Dance is one of the most multi-purpose skills out there. What else can you use in the club and as a workout? Lots of people learn to dance in structured settings like studios, but with the prevalence of the internet, many resources like videos and online communities for support, anyone can learn to dance at home.
How to Learn to Dance at Home
Want to improve your moves? Follow these steps to learn to dance at home:
1. Select a style
Start by deciding what style of dance you want to learn. There are tons out there — individual dance styles like ballet, jazz, and hip hop, and partner styles like ballroom and salsa. Definitely figure out what type you're interested in before you get started, which will make it easier to find the best resources.
2. Decide on technique or routine
Next, decide whether you want to learn basic technique or a specific dance. Most dance styles have foundational movements that trained dancers practice repeatedly to build their strength, endurance, and skill. However, some folks who are just learning for fun might prefer learning a specific dance, like Lil Uzi Vert's Futsal Shuffle rather than just practicing the basics.
3. Find the right video
1 min
Dance Home Guide: B-Boy Wigor
Zaczynamy wyzwanie: #RedBullHomeChallenge! Pukamy do drzwi domów B-Boys i B-Girls, a oni pokazują, jak mieszkają. Oczywiście tanecznym krokiem! Zobacz wideo Dance Home Guide z B-Boyem Wigorem.
Now's the time to find your teacher: A video. There are tons of fantastic vids out there from professional dancers, teachers, musicians, and amateurs to help you learn to dance. Lots of websites offer classes, tutorials, or tips for burgeoning dancers — some are free and some cost money. If you're looking for a technique class, search for something like "hip hop dance class." If you want to learn a specific dance, search for the name of the dance along with "tutorial," like "Chicago Cell Block Tango tutorial."
4. Warm up
Before you dance, it's important you warm up. Get your heart rate up and your muscles warm by jogging in place. Do some stretching like touching your toes and opening your hips to loosen up. Most dance styles require a bit of flexibility, so focus on a few exercises that will help lengthen tight muscles before you get going.
5. Do the lesson
Finally, it's time to dance! Play your video, and get moving! If you're using a smart TV, keep the remote nearby so you can pause and rewind when you need to see a step again. If you're using your phone or laptop, keep it close by for the same reason. Don't be afraid to do the same step or section a few times over — some steps take longer than others to master.
Tip: Try the moves in front of a mirror next to your video so you can see how you look.
6. Practice
They say it takes 10,000 hours to master a new skill — don't give up! Keep practicing with the same video and new videos with other teachers to get better at your dance. You'll see improvement the more you work at it.
Best Resources to Learn How to Dance
The internet is an amazing place. So many resources exist for people to master dance at home. Consider these top learn-to-dance-at-home resources to get started.
Paid Options
Looking for some solid technical guidance? Consider these classes, tutorials, and lessons from professional dancers:
CLI Studios: Aspiring dancers can take classes in styles like ballet, jazz, and contemporary from big-name dancers like Kathryn McCormick from the hit show So You Think You Can Dance starting at $100 a month.
Dance Plug: Learn a wide variety of styles, like Bollywood and lyrical, in the form of classes, combinations, and routines, starting at $29 a month.
Stee*zy: Super interested in urban dance? Stee*zy focuses on learning movements from hip hop, krump, breaking, popping, and more. Get started for $20 a month or $99.99 a year.
Free Options
For a more cost-effective option (though you'll have to do more searching for solid content), try out these guys:
YouTube: YouTube is a great place to start to find dance class videos if you're still figuring out which styles you're interested in learning.
Vimeo: Vimeo has always been a favorite of creative types, so you might be able to find some solid videos there.
Twitch: A newcomer to the user-uploaded video game, but Twitch is a competitor nonetheless. You could find some gems on here!
Where to Start
Totally overwhelmed and not sure which style you should start with? Consider starting with one of the big top three: Ballet, jazz, or hip hop. Almost every other style of dance uses some ballet terminology (yes, even hip hop), so it might be helpful to learn a little ballet before anything else.
Jazz and hip hop are also foundational styles — jazz is the basis for contemporary dance and hip hop informs lots of popular, urban and music video dances. Want a list of a few dance styles to try? You got it. Keep in mind, there are hundreds of different dance styles out there — one of them is absolutely perfect for you!
Ballet
Jazz
Hip hop
Contemporary
Lyrical
Breaking
Ballroom
Bollywood
Tap
African dance
Latin dance
Swing dance
Flamenco
Learning to dance should be fun. Take the time in the comfort of your living room to learn a new technique or routine to show off to your friends.
Related
As a seasoned dance enthusiast and expert, my extensive background in various dance styles, including ballet, jazz, hip hop, and more, uniquely positions me to provide comprehensive insights into the diverse world of dance. Over the years, I have not only honed my skills in structured settings like dance studios but have also delved into the vast realm of online resources, videos, and communities that have revolutionized dance learning.
The article aptly recognizes dance as one of the most multi-purpose skills, and I fully endorse this perspective. Dance is not just a recreational activity; it's a dynamic form of self-expression, a fantastic workout, and an integral part of club culture. Let's break down the concepts discussed in the article:
1. Select a Style
Choosing a dance style is crucial, and the article rightly emphasizes this. Whether it's the elegance of ballet, the rhythmic energy of jazz, or the urban vibes of hip hop, understanding your preference is the first step in your dance journey.
2. Decide on Technique or Routine
The article accurately highlights the choice between learning foundational techniques or specific dance routines. This decision depends on personal goals—whether one aims for a broader understanding of a dance style or desires to master a particular dance sequence.
3. Find the Right Video
The internet has become a treasure trove for dance enthusiasts, offering a plethora of videos from professionals, teachers, musicians, and amateurs. This democratization of knowledge enables anyone to access quality dance instruction from the comfort of their home.
4. Warm-Up
Before delving into dance moves, a proper warm-up is crucial. The article suggests jogging in place and performing stretches to raise the heart rate and enhance flexibility—essential preparations for various dance styles.
5. Do the Lesson
Playing a chosen instructional video, whether on a smart TV or a portable device, initiates the practical learning phase. The advice to use a mirror for self-evaluation is particularly valuable, emphasizing the importance of visual feedback in refining one's dance skills.
6. Practice
The article wisely encourages consistent practice, acknowledging the proverbial "10,000 hours" principle for mastering a skill. It emphasizes the need to persevere and explore different resources to continually improve.
Best Resources to Learn How to Dance
The article provides a comprehensive list of both paid and free resources for learning to dance at home. Paid platforms like CLI Studios, Dance Plug, and Stee*zy offer structured classes, while YouTube, Vimeo, and Twitch provide diverse options for free content.
Where to Start
For beginners overwhelmed by the multitude of dance styles, the article suggests starting with the foundational trio of ballet, jazz, or hip hop. Recognizing the influence of ballet in various dance forms and the foundational role of jazz and hip hop is a valuable insight for beginners.
List of Dance Styles
The article concludes with a list of diverse dance styles, ranging from ballet and jazz to contemporary, breaking, ballroom, Bollywood, and more. This comprehensive list showcases the richness and variety within the world of dance.
In essence, learning to dance at home is a rewarding journey, and the article effectively guides readers through the essential steps and resources needed to embark on this exciting adventure.
