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5 Ways Learning to Dance Can Lead To Career Opportunities

1.  Increased Cool Factor.

Who doesn’t want to be around Cool people with Cool skills?  Just watch Pierce Brosnon as he wows Rene Russo in The Thomas Crown Affair,

Al Pacino in Scent of a Woman, Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Gray, Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez, John Travolta, etc, etc, etc.  When the situation arises (and it will, trust us!), and you are able to masterfully get on the dance floor and really impress your partner, your coworkers, your family or friends and ALL the people watching, who wouldn’t want to ‘Drop the Mic like that if they could?

2. You will be more Productive at Work.

How often have you thought of new creative ideas when you’re in the shower or just when you wake up? Studies show that taking a break from a streamlined thought process every 4-5 hours will improve your problem solving abilities.  Many of those studies recommend exercise, a quick walk, or time on the treadmill to shift focus.  However, it’s pretty easy to keep that same work thought process going when engaged in the monotony of a treadmill, right?

Wasn’t the term ‘zoning out’ born out of the tedium of a treadmill?

Or maybe it was your 6^th grade social studies teacher?

Either way, it’s definitely not possible when you’re dancing!  Learning to dance requires you to be thoroughly engaged with what you’re doing; the music, your partner, what cool moves you’re going to do next, and at higher levels, executing it with flawless and impressive technique.  With all of that going on, your mind can’t help but take a break from any singular focus, giving rise to a more creative, alert, and productive thought process when you return to work.

3.  You will improve your Quick Interpersonal Connection Skills.

Learning to dance attracts all kinds of people for a plethora of reasons, and many of them social.  On any given day at a Monarch Ballroom near you, you will meet a variety of people; all different ages, backgrounds, occupations/affiliations, and reasons for wanting more unique experiences in their lives.

Some are getting ready for a wedding or an upcoming event, some are couples wanting to spice up their ‘not-so-exciting’ routines, and many others just want a different vehicle to meet people, get healthier, and increase their self-confidence.

There’s bound to be plenty of people you will relate to, connect with, will want in your career network, and, at the very least, these interactions will improve your social skills, even if yours are already on the map!

4. Improve your Physical Health and Prevent Illness.

We’re always looking for the latest quick fix to a better body.  We know that eating well and adding any regular exercise to our routine will contribute to less unwanted pounds and a better physique–that’s no secret.   The trick then, lies in our ability to choose an exercise we’d actually WANT to do on a regular basis!

Dancing can burn 250-500 calories a lesson!

It will also supercharge your immune system and reduce your risk of developing certain types of illnesses. That means fewer sick days at work—for actually being sick, anyway! With improved health and immunity, you minimize your chances for getting the flu, or a cold, and reduce your risk for developing Type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension and heart disease not to mention the unique mental aspect of learning a new coordination based skill lowers your risk of Alzheimer’s.

5.  Encourages a Positive Mental/Teamwork Attitude.  

Every employer looks for people that will boost teamwork and positive energy in the workplace. It’s pretty difficult NOT to be happy when you’re learning a fun skill such as ballroom dancing and working together with your teacher or your partner to make it all happen in sync to great music.

There’s no question that any kind of regular exercise, in general, can help curb feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression. When you’re physically active, Serotonin is released by your brain, which helps you feel better and improves your overall state of mind.

Dancing releases almost ALL the positive hormones your body has in its’ arsenal!  Oxytocin, the bonding/connecting hormone is secreted during many relationship building ‘activities’, but also when we touch someone, give or see acts of kindness, and when we hug.  When we take a person in our arms and dance, we can’t help but feel elated—maybe it’s the sense of accomplishment-a dopamine rush, maybe it’s the connection to the person we’re dancing with-Oxytocin rush, or just the overall level of movement and activity in the muscles-endorphins and serotonin.

The post 5 Ways Learning to Dance Can Lead To Career Opportunities first appeared on Monarch Ballroom and Dance Studio.

5 Salsa Club Solutions for Improved Social Skills

Your mission is to showcase your skills both on, and off, the dance floor.  This may require some adjustment – and it may have less to do with your dance frame, and more to do with your social skills. This may not be for you, but feel free to read through it and forward it to some person who could use it.

