Why you should consider taking virtual dance lessons
Times have changed. With the onset of the pandemic; social distancing, masks, and gloves are the new norm. Although restrictions are opening up slowly here in California, a new way of life is inevitable, at least for a while. Thankfully, because of the power of technology we have been fortunate enough to connect while keeping away. Have you ever thought about learning how to dance? If so, I am here to let you know why virtual dance lessons is the perfect solution and not only that, but if you ever wanted to learn how to be a great partner on or off the dance floor there's never been a better time than to do it Now!
Learning how to dance, regardless of the type of dance genre it is, is all about moving your body to a piece of music. It is learning how to shift your weight from foot to foot and in the process, gain awareness of your body mechanics. Logically, that is what dancing is. But, emotionally dancing brings so many more gifts and benefits alongside it. It can be used as a form of exercise, a form of stress relief, a form of expression, a form of vacation, a form of connection, date night, and can also be used as a weekly hobby. Having danced most all my life, I am attesting to ALL those benefits and more. I’ve personally experienced it all and I’ve seen it in all my students.
Although people might be weary about taking dance lessons at a studio right now, I strongly believe that there are millions of things to learn about dancing that you could do right in the comfort of your own home by testing out virtual lessons. Not only will you be practicing social distancing but you can actually learn the fundamentals, rhythms, and technique all through Zoom (or any other medium as such). I have taught social and ballroom dancing for over a decade now and although traditionally you would do these dances with a partner, you don’t need a partner to start learning! Being a good partner is being able to carry your own weight, (in more ways than one). Being a good partner is about learning how to stay balanced over your own two feet. It’s about learning how to move yourself in all different directions with ease and grace. As a good partner you need to know what you are doing. You need to become aware of what you are responsible for, and in this case it’s how you move your own body! I say this to both my single students and those in couples: “If you can’t do this alone you won’t be able to do this with anyone else.” At first they may cringe at me as if I were feeding them some broccoli, but because they know it’s good for them they’ll succumb to my high demands, raise the white flag and attempt the steps on their own. This is HUGE for reinforcing patterns, reinforcing the rhythm and timing, and most importantly reinforcing that they can successfully balance over their own two feet without any help, making it that much easier to move with an actual partner! A bonus is that It also helps them with their confidence. Once you can dance a pattern on your own it’s like you’ve officially owned it!
Of course, and in all honesty, there are some things that you won’t be able to fully understand and pick up without the help of another person in front of you. Dancing with a partner and actually having the physical connection is one of the beauties of learning how to dance socially. But as i’ve said before, times have changed and until we can be fully comfortable in dance studios, group classes or parties with other people, why not take full advantage of technology and the time you have and start building dance skills now?! This pandemic will end and in the meantime why not learn how to dance?!