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Did you know that dancing has been around for a long time? One of the earliest historical records of dancing were found in cave paintings in India, dating to about 8000 BCE. There are also tomb paintings depicting dancing in Egypt from 3300 BC.
Dance has changed a lot since then in order to integrate with modern times. It may have started out for religious and ritual purposes but has evolved to be a part of celebrations, entertainment and even exercise.
Learning how to dance has many benefits and makes you versatile where you can dance in a club with friends or use it to exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle. There are many physical and health benefits associated with it. It doesn’t matter if you dance professionally or for fun, you will definitely gain from it.
If you are interested in learning to dance, but you are unsure how to to do it, keep reading this article.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Start
Why Do You Want to Learn How to Dance?
This is an important question to ask yourself before you start your journey. Why do you want to learn dancing? Do you aspire to be a professional dancer or are you learning dance as a form of exercise to lose weight? There can be multiple reasons for you to learn this art form. Your motivation to learn dancing will determine which method you use to learn.
For example, if you want to learn a cultural dance from Malaysia like Sumazau or Zapin, you will consider taking lessons through face to face classes or watching online videos. If you want to learn dancing as a fun way to lose weight and keep fit, you may prefer to join a dance group to keep you motivated.
Take your time to to ponder over your motivation to learn dancing before you move on to the next step.
What Dance Style to Choose?
After you have determined the reason you want to learn dancing, it is essential that you choose which dance style you would like to learn. There are many dance styles across the globe to choose from. Ballet, Waltz, Hip Hop or even Bharatanatyam and Bhangra. Watch the different styles of videos available online and make a decision based on what interests you. Take you time to consider all your options and maybe try out a few basic steps on your own before you decide which style to go for.
It doesn’t matter which style you choose, you will only succeed in learning it if you put in the time and effort. This is the key to learning anything. You will need make time and practice regularly to improve. Set achievable goals that will motivate you rather than unrealistic goals that will only deter your progress.
Take Dance Lessons
If you have an interest in learning dancing but you are having doubts if it is worth investing money to take lessons, you are not alone. Many are sceptical if it is worth spending money on lessons especially if you are learning it as a hobby.
As a beginner, you might have many questions and doubts on the dance moves and routines. Taking lessons with an experienced instructor who will not only teach and guide you but also provide constructive feedback for you to improve is invaluable.
There are many free videos and websites available which helps you to learn dance. However, taking lessons is the best way to learn as you have an instructor watching your movements and pointing you towards the right direction for you to improve.
You can either take private lessons or join a class with others. It depends on what makes you comfortable. By taking private lessons, you can discuss your goals with your instructor and lessons can be tailored to suit your needs. In a class, you get to learn together with others.
You can also choose whether you prefer to learn online or face to face. However with online lessons, learning privately is best. As it will be challenging to learn in a big group online because it will be difficult to get feedback form the instructor as there are are many people to be observed by one instructor.
If you are looking to take lessons, Superprof has many tutors available for you to choose from. Whether you are looking for a tutor to teach your child or you are an adult who is interested to start learning for yourself, Superprof has the right tutor for you.
If you are looking to learn dance from a dance studio or centre, there are many classes available all around Malaysia. Click here to check out your options.
Learn Dancing Using YouTube & Websites
While nothing beats learning with an instructor, there are many free online videos available which serve as a great tool to learn dancing. They are not only available on platforms like YouTube but there are many websites with helpful guidance to pick up dancing.
Since everyone has gadgets and easy access to internet, watching online videos can also serve as a great tool to learn dancing.
However, the content online is vast and you need to choose what works for you. Some of the things you need to consider while choosing the suitable online videos are length, choreographer, method and quality.
If you can only spare 30 minutes a day to practice and learn dance, choose videos within that duration. Do your research on the background of the choreographer to ensure that he or she is experienced and know what they are teaching. You can check out their about page on YouTube or google their name for more information.
Pick videos that are at your pace which you can follow. Everyone learns differently. Some needs videos which are slow without too many steps in between to avoid confusion while others may pick up dance routines and steps quickly and might get bored with the slow and steady approach.
The viewing quality of the video must be excellent with good visual and audio as it is already challenging to learn dance on your own. If you cannot view the dance moves clearly or have trouble hearing the instructions due to bad quality, it can really deter your learning process.
Here are some suggestions for you to explore:
Websites
YouTube
Apps
Smartphones and tablets are widely used by everyone in this digital age. Most of us tend to use it to browse through social media or for other entertainment purposes. Why not use it to learn dancing? There are many applications (apps) available to help you learn dance:
- Just Dance Now
- L.A. Dance Project
- Danssup
- Steezy Studio
- Everdance
These apps can help you to learn simple and advanced dancing steps and motions. Using apps is the most convenient resource as you may not have the time or money to attend dance lessons and almost everyone owns a smartphone these days.
Choose your favourite dance style and start learning immediately using an app that you are comfortable with. These apps allow you to learn at your own pace in the comfort of your own home in a one-on-one basis. You may learn new dance moves, acquire new ideas for choreography, begin practicing dancing for everyday fitness routines, or simply have fun.
However, you won’t get attention and feedback of taking the traditional lessons but apps are still beneficial. Many of them offer lessons by masters in the field, some of the most recognizable names in hip-hop, ballet and modern dance.
Video Games
If you are a gamer or like to learn in a easy-going and fun way, you can consider learning dancing using video games. There is something highly appealing about tapping buttons or busting out dance moves to a catchy song that you like. Various games have tapped into peoples desires to dance and move their body according to the beat of the song.
These type of games are high in demand because it managed to attract people from diverse backgrounds, even those who have never played a video game before to give dancing games a chance.
There are so many dancing video games that it can be hard to choose the perfect one. Here are some suggestions for you to consider:
- Dance Central Spotlight
- Just Dance 2022
- Dance Dance Revolution
- Zumba Fitness: Burn It Up
- Step Mania
These games are really awesome for when people want to start freestyling but has difficulty coming up with their own moves. These games help teach a variety of moves that could be used later on when practicing stylistic moves with a mirror.
They're good fun. Some find it much less intimidating than attending a heavily populated dance class for the first time.
It certainly helps a beginner to improve. Do keep in mind however, that if your aim is to become a professional dancer, you will still require lessons and practice consistently.
If you are interested to learn dancing with professional support and guidance with classes catered to your specific needs, find tutors here on Superprof.
The platform that connects tutors and students
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