Thursday 7 January 2010
Choosing the Best Dance Wear for Ballroom and Latin Dance
Lots of people are getting off their couches are enrolling in Ballroom and Latin American dance classes. Dance is a wonderful way to get active, meet new people and discover a wonderful new hobby. However every week though I see beginners not getting the maximum benefit from their class because they don't have the right clothes and shoes.
Shoes are the single most important item for a dancer. Even keen social dancers make sure they have good comfortable shoes. Ballroom and Latin technique involves you sliding your foot over the floor: you cannot do this with athletic shoes, worse you may wreck you knee forcing your foot. Ideally you should have shoes with suede or leather soles. These shoes can't be worn outside though, you'll destroy the soles. If you don't have leather soled shoes get a smooth sole shoe.
Ladies, most ballroom dance steps have you moving backwards, you can't step backwards with a slip on shoe. You can't dance comfortably in a shoe that does not stay on your foot. That means a sandal with a strap or a court shoe that fits properly.
The other important point with shoes is that Ladies they must have a heel: normally 2 1/2" but 2" if you are more comfortable in it. Flat jazz sneakers or ballet slippers will not help you with ballroom and Latin American: your weight has to be towards the front of your foot and the easiest way to achieve that is with a proper shoe.
Men's shoes are easier - just make sure you wear a dress shoe with a relatively smooth sole and not athletic shoes.
Clothing: again its surprising the number of people who wear tight fitting clothing and think they are going to be comfortable dancing. Wear something comfortable but, particularly if you are paying for private coaching, wear clothing that shows your body's line. The reason that ballet dancers typically wear leotards is because that's what shows their body alignment the best. Ballroom is not quite as dramatic but its still essential to wear something that won't ride up at the shoulder and make you look like you've raised your shoulders even if you haven't.
For men this eliminates any regular business or sports jacket: only jackets specifically designed for dancing will sit correctly across your shoulder with your arms up in ballroom hold. Most men avoid the problem by wearing a business shirt for ballroom or T-shirt for Latin American. Men's trousers should again not be too full so that his leg line can be seen.
Ladies clothing has an additional issue: American style ballroom particularly you need to wear a mid-calf length skirt so that you have something to play with! A skirt both enhances the dancers movement and hides the rather ugly bent knees which is the technical secrete behind that movement! Obviously a suitable skirt must allow you to stride out and for the man to get his leg between your' so a tight, straight skirt won't work.
A suitable skirt is traditionally made of Lycra and is either 4-gored cut on cross or designed with additional inserts from below the knee. The skirt is not as full as that used for square dancing or rock and roll. For Latin American the skirt is be shorter (optionally a LOT shorter) and trousers are slightly more common, but basically a nice knee-length or shorter, flippy skirt will show movement and your leg line!
Lis Sowerbutts has been a competitive ballroom dancers for over 10 years.
Over that time she has seen an explosion in cheap affordable dance wear thanks to the Internet. Buyers now have a fantastic choice for a lot less than even a few years ago For all your dance wear needs check out http://cheapdancewear.info/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lis_Sowerbutts
Shoes are the single most important item for a dancer. Even keen social dancers make sure they have good comfortable shoes. Ballroom and Latin technique involves you sliding your foot over the floor: you cannot do this with athletic shoes, worse you may wreck you knee forcing your foot. Ideally you should have shoes with suede or leather soles. These shoes can't be worn outside though, you'll destroy the soles. If you don't have leather soled shoes get a smooth sole shoe.
Ladies, most ballroom dance steps have you moving backwards, you can't step backwards with a slip on shoe. You can't dance comfortably in a shoe that does not stay on your foot. That means a sandal with a strap or a court shoe that fits properly.
The other important point with shoes is that Ladies they must have a heel: normally 2 1/2" but 2" if you are more comfortable in it. Flat jazz sneakers or ballet slippers will not help you with ballroom and Latin American: your weight has to be towards the front of your foot and the easiest way to achieve that is with a proper shoe.
Men's shoes are easier - just make sure you wear a dress shoe with a relatively smooth sole and not athletic shoes.
