What most people don't know about dancing is that you have to enjoy the
music when you're dancing to make it more extravagant. Dancing involves
feeling the beat, feeling the music. LIVE IT, LOVE IT, LEARN IT. You
never just get up on stage and start to move feel the rhythm love the
rhythm and enjoy it.
So when you go out, remember you are there to have fun and so is everyone
else. No one is judging you on how you dance, but if they are then they
probably aren't the sort of people worth worrying about. If your self
esteem is low, your body language will reflect this, so go out there and
have fun.
Hate being the one in the corner of the room while everyone else is
enjoying themselves on the dance floor? Have an event coming up that
will require you to step out to the beat? If a little crisis of
confidence or some uncertainty about how to move is keeping you from
joining the fun, look no further than this article for what you need to
know to spin, step and strut the night away in style!
1. Bob your head. Start by understanding the beat in your head to get how themusic is. If it helps, count 1, 2, 3, 4 in your head.
2. Shift your weight. Shift all of your weight to one
foot. You can lift the other foot slightly off the ground to make sure
all your weight is off of it.
- At every other count (preferably 1 to 3) shift your weight
completely to the other foot. You can also shift your weight at every
single count, but starting out slowly will help you get comfortable
before you begin dancing fast.
- Keep your legs loose and bend your knees slightly; there should be
just a little bit of "bounce" to your weight shifts, and a subtle bounce
(in place) on the counts when you aren't shifting your weight as well.
3. Move your feet. Once
you're shifting your weight to the rhythm, begin moving your feet. Right
before you shift your weight to a foot, move it slightly, even just an
inch or two from where it was before. When you move your foot, keep it
fairly close to the ground.
- If you're dancing with someone else, be sure to move around in a way
that accommodates your partner without stepping on him or her.
4. Add some hip action. When you put your weight on a
foot, move your hips (and your body) slightly in the direction of that
foot. If you shift your weight onto your right foot, for example, move
your hips to the right. You can twist your body slightly to add a little
more movement. For example, when you move to the right, put your right
shoulder forward a little and left shoulder back vice versa for when you
move to the left.
5. Move your arms. If you're uncomfortable, the tendency
is to keep your arms close or to let them hang limp. Instead, move your
arms around. Keep your hands open or in very loose fists. You can put
your arms in the air or at 90 degree angles at your sides (like when
you're running)or try one of the arm moves listed below. Whatever you
do, don't get stuck on just one move; keep switching it up.
- Roll the dice. Make a loose fist and shake your arm and hand as
though you are shaking a pair of dice for a roll. After a few shakes,
"roll" the dice. Don't overuse this move to the point that it becomes
comical. (More commonly used by men).
- Mow the lawn. Bend forward and with one hand grasp the starter of an
imaginary lawn mower. Pull your hand back as though you're pulling on
the string to start the mower. Once you get it going, you can take a few
steps while you mow the lawn. This move requires a certain amount of
confidence to pull off, but it's a lot of fun and can bring a smile or a
laugh to those dancing around you. (More commonly used by men).
- Swing an air lasso. Grab an imaginary lasso and swing it above your
head as though you're about to rope a cow. Shift your weight to the foot
opposite your "lasso hand" and thrust your hips in that direction.
(More commonly used by women).
- Pump your fist. Make a fist and then make a pumping motion overhead
in a celebratory fashion. (Best used when attending a concert).
- Watch other dancers. If you’re not sure how to dance to a song, take
your cues from other dancers. You don’t want to copy them exactly
(unless it’s a standardized dance), but you can get some ideas.
- Get a dancer friend to help you learn a dance move. For most people,
watching others do the same is the key. Just get someone who knows what
they are doing to show you, then if you just follow in their lead, you
can surely get it in the end of the day with a little bit of practice
every night!
- Bring a friend who is a terrible dancer but just doesn't care.
You'll feel less self-conscious that way, and their confidence might rub
off on you!
- Remember to keep your dancing speed with the tempo of the song you are dancing to.
- Don't worry about what other people say when you are dancing have fun.
- Smile
and look like you're having fun. Not showing any emotions shows that
you don't know what you're doing and you're not very comfortable with
it.
- Invite a friend over and make your own dance to a song. It will make
you more confident when you are in a position where you have to dance.
Well that's all for now, until next time do have a Good Luck :-)
B-boy Harry Foundation, Compass Nella Fitness Centre, Ongata Rongai.
Email: bboyharry@live.com - Phone: +254 700 472 451.