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Photo Credit: Latin Revolution Dance
So, you think you can dance? No, we’re not talking about dance reality TV; we’re talking about improving your skills as a dancer even when you live in a place that doesn’t hold a lot of social dance events. The thing is, not all places have a thriving dance scene.
Places like New York, Miami, and Los Angeles hold a lot of dance events, and if say, you’re used to attending such activities but somehow found yourself moving to a small town or somewhere remote, it will take a lot of adjustments before finding your pace again. Lock-downs in certain regions only add to feelings of isolation when you’re stuck in a dance desert. So what do you do?
In this guide, we’re dishing out tips that will improve your performance on the dance floor when you’re stuck in a place where almost no one dance socially:
5 Ways of Improving Your Dance Skills While Stuck in a Dance Desert
Find a Dance Buddy
Find a person who shares the same passion for dance and practice together! A dance buddy could be an acquaintance, a co-worker, a friend, even a close relative. No matter how dry a dance desert is, there has to be someone out there who loves to dance as much as you do.
Of course, to come across people who love Latin dance, you’ll need to meet new people. Go ahead and check for people who live nearby and are eager to dance, just like you do. You can ask common friends for peeps to meet and practice with. And once you find a dance buddy, you can motivate each other to practice more and improve each other’s dance skills.
Take Private Lessons
If you live in a place that doesn’t hold regular dance classes because of health restrictions, you can always take private dance lessons. While you can practice on your own, having a pro teaching you the basics will improve your form and performance. You’ll learn and understand how certain techniques and subtle movements you won’t otherwise notice on your own.
If you’ve finally found a dance buddy, why not take private lessons together? This way, you have someone who’ll learn with you, which will make every class more fun and productive.
Watch How-To Videos Online
A great way to level up your performance while at home is to watch how-to videos on sites like YouTube and Vimeo. Search for videos on tutorials that are made for your level, and start practicing at home. Save the complicated dance moves when you’ve reached the advanced level and focus on getting the basics right.
Take Online Classes
A step up from watching youtube videos is to sign up for an online dance class. If you work from home or your local area is on lockdown, this is a great way to stay productive while in quarantine. Loads of dance schools now offer online classes, and the lessons are conducted live or through a series of how-to videos. Go for the format that works for you.
Taking an online dance course is perfect if you’d like to learn Latin dance without leaving the privacy of your own home. You can learn at your own pace and get tailored advice from the instructors. Of course, you’ll need a high-speed internet connection for online lessons. This goes especially for dance classes that are conducted live. If you got that plus a flexible schedule, give this a try!
Look for Places to Dance
If you cannot find someone who loves to dance as much as you do, or there’s absolutely zero dance scene in your local area, then perhaps consider looking for places that hold social dances nearby. Perhaps in another town or city?
You can go on a road trip alone or with friends - make the trip extra fun! You can travel to dance once or twice a month, at any time that works for you. The change of scenery and the chance to meet new people who love Latin dance as much as you do will definitely refresh the senses and motivate you to perfect your skills.
Not all places have a thriving dance scene, and if you’re stuck in a dance dessert, these tips will satisfy your yearning to dance, even just for a moment. Buying new dance shoes is also a terrific way of motivating yourself to dance! So go ahead and check out our latest collection!