Clothing: again its surprising the number of people who wear tight fitting clothing and think they are going to be comfortable dancing. Wear something comfortable but, particularly if you are paying for private coaching, wear clothing that shows your body's line. The reason that ballet dancers typically wear leotards is because that's what shows their body alignment the best. Ballroom is not quite as dramatic but its still essential to wear something that won't ride up at the shoulder and make you look like you've raised your shoulders even if you haven't.
For men this eliminates any regular business or sports jacket: only jackets specifically designed for dancing will sit correctly across your shoulder with your arms up in ballroom hold. Most men avoid the problem by wearing a business shirt for ballroom or T-shirt for Latin American. Men's trousers should again not be too full so that his leg line can be seen.
Ladies clothing has an additional issue: American style ballroom particularly you need to wear a mid-calf length skirt so that you have something to play with! A skirt both enhances the dancers movement and hides the rather ugly bent knees which is the technical secrete behind that movement! Obviously a suitable skirt must allow you to stride out and for the man to get his leg between your' so a tight, straight skirt won't work.
A suitable skirt is traditionally made of Lycra and is either 4-gored cut on cross or designed with additional inserts from below the knee. The skirt is not as full as that used for square dancing or rock and roll. For Latin American the skirt is be shorter (optionally a LOT shorter) and trousers are slightly more common, but basically a nice knee-length or shorter, flippy skirt will show movement and your leg line!
Lis Sowerbutts has been a competitive ballroom dancers for over 10 years.
Over that time she has seen an explosion in cheap affordable dance wear thanks to the Internet. Buyers now have a fantastic choice for a lot less than even a few years ago For all your dance wear needs check out http://cheapdancewear.info/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lis_Sowerbutts
Wednesday 6 January 2010
Dance Lessons Offer Many Health Benefits
Taking dance lessons can offer a lot of benefits. It may be something that you are doing for your wife, you may just want to be a better dancer, or it could be a great option for exercising. Dancing can be a fun way to lose those extra pounds.
Dancing can help relieve stress, increase energy, improve strength, and increase muscle tone. Other types of fast paced dancing can lower risks of heart disease, lower blood pressure, help lose weight, and strengthen bones.
Taking dance lessons can help you become more flexible. The stretching exercises that are required before dancing help prevent injuries and make your muscles more flexible. This flexibility can help in all aspects of your life and keep your body feeling good.
Dancing can also build strength. Many dancing styles require the use of most of your leg muscles and others require you to sustain your own weight or a partner. The resistance on the muscles during dancing can help build and strengthen your muscles.
Dancing can also be a great cardio activity. Salsa, hip hop, and country dancing can contribute to weight loss. The fast and constant movement can be compared to an aerobic exercise.
While there are many physical advantages to dancing, it also can be great stress reliever. Dancing is a great way to socialize and build self esteem.
Whether you are taking dance lessons in Queens or at a night club in Las Vegas, dancing can be a great exercising and social activity that you can benefit from.
MW Dance Club ( http://www.mwdanceclub.com/ ) is a Ballroom & Latin Dance Studio with locations in Nassau County, Suffolk County and in Queens. Ryan Coisson is a freelance writer.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_Coisson
Dancing can help relieve stress, increase energy, improve strength, and increase muscle tone. Other types of fast paced dancing can lower risks of heart disease, lower blood pressure, help lose weight, and strengthen bones.
Taking dance lessons can help you become more flexible. The stretching exercises that are required before dancing help prevent injuries and make your muscles more flexible. This flexibility can help in all aspects of your life and keep your body feeling good.
Dancing can also build strength. Many dancing styles require the use of most of your leg muscles and others require you to sustain your own weight or a partner. The resistance on the muscles during dancing can help build and strengthen your muscles.
Dancing can also be a great cardio activity. Salsa, hip hop, and country dancing can contribute to weight loss. The fast and constant movement can be compared to an aerobic exercise.
While there are many physical advantages to dancing, it also can be great stress reliever. Dancing is a great way to socialize and build self esteem.
Whether you are taking dance lessons in Queens or at a night club in Las Vegas, dancing can be a great exercising and social activity that you can benefit from.
MW Dance Club ( http://www.mwdanceclub.com/ ) is a Ballroom & Latin Dance Studio with locations in Nassau County, Suffolk County and in Queens. Ryan Coisson is a freelance writer.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_Coisson
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