Different Types Of Zumba by Chris Waddington

What Is Zumba?

In the mid-nineteen nineties a Colombian Aerobics Instructor called Alberto Perez was about to take a class, when he realised that he had forgotten his musical backing tape. He improvised with the class by using a tape of upbeat Latin dance music, and the idea for Zumba was born. In 2001 Zumba Fitness was launched as a highly energetic dance-fitness program based on Latin dance styles, and danced to an international high-tempo musical soundtrack. Instead of the traditional aerobics method of doing repetitions to music, Zumba is all about moving to the music. After only 10 years, Zumba is now enjoyed by more than ten million people a week and its a very enjoyable fat-burning fitness workout, but which Zumba workout is right for you?

The Different Types Of Zumba

The creators of Zumba now offer 6 different types of Zumba experiences, lets take a look at them:

Zumba

The original high-paced and energetic Latin inspired dance-fitness program that took the world by storm. It is a fun way to burn body fat, build fitness and raise your energy levels. You'll be enjoying yourself so much, that you will forget that you actually are exercising.

Zumba Gold

This is a Zumba program that is specifically tailored to the older generation. As you get older and naturally start to slow down, it is still important to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. Zumba Gold is a little less intense than the original Zumba, as things move at a gentler pace. Zumba Gold is also a great option at any age if you are new to exercise, and looking to build up your fitness.

Aqua Zumba

As the name suggests, Aqua Zumba is a fitness program performed in water. It is a great cardio workout that combines all the fun of Zumba with the benefits of exercising in water. Because water supports your body weight, it aids movement and flexibility. You can give your body and muscles a great low-impact workout without putting a lot of stress on your joints. Water-based exercising is great for people returning to exercise and building strength and fitness following an injury or surgery.

Zumba Toning

Zumba Toning is an energetic dance program that focuses on toning muscles and body sculpting. You use light toning sticks to aid rhythm and target those problem areas, such as abs and thighs. This a great workout if you want to build body strength and muscle definition while having a great time.

Zumbatonic

This is a Zumba program especially for children, and is a fun way to introduce them to exercise. With rising child obesity levels, the internet and computer games, parents need to find ways for their children to become more active. Zumbatonic is a great workout that the whole family can enjoy together, and children simply love this high-energy dance and fitness routine.

Zumba In The Circuit

This routine combines the fun and passion of Zumba with the power of circuit training. Using timed intervals, this is a very intense 30 minute workout guaranteed to blast those calories away and rejuvenate you. This is a great option if time is at a premium, as you are in and out in half an hour.

Now you know all the different types of Zumba programs available, why not give Zumba a go? You can lose weight with Zumba, build fitness and have a total blast.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6118332

How to Choose the Perfect Songs for your Wedding Reception

Sometimes finding the right songs for the biggest moments of your wedding can be a daunting task. After all, there's much you need to consider (like you don't have enough stuff to stress out about already!).

Have no fear; it doesn't have to be a stressful situation. Here are some things to consider when choosing those special songs for your big day.

Bridal Dance - This is THE most important song of the night. Next to seeing you kiss at the altar at the end of the ceremony, this is the one of your most romantic events; your big moment alone on the dance floor. So the song has to be special.

There are three very important things to remember when choosing songs. These may seem obvious, but you'd be surprised. Plus these "rules" apply to any song chosen for any of the ceremonial dances.

1. Make sure the song you choose is one that the two of you can actually dance to! You may be able to tear up a dance floor, but your groom may have two left feet. Picking a song with an odd tempo may make him feel awkward, especially out on a dance floor in front of his friends and family. Try to keep it simple.

2. Make sure both of you actually LIKE the song. For example, you may really like Lonestar's "Amazed", but if country music makes your groom's teeth itch, you need to choose another song. Or, he may really like that one Metallica ballad, but you hate it. Next, please.

3. Is the song appropriate for a bridal dance? Let's face it, you may both really like the song, but "Love Bites" by Def Leppard does NOT make a good bridal song. Don't laugh, it's happened! (And there were many rather confused wedding guests that night).

Still, sometimes you may think that you don't have a song that is "yours". That was the first song the two of you danced to? Is there a ballad by an artist that the two of you are big fans of? Was there a song playing in the background the night he proposed to you? These are things to think about.

If that doesn't seem to work, start listening to songs on the radio a bit closer. Listen to the lyrics. Eventually you will find a song that will express what you want to say to each other on your wedding day, and that's your song!

Another thing you may want to consider is the length of the song. "In Your Eyes" may be the perfect song for you, but the track is nearly 6 minutes long. That's a long time to be out there - the two of you -alone with everyone's eyes upon you - feeling paranoid yet? Don't be afraid to ask your DJ to fade the song out early.

The main thing to remember - this is your big moment. Make it special not only for you, but for your guests as well.

