Corner Dance Hall

HOW TO BECOME A GOOD DANCER

MOTIVATING A RELUCTANT PARTNER
By:
Blanche & Emilio Librero


"So You Wish You Could Dance" - or better still- "So You Wish Your Partner Could Dance".  Never fear - all things are possible by taking  just a few small steps.

We would  like to begin by sharing  a true "reluctant partner" dance story with you.  Years ago a couple came into our studio for their first dance lesson.  The wife was happy and excited about the prospects of learning to dance and the husband casually commented:  "I'd rather have a root canal."  What?  "A root canal?"  Wow!  This really opened our eyes as to how difficult it might be to convince a "reluctant partner" to try dancing!  (The good news is he loved the lesson and they continued with us for many years.  They  became beautiful dancers and to this day still enjoy their dancing.)  True story!

The secret here was to get the partner in for the very first time.  (Trust us when we tell you that 99% of the time the "reluctant one"  will be the "enthusiastic one" on the second lesson.)  So, before bringing up the subject of dance lessons to your partner, your first small step is to do a little research in your area and locate the best studio with a competent and patient instructor.  Remember, first impressions  are lasting impressions. 

Your next small step is to start "buttering" them up by pointing out the many benefits of taking dance lessons together -  key word here "together":  it's fun;  it provides great exercise and increases stamina;  it's a wonderful way to reduce stress;  it enhances  the relationship by improving communication; and it's incredibly romantic.  Oh, and don't forget to reiterate "fun".

Your final small step (if your partner is not yet convinced to try dancing) is to "barter". Promise to join them at a baseball game or some other interest they might have  in exchange for a dance lesson with you.  A fair trade. 

Ah ha! They have finally agreed to join you for a dance lesson and  they're hooked!  This next bit of advice is the "best advice" you will ever receive about "keeping" your partner interested in taking dance lessons.  Resist the temptation to correct or  teach them yourself (no matter how experienced or talented you may be), and always compliment and encourage them.  Let them know how much you love and appreciate dancing with them, and don't forget to remind them how great they look on the dance floor.  Sometimes keeping your partner dancing is more difficult than getting  them started in the first place.     

Good luck.  It's worth the effort and someday they'll thank you for it.  (P.S.  In the meantime, you'll have a great partner and a great hobby to share.)    

Ballroom Latin Dance Made Masculine: Why Do Men Stay Away From Ballroom Dancing?

Aug 30, 2009 Winnie Ooi

There seems to be an endless list of reasons of men not wanting to do Ballroom Dancing. Many men only consider the tough ball games like soccer or golf as sport. Ballroom Dancing is only a social thing, not a tough game, not serious enough for men. The grace and beauty of Ballroom Dancing leads some men to think that Ballroom Dancing is only a feminine sport with no challenges at all. These men simply do not want to deal with ladies.

The use of the common excuse “two left feet” is often heard. Men are afraid to move their bodies to music. Dancing to them is only about shaking up the hips especially in the Ballroom Latin style. Thus, Ballroom Dancing is for sissies.

Still some men think that Ballroom Dancing is only for retirees or senior citizens. It is an oldies’ type of hobby. Or Ballroom Dancing is expensive and time consuming.

The Truth About Ballroom Dancing

There is often not enough knowledge about Ballroom Dancing in terms of the techniques involved. Ballroom Dancing can actually train men to be more masculine and gentlemanly because of the “leader” role in the dance partnership. The leader is like the vase always presenting his lady as if she is a flower.

Ballroom Latin dances like the Jive of Samba can be good aerobics workout. The Ballroom techniques actually help to tone up muscles especially in the core, arm. Professional male dancers are actually quite fit physically. Nobody thinks that they are not masculine or even sissy. Apart from the steps, there is much more to learn about Ballroom Dancing e.g. Use of the body and the joints, the dynamics of the body, balances, gravity, energy, momentum, or even mathematics etc.. These can be as scientific as building a car.

Men have a more square physique. Ladies tend to have more curves. It is therefore impossible for men to shake their hips like ladies because of their physique. Men lead with their bodies and do their part. They do not have to do any feminine moves provided that they execute the required techniques properly.

In reality, no men can hide themselves from the opposite sex. Ballroom Dancing can provide a proper opportunity to know ladies even better and brush up social skills through those dance etiquette. It can also be a great team builder that can be applied to a work environment.

Any sport or hobby can be expensive or affordable, Ballroom Dancing is no different. However, given a budget and a plan, any one can enjoy Ballroom Dancing if there is a commitment.

Ballroom Dancing takes place in some world sporting events. It will be part of the program of the upcoming Hong Kong 2009 East Asian Games in December 2009. So it is not too feminine or old-fashioned to take place on an international stage.

Some Great Men Are Once And Still Dancers.

The late Kung Fu star Bruce Lee used to be a Cha-cha champion in his early days long before he took up Kung Fu. The fluidity of his movements due to his dance experience is well reflected in most of his Kung Fu routines. Ballroom Dancing can actually improve flexibility in body movements even in a macho sport.

Prince Mikasa of Japan took up Ballroom Dancing only after he turned 60 years old, and he is still seriously competing in Ballroom Dancing. Given a chauvinistic culture like Japan, a male member of the Royal family certainly woulld not take up a non-masculine sport.

High Hopes On Dancing With The Stars

Men are simply not always brave or confident enough to step out or try new sport. They can be of limit to their own potential. If more men are willing to give Ballroom Dancing a try, they could certainly change the world of Ballroom Dancing today. May be the winners of the hit show Dancing With The Stars can aspire to break this stereotype soon.

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DANCE LESSONS

Schedule



• Rend Lake College

 Whittington - Corner Dance Hall

Ballroom Dancing I-II 

Thursdays 6:00 - 7:50 PM.

                     January 12 to May 4, 2012

For Information, contact Rend Lake College at

(618)-437-5321

Pictures   

 Stain Glass Art by George White

Our mission

 " Our Mission is to promote the quality and the quantity of ballroom dancing in the United States.  In furtherance of its educational and charitable purposes and goals, USA Dance:

1. Serves as the National Governing Body for ballroom dancing and DanceSport, the competitive version of ballroom dancing, in the United States subject to the statutes of : a) the International DanceSport Federation (IDSF); b) the United States Olympic Committee (USOC); and c) the Amateur Sports Act of the United States Congress.
2. Organizes and supports programs for the recreational enjoyment of ballroom dancing by all ages and creates affordable opportunities for the general public to participate in ballroom dancing and DanceSport;
3. Promotes DanceSport as a sport both nationally and internationally and fosters its inclusion in the Olympic and Pan American Games;
4. Organizes and supports DanceSport events internationally and nationally, including national, regional and local championships;
5. Selects the DanceSport Athletes to represent the United States in the IDSF World DanceSport Championships and the World Games and helps to finance their participation;
6. Promotes and supports ballroom dance programs in colleges and secondary schools;
7. Applies special programs to attract beginners to ballroom dancing and to both encourage and assist these dancers in meeting their goals;
8. Emphasizes to the public the healthful aspects of ballroom dancing; its physical, mental and social benefits;
9. Organizes and supports programs to increase the number of dancers and to assist in the elevation of dancing skills, both competitors and recreational social dancers.

* Information taken from: www.usadance.org

USA Dance

website

Click on the link below

http://usadance.org/

Dance Etiquette

(Click On Me)

 Location

The Corner Dance Hall is located at 200 Franklin St. Whittington, Illinois only a few minutes from Rend Lake at exit # 77 on Interstate 57.  Five miles North of Benton and fifteen miles South  of Mount Vernon.