• Social Dancing - Workshops & Classes

    The Truth Behind “Just Feel It”

    November 17, 2016 - By 

    “Just feel it.” It’s a phrase meant to be a catch-all for expression in dance. It’s supposed to speak to an intrinsically natural sensation of being ‘in-tune’ with the music and dance. But, what exactly are we supposed to ‘feel’, and how do we use our ‘feelings’ in dance? More than a ‘Feeling’ Most of the time, the word ‘feeling’ gets conflated with the idea of ’emotion’. You feel happy, sad or angry. But, a ‘feeling’ isn’t limited to an emotion. It can also encompass a state of being, or a texture. For example, being tired is a ‘state’ of being – as…

  • Beginner-Friendly - Etiquette - Social Dancing

    Strategies for Dancing More at Socials

    August 10, 2016 - By 

    Do any of these phrases sound familiar? “I’m heavy, so people won’t dance with me – even though I’m an awesome dancer.” “If I was younger, people would dance with me more.” “They’re only dancing with her because she’s hot. She can’t dance.” “If she wasn’t a dance snob, she’d like dancing with me.” “She only dances with super-flashy, ‘advanced’ dancers. She has no appreciation of my solid basics!’ “I’m a beginner, so no one will dance with me because I’m not good enough.”

  • Beginner-Friendly - Etiquette - Social Dancing

    Dance Faux-Pas: Are you making yourself an uncomfortable dance partner?

    August 2, 2016 - By 

    Ask almost any dancer, and they’ll tell you that there are some KILLER habits that have nothing to do with your actual ability to dance. When I say ‘killer’, I don’t mean super-cool; I mean they will kill your desirability as a dance partner. For some people, these things are obvious. Others have (somehow) avoided hearing about these tricks. Last, there are those who know the tricks and think they’re doing OK – but in actuality are the worst offenders.

  • Beginner-Friendly - Following - Leading - Social Dancing

    The Magic of Hands

    July 29, 2016 - By 

    Hands are magical. They’re one of the most sensitive parts of the human body, and can even feel large microscopic molecules on a flat surface. We also generally rely pretty heavily on the hands for social dancing. Of course, it is possible to not use the hands in social dancing – but it is difficult. But, there are things that your hands can do in social dancing that you may not think about regularly.

  • Beginner-Friendly - Etiquette - Social Dancing

    Boundary Setting 101

    July 4, 2016 - By 

    Social Dancing: the perfect space for safe, physical contact with partners. The place where it’s OK to be super close to your partner, with no romantic or sexual inclinations. For most people who have been social dancing for a long time, the close, physical contact between dance partners can feel like a very natural space. In some dances, that closeness even becomes a symbol of the magnificent ‘great connection‘ we are always chasing.

  • Following - Leading - Social Dancing

    Dancing on Default

    June 28, 2016 - By 

    Have you ever felt like your leading is a bit ‘boring’ and is stuck on autopilot? Do you default to the same movement set, regardless of music? Follows, do you ever find yourself just ‘going through the motions’ on a step? If this sounds like you, you may be dancing on default.

  • Etiquette - Health & Safety - Social Dancing

    Good Intentions..?

    June 17, 2016 - By 

    Have you ever intentionally hurt or made someone uncomfortable while you were social dancing? (No? That’s what I thought) Now the trickier one… have you ever felt like someone intentionally hurt or made YOU uncomfortable while you were social dancing with them? What about, while not intentional, negligence (a lack of care) was responsible for the injury?

  • Inspirational - Social Dancing

    The easiest way to ‘Make Someone’s Night’ at a social

    April 4, 2016 - By 

    What if I told you that you have the power to make someone’s night awesome at nearly every social you attend? Well, this is me telling you: Yes, you can. At every single event or social you attend, you have the power to make someone’s night amazing. You have the power to turn someone’s experience into something wonderful. You have the power to help someone turn an ‘off’ night into an ‘on’ night.

  • Etiquette - Inspirational - Social Dancing

    The Selfless Dance

    March 31, 2016 - By 

    When you receive a selfless dance, it is magical. It can make you feel like you are on top of the world. At a minimum, it makes you feel happy and peaceful. It can lift your spirits or mend your mood, because the selfless dance is exactly what you needed in that moment. It can rescue your mood after a bad dance. It can make you forget about your daytime troubles. It can create a magical memory to take home. It can make you fall in love with the dance. But, the Selfless Dance should not be about you.

  • Following - Health & Safety - Social Dancing

    Backleading

    February 22, 2016 - By 

    Every lead has encountered the Backleader. Very much the follow version of a Pinball Lead, the Backleader goes where he or she wants – without regard to the partner. It doesn’t matter if the lead has another idea or if the music has a specific accent to hit – the follow is on autopilot, driving without a map – but convinced that they know where they are going.