Bridal Party Dance - The first question we often get regarding this song is "Does the bride & groom stay on the dance floor during this dance?" The answer is "Yes". It looks a little strange when the bride and groom leave the dance floor with their closest friends on it.

Some couples are choosing to combine the bridal dance and the bridal party dance -- one song for everything. This is a good idea if you have a small bridal party or if you are uncomfortable being the center of attention. Whatever you decide to do comes down to planning; making sure you let your DJ and your bridal party know what you want to do, i.e. when you want the bridal party to join you on the dance floor.

Some couples have chosen to allow their party members to dance with their significant others instead of whom they walked down the aisle with. This is fine, and may save a few awkward (and jealous) moments, but make sure that this is planned out with your DJ and your bridal party in advance. Doing this will double the number of people on your dance floor and a larger group of people will be a bit harder to keep in one place for very long. Make sure everyone knows what the plan is and what is expected of them. Plus, it is imperative that you have everyone's names at the time of your consultation. Adding names at the last minute does increase the possibility of your DJ making an error, and we HATE making errors. But we are only human. The more you plan it, the easier it will go for everyone involved.

Some brides have been willing to drop the bridal party dance all together in favor of making life easier for everyone, avoiding awkward moments or because they just want to get to the party. This is fine, but keep in mind that the bridal party dance is a great opportunity for your photographer to get some good shots of your bridal party. If you still feel that you want to drop the bridal dance, make arrangements with your photographer to get pictures of your party during the day.

Having said all of this, actually choosing a bridal party song tends to be a bit easier. If you have been trying to choose between two songs for your bridal dance, you can use both; one song for the two of you and one for your bridal party.

You can also choose to be a bit light-hearted with this. "Friends In Low Places" can work, as does "With a Little Help From My Friends".

Again, think about songs that may have special meaning to those you have chosen to stand up with you. For example, I attended a bonfire once with a number of good friends and there was a moment when someone pulled out a guitar and played "You've Got a Friend" and there we all were; swaying back and forth. singing loudly, A couple of years later, one of the attendees at that bonfire remembered this and chose that song to be their bridal party dance. And sure enough, that moment happened again on the dance floor. Consult with the members of your bridal party; they can be a good source of ideas.

As before, another thing to keep in mind is the length of the song. For example, if you want your DJ to introduce your best man and maid of honor, the other 16 members of your bridal party, both sets of parents, and acknowledge your flower girls and ring bearers, choosing a short 2 minute long song like "What a Wonderful World" is NOT a good idea. The song will end before your parents are brought out onto the dance floor! Conversely, choosing a 5 + minute long song like Celine Dion's "Because You Loved Me" when there are only 3 couples to introduce is a bit much. Again, feel free to have your DJ fade the song out early.

The main thing to remember is that this is your moment to share with the people closest to you. Make it meaningful, make it fun, and make it special.

Daddy/Daughter Dance - This is, of course, a tradition, but this doesn't mean you have to be traditional about it. Sure, "Daddy's Little Girl" is still used. Of course "Butterfly Kisses" was created for this moment. And it seems nowadays that there's a new song coming out of Nashville about once a month that's tailor made for the daddy/daughter dance.

The main thing to remember is that this symbolizes your "last" dance that your father will have with his now-no-longer little girl, so this is a song that should be special to both of you. This doesn't mean it has to be a sappy moment. You can have fun with this if you like. It all depends on the personalities of yourself and your father. Naturally, your best bet is to consult with your father, and your mother as well (mothers tend to remember things better than fathers sometimes!).

One great example, one of our DJs was asked to play "Puff the Magic Dragon" as the daddy/daughter dance recently. This may seem like it's an odd choice at first, but this was a song that the bride's father would sing to his young children when they would go to bed at night. So when the song was played at her wedding, both the bride and her father were in tears, as were the bride's siblings gathered at the edge of the dance floor. In fact, there wasn't a dry eye in the house as 180 guests began singing along with the song! In another very similar situation, "On Top of Spaghetti" was once used, apparently having something to do with the bride's love of spaghetti when she was a child. If there's a song like this in your family history, use it!

In yet another example, a bride's father was once considered a great disco dancer, so the bride chose "Last Dance" by Donna Summer, and then had the DJ open the dance floor to all of the guests when the song's disco beat kicked in. So it need not be what everyone else does. Make the moment unique and special.

Mother/Son Dance - There are tons of ideas for daddy/daughter dances, but seemingly few choices for the mother/son dance. This isn't necessarily true; they're just not so obvious sometimes. The same rules apply as with the daddy/daughter dance; if there's a song in your groom's family history that means a lot to them, use it!

The daddy/daughter dance may get most of the attention, but the mother/son dance is JUST as important to your groom and his mother. Usually your groom's mother will have ideas, but don't keep your groom out of the loop!

But wait, there's more!

