I've wanted to dance ever since I can remember but parents wouldn't allow it when I was a kid and I haven't had the nerve as an adult. Recently I started "dancing" for exercise with a group of seniors and it's reawakened my dream of learning to really dance. The problem (in addition to age, weight and shyness) is that I'm low income and can't afford studeo rates. I tried taking a class at the community college but it was geared for couples so all I could do was watch. I'm not quite old enough to join the senior center and my significant other wouldn't dance if his life depended on it. So any suggestions? Or should I just act my age and forget it?

A lot of areas have a once a week swing and/or latin group that meets. Usually they have a club, or something that only requires paying a few bucks a week. Another option might be group classes at a studio. If a studio requires you to be on some kind of package before you can do their groups, then find another studio. Some places charge like $10-15 for a group class. Good luck.

Dont fret about Age, body size, etc....I started Ballroom Dancing at 50 and still love it at 52....I am 6'4" and 255 lbs and am very light on my feet for a big guy. I started by going to watch my girlfriend take her lessons.
With your other half, you might even consider giving him some lessons for a birthday or Christmas or even take him to a drop in lesson...Here in Canada drop in lessons or practise dances start at about 7 dollars...I guess it depends on your location....
If you love dancing, dont give up hope, just try a few different strategies....

Do it! Just do it!

Practice is FREE if you find someone to proactice with - and you'll be in group classes full of potential practice partners. Also, you'll find plenty of peole to dance with at socials... whixh, at the price of $10-15 per EVENING, is a cheap and effective way to get to dance!

Where I live you have to pay the various studios anywhere from $5 per person per session to $10 per person per hour to practice -- and that's with your own amateur partner. So I wouldn't say that practice is strictly free.

However, group classes and social parties are really fun ways to meet people and start moving your body. Don't let your inhibitions stop you!

I'm kind of an atypical case in that I've gained about 30 pounds since I started dancing. I'm not blaming the dancing, but I'm just relating this so people will get the idea that dancing for six hours a week won't necessarily keep you trim or whip you into shape. However, you'll meet all sizes and shapes social dancing, and learning to dance might encourage you to try other forms of exercise or to develop other healthy habits.

Please don't forget it ! If your dream is to learning real dancing and can't affort expensive studeo rate continuously , do it interruptedly after re-arangement the priority . As a biginer , please focus to maintain good posture and body weight movement .How to achieve that ? You must learn from a good teacher , such as a competitor ,who well know how to instruct you clearly enough , you save your money and time resulting from a right man 1-4 times monthly depending your own condition.Keeping practice at home to get the skill of dance and muscular sleletal system ;revewing the related basic instructal DVD; discussing with the dancers .
Enjoy dancing , Enjoy your life!