Get this right, and you could have a magical night of social dancing. Use these tips wisely, my fellow social dancer – or suffer the consequences.

1. Look For Smiling People

It’s really only in the movies where a woman from across the room points to an unsuspecting guy at a nightclub and mouths the words “I want you.”  In fact, that’s so far fetched it’s usually a dream sequence where the guy wakes up holding his pillow in an embarrassing way.  The best place to start your social quest is with people that are:

• Facing the Dance Floor – People will typically position their bodies toward their area of interest.
• Smiling – It’s the polite way to suggest that you are interested in dancing.

2. Avoid the Bar Types

If their body language is directed toward the bar, or to a large muscular companion – avert your eyes and move on to another person.  Sometimes a latin club offers a great ambiance, drink specials, or community, yet they may have no interest in dancing.  Almost like being a member of a country club, but not owning golf clubs.  Some people are just there to socialize. Accept it and move on my friend.

3. Stay on the Floor

The best body language you can find as a dancer is, well…. dancing.  Your best chance of finding people like that is on the dance floor.  Don’t hesitate to head onto the floor solo and practice your steps – or mark time in place to the music.  When the song ends, make eye contact with someone and politely offer your hand.

4. No Mixed Messages

If you want to avoid a rude reaction, you’ve got to be careful with this one.  Keep everything about dancing – your demeanor, your conversation, your body language.  An attempted pick up line, aggressive body contact, or staring at her with your “Hungry Eyes” will put her on the fast track to the “I think my friends are looking for me” escape (as she’s mouthing the word “help!!!” to her friends across the club).

5.  Keep It Classy

So let’s say the person you asked declined your invitation.  Remember, much more is revealed about your confidence and character by how you respond to this ego sting.  Average suitors will pout, call the person rude, or worse.  That’s not you, nor should it be.  Your dance skills give you access to the dance floor, but that doesn’t mean every person you ask has to agree. It happens.  Stay positive and exit with class, “if at any point you change your mind, I’d be honored to dance with you.  Enjoy your evening.” Then you smile, walk away, and ask someone else.

Final Thought

When you first started learning to dance, frustration was frequent.

You were learning a skill, and asking your body and brain to sing in harmony together.  Nevertheless, you stuck with it.  The missed steps were part of a bigger process that got you to this point.

In a nightclub, there’s a new level in play.  You are asking a person to dance and to move in harmony with you.  Just like learning to dance, asking people to dance will go through a similar process, and with equally rewarding results.

The post Master these 5 salsa club social skills first appeared on Monarch Ballroom and Dance Studio.

It’s self preservation.  You know, that instinct that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up when you’re walking into a dark room, or, you know, bungee jumping over lava.  Since a dance floor doesn’t pose any real threat to your life, Sigmund Freud may have labeled this fear as neurotic.

We’d just call you a regular person.

“How Do I Overcome My Fear of Dancing?”

1. Eliminate the Myths

There are a lot of myths that keep people on the sidelines, and off the dance floor.  They are told over and over, like some folk legend that is now a forgone conclusion…

And they are all fake.

• “I was born with two left feet….”
• “You’re either born with rhythm or not….”
• “Dancing just isn’t for me…”

Did you ever wonder what these dancing babies looked like? You know, the ones without two left feet, with rhythm, who all said, out loud, that dance was their hobby of choice?

VERDICT:  FAKE

Here’s the Truth

• Everyone, in any hobby, needs instruction to get better.  Learning to dance is no different. Whether you cal that “two left feet” or “super awkward”, everyone looks and feels that way until they take lessons.
• Rhythm is not a born with, or born without skill. It’s a skill. Skills can be taught.

2. Schedule A Lesson

There is no way of conquering your fear for something by avoiding it.

• Find a school that specializes in dance instruction.  Not a gym, a community center, or a nightclub.
• Take PRIVATE LESSONS.  More expensive, but worth every penny.  You need a personal trainer to see you through this transition.

3. Eliminate the Gaps

Avoid long gaps between your dance lessons.  If it takes you 30 minutes to get comfortable, and your lessons are 50 minutes – waiting a week won’t reduce that time on your next lesson.