There are a few other points during the course of your reception that will require some music to help make the moments special. It may not seem like a big deal, but having music for these moments add to the overall presentation at your reception. They help set the mood and tone of the entire evening. Let's take a look.

Introduction Music - This is the big moment; your Grand Entrance when you and your groom are first brought into the hall to the cheers of all your friends and loved ones who have gathered to celebrate your wedding. So naturally, you will want to choose music to highlight the moment.

There are a few things to consider. Will the bridal party also be introduced at this point? Will your parents also be introduced? Do you want one song for everyone, or do you want a separate song for your bridal party and one for you and your groom? Do you want something a bit mellow for your parents to walk in to, and then get a bit louder as your progress through the rest of the introductions?

Again, this is a BIG moment, and one you want to capitalize on. Use this moment to really pump up your guests.

Having said that, this moment can be as full of pomp and circumstance as you want, or can be as fun and rowdy as you'd like. There are some standards such as "Celebration", "Let's Get It Started" or "Get the Party Started". But our DJs have used everything from "Here Comes the Bride" to the Austin Powers theme song, from "In the Mood" to the Blues Brothers, from the Chicago Bulls theme song to the Imperial March from Star Wars, from the U of M fight song to one of the songs used for the C.S.I. TV shows. As you can see, the possibilities here are quite endless.

There are no real rules for this one, so you can be as creative and individual as you like. Consult with your bridal party for this one, and check out or list of ideas here on our website.

Cake Cutting - Often couples will choose a song to highlight the cake cutting ceremony. This one isn't really a necessity per se, but it does help to draw attention to the cake cutting.

We recommend something upbeat or mid-tempo for this and keep it light-hearted. And again, this can be almost anything. Some couples choose to let their Grand Entrance song play out if they go directly to the cake cutting after their introduction.

"Love & Marriage" by Frank Sinatra is popular here, but sometimes brides balk at using the theme to "Married With Children" (remember the Bundys?). If nothing else it does usually get a chuckle or two. Choosing a song with a food or sweets theme, like "Ice Cream", "Sugar Sugar", "Sweetest Thing" or "How Sweet It Is" always works. You can even go as far as Weird Al's "Eat It". Again, this is a light moment so have fun with it.

Bouquet Toss/Garter Removal/Garter Toss - This is something we will be discussing more in a later column. If you decide to do this, there will be several songs you will need; one song for the ladies for the bouquet toss, one for the gents for the garter toss, and a song for the garter removal. There may be others needed as well, depending on what you want to do. This is certainly the most lighthearted moment of the evening so you can have fun with this as well. Just remember - your grandmother is sitting right there!

How to find the songs - Didn't think that there were this many songs to choose, did you? Have no fear we're here to help.

Most of the time there are obvious choices for your ceremonial dances. There's that one song that the two of you have always considered "yours". But maybe the choices aren't so obvious. So how to find them?

First of all, start early. Don't wait until the last minute to choose the songs. These will be some of the most important moments of your wedding. Take as much care in choosing songs for these moments as you did in choosing the hall, your flowers or your DJ!

Listen to the radio. Go to your music collection. Browse through music stores. Poke around through iTunes or the like. Ask your friends, especially those who have already gotten married. Ask your family.

And of course, check out the song lists that we have included on www.mikestaff.com. Many talented and experienced DJs were consulted when compiling these lists, so there are a lot of ideas there for the taking. Ask your DJ for ideas when you consult with him. Use his experience and knowledge. That's what we're here for!

Now, all of this may seem like a lot to consider when choosing songs, but it's really much easier than it appears. Don't stress out about it! The main thing to remember is to LISTEN. Don't just go to iTunes and play snippets of songs. Take a few minutes to really listen to some songs. Besides, with all of the chaos normally associated with planning a wedding, taking a few moments to sit back, relax, breathe and listen will certainly help take some of the tension off. Enjoy the process! Once you relax a bit, the right song will come to you.


About The Author

Mike Staff is the owner of Mike Staff Productions (http://www.mikestaff.com), an award winning Wedding DJ, Entertainment and Videography Company located in metropolitan Detroit, Michigan. Mike is also a well known Detroit radio personality, having spent over 14 years on-the-air at one of Detroit's most popular music stations, 101-FM WRIF.

How Dancing Increases Your Confidence

Dancing requires confidence but did you know dancing builds your confidence on and off the dance floor?

Want to gain confidence, make new friends, find that new relationship or perhaps improve your social life? You can achieve all these and much more by taking regular dance lessons. Learning to dance gives you more confidence, builds your skills and can open a completely new social circle for you without the pressure of contrived speed dating or the discomfort of blind dates.

