Posted by on Jan 9, 2018 in Blogs

how to prepare for your first adult ballroom class

Attending your first ballroom dance class can be very intimidating, regardless of your age. Entering new situations is always a little nerve-wracking because you aren’t sure what to expect. An important thing to remember is that you’re not alone in feeling nervous. Probably every person in the room is thinking the same thing: “What if I look silly?” or “What if I embarrass myself?”. Below are a few tips that will help prepare you for your first ballroom dance class.

Dress To Impress

Leave the ball gowns at home, comfort is the most important thing to keep in mind when choosing your outfit for class. Wear something that doesn’t restrict your movement, but keep in mind that you’re entering a professional organization. For men, a shirt and nice pants are perfect – think business casual. For women, nice pants or a long flowy skirt is great.

Also, remember that you’re going to be moving around the floor a lot. Wear something that you don’t have to worry about lifting up, falling down or coming undone!

Don’t Forget Your Feet

Don’t worry if you don’t have professional ballroom dance shoes, just look for a shoe that allows you to glide across the floor with ease. Try for leather or suede soled shoes. Athletic shoes are usually too grippy, and can actually cause injuries so it’s best to stick with a pair of dress shoes if leather or suede isn’t an option.

So Fresh & So Clean

Remember – you’re going to be dancing closely with multiple partners throughout your class, so personal hygiene is a must. Try to keep cologne or perfume to a minimum, as the strong smells may irritate some people. Keep some mints on hand, and bring a change of shirt if you’re someone who sweats a lot.

Don’t Expect Perfection

Learning a new skill takes time – so don’t get frustrated if it takes a while for you to catch on! The same goes for your partners. Practice patience and just let yourself enjoy the learning process. If you find yourself getting frustrated, take a quick break before jumping back in.

Have Fun!

Everyone in your class is there to have fun and learn a new skill, so relax, keep an open mind and enjoy yourself! The more you relax into the moves, the more natural they will appear.

Elite Dance Studio offers adult ballroom classes for all levels of experience. Give us a call to learn more or register today!