Benefits of Dancing | Part III

Posted on October 22, 2021 by catsballroom

Even More Reasons to Dance

In Parts I and II of the Benefits of Dancing, I discussed the rational and emotional factors that induce people to choose dancing as a hobby. So why a third post with more reasons to dance? Because there are a few prospects that don’t fit squarely in either camp.

Dancing ticks many of the boxes we may have for a rewarding hobby. It’s social, provides both mental and physical exercise, and offers a creative outlet. How’s that for well-rounded self-improvement?

Avoiding embarrassment on the dance floor is both emotional and practical. No one wants to be left out or to admit that they’re a lousy dancer, but neither do you want to dance with someone and step all over their feet. Learning to dance properly is beneficial for both you, and your potential partners.

If you want to improve your conversational abilities, dancing is perfect. When you’re literally face-to-face with someone, it’s almost impossible not to speak to them. Since a song is only a few minutes long though, there’s very little danger of running out of things to say. It makes for good practice.

Have you every wanted to have a private conversation with someone who’s always surrounded by admirers? Or get the ear of someone who has access and influence? Not to sound Machiavellian, but dancing can work as an excellent networking tool. Think of the span of a dance kind of like an elevator pitch, but more fun.

Dancing is also unparalleled for developing leadership and teamwork skills. You simply cannot accomplish anything on the dance floor unless you cooperate. If you’re in the roll of the leader you must be attuned to your partner and everyone around you. You’ll also become better at planning, and simultaneously more decisive and more adaptable. As a follower you’ll develop patience, mental flexibility, and an ability to pick up subtle cues.

And the final reason is one you might not appreciate right away. Once you’ve learned to dance yourself, you can help ease other peoples’ anxiety about dancing. Ask someone standing on the sidelines to dance or help someone who’s struggling, and you’ll make their day.

So now that you know about all the benefits that dancing has to offer, what are you waiting for?

And if you want to see real people dancing in the wild, then our Gallery blog is just the inspiration you need.

Three Easy Ways to Find Out More About Lessons

Visit our Lessons page.

Try a free lesson to see if you like it. We know your will 😉

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Abbey & Phillip’s First Dance | I Don’t Dance

Posted on October 15, 2021October 15, 2021 by catsballroom

I’d do anything with you anywhere

Busy, busy, busy. This couple could never seem to find time to practice, which meant their choreography took a little longer than usual. They were faithful with their lessons though, so in the end Abbey and Phillip’s first dance came together and was a big hit.

Prince charming needs to be wound up!

Abbey & Phillip’s first dance had lots of hand changes.

So smooth.

Fun – like them!

First dance tada!

West coast swing isn’t the first dance that comes to mind for a wedding, but its playful feel fit Abbey and Phillip perfectly. And the part where she winds up her prince charming to animate him? Priceless.

Even though the song says, “I can’t dance”, this beautiful bride and handsome groom swirling and twirling together under a canopy of twinkling lights told a different story.

Thanks to the dream team!

Venue: Dixon Gallery & Gardens

Photographer: Jo Darling Photography

Wedding Planner: Betts Made

Three easy ways to find out how we can help you with your first dance.

Visit our Lessons page.

Try a free lesson to see if you like it. We know your will 😉

Schedule Your Consultation

Benefits of Dancing | Part II

Posted on September 21, 2021September 21, 2021 by catsballroom

Why You Really Dance

I love the Martha Graham quote, “Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.” In the first part of this series, I discussed the rational reasons for pursuing dance as a hobby. Some or all of them might apply to you, but emotion is what really turns an interest into a passion. Dancing feeds our deepest desires, and that’s why you really dance.

Dancing is sexy!

Deep down we all want to be special. Becoming a good dancer will give you a sense of creativity and achievement every time you step on the floor. When you dance, you’ll feel a glow from showing off a skill that most others don’t have.

Who do you picture as the epitome of grace? A dancer, of course. As you grow in skill, you’ll develop beautiful posture and carriage, and acquire more grace and poise. Your friends might not be able to put their fingers on it, but they will sense that you are radiating ease.