It's well known that dancers are more confident, walk taller and are more aware of their bodies than non-dancers. They pay attention to their fitness and they tend to eat healthier foods. After a few dance lessons, even though you may just be starting to master the basics you will feel your confidence growing as you see your progress. It goes without saying that a good dose of encouragement helps too, because it often you are making progress, even when it may not feel like it.

Social partner dancing, (for example salsa, ballroom, swing and modern jive) has many benefits one of which is building your confidence as a dancer. Forget dancing alone at a club, where, if you're not already an excellent dancer you may feel clumsy even if you love dancing. Why not learn to partner dance to your favourite club sounds instead?

Partner dancing without a partner?

One of the great things about a modern jive dance class is that you don't need to have a partner to attend and enjoy them. For singles, going to a dance class alone is the first of many big steps. You're quite not sure what to expect or even if you're doing the right thing. You're worried everyone is going to be better than you are and that you'll stand out. You may even be worried that everyone will be partnered up except you. So attending your first dance class in spite of your fears is a huge step towards building confidence. You've proved to yourself that "You can do it."

Set some goals for your dancing

May people take dance lessons to increase confidence and one of the best ways you can start off is to set 2 - 3 dance goals. Dancing requires some commitment so think about what you want to achieve and tick off your goals when you reach them. You get a huge confidence boost just by doing this.
If your goal is to get out of the house more and meet new people make this your goal rather than "finding a date." Go to learn something new and simply be open to making new friends and learning to be a great dancer.You will be amazed at how many people you will meet at each modern jive dance class, and even if you don't meet a special someone, you will have plenty of fun sharing a common love of dancing.

You'll never dance alone at a modern jive dance class

If not a partner to go dancing with is a worry this is great news for you. I went to my first-ever modern jive dance evening on my own and never looked back. Because everyone is rotated during the lesson you are guaranteed to meet and dance with anywhere from 7-10 different people every week, so if you've come to class alone you'll never feel left out. Everyone gets to dance with everyone else, regardless of whether or not they've come with a partner. This helps your dancing and makes for the great social atmosphere in the class. The more people you dance with the better you become at dancing and the faster your confidence grows.

What if I make mistakes?

One of the biggest concerns of beginner dancers is that everyone is watching them and noting their mistakes. After all, dancing in front of people we don't know puts the spotlight on us.
Good news! People are usually not watching beginners. They are usually watching the better dancers for tips to improve their own dancing. They understand making mistakes is part and parcel of learning to dance and are far more likely to congratulate you for your efforts. They've been where you are. So relax and have fun.

Take every opportunity to dance

All modern jive dance classes begin with a beginner lesson, followed by a "freestyle" session, followed by an Intermediate session, then more freestyle dancing. In modern jive "freestyle" is simply another word for practice and it's a big part of the evening. Doing the dance lesson alone isn't enough. To build your dancing confidence dance in the freestyle practice session every week, particularly if you are a beginner. Because everyone dances with everyone else in the freestyle, you will dance with different people every week and as you do so you'll find you become more and more confident both in yourself and your abilities.

Ask others to dance

Beginner dancers tend to look at the better dancers and think two things.
1. that one will ask them to dance because they're new and 2. that they couldn't possibly ask anyone to dance
Being confident enough to ask people to dance (whether you're a lady or a guy) is a big part of modern jive dance evenings. Ladies ask guys to dance as often as guys ask the ladies, unlike what you might find in clubs and even some more formal dances classes.
At a modern jive you will find that beginners are encouraged to ask the better dancers to dance with them. It is one of the fastest ways to learn. So, make asking someone to dance one of your goals. You will feel your confidence grow over time.

What if I ask and they say no?

At a modern jive dance class "Would you like to dance?" is generally answered with a "Yes, I'd love to," 99% of the time.

Of course, if someone is just finishing a dance or taking a short break, catching their breath after several dances, sitting or sitting out a song they may suggest the next dance instead. However unlike in a club where a lady would rarely ask for a dance, or a guy might wonder if asking for a dance means public ridicule or might be taken the wrong way, asking for a dance at modern jive is the norm whichever gender does it. Ladies, if you want a dance, just ask for one.

If you're a beginner and you've plucked up courage to ask even two people to dance each week (chances are they will ask you anyway) congratulate yourself, because you have set the stage for great progress which in turn builds your confidence. And with new people joining each week you will not be a beginner for long and can do the same for others.

Dancing is one of the best ways to build your confidence in any area of your life. So:

Take the first step - go to a dance class, try a modern jive class among other Set 2-3 goals and ask a teacher to help you achieve them.

Be prepared to laugh at your mistakes as well as learn from them Make dancing in the freestyle at modern jive your top goal each week.

Ask others to dance in the freestyle - even if you've just started. Just say you'd like to practice the moves.

Commit and be patient with yourself.

Whether it's a salsa class, swing lessons, ballroom or a modern jive dance lesson you will get from them what you put in. With time, a great teacher, encouragement, a sense of humour, and practice you'll find dancing will work wonders for your confidence.

