On Solid Ground: How To Get All The Right Moves From Two Left Feet

by Mia Bolaris-Forget (Staff Writer)

Like most women, I honed in on my dancing skills as a young girl in tap, jazz, and ballet. Then of course, their was high-school and college instruction and production, and of course, the Long Island dance scene, which backing-the-day was a great way to stay and keep in shape.

Like, most men, DH did not share my interest. Sure he enjoyed music (and still does), playing it and listening to it over a cold beer. And, when I ask him why, we, like mom and dad’s generation; who (by the way) made it a weekly “ritual” to go dancing (yes, cheek to cheek) on a Friday or Saturday night, don’t ever get up and out to move, unless we hit the gym that is, he reminds me of his “condition”, commonly knows as shyness due to his two left feet.

In fact, this “syndrome” is quite common, and the reason most folks (especially) men hesitate to “strut their stuff” on the dance floor. And, regardless of OUR efforts to teach them some how to take a few dance steps in the right direction, most people who feel “clumsy” or “uncoordinated” seem to lose interest and/or stop learning, even after making “some” progress. This, say the pros is rooting in not only their unsure footing but in their lack of assurance.

· Dancing is public and requires you to put yourself out there. “Non-dancers” fear looking awkward or silly and often fail to realize that others won’t be as critical and that in reality there won’t be too many eyes focusing the them.

· Some have had a “bad” or “humiliating” experience

· Non-Dancers really don’t enjoy dancing, and harshly compare themselves to seasoned “performers”.

And, regardless of how “real” these reasons really are, they are “real to the individual, often causing anxiety, especially about having ALL eyes on them on their wedding day, a day they want to be “perfect”.

But, experts assert that dancing is just as “simple” as walking, describing the various dances as different styles of walking and suggesting that anyone who can walk can dance.

Put One Foot In Front Of The Other:

According to experts the initial steps of learning to dance are just like walking. In fact, they “literally” walk you through the motions and the standard moves, including taking a step to the right or left, moving forward and back, and/or turning around.

It’s not until an individual or couple gets to the intermediate level that they have to worry about “form” and “style”. At this phase couples are shown all the “moves” that make dancing look so “sexy” and cool. And, it all starts with learning about the music and how it helps guide our steps on the dance floor. Plus, it focuses on how to work with your partner and adding a little something “special”, even something that helps define your style as a dance unit/couple.

At this point you’re ready to step into the advanced dance arena, which helps you develop all those fancy dance steps that help you look graceful, transforming the dance into a literal work of art and expression of romance and love. However, this phase is not essential for giving a show-stopping performance at your weddings, shaking your groove thing on your honeymoon, and learning to enjoy a night out at a club.