If you know how to dance, you’ll simply have more fun. No more sitting on the sidelines secretly wishing you could join in. Instead, other will be watching you with envy.

She must be a dancer!

Dancers are impressive. They’re fun, they’re fit, and they ooze sex appeal. If you’re trying to impress someone (or a whole lot of people), then learning to dance is a great place to start.

Being a good dancer will increase your social ease and self-confidence, which in turn will increase your popularity. Who wouldn’t want to be invited to more parties or be the person others count on to bring the fun?

There is tremendous camaraderie in the dance world. As you learn and practice with other students, you’ll form lasting friendships with people who share your joy in movement. Not only that, but being able to dance is almost like a secret handshake. You’ll be welcomed warmly by other dancers anywhere in the world you may go, because they’ll all know why you really dance.

And if you want to see real people dancing in the wild, then our Gallery blog is just the inspiration you need.

Three Easy Ways to Find Out More About Lessons

Visit our Lessons page.

Try a free lesson to see if you like it. We know your will 😉

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Benefits of Dancing | Part I

Posted on August 28, 2021 by catsballroom

What You Tell Your Friends About Why You Dance

I once worked with an instructor who also waited tables at a large Italian restaurant, and he told me something interesting about how the other guys on the staff reacted to his dancing. When they were all together, they would razz him unmercifully. But when it was one-on-one, they were curious and full of questions. If you take up dancing as a hobby, your friends will probably have questions too, so take some time to think about why you dance.

There are many reasons people choose to pursue a particular hobby (including dancing), and most of them fall into two categories: the rational and the emotional. In this post I’m going to focus on the rational. These are the clear (and socially acceptable) benefits that you can tell your friends and colleagues without feeling silly.

Dancing is great for relaxation and stress relief. We teach a lot of people with high stress jobs, and I believe it’s at least partly because of this. In addition to the physical component that burns off excess stress hormones, the mental focus needed to learn new steps pretty much blots out any nagging thoughts. Most people leave a lesson feeling refreshed and energized.

Dancing is good exercise. You can do it anywhere you have some space, you don’t need any special equipment, and it’s more fun than running on a treadmill. The number of calories burned and toning effects vary not only by the type of dance, but by how you dance. A gentle social rumba might be equivalent to a stroll around the block, while a full-on cha cha is more like running sprints. In other words, dance is adaptable to your goals and current fitness level.

Sometimes learning to dance is important to meet social obligations. My partner tells a story of a young army officer he once knew that always made it a point to dance with the wives of his superiors at military balls. The husbands were so grateful (or so the story goes) that he became a favorite among them and quickly rose through the ranks. True or not, the premise holds. If you regularly attend functions where there is dancing, you’ll be much more effective if you can participate.

Related to developing general social competence is preparing for a specific event. There are many possibilities, from teens learning to waltz for a cotillion, to boomers wanting to do the hustle at a 70’s-themed class reunion, to retirees going on a cruise. The biggie, of course, is weddings. First dance, father-daughter, mother-son – weddings are full of spotlight moments on the dance floor. And many parents will learn to dance together for the first time because of the momentousness of the occasion.

This is far from an exhaustive list, and every person will have their own set of rational reasons for pursuing this crazy hobby. So, what are you going to tell your friends about why you dance?

And if you want to see real people dancing in the wild, then our Gallery blog is just the inspiration you need.

Three Easy Ways to Find Out More About Lessons

Visit our Lessons page.

Try a free lesson to see if you like it. We know your will 😉

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Haley & Nathan’s First Dance | Fall On Me

Posted on June 30, 2021 by catsballroom

… With Open Arms

High school sweethearts who met in marching band – it doesn’t get any cuter than that. Add in Haley’s near obsession with Christina Aguillera (read dramatic song choice), and I knew Haley and Nathan’s first dance would be a lot of fun to choreograph.

Haley’s gown was beautiful and suited her perfectly. She did assume it would be bustled though, and only found out the day before that it wouldn’t be, but I think the improvised ribbon bracelet looked lovely as they danced.

As you can see from these clips, we were starting to get some pretty smooth dancing. And then Covid!