Have you joined the Modern Jive dance craze? Nicky and her team teach fun Modern Jive dance lessons in Toronto. Learn to dance in just 6 weeks and become a sought-after dance partner fast! For more information, videos, workshops, and newsletter with subscriber discounts and more go to JiveNationToronto

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The Health Benefits of Dancing -- Including Specific Benefits of Different Dances by Brian Vaszily

If you secretly sashay across your living room when you're home alone or long to cha-cha with your significant other, you're in luck. Not only is dancing an exceptional way to let loose and have fun, but it also provides some terrific benefits for your health.

In fact, Mayo Clinic researchers reported that social dancing helps to:

• Reduce stress
• Increase energy
• Improve strength
• Increase muscle tone and coordination

And whether you like to kick up your heals to hip hop, classical or country, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) says that dancing can:

• Lower your risk of coronary heart disease
• Decrease blood pressure
• Help you manage your weight
• Strengthen the bones of your legs and hips

Dancing is a unique form of exercise because it provides the heart-healthy benefits of an aerobic exercise while also allowing you to engage in a social activity. This is especially stimulating to the mind, and one 21-year study published in the New England Journal of Medicine even found dancing can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia in the elderly.

In the study, participants over the age of 75 who engaged in reading, dancing and playing musical instruments and board games once a week had a 7 percent lower risk of dementia compared to those who did not. Those who engaged in these activities at least 11 days a month had a 63 percent lower risk!

Interestingly, dancing was the only physical activity out of 11 in the study that was associated with a lower risk of dementia. Said Joe Verghese, a neurologist at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and a lead researcher of the study, "This is perhaps because dance music engages the dancer's mind."

Verghese says dancing may be a triple benefit for the brain. Not only does the physical aspect of dancing increase blood flow to the brain, but also the social aspect of the activity leads to less stress, depression and loneliness. Further, dancing requires memorizing steps and working with a partner, both of which provide mental challenges that are crucial for brain health.

How Good of a Workout is Dancing, Really?

The amount of benefit you get from dancing depends on, like most exercises, the type of dancing you're doing, how strenuous it is, the duration and your skill level.

Says exercise physiologist Catherine Cram, MS, of Comprehensive Fitness Consulting in Middleton, Wisconsin, "Once someone gets to the point where they're getting their heart rate up, they're actually getting a terrific workout. Dance is a weight-bearing activity, which builds bones. It's also "wonderful" for your upper body and strength."

Plus, dancing requires using muscles that you may not even know you had.

"If you're dancing the foxtrot, you're taking long, sweeping steps backwards. That's very different than walking forward on a treadmill or taking a jog around the neighborhood ... Ballroom dancing works the backs of the thighs and buttock muscles differently from many other types of exercise," says Ken Richards, professional dancer and spokesman for USA Dance, the national governing body of DanceSport (competitive ballroom dancing).

Specific Benefits of Different Dances

If you're looking for specific health results, here's a breakdown of the benefits of some popular dances. Just remember that any type of dancing is better than no dancing at all!

Belly Dancing

• Improved posture and muscle toning
• Maintains flexibility
• Helps prevent lower back problems
• Tones and firms arms and shoulders
• Helps with weight loss
• Helps prepare women for childbirth
• Reduces stress

Dancing Off Those Calories

 How many calories will you burn while dancing? That depends on the type of dancing. Here's a range of some of the most popular varieties, based on a 150-pound person, per hour:

• Swing dancing: 235 calories/hour
• Ballroom dancing: 265
• Square dancing: 280
• Ballet: 300
• Belly dancing: 380
• Salsa dancing: 420+
• Aerobic dancing: 540+

Ballroom Dancing

• Conditions the body
• Helps keep the heart in shape
• Builds and increases stamina
• Develops the circulatory system
• Strengthens and tones legs and body
• Increases flexibility and balance
• Helps with weight loss
• Relieves stress

Salsa Dancing

• Builds endurance and stamina
• Helps with weight loss
• Relieves stress
• Helps you release toxins via sweating
• May help lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels
• Can lead to a reduced heart rate over time

Square Dancing

• Provides cardiovascular conditioning
• May lead to a slower heart rate, lower blood pressure and an improved cholesterol profile
• Strengthens bones
• Helps you develop strong social ties
• Loosens and tones muscles

Physical benefits aside, dancing has a way of brightening up a person's day, says ballroom owner and operator Karen Tebeau.

"A lot of times, when people come into the studio, it's because there's been a change in their life: a divorce or they've been through a period of depression. They (continue) coming in, and you see a big change. After a while, they're walking in with a sunny expression. You know it's the dancing that's doing that," she says.

