Hi everyone--

I just started dancing about 6 months ago. At first I just signed up for a Ballroom 1 (beginning) class with one of my girlfriends. Then I pinpointed what I really loved, and now I take argentine tango, WC swing, salsa and latin classes (either group or private) almost every day per week, and sometimes two classes in one day. Needless to say, I am addicted and have definitely caught the dancing bug!

I'd like to hear stories from beginners or anyone else for that matter: what got you into dancing, how it's changed your life, and the progress towards going from a complete novice (or someone with two left feet like me) to steadily more advanced. I know I have to be patient, and I'm treating dancing as a marathon (life-long commitment) vs. a sprint, but I just can't WAIT to get really good and kick butt! I wish I had more patience!

Thanks!!

You, as I have, have been infected!

Actually, I'm a creation of dancing! My mum and dad met whilst ballroom dancing. Their conversation consisted of "oops, damn," and "sorry." Very romantic!

I started dancing at the start of this year. I didn't really want to start but my mum had always fancied me being a ballroom dancer and I needed to do some exercise. Needless to say, I completely sucked in the first class. But I kept going back. Every week, my love for it grew a little stronger. In the first medal test, I topped the class! It just goes to show you that if you love it and want it enough that you will succeed. I would love to do more classes but they don't offer any more for teenagers. I do private lessons, help out in the adults classes and partner the men as well as going to all the socials. I only do basic steps with the men but I get to practice my posture and correct foot movement.

Although I've only been dancing for about 9 months, I know that It will always be a huge part of my life. Maybe even, I hope, my career.

Hope this wasn't totally boring, Claire.

Not at all Claire! I wish I was like you and started in my teens, it's so cool you're getting into it at a yougn age. It's great to hear people progressing, b/c I just can't wait to get better and better.

Keep on dancing!

For some reason or another, if I did, miss a social-dance,wich is a straight 4 hour dance period, with only 5mins shirt changes/refresh times between dances, I get the most peculiar feeling of needing to dance.... Could it be that I'm addicted to dancing or is there another underlying reason wich I'm not aware of?... A friend says it is the adrenaline rush I receive... Is it so or is it something else?... Could it be harmful or not?... I just have to dance daily, either to practice the steps and turns or just for the fun of it... Could someone please inform me of what is happening to me?

Danceman. Dancing is.
Greating Shapes in Space.
Moving to Beautifull Music
And entering into that wonderfull world of make Believe.

dancer is seeing that youthful, soul-reconfiguring enthusiasm that completely changes one's outlook on life.

One of the greatest pleasures of dancing is that this ecstacy be seen in faces of any age.

Welcome to the ballroom world. Please don't be afraid to return to this forum with your questions. There are a lot of smart ladies around.

Just be aware that there are a few dumbasses around, too.



jj

Alexis-

It sounds like your enthusiasm will have you improving and excelling rather quickly. I got started in dancing at a young age in the early 1960s, mostly from the big parties on my mother's side of the family -- big gatherings of Italian folks. If you did not idolize boxers and know how to dance, you were somewhat odd in the eyes of these fun-loving people. So I learned early and kept with it pretty hard through the disco 1970s and 1980s and then was off it a bit after getting married and raising a fine young man. Now, my wife and I are back in it, the past four years or so doing advanced ballroom, and we've danced in a couple of shows at one of the major theaters in our city. So, it's been an enjoyable skill to possess, and I consider dancing like any other of several sports I have participated in over the years. You have to practice to get better.
Enjoy yourself ... it's an ongoing joy ride!

Greatings and good dancing to all.

After spending 15 years paying for my two daugthers dance lessons, I decided to try it for myself and I love it. Unfortuately, my soon to be ex does not..her loss.

I think I was instilled with the dance bug many years ago by my late grandfather, though maybe it laid dormant. I had known he danced but really paid little attention to it,
that was until I watched 'Shall We Dance?' a couple of years ago. I've always loved music with a beat, but the only musical instrument I could play was the radio. Dancing never really occured to me as a kid.

But since I started at the local YMCA about 2 months ago, I've dabbled in a least 8 different styles. I don't even sleep well sunday nights as I look forward the monday lesson.

Henry

Hello!
Dancing can definitely be addicting. As for why...I think it is complex. Like any exercise, running for example, I believe the body responds in a positive way and you feel better. So from a purely exercise perspective, you just feel better physically.

There is something about ballroom that is special however, more than just your body saying "I feel good"! I think the partnership aspect is also addicting. Being connected to someone in the moment is very powerful.

In addition, there is the music...music is also mysterious but powerful.

And finally, I think ballroom dancing is something that truly gives you the experience of living in the moment. You aren't thinking about your job, your worries, etc. You are enjoying something at that moment in time and the combination of moving, music, connection, etc somehow produces something "magical".

I've actually tried to figure out why it's addicting (I'm addicted too!). When I try to anaylze it, that is what I come up with. I've stopped thinking about why I'm addicted and worrying that it's unhealthy as I think it is very healthy provided that YOU control your dancing...not a studio taking advantage of you, and provided it brings you joy.

Dancing has brought me better health and gotten me through some tough times. Alexis, to answer your question...I started in "middle age" as a complete beginner 5 years ago, currently compete in silver level and have placed first in several competitions. That reminds me of one other benefit...you can dance at any age!

Happy dancing to all!

you know what? you really give me the desire to begin!

Carole