Ballroom Dancing can kill you!!!.... NOT.

Ballroom Dancing has become huge in the US and the world in recent years. Tangos, waltzes, swing and foxtrots on (the still going strong) Dancing with the Stars, there was the amazing "So You Think You Can Dance,"and numerous others... In addition to being fun and social, Ballroom dancing also significantly improves both the mind and the body.

So, you wanna dance?

You're probably not going to train full time for months with a top professional dance partner, but you can still get a good workout. And keep in mind, anyone who can walk can dance.... so:Is ballroom dancing exercise?

Of course it depends on the type of dancing and your skill level, but once you get your heart rate up, you're certainly going to get a great cardio workout, whatever you do. Dance builds bones, and is wonderful for your upper body and strength. If you have a health problem, be careful about throwing yourself into a really fast dance style, but even if you aren't in perfect shape, be willing to go for it! Just start slow and make sure you are comfortable.

Dance is a "moderate activity" say the USDA's physical activity guidelines. The guidelines say adults should get at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity daily so it doesn't take much, and it is always so much easier to stick to a weight loss or health program with fun activities. Take, for instance, maybe ballroom or Latin style dance.

You might feel muscles you don't know you have! Ballroom dancing works the backs of the thighs and buttock muscles differently than many other types of exercise.How can ballroom dancing help the brain?

Increased blood flow to the brain results from any physical exercise and there's less stress, depression, and loneliness from dancing's social activity part. There are mental challenges (memorizing steps, working with your partner) making it a complex activity -- it's not just physical. 

So, how should I get started dancing?

* Look for a good teacher who emphasizes what you can do, is positive and works at your pace.
* Don't think you have to be perfect. Professionals aren't; why should you be?
* Dance is for everyone, so it doesn't matter if you sometimes worry about your size.
* Get into the music, as well as the movement.

Gaining any new skill brings confidence. So have some fun, and get confident!

Peter Jones
www.BallroomWeddingDance.com
And check us out on Facebook or Twitter

Brooke & Michael

Brooke & Michael working with Peter Jones on their Texas 2-Step for their First Dance. They soak up an amazing amount in their first lesson... and its the day after he proposes! How romantic is that!!! 


Peter Jones
www.BallroomWeddingDance.com
And check us out on Facebook or Twitter

Asmena and Fahim started dance lessons for their wedding only a week before the day. Their song is "Misty Blue," a Viennese Waltz. In this first hour, we started out with a simple hesitation step, added a separation break, plus a turn! Everything is easy once you know how! (and a little practice.) We'll see how things go in their next lessons, but I am certain we'll be able to put together a great, simple dance in only a few lessons.
(Update: They are off to their wedding in India. and in their last lesson, they looked great! Elegant, fluid, relaxed and happy! Hopefully they'll be able to send a video!)

Peter Jones

www.BallroomWeddingDance.com

And check us out on Facebook or Twitter

Music tells you how to dance!

It's your song which determines what type of dance you do!
For instance, salsa, foxtrot, swing, bachat,... are all specific dance styles that're appropriate for specific songs. The word Waltz is often used as a generic term, for a wedding dance, e.g. Wedding Waltz, but it is actually a specific type of music in 3/4 time (Moon River, Journey's "Open Arms" or Norah Jones' "Come Away With Me" are waltzes.)


Peter Jones
www.BallroomWeddingDance.com
And check us out on Facebook or Twitter

Rumba /Salsa combo! Beginners

I'm teaching Alexis and Kerry, in only 3 lessons, a beautiful Rumba /Salsa combo for the wedding next week!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3r0kEewJPZk

Peter Jones
www.BallroomWeddingDance.com
And check us out on Facebook or Twitter

Dancing together is truly a beautiful, fulfilling experience. It is a perfect metaphor for any couple, especially a couple getting married, as in the learning how to do it, whether its Latin, Ballroom or Rhythm dance, its all about give and take, the constant flow of communication, creating a beautiful unity.



Peter Jones
www.BallroomWeddingDance.com
And check us out on Facebook or Twitter

Rumba - the most useful dance to learn. Some history

Continuing my series of blogs about current social dances, their origins, etc....

The rumba is my default social dance, a box step in 4/4 time, that while primarily a slow Latin dance, can be done to many different styles and tempos of music. It will be the dance you use more than any other when you go dancing.

 Some background and a brief rumba history!

Rumba's two primary sources are Spanish and African, and it developed primarily in Cuba.

The "rumba influence" came in the 16th century with African slaves. The native Rumba folk dance is essentially a sex pantomime danced fast with exaggerated hip movements, the man's sensually aggressive attitude countered by a defensive one on the part of the woman.

As recently as the second world war, the "Son," a modified, slower and more refined version of the native Rumba. Very small steps are taken, with the women producing a very subtle tilting of the hips, alternately bending and straightening the knees.

The American Rumba is a modified version of the "Son", and while the first serious attempt to introduce the Rumba to the United States was by Lew Quinn and Joan Sawyer in 1913, real interest in Latin music didn't begin until the late 1920's when Xavier Cugat formed an orchestra that specialized in Latin American music.

In 1935, George Raft played the part of a suave dancer in the movie "Rumba", a light weight musical where the hero finally wins the heiress (Carol Lombard) through a mutual love of dancing.

In Europe, the introduction of Latin American dancing (Rumba in particular) owed much to the enthusiasm and interpretive ability of Monsieur Pierre (London's leading teacher in this dance form). In the 1930's he and his partner, Doris Lavelle, demonstrated and popularized Latin American dancing. Pierre and Lavelle introduced the true "Cuban Rumba" which was eventually established, after much contention, as the official version in 1955.

Rumba is the heart and soul of Latin American dance and music, and it's fascinating rhythms and bodily expressions make the Rumba one of the most popular ballroom dances.

Peter Jones
www.BallroomWeddingDance.com
And check us out on Facebook or Twitter