Unfortunately, we weren’t able to meet for the last several months before the wedding, but to their credit, these two did great. They even brought Haley’s dad to tears.

Thanks to the dream team for Haley & Nathan’s First Dance!

Venue: Southern Grace Weddings & Events

Photographer: Danielle Lozeau Photography

DJ: 2typesofpassion

Dress: The Barefoot Bride

Three easy ways to find out how we can help you with your first dance.

Visit our Lessons page.

Try a free lesson to see if you like it. We know your will 😉

Schedule Your Consultation

Why You Can’t Learn to Dance (Well) With YouTube

Posted on April 23, 2021January 20, 2022 by catsballroom

Learn to Dance the Right Way!

Quick – can you spot 3 things this couple is doing wrong? I can.

Don’t get me wrong, I love YouTube. It’s full of fun stuff, and I’ve used it to learn many things, from knitting to building a fence. But, there are some things it’s not good for, and learning to dance well with a partner is one of them.

Before I go any further, let me first explain what I mean by dancing well. Some people believe that being a good dancer means knowing a lot of steps. I beg to differ. The core of good partner dancing is being able to lead or follow effectively. Without those skills, you’re pretty much limited to dancing with people who have memorized the same patterns you have. Even then it might be rocky. Once you’ve mastered lead or follow however, you can dance with anyone in the world who has been properly trained. Anyone. Which would you prefer?

So now back to learning to dance using YouTube. We see a lot of people that have tried it and are so frustrated that they’re about to give up on dancing altogether. Why? Because videos don’t give you any feedback. It’s very difficult to evaluate your own movement patterns. That’s why athletes have coaches.

Try this. Put your arms around your partner and walk across the room. Remember, one of you is going backwards. Was it smooth and easy or did you step all over each other? Do you think it will be easier when you add in rhythm and changes of direction? Oh, you don’t have a partner? Do you plan to break out your new “skills” with a stranger in a crowded club? Hmmm. Let me know how it goes.

Leading and following both require a combination of subtle skills that must be mastered to be effective. They’re not difficult, but they’re not entirely intuitive either. If you’re learning with a partner and something isn’t working, you won’t know which one of you isn’t doing their part correctly. And guess what? It’s probably both of you. It’s even worse if you’re learning on your own, because you won’t even know if your move is working or not.

The truth is there are several things that almost every beginner does incorrectly at first, and an even greater number of individual quirks that are possible. Most videos don’t (or can’t) address all of them. That’s why learning to dance well requires the keen eye of a good instructor who can tell you what you’re doing right, what you’re doing wrong, and how to fix the problems. And that is something Professor YouTube will never be able to do.

Better.

One final thought. Once you’ve become a genuinely good dancer, if you want to go scouring YouTube for new moves, have at it. You have my blessing. 😉

And if you want to see real people dancing in the wild, then our Gallery blog is just the inspiration you need.

Three Easy Ways to Find Out More About Lessons

Visit our Lessons page.

Try a free lesson to see if you like it. We know your will 😉

Schedule Your Consultation

Colleen & John’s First Dance | Sway

Posted on March 27, 2021March 28, 2021 by catsballroom

Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore, hold me close, sway me more.

The story of Colleen and John’s first dance is a study in flexibility and positive attitude. They had been taking lessons from us for quite awhile before we started working on anything for the wedding. She was bitten by the dance bug in college, and he was happy to join in her hobby. We worked a lot on the waltz because they’re a couple of old souls and the classic elegance of it appealed to them both. But then – Covid. The big wedding at the Pink Palace they had planned became a small wedding in a friend’s backyard, their dance floor became a deck, and their waltz became … a rumba.

Look at that laser focus!

Rumba may not have been the dance they’d been dreaming of, but they really threw themselves into it, even upping the bar by working on Latin hip action. [Note: The long hill between the law school and Fourth Bluff Park is the perfect place to learn it, but boy is it busy when the weather is nice!]

When it came time to begin choreography, we had another snag to unravel. Although Zoom had been working fine for regular lessons, we wanted to be more interactive for something as special as a first dance. Colleen and John weren’t quite ready to resume lessons in the studio, so what to do? Our solution was to meet in person on the plaza in front of the Brooks Museum. Seems crazy, but it was actually a lot of fun.

