're doing. Having our group lesson followed by our final private afterwards on Saturday and we'll see if we learn anything, but honestly, I don't know if we'll be able to do the whole box step the entire time and enjoy it! On the fence with just doing the lame-o 8th grade sway but we'll see how the last lessons go this weekend. Anyone else already go through a few lessons or so? Are you or did you go with what they taught or no?

apnk2005 · June 2010

We went to some dance lessons, and we're going to do what they taught. To be fair, though, FI did competitive ballroom dancing before we met, so he feels pretty comfortable with the whole thing. Me, not so much. The dance instructor helped us put together some pretty easy steps though...

We're only dancing for two minutes or so, though, and the first 30 seconds we're doing the 8th grade sway, and then go into the real dance, so I don't have to look graceful for too long...

Tygirljojo · June 2010

So I'm curious how you'll transition from the 8th grade sway to the dance? We'd talked about it but cannot figure it out for the life of us!

amandasw · June 2010

I think the 8th grade away is better than the box step for a whole song. DH and I still laugh about a couple who did the box step for (what seemed like) a very long time (I know, we're terrible people, but it was weird! sorry if anyone wants to do that, just being honest). IMO doing the box for 3 minutes looks forced and awkward. Especially if you don't feel comfortable doing it, do something you will enjoy, even if it's the 8th grade sway.

We learned a whole routine (neither of us are dancers, but we practiced a lot, DH was very dedicated) and our instructor was REALLY good at doing something reasonable that felt natural. It's all about the mindset - if you do it at least enough so you get some muscle memory, then relax and think about having fun, it can work

amandasw · June 2010

also, I just want to emphasize I'm not trying to be mean about the box thing. One way to easily make it look fancier is if you can travel with the box - so be doing the basic box steps but movng around the dance floor in a big circle. A lot of the different dances use very similar steps so it's not hard to learn another once you know one.

In the end, do something you'll have fun doing so you can enjoy the moment

Tygirljojo · June 2010

Lol, I didn't take it as being mean! FI and I practiced for a short bit yesterday and I told him it looked dumb for us to be stationary trying to do a box. But in fairness to him, I kept trying to turn us! :P Oi!

apnk2005 · June 2010

The song we chose starts out pretty slow, and with not very many instruments, and then it swells up with lots of instruments about 30 seconds in, so FI is going to use that 30 seconds to get on the beat, without us just standing there. We're doing a nightclub two-step, so basically we're going to be swaying, then the music will swell up and he's going to twirl me, and we'll go right into the nightclub two-step (which, as far as I can tell, is the ballroom version of the 8th grade sway...except it looks prettier). Then, we're basically doing what amandasw suggested...travelling around a lot with nightclub two step..steps. And twirling. There will be lots of twirling. So, pretty simple, but it'll look fancy and pretty.

amandasw · June 2010

what apnk said seems like something you guys could learn to do! I think you should ask about traveling in your private lesson. It's really not that much harder than the box and looks a lot fancier.

jennlin · June 2010

H and i did a box step for 3 minutes..sort of..we roatated around the dance floor and also did some spins and a mid song dip....we also did it way off beat, sang, and laughed along, so i don't think it was that boring..but i might be biased.

we felt stupid doing it at first, but after lots and lots and lots of practice, it started to feel natural--since you've only had one lesson, i'm sure it will feel natural after more practice.

dancinginseattle · September 2010

frequently asked questions and answers about dance lessons

http://danceexperts.com/wedding-planning/wedding-faqs/

jentastically · December 2011

Hi, I am Shannon
I am THE WEDDING Dance Specialist in Seattle since 1992.
You will be discriminating with everyone else you hire for your wedding, you should be as picky with your dance instructor. There are other companies that have copied my website and my packages. They can't copy my teaching style. I am a revolutionary!

JUST SAY NO TO BOX STEPS !! Boxes are squares !! Bodies do not move in squares! Boxes should NOT go with every song!!! They are not natural movements! Boxes do not teach people how to dance or lead or follow ! Stop the box!!!

There are no hidden costs or time wasting sales pitches on your lessons. I am up front with my prices and everyone gets the same deal. I will NOT try to sell you contract memberships or "included" groups and parties. Some places offer cheap introductory specials, These are NOT designed to teach you to dance, they are a sales procedure. Donot waste your time with these. They might turn your man off of dance lessons with their old fashioned dances and car sales pitches. DO NOT go to GROUP classes first!! Seriously,,, this could affect your dancing with your husband for the rest of your life. Read my FAQ page, for the answer to why no groups.

Of course other dance studios will take your money but that doesn't mean they really want you to learn to dance in so few lessons.
I have watched other teachers try to teach a Rumba or a Waltz even if it doesn't match the music. It is painful for me to watch the looks of disappointment on their couple's faces as they don't get it. I have seen to many videos of couples that look like they are trying so hard that it is almost painful. Certainly not an enjoyable memory.
I always bring my sense of humor to the lessons! Feel free to call me for a phone consultation. I am very experienced in all dances and most types of music. It is my goal to listen to you and adapt to find a dance style that is suitable for your personality. I will not try to make you into something you are not. I especially enjoy working with fun couples and making partner dancing a great way for them to show off their teamwork.

Sincerely,
Shannon Knauss www.Danceexperts.com

First dance lesson

Re: First dance lesson

JUST SAY NO TO BOX STEPS !! Boxes are squares !! Bodies do not move in squares! Boxes should NOT go with every song!!! They are not natural movements! Boxes do not teach people how to dance or lead or follow ! Stop the box!!!

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