How to Become a Better Dancer

By fauxnoey

Dancing is Easy... Dancing Better is Hard.

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Have you hit a wall in your dancing ability? Read on for some foolproof ways to improve your moves.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Four Daily Rituals for Becoming a Better Dancer

Step1

Stretch. We all stretch during warm-ups, to cool down, or if we feel pain or discomfort. But what about during your time off? Simply taking time when you'd normally be sitting on the couch and, instead, getting down into some simple floor stretches will do wonders for keeping (and improving) your flexibility. And make sure to do all of the stretches you know; repeating the easy ones over and over won't help you and might even make you bored.

Step2

Learn. You mean you've never been to the ballet studio down the street? You've often seen the sign for Thursday night salsa, but always been afraid to go? Taking classes will not only work your body and improve your coordination, but it will also help train your brain to remember and retain choreography, which helps you learn more, faster. Classes also help dancers maintain a dance language; knowing and using the terminology often means more and better communication with teachers, choreographers and other dancers.

Step3

Practice. No one gets every step right the first time, but the good dancers keep practicing all the way home. This time, instead of throwing down your bag and feeling grateful that you have another week until you have to try again, make an effort to solve the problem immediately. Sometimes breathing and taking a moment to clear your head is all it takes to make the footwork come into focus. Then you can go back to class next week and be sure that you've gotten it right!

Step4

Watch. Sitcom writers learn from watching television; musicians learn from listening to the masters at work. Why wouldn't dancers learn from watching as many other dancers as possible? Taped concerts, documentaries, even live performances are wonderful ways to better understand trends in the dance world and the abilities of other dancers out there. Who knows; maybe watching other dancers on stage might inspire you to action!

Tips & Warnings

Always exercise caution and use proper techniques when stretching. If you have never been trained as a dancer, please take beginning classes and familiarize yourself with stretching technique before stretching without supervision, as per Step 1.