Although even children can learn to dance, not everyone can dance well. If you want to learn to dance you will first have to choose a style. Then you can start to teach yourself. You can also take dance lessons to get better. Don't forget to also think about your body by eating right and exercising if you want to dance the stars of heaven.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Deciding what you like
Step 1. Find out which styles are available
Each style feels different. The fast rhythms of tap dancing, for example, are very different from the long, graceful movements of classical ballet or the bouncy movements of hip-hop. You can also go ballroom dancing with a partner or even an Irish dance.
Step 2. Watch online dance videos
Watch different videos to learn the basics of the different dance styles. Maybe your knees aren't strong enough for tap dancing. Maybe you don't like how your feet have to bend in ballet dancing. Find out what attracts you.
Step 3. Read magazines and books about dancing
These describe the basic techniques and can therefore give you an impression of what to expect.
- Look in the library for books and magazines. That's a free way to explore your options.
- Read about the history of dance. It may inspire you to choose one.
Step 4. Look to the professionals
Go see a show in the theatre. This doesn't have to be expensive at all. Maybe there's a dance school nearby. Being there to watch is a completely different experience than watching a video. It drags you into the performance.
If you see someone else dancing you will get more feeling for dancing. You see beautiful movements and get ideas by studying a professional. If you don't have the money to go to a performance, watch dance movies, such as musicals. Watch the dancers closely to see what they are doing. Are they concentrated? How is their technique? Do the emotions they show match the music? Knowing what inspires you about their movements can help you decide what to do for yourself
Step 5. Take dance lessons
You can often take an introductory lesson or course that will introduce you to different dance forms at the same time. Look in your municipal guide for addresses or search the library for information.
If there are no dance classes in your area, try another place
Step 6. Know your limitations
If you have a good build and you can stretch your legs and toes, try classical ballet and not hip hop. When researching the different dance forms, make sure you know which moves can be made. Find out which ones you can and cannot do easily. Never forget that you are still learning. You can and will eventually become more flexible.
Step 7. Choose your favorite dance form
Although you can always learn other dances at a later stage, it is better to start with one type of dance first. Concentrate on learning that dance form before moving on to something else.
Part 2 of 4: Dancing to your own music
Step 1. Find an open space to practice
You need the space to practice. Choose an environment with a solid floor where you can make some noise.
Step 2. Use music with a clear rhythm
You can find a dance remix of many songs, but you can dance to almost anything with a constant rhythm.
Step 3. Learn to listen to the rhythm
Some people have trouble following a rhythm. Do you also suffer from this, listen carefully to the music at the beginning of a song. Ask someone more musical to help you count the measure by tapping with your foot. Once you get the hang of it, you can try it on your own.
Step 4. Dare to move
Once you feel the rhythm, try to move with your body. Don't worry about technique first. At this point it is only important to learn to move your body to the beat of the music.
Start with just your arms and then move your legs (or vice versa). It's easier to focus on one part first. Listen carefully to the rhythm so that you don't fall behind with your movements
Step 5. Dance at your own pace
Of course you want to be able to dance great right away. But it takes time to learn to dance. If you try to do too much at once, you could injure yourself.
Step 6. Learn the basic techniques first
You can avoid frustration by starting at the beginning. It will improve your technique and allow you to make more complicated movements easier. Use online tutorials or books to help you learn the basics.
Learn the basic poses of ballet dancing. For example, start with the starting position. Your heels are against each other with the feet at an angle of 45 degrees outwards. It may take some practice to get this done, but try to use your hips to get into this position. Your arms are bent outward from the shoulder in a bent position
Step 7. Go dancing in a club
Dancings are great places to try different types of dance, such as hip hop, country or swing dancing.
Part 3 of 4: Getting to a higher dance level
Step 1. Take dance lessons
You may have already taken dance lessons to be able to choose a certain dance form, but now you will have to take lessons, focusing on the dance form (or forms) you love. Again, look in your area where you can get lessons, privately or in groups. Choose a lesson for beginners, because you are still learning.
Step 2. Watch the pros dance
This can help form a picture of the movements in your brain. You can do the moves better yourself if you've already gone through them in your mind.
Look at a run, as indicated earlier. Also pay close attention to your teacher when he demonstrates the movements
Step 3. Practice with friends
If you can get a few friends to go to dance class together, you can practice together outside of class. That way you can also comment on each other and get better at dancing together.
Step 4. Make time to practice
The only way to train your body is to exercise regularly. This develops muscle memory, so you can dance without having to think about the movements.
Step 5. Study yourself
Make a video of yourself and see how you move. You can also post it on dance sites to get tips from other dancers.
Step 6. Practice in front of the mirror
By practicing in front of the mirror you immediately see what you are doing wrong, so that you do not remember wrong movements.
Step 7. Look in your area
Check out theater groups or maybe there's a local dance group you can join.
One way to find these groups is to check the local newspaper's events calendar. Then you can see what performances are on to find local dance groups
Part 4 of 4: Getting your body in shape to dance
Step 1. Eat fruits and vegetables
These foods are packed with nutrients. Your body needs those vitamins and minerals to function, so eat your vegetables every day.
Step 2. Know your proportions
If you're constantly dancing, you should get about half of your calories from carbohydrates. The other 50 percent is divided into 35 percent fat and 15 percent protein.
- The carbohydrates provide fuel for the muscles to dance, and give energy.
- Protein aids in muscle recovery. During intensive dance sessions, your muscles are heavily loaded and the muscle fibers break. Protein helps to restore that.
Step 3. Avoid simple carbohydrates
Do not eat white sugar, white bread and white rice. Instead, choose whole-wheat bread and fruit as carbohydrate suppliers.
Step 4. Hydrate your body
You will have to replenish fluids that your body loses. In addition, a lack of moisture can slow you down.
- Drink 8 200 ml glasses of water every day.
- During an intense dance session, you should drink 4 glasses of water per hour to make up for the loss of fluid.
Step 5. Choose lean proteins
Eat fish or chicken as protein suppliers, as they contain less saturated fat than red meat. You can also take advantage of the proteins in plants, such as nuts and beans.
Step 6. Make use of cross-training
To develop your body, you can also do other exercises for more muscle strength and endurance.
- Swimming is an example of a great total-body workout that will also make you more limber. In addition, the joints are not put under much pressure. The backstroke is especially a good exercise to loosen up the upper body.
- You can go cycling to train the leg muscles. This is also great for improving your overall stamina. Make sure you sit upright while cycling, otherwise the muscles around your hips may shorten.
- You can also do yoga for more flexibility and strength. Yoga can help lengthen muscles and strengthen your core.
Step 7. Start working with weights
Lifting weights helps develop your muscles. You'll be able to stay in certain dance positions for longer, or move in ways you never thought you could. You can do standard exercises like biceps curls or squats, but only do sets of three with six or eight reps, and then with a slightly heavier weight than you would normally use. More weight (but not as many reps) will help strengthen your body without adding too much muscle mass to your body.
- For the biceps curls, hold a dumbbell in each hand. Your palms face inward. Lift both weights and rotate your hands so that the palms are facing up. You can also take the weights up to the shoulder in turns.
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart for the squats. Hold the dumbbells in front of your body. Bend your knees and lower yourself. Then return to the standing position. Repeat the exercise.
Tips
If you're really tight, search online for a video or routine. It's fast and free, and you can still learn different moves with it
Warnings
- Clear the space around you so that you don't bump into anything while dancing.
- Don't try any moves you're not ready for or that are dangerous. Until you really master those moves, they can easily cause injuries.
- It is best to learn it from a professional.