There is a good chance you've been over-thinking things.
No matter what you've heard, no matter what you've seen on Dancing with the Stars, no matter what you believe in your heart to be true - there are certain things that you absolutely do not need to learn Social Dancing.
Let's peel back the layers, turn on all the lights, and get to the bottom of this mystery that has stopped too many potential students from taking their first social dance lesson.
That's right. It may sound funny, but many potential dance students have been held back by this feeling. After all, when walking into a dance studio it's easy to be weighed down by the question "am I going to be the only new person there?" or "I bet they only like to teach advanced people."
The Truth
Nothing could be further from the truth. Arthur Murray has been teaching people with zero dance experience, and turning them into dancers of all skill levels, since 1912. In fact, the whole idea came about because Mr. Murray wasn't a very good dancer to begin with.
Having zero dance experience actually is an advantage because there are no bad habits to work around. You're a clean slate, and ready for programming.
Bottom Line: There are zero problems with zero dance experience.
This may sound a little alarming to some, but not everyone is going to arrive with the lifelong dream of becoming a ballroom dancer... and that's perfectly okay. Some people may have a very conservative goal to survive at an upcoming event, or not have a single goal at all other than trying something new.
The Truth
No goals? No problem. While there are plenty of people that have dance lessons as a long awaited milestone, there are an equal number of people that won't have any pre-set plans for their dancing. Think of this like a movie. There are some that have been plotting the movie's progress since the first day the script was optioned. They've read the message boards, followed the behind the scenes updates, and arrive giddy to the premiere.
There are others that just choose the movie because it was playing at a convenient time.
Bottom Line: Sometimes your dance goals won't materialize until you've learned how to dance, and that's okay.
In some cases, your first social dancing lesson is a way to test run your "partner-partner" as your "dance partner". Other times, there are those that are single, want to learn something to improve themselves, and both scenarios are perfectly fine.
The Truth
Even if your "partner-partner" has no interest in becoming your "dance partner", or you are single - that should never stop you from pursuing a social dancing hobby. Plenty of people use dance lessons as a way to stay in shape, have fun, and learn something new. Think of this like playing tennis - you can play as a single or a double - and both offer the chance to enjoy the activity.
Bottom Line: No partner, no problem.
Let's get this out of the way right now - Arthur Murray is Dancing with the Stars... but with more clothes on. That means, you'll learn the same types of dances, but you won't need to wear the same type of attire.
The Truth
Everything has a stage version and a practical version, and dancing is no different. For those interested in the glitz and glam, we offer Competitive Dance Programs. These include competitions, a chance to wear costumes, and you may even hear the term "spray tan" thrown around. For those interested in blending in at a nightclub, office party, or wedding - we offer a Social Dancing program. This is where the dancing centers around practical environments.
Bottom Line: Dress how you'd like, and if you'd like to perform - there are options.
You've had enough of the don'ts spoiling your fun. It's time to do something about it.
For some reason we assess dancing like it's the color of your eyes, your skin tone, or the jawline you got from your Dad's side of the family. Dancing is not a genetics. If it were, there would, undoubtedly, be way more dancing baby Youtube videos.
The Truth
Think of dancing as a language. Even people born into a home speaking English, Italian, or Chinese still need training in that language. Just like language, you've got to consider the environment you're learning in. It's much different learning a few choice words from your friends versus in a class taught by a career minded professional. Your DNA makes you unique, but your DNA doesn't disqualify you from dancing, or anything else you set your mind to.
Bottom Line: Learning to dance is like learning a language - it just takes lessons in the right environment.
Lessons. That's it. Breaking news, spoiler alert, you can't become a social dancer without lessons. Now, considering all the things you don't need to do, it should make it far easier to do the one thing that needs doing - which is lessons.
Once that step is out of the way, you don't have to avoid dance floors anymore. You don't have to pretend to tie your shoe, go to the bathroom, or fake a rehabilitation routine on an old war injury every time someone motions to a dance floor.
Why do we do it? Why do we overthink so many of the things that have such upside? It seems that it's easier to tell yourself, and anyone who will listen, stories of the people you almost met, the things you want to do, and the items on your bucket list.
For those fortunate enough to unlatch themselves from the albatross of overthinking, the few that are sick of the inner monologue of "Don'ts", they all come to the same realization - like a movie closeup when everything makes sense to the hero.
"Why did I wait so long to do this?"
So don't wait.
A goal is just future regret until you take action. We hope this article inspired you to do just that. Spend 45 minutes of your time and we know you'll discover something that will positively impact your life.