Just a few tips to get thoughts rolling in the world of social dancing. This is part one, and includes some of the important points to keep in mind as we venture out into the world of blues dancing (other dances too)
- Blues Dancing is a dance that everyone can ask someone else to dance in. Leads can ask follows, follows can ask leads, leads can ask leads, and follows can ask follows.
- Unless someone asks you to teach them something, teaching on the social dance floor is something we try to avoid doing. This works on the other side as well. If you want someone to show you something or let you know thier thoughts on how you can improve, you need to ask. Social dancing is the fun part. Lay back, let loose, be safe, have fun.
- Be aware of smells and sweat. Wear deodorant of some sort, and please do not leave your laundry in the washer too long so it doesn’t have a mildew like smell. We all like dancing with other people, but some people are more sensitive to smell than others. This can also include avoiding intense amounts of perfume or cologne. Also, it is a great idea to being a change of clothes just in case, particularly shirts. Some venues can be very warm, so even though we aren’t moving much… sweat happens.
- Intoxication. There comes a certain point in everyones alcohol tolerance that blues dancing might not be the best for them to do after. If you feel you might be getting to that point, it’s perfectly fine to just socialize and have a good time off the dance floor. We want everyone to be safe.
- Take some classes before trying the really fancy stuff. It’s great to have classes for the basics, and many people take the beginner classes and feel they have enough to keep them dance happy (which is great). Some of the more fancy dips, drops, movements, and moves that have sudden stops and such you should have a dance instructor teach you so they are taught safely and properly.
I’ll be adding and editing these as time goes by, thanks for stopping in.