This article was provided by the world's #1 most popular and trusted holistic living e-newsletter -- FREE to you right now at http://www.SixWise.com! The old way of thinking: "holistic living" pertains only to personal health. The new way of thinking: "holistic living" means prevention of the negative and adherence to the positive in all SIX practical areas of life: relationships, finances, career, home environment, safety and health. With the SixWise.com e-newsletter, you will get holistic wisdom from the world's top experts in all six of these areas -- completely FREE with a simple sign-up (and a guaranteed no-spam policy!) at http://www.SixWise.com

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Why rent DVDs from Danceflix?

Danceflix is the leader in variety when it comes to renting instructional DVDs in any style of dance you can imagine. Centrally located right outside of Chicago, we were founded in 2010 by a group of dancers with an obsession for dance videos and aspirations of e-commerce.

It is our mission to provide dancers of all levels access to quality video dance instruction in one convenient place. We are dancers just like you, so we understand the challenges of expensive dance lessons and the high cost of instructional DVDs. With our service, you can have access to quality instructions, save money, and learn all the moves in the convenience and privacy of your home. 

HOW IT WORKS

It’s really just easy and convenient. Follow these four simple steps and you’re good to go!

1. Select – Browse and select dance videos online and create a list of DVDs you want to watch. You can get it here.

2. Receive – DVDs are delivered to you FREE by first-class US Mail.

3. Watch and Learn – Relax, take your time, and enjoy the DVDs for as long as you want.

4. Return – Return the DVDs in the prepaid mailer provided and we’ll send you more from your rental queue.

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Tips for a Perfect Wedding Dance

If there's one thing that people love, it's a good wedding from time to time. A wedding gives everybody the chance to dress themselves in nice clothing, meet old friends, family members, and new people, and to just generally celebrate the love of two people coming together. Now, the focal point of any wedding is obviously the bride and groom, (although unofficially we all know that it's really all about the bride, but shh) with all eyes being on them. Once you've gotten the ceremony out of the way, you'll then have the dinner, followed by the speeches, and the cutting of the cake by the newly married couple. Then comes the real fun, because once those pleasantries are out of the way, it's time to party. The lights go down, the music comes on, ties and jackets are removed, champagne flows freely, and everybody heads to the dance floor and has a generally great time.

Another important part of any wedding however, is the first dance between the bride and groom. This dance is a ceremony in itself really, and although it will only last a few minutes, it will stay in many people's hearts and memories for a lifetime. All eyes are on the bride and groom, so they need to ensure they provide an unforgettable first dance. Here are a few tips to help you do just that.
Select the perfect song - You should choose a song that reflects everything about the pair of you, that you can easily imagine yourselves dancing to on the big night. Now, this can be whatever you want, it is after all, your wedding day. You could go for slow and romantic, fast faced and racy, or even a funny and humorous song, it's entirely up to you.

Practice - Your guests may not know what to expect until the music hits, but you will, and as you're performing a pretty important dance, in front of a lot of people, it would be highly recommended that you practice well in advance. You'll know the song you're dancing to, next will be the time to actually practice the dance itself. You could take professional lessons, or even practice in your own homes if you prefer.

Remember to consider what you're wearing - If you're planning a fast paced style of dance, then tight shoes and high heels are certainly not going to be appropriate. A great way around this is by simply packing a pair of acceptable shoes and other clothing maybe, heading into the toilet or changing room a few minutes beforehand, getting changed, and hitting the dance floor. Remember to always practice your routine in the same shoes you'll be planning on slipping into just before your big dance.
Above all else, the main thing you should do is to actually have fun and enjoy yourselves. A first dance on a wedding day is a big deal, and if you're worried or are simply looking to hone your skills, then dance classes and lessons could be exactly what you need. Ballroom dancing is growing in popularity by the day, so why not book your lessons today?

Visit Monterey Dance for dance news and articles about ballroom dancing, dance classes in Monterey & dance lessons in Monterey.

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DanceFlix.com Introduces…Bushidoflix.com – Your Online Source of Martial Arts DVD Videos for Rent

As a premier provider of instructional dance DVDs available for rent, we are proud to introduce our sister site – BushidoFlix.com! It is a newly redesigned website with a new name and even better service to satisfy your martial arts & MMA needs.

Bushido DVD was acquired in 2013 and has since re-launched as BushidoFlix.com – the ultimate online DVDs by mail experience. With thousands of titles to choose from, Bushido Flix is your online resource for unique and hard-to-find martial arts instructional DVDs, ultimate fighting, classic Kung Fu, samurai movies, rare documentaries and so much more.

For a low monthly fee, members can enjoy unlimited DVD rentals by mail. Delivery is free both ways, including tracking information for most plans. Members can keep the DVDs as long as they want without incurring any dreaded late fees, and they may cancel at any time.