Do it again!

Because that’s how you get better.

As you can see, despite all the changes and challenges, their first dance turned out great. In fact, they were so well prepared that even when Colleen’s dress tried to swallow John’s legs, they were able to laugh it off and get right back on track.

Beautiful!

Thanks to the dream team for Colleen & John’s first dance!

Photographer: Ashley Benham Photography

Wedding Planner: Infinity Events

Three easy ways to find out how we can help you with your first dance.

Visit our Lessons page.

Try a free lesson to see if you like it. We know your will 😉

Schedule Your Consultation

4 Reasons to Consider Wedding Dance Lessons

Posted on February 25, 2021January 20, 2022 by catsballroom

Classic!

Maybe you’re thinking about taking wedding dance lessons and you’re just not sure if they’re for you. Well consider this – your first dance is one of the four or five all-eyes-on-you moments of your wedding day. It’s also the first thing you do together after you say, “I do,” and walk into the world as a married couple. A good first dance shows everyone that you’ve worked together to create something that honors your individual personalities and your union as a couple.

When you prepare with lessons, nobody will be looking at their phone!

[Photo by NLA Weddings]

A Beautiful First Dance is a Gift for Your Loved Ones

Your friends and family love you and they’ll be happy even if you just hang and sway. But wouldn’t it be nice for them to see something more creative and exciting. Make grandma blush with a slow sultry number, show your sophistication with an elegant foxtrot, bring the fun with some crazy swing steps, or charm everyone with an airy lift. There is no wrong choice as long as you’re true to yourselves. Your guests will love it and remember it forever.

Is this your best move?

Wedding Dance Lessons Give You Confidence!

This may be the most important reason to take lessons for your first dance. For most people the thought of dancing in front of a crowd is nerve wracking, so they try not to think about it. But it’s going to happen one way or the other, so why not prepare for it? Taking wedding dance lessons with a qualified instructor means there won’t be any awkward moments, because you’ll know what to do every step of the way.

Just needs a few small tweaks to look great!

You Need Feedback & Accountability

You may be tempted to try to learn to dance by watching videos. There are a lot of reasons why that’s not ideal, and here are two of the most important ones. First, Professor YouTube isn’t going to give you any feedback. You won’t really know if you’re doing the moves correctly or how to fix something that’s not going right. You could even hurt yourself. Secondly, if you schedule lessons with someone, then you’ll show up. If you go it alone, you’ll probably procrastinate until it’s too late. And since your instructor will know if you don’t practice, you’ll work harder and be rewarded with a smoothly polished first dance.

Looks like they’re enjoying their lessons to prepare for their first dance!

You’ll Have Fun

You may not believe this yet, but chances are once you start lessons, you’ll actually enjoy them. Really what could be better amidst the hustle-bustle of wedding planning than setting aside time each week to spend in each other’s arms?

And if you want to see real couples preparing for and performing their first dances, then our Wedding Stories blog is just the inspiration you need.

Three easy ways to find out how we can help you with your first dance.

Visit our Lessons page.

Try a free lesson to see if you like it. We know your will 😉

Schedule Your Consultation

Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree (2020 Style)

Posted on December 8, 2020December 8, 2020 by catsballroom

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree seemed like the perfect theme for a party next to a giant tree. But then there we were, standing in the cold in the middle of Main Street and wondering if anyone would show up. Was a party outdoors in December in the middle of a pandemic too crazy and idea?

But no! First one couple…

…and then another…

… and another (!)…

…and pretty soon we were

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree!

Everyone had a great time dancing up a storm to their favorite holiday classics, with plenty of chances to do push-pull, slow lounge, rumba, and even waltz. If you’ve ever danced on brick in 40-degree weather, you can truly appreciate just how dedicated this crew really is!

And of course, no holiday party would be complete without a hot cocoa break!

Some have been dancing for a while, and some are brand new, but they all look good!

And on a personal note, it’s been a pretty bleak year, but getting to celebrate together like we used to (kinda) really made my season bright. Thank you everyone!