-30 + 50 = 20

On the other hand…

If it takes you 30 minutes to feel comfortable, and you take a 100 minute lesson, then you’ve got 70 minutes of positive territory developing a new comfort zone.

-30 + 100 = 70

You can choose your own calendar, and the closer you keep your lessons scheduled, the sooner you’ll feel acclimated.

4. Avoid Early Assessments

Every lesson you’re making progress, feeling more comfortable, but no matter what you do… avoid making assessments.

It would be unfair to judge the entire process at such an early stage.

It would be like judging a caterpillar in a butterfly contest.  It’s too early!

During this time you should:

1. Let your teacher give all the feedback.
2. Avoid watching yourself in the mirror.
3. Don’t try to practice, or fix things, at home.
4. Keep an open dialogue with your teacher if you have concerns.

At this early stage, it’s easy to toss the entire idea of dance lessons out the window.  So leave the assessments and pass/fail opinions to your teacher.

5. Attend A Group Class

Yes, group classes can seem scary, but they have a much bigger purpose than a few extra dance steps.

You need proof, social proof.  A group class is the perfect opportunity to:

• Meet other new students and share your stories
• Meet newer students! Wow, if there’s someone more afraid than you, won’t that open your eyes to your progress?
• Get positive reinforcement – it’s great when you hear your teacher tell you that you’re improving, but when you hear that from others, and tell it to others, it’s incredibly validating.

Final Thought

Learning to dance is like flying, driving, or meeting people at a bar.  The only way to improve your confidence in the activity is to participate in the activity.  Taking dance lessons will make the activity of dancing improve, and, therefore, reduce the fear.

If you ever start to second guess your decision, just remember, you could easily still be at home thinking that you weren’t born a dancer.

The post HOW DO I OVERCOME MY FEAR OF DANCING? first appeared on Monarch Ballroom and Dance Studio.

Putting it on is a form of torture. In fact, the last guy who wore it wrote that inside the cummerbund. You are more excited to take it off than to wear it to the wedding.

This is exactly what it feels like to attend a wedding reception with no ballroom dance lessons – A rented tux. Now imagine custom tailored tuxedo you’ve purchased. You, and an expert, have selected all the details. It fits perfectly, it’s pressed, and ready for anything.

That’s what a wedding reception, or any social function, feel like when you’ve had ballroom dance lessons. You can’t wait to find somewhere to use it.

Survive Any Wedding Reception With These 5 Ballroom Dances:

Swing

This is your wedding reception dance floor Swiss Army Knife. Whether the music is Big Band, Rock, or R&B – Swing will keep you secure on the dance floor in any social dance environment.

Rumba

Weddings are filled with romance… imagine that. So plan on a hefty dose of slow music. While others are gently swaying side to side doing their best Junior prom impersonation, you’ll be dancing the Rumba. The elevated, grown up way to slow dance.

Merengue

Need to fake your way through some uptempo music? How about an Electric Slide alternative? Whether it is EDM, Disco, or a conga line – Merengue how a well trained dancer keeps their cool points when the music gets fast.

Foxtrot

It’s the money dance and the DJ is in an eclectic kind of mood. His lineup is “L-O-V-E”, by Nat King Cole, “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” by Ella Fitzgerald, and “I Get A Kick Out Of You” by Frank Sinatra.

So your dance options are: Foxtrot, Foxtrot, and then – Foxtrot. With this dance you travel around the dance floor, look cooler than one of the Ocean’s 11, and can hold a pleasant conversation the entire time.

Salsa

If you haven’t heard, Salsa is a pretty popular dance. This may not be the featured type of music for the DJ, the newlyweds, and her Dad picking up the tab. When it is played, however, you need to be there. It shows that you’ve got Latin Dance moves, you’re equipped with solid technique, and you’re hip enough to be one of the first dancers on the floor.

Final Thought

Learning to dance the right way is all about preparation. You can’t control when your friends are getting married, but you can control if you RSVP to be there. Can’t control the music they are

The post Survive Any Wedding Reception With These 5 Ballroom Dances! first appeared on Monarch Ballroom and Dance Studio.