Members can choose from a wide variety of DVD video titles including; martial arts instructional videos in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Karate, Taekwondo, Wing Chun Kung Fu, Krav Maga, Grappling, UFC fights, extreme strength and conditioning and much more. Bushido Flix aims to reclaim its title as the premier online destination for martial arts and MMA DVDs.

So whenever you feel like learning a new martial art, or improving upon your skills and technique, or maybe just want to revisit a favorite tournament match, Bushido Flix can definitely help unleash the warrior in you! (And then maybe you can dance afterwards!)

The History Of Lindy Hop

In the nineteen twenties there was the Charleston dance craze, whilst before that ballroom dancing was the thing. Ballroom dancing is, like Lindy Hop, partner dancing. In other words couples dance together, in physical contact. Also in the nineteen twenties there was a degree of racial segregation in the USA, which meant that ballrooms like the Savoy in Harlem were mostly frequented by black dancers, ballrooms like the Roseland mostly frequented by whites. Although the Savoy was the first ballroom not to be officially segregated, so white dancers could, and did, go there in small numbers. The big bands of the era sometimes had black and white musicians, less so in the early days when most were one or the other.

In the Savoy ballroom in Harlem, as early as nineteen twenty six, (the Savoy opened its doors for the first time in March nineteen twenty six), black musicians were experimenting and leading the way, swing music was emerging. The Charleston dance craze was declining. Later, the new musical style would be copied by Benny Goodman. Some historians credit the start of the swing age to a later tour by Benny Goodman, nineteen thirty five in fact, which is actually somewhat after the fact!

Benny Goodman had listened to the musicians in Harlem and his band were swing pioneers, as far as white folks were concerned. A great band they were too, but they were not the first innovators of the genre. By the thirties Benny Goodman was playing swing on his late night radio slot in New York and when he went on tour he struggled, well he struggled in New York and all stations west until he got to California where they were queued around the block. The reason being that his late night New York radio programme was being picked up at peak time all those miles west, different time zone of course, and the people loved it. Officially this is when the swing age was born. However, go back to nineteen twenty six in Harlem and you'd find black dancers there were experimenting with new moves to fit the new music, from Fletcher Henderson primarily and they'd adapted Charleston moves to fit their new style too.

The new dance didn't really have a name. It's been suggested that they called it the breakaway, because in ballroom male dancers kept the lady close, but in the new dance she was 'swung out'. Others say breakaway is rather the original name for a move which today is called a swing out and that the dance was simply called The Hop. So to 1927. There were dance marathons then, remember the movie "They Shoot Horse's Don't They". It was at a dance marathon, so the story goes that a newspaper journalist asked a black dancer by the name of Shorty George Snowden "hey, what's that new dance you're doing?" Presumably no one outside the Savoy had seen it much. Well George, who has a dance step named after him, the "Shorty George" unsurprisingly, was a bit of a wit. Furthermore, that week or maybe even that day a young man called Charles Lindbergh had made the first solo aeroplane flight across the Atlantic, non stop. America was in love with its new hero and a newspaper headline had read (reputedly, although I've been unable to find it) "Lucky Lindy Hops The Atlantic". "We call it the Lindy Hop" quipped George and so a new dance craze was born.

The dance had its apogee in the forties and went through the dark days of wartime, surviving into the fifties when smaller, less costly rock and roll bands put the big bands out of business. Well mostly, it was still possible to find some swing even in the ironically named swinging sixties, and jazz of course goes on through every storm and changing fashion.

Music like all the creative arts and indeed sciences has to progress, Rock and Roll, Bill Haley and Elvis they were the immediate future in the early fifties. Swing and swing dance had ruled the roost for twenty five years a remarkable thing when you look at popular music today. In that time swing produced a great variety of great music, and the dancers innovated so many steps and styles that you could learn the Lindy Hop for a lifetime and still not know it all. For more on the subject see the book 'Of Land, Sea and Sky'. www.oflandseaandsky.com
About The Author

Malcolm Snook has been a skydiving instructor, car and motorcycle racer, dance teacher, advertising executive and entrepreneur and a long distance sailor. He currently lives on an old sailing ketch and writes.

10 Tips For Getting Started Ballroom Dancing

Learning to dance is fun and it is easy. In a sense it is like learning a new language, a language in which moods and emotions are expressed in movement; a language of rhythm, grace and harmony. It is new, but in a very real sense it is the oldest language in the world, for dancing is the oldest form of art.

Dancing is a wholesome, natural outlet for the emotions. It develops grace and poise, timing and balance. Men take pride in their ability to lead their partners with assurance and poise. Ladies enjoy the ability to follow their partners smoothly, expertly and correctly. The ability to dance develops personality, and above all, it is fun.

Taking dance lessons is a great way to improve your confidence, it is a way to get fit and did I mention they're fun?

And It's Easier Than You Think!

1. Do you want to, learn to dance professionally, learn to dance for pleasure? It is important to know what you want to achieve before you start.

