If your carpeting is thin, it is not impossible to learn dance steps on a carpet. I have taught a few people in their homes on a carpeting that was not shag or something that would be impossible to turn on. Having said that, dancing on carpeting, especially on top of cement as in a basement, is hard on the knees. Finding areas with a hardwood floor is the best. I know of this pergo in studios, as I think it is less expensive and also easier on knees for those training in ballet. At least that's what they told the ballroom dancers at my studio who were OK with that change, but still liked the wood floors better. Some studios have pergo that looks like a wooden dance floor. Many dancers are surprised to discover after a while that they have not been dancing on a wood floor all along.