We’d love to have you join in the fun, so be sure to check our New & Events page regularly. Better yet, sign up for our newsletter, What’s Happening At Cat’s Ballroom, and get information about special events and classes sent right to your inbox.

And remember, your first lesson with us is free, so why not try one today?

Schedule a Lesson

Kari & Camron’s First Dance | Lover

Posted on November 25, 2020 by catsballroom

And there’s a dazzling haze, a mysterious way about you, dear…

A peaceful moment.

This couple really gets around (in a good way, of course). She’s from Kansas and he’s from Nevada, they met in Baltimore, and got married in California. Whew! It’s a wonder they ever found each other, so I guess it was meant to be. And lucky for us they live in Memphis, and we got the privilege of working on Kari & Camron’s first dance.

I love the attitude in this shot!

It’s my contention that the human brain doesn’t process opposites well. Notice how they struggled at first with swiveling in different directions. It’s like that for almost everyone. But then something just clicks, and it all falls into place.

Kari & Camron Prepare For Their First Dance

We inserted a move that we usually just call the wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, and Kari cracked up and said, “I can’t do that in front of my dad!” She did it, but it’s pretty quick, so see if you can spot it.

Kari & Camron’s First Dance

Thanks to the dream team for Kari & Camron’s First Dance!

Venue: The Resort at Squaw Creek (Olympic Valley, CA)

Photographer: Mandy Ford Photography

Videographer: Lake Full of Pictures

Wedding Planner: Jenn Lazon

Three easy ways to find out how we can help you with your first dance.

Visit our Lessons page.

Try a free lesson to see if you like it. We know your will 😉

Schedule Your Consultation

Even More Reasons to Dance

More Articles That Might Interest You

And if you want to see real people dancing in the wild, then our Gallery blog is just the inspiration you need.

Three Easy Ways to Find Out More About Lessons

I’d do anything with you anywhere

Prince charming needs to be wound up!

Abbey & Phillip’s first dance had lots of hand changes.

So smooth.

Fun – like them!

First dance tada!

Thanks to the dream team!

Three easy ways to find out how we can help you with your first dance.

Why You Really Dance

Dancing is sexy!

She must be a dancer!

More Articles That Might Interest You

And if you want to see real people dancing in the wild, then our Gallery blog is just the inspiration you need.

Three Easy Ways to Find Out More About Lessons

What You Tell Your Friends About Why You Dance

More Articles That Might Interest You

And if you want to see real people dancing in the wild, then our Gallery blog is just the inspiration you need.

Three Easy Ways to Find Out More About Lessons

… With Open Arms

Thanks to the dream team for Haley & Nathan’s First Dance!

Three easy ways to find out how we can help you with your first dance.

Learn to Dance the Right Way!

Quick – can you spot 3 things this couple is doing wrong? I can.

Better.

More Articles That Might Interest You

And if you want to see real people dancing in the wild, then our Gallery blog is just the inspiration you need.

Three Easy Ways to Find Out More About Lessons

Look at that laser focus!

Do it again!

Because that’s how you get better.

Beautiful!

Thanks to the dream team for Colleen & John’s first dance!

Three easy ways to find out how we can help you with your first dance.

Classic!

When you prepare with lessons, nobody will be looking at their phone!

[Photo by NLA Weddings]

A Beautiful First Dance is a Gift for Your Loved Ones

Is this your best move?

Wedding Dance Lessons Give You Confidence!

Just needs a few small tweaks to look great!

You Need Feedback & Accountability

Looks like they’re enjoying their lessons to prepare for their first dance!

You’ll Have Fun

More Articles That Might Interest You

And if you want to see real couples preparing for and performing their first dances, then our Wedding Stories blog is just the inspiration you need.

Three easy ways to find out how we can help you with your first dance.

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree!

And there’s a dazzling haze, a mysterious way about you, dear…

A peaceful moment.

I love the attitude in this shot!

Kari & Camron Prepare For Their First Dance

Kari & Camron’s First Dance

Thanks to the dream team for Kari & Camron’s First Dance!

Three easy ways to find out how we can help you with your first dance.