Perhaps you want to learn to get fit, for a social occasion or to meet new friends. Plus if you know what you want to get out of it this helps your instructor.

Lots of people start with social dancing. Social dancing classes are great places to learn ballroom dancing. A small percentage of social dancers later find that their love of dance compels them to become competitive dancers. Social dances normally start with a one-hour dance lesson and it is normally possible to find weekly group dance lessons especially for beginners.

2. If you want to find out what is involved in dancing before you commit to lessons, or there are no good teachers locally, consider a dance video. You can watch it at your leisure, plus watch it as many times as you like to aid learning. A good video will help you practice once you start lessons.

3. Dancing provides great social benefits but also participating in ballroom dancing on a regular basis will produce significant mental and physical health benefits. Dancing is a great stress reliever. It builds confidence, alertness and good attitude. It also has been proven to have a great physical benefit as it physically tones the whole body in enjoyable exercise.

Dancing can be a fun way to lose weight and get into shape. Just check out the potential for burning calories. Burn 309 calories with just one hour of Ballet, Tap or Freestyle, 290 calories with Country Line Dancing or Swing and 193 calories with the Waltz.

4. When choosing a dance studio you want to choose one that is conveniently located to your home or work place. If you can get there easier you will keep going and repetition is the key to quick learning. Not sure if you want to learn? Some nightclubs or studios hold introductory lessons. A number of websites have a dance studio locator, so that you can find studios local to you.

In addition these sites have lots of free instructional material.

Check out a few different dance studios. Most dance studios will offer group and private lessons. Look for studios offering a mixture of the two. How many teachers do they have? Do they have an introductory offer?

You may also find ballroom dance classes at local colleges and many city or county recreational departments include ballroom dance classes. Some organizations such as the YWCA, Community Centers, Elks or Moose Lodges offer dance lessons to their members and guests.

5. Find out about the different dance styles before you start lessons and see which ones you want to learn. Plus you'll be more knowledgeable about the style and rhythm of the different dances before you start classes.

Don't forget to get my free book that covers the basics of ballroom dancing, details at the end of these tips.

6. Do you need a partner to start ballroom dancing? No. Lots of classes accept singles. If you already have a partner then you can have fun learning together.

7. Should you have private lessons or group classes? This depends on your preference and your budget. As a beginner you may prefer the privacy of individual tuition and certainly you will learn quicker, they can also be useful if you have missed some group classes and do not want to get left behind or you feel that you need extra tuition. However when starting out consider the social aspect of group learning which most people find stimulating, challenging and lots of fun. Group classes are also less expensive.

8. There are no special clothes for social dancing, except that they need to be comfortable and give you freedom to move. However for learning professional ballroom dancing you may find that exercise clothing is more appropriate, ask your instructor if you are unsure. When choosing shoes think about not only appearance but also comfort, support and protection.

9. Selecting your instructor is an important decision and you want to ensure that your instructor has professional qualifications. Obtain a copy of their resume for professional examinations and their experience in teaching beginners. The United States Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association will be able to advise you further.

10. Finally, just in case you didn't get the message before - have fun! Learning a new skill can and should be fun, that way you'll stick at it and before you know where you are you have mastered it!

About the Author, Lynsey Leigh -

To get Lynsey's free book,  Your Complete-Guide-to-Ballroom-Dancing, go to her website: http://www.Complete-Guide-to-Ballroom-Dancing.com.

Zumba - the New Latin Dance Fitness Workout

What is Zumba?

Zumba is the new dance fitness class that is sweeping the world.

With varied dance styles from meringue & salsa to bollywood & belly dancing they are blended together in to a class with a wonderful party atmosphere.

Zumba was created by Beto Perez from Columbia who one day forgot the music for his aerobics class. All he had was a selection of music CDs from his car. With that mixed bag of music the class he taught proved to be very popular & the rest is history.

It was discovered that a lot of people were intimidated by the traditional method of teaching a fitness class. So in comparison all Zumba classes are taught with no or minimal verbal queuing & with no pressure from the instructor to perform the steps correctly.

The people in the class just follow the moves the instructor is doing but if they can't or don't want to do that move, all they have to do is to do their own thing, keep moving & to have fun fun fun!

Zumba is suitable for anyone over the age of 16 and is great for all levels of fitness and experience. But for people younger than that there is Zumbatomic. There is no dress code (Lycra is NOT mandatory!).

Just wear what you feel comfortable in but do bear in mind you will get very hot! The best shoes to wear are ones that will give your foot support (like an aerobic style shoe). It is best not to wear a shoe that has too much grip as this can cause pressure on your knees.

People are advised to bring a towel & a bottle of water along with them as you will get very hot! There is a break in between each track allowing everyone to get a quick drink of water before the party continues.

Finding a Zumba Class near you:