Dance Class Recommendations?

[Heather M]

The more I read on the forum, the more aware I am that Ceroc nights cannot focus hugely on technique so I am a little concerned that I have fallen (and am continuing to fall further) into bad habits. I really want to improve as a dancer and have looked into getting private tuition but it's unfortunately too expensive (I've just bought a house that's stretching my budget!!). Anyway, I'm thinking about doing some other dance classes (in addition to Ceroc of course) to help. I'm not sure of what other style(s) of dancing I should try? Any recommendations?

[TiggsTours]

Originally Posted by Heather M

The more I read on the forum, the more aware I am that Ceroc nights cannot focus hugely on technique so I am a little concerned that I have fallen (and am continuing to fall further) into bad habits. I really want to improve as a dancer and have looked into getting private tuition but it's unfortunately too expensive (I've just bought a house that's stretching my budget!!). Anyway, I'm thinking about doing some other dance classes (in addition to Ceroc of course) to help. I'm not sure of what other style(s) of dancing I should try? Any recommendations?

Any other dance style will help really, so you should go with your personal taste, and I'd always say, the more the better!

Ballroom will give you fabulous technique, as it is so structured.
Latin will give you wonderful following technique, as the lead is so subtle, and the movements can be quite fast.
Westcoast will give you fabulous style, and encourage your own variations to develop.
Lindy will help to keep you really grounded, and so smooth out your style.

But any form of dance that has real technique and structure will help with your jive, and as jive is so versatile, all of them can be brought into your dancing.

[El Salsero Gringo]

Originally Posted by TiggsTours

Any other dance style will help really, so you should go with your personal taste, and I'd always say, the more the better!

Ballroom will give you fabulous technique, as it is so structured.
Latin will give you wonderful following technique, as the lead is so subtle, and the movements can be quite fast.
Westcoast will give you fabulous style, and encourage your own variations to develop.
Lindy will help to keep you really grounded, and so smooth out your style.

But any form of dance that has real technique and structure will help with your jive, and as jive is so versatile, all of them can be brought into your dancing.

And Argentine Tango lessons will make you glad of a dance (Ceroc) where the teacher doesn't expect you to spend 40 minutes practicing walking before you're allowed to do anything more expressive.

[Aleks]

Ballet will improve your posture, balance, grace, strength and flexibility.

Pilates (though not a dance form) will do the same.

[Lynn]

Originally Posted by El Salsero Gringo

And Argentine Tango lessons will make you glad of a dance (Ceroc) where the teacher doesn't expect you to spend 40 minutes practicing walking before you're allowed to do anything more expressive.

I was actually thinking this week I would be happy with a Tango dance where I hardly moved at all, but had wonderful connection with my partner.

Originally Posted by Aleks

Ballet will improve your posture, balance, grace, strength and flexibility.

Pilates (though not a dance form) will do the same.

I can't seem to get to 'adult beginner' ballet classes, they always clash with other commitments. But I have a pilates DVD - is it worth working on this at home?

[Sparkles]

The other thing about taking any other form of dancing class (in addition to Ceroc classes), is that it will improve your self-confidence and fitness ...

... which makes me think I should be doing more dance classes too

[Donna]

Originally Posted by Heather M

The more I read on the forum, the more aware I am that Ceroc nights cannot focus hugely on technique so I am a little concerned that I have fallen (and am continuing to fall further) into bad habits. I really want to improve as a dancer and have looked into getting private tuition but it's unfortunately too expensive (I've just bought a house that's stretching my budget!!). Anyway, I'm thinking about doing some other dance classes (in addition to Ceroc of course) to help. I'm not sure of what other style(s) of dancing I should try? Any recommendations?

Try a bit of everything..that's what I say.

Hip hop/Street - so are able to make ceroc look good to dance tunes

Latin - will help ceroc look sexier when a latin track comes on.

Ballroom - helps posture, balance and better foot work.

WCS - can help you put more technical steps in ceroc

Lindy - is great for those fast energetic jivey tracks and can be fun to dance to.

At least then you can make it look different everytime.

[David Bailey]

Originally Posted by El Salsero Gringo

{ snip evil anti-AT rant }

Ahh, you're just jealous. Besides, 40 mins walking is short-changing us, we want at least an hour's worth

Anyway, Heather, as (I believe) you're just starting to learn Ceroc, it's not worth getting too stressed about the stuff we talk about on the forum - it's more how you feel.

If you actually feel you're not moving forward with your dancing (and you want to), then that's one thing; but don't learn other dances just because you think you "ought to"; dancing should always be fun

It took me about 5 years of Ceroc dancing before I even thought of trying another style - although admittedly I am a very slow learner.

[Donna]

Originally Posted by DavidJames

Ahh, you're just jealous. Besides, 40 mins walking is short-changing us, we want at least an hour's worth

Anyway, Heather, as (I believe) you're just starting to learn Ceroc, it's not worth getting too stressed about the stuff we talk about on the forum - it's more how you feel.

If you actually feel you're not moving forward with your dancing (and you want to), then that's one thing; but don't learn other dances just because you think you "ought to"; dancing should always be fun

It took me about 5 years of Ceroc dancing before I even thought of trying another style - although admittedly I am a very slow learner.

And I agree. Wait until you get used to MJ first. It's a start and then you may find trying other style a lot easier. (may)

[Aleks]

Originally Posted by Lynn

I have a pilates DVD - is it worth working on this at home?

Definitely, but I'd try to get to 6-10 classes at a local fitness centre - you'll benefit from feedback and learn what doing the movement right feels like.

For anyone in Edinburgh - I know a great centre in the West End that offers yoga, mat pilates and private pilates equipment sessions.

[Lynn]

Originally Posted by Aleks

Definitely, but I'd try to get to 6-10 classes at a local fitness centre for the feedback - you'll benefit from feedback and learn what doing the movement right feels like.

I would love to but my budget is very limited at the moment - it would mean having to miss a dance weekender... or not eat... (much as I love dancing, I'm pretty keen on regular food as well!). So in the meantime I might try the DVD and see if I can sort out going to a class later in the year.

[Aleks]

Originally Posted by Lynn

I would love to but my budget is very limited at the moment - it would mean having to miss a dance weekender... or not eat... (much as I love dancing, I'm pretty keen on regular food as well!). So in the meantime I might try the DVD and see if I can sort out going to a class later in the year.

Or maybe buy fewer Tango CDs ?

[Donna]

I quite fancy trying pilates. Need to get a video but don't know which one as there are so many of them.

[Lynn]

Originally Posted by Aleks

Or maybe buy fewer Tango CDs ?

I can't buy any more anyway. It seems I've more or less cleared out the NI supply (and they weren't dear, £8.99 or something).

[Aleks]

Originally Posted by Lynn

I can't buy any more anyway. It seems I've more or less cleared out the NI supply (and they weren't dear, £8.99 or something).

Maybe you could turn the sound down on the DVD and use the Tango music to do your pilates to....

[Lynn]

Originally Posted by Aleks

Maybe you could turn the sound down on the DVD and use the Tango music to do your pilates to....

I'm doing almost everything else to tango music at the moment!

[Heather M]

Cheers for the advice everybody!

Does anyone know whether these dance styles are taught in the Dundee area?

[spindr]

Heather,

Check out the dance maps at www.afterfive.co.uk -- they may help a bit -- if you find new ones, then let "them" know

SpinDr

[Heather]

Originally Posted by Heather M

Cheers for the advice everybody!

Does anyone know whether these dance styles are taught in the Dundee area?

Hi Heather,
There is a West Coast Swing class taught by Brady and Lindsay, held on a monthly basis in Dundee. You can contact me for further details, PM me and I will give you my phone number so you can call me.

( If you are the Heather I was introduced to last Friday in Brechin, by the lovely Sherwin, then he should already have my number somewhere) And if you are, bring him along to WCS too !!


Heather,
xx

[Heather M]

Hiya, have sent you a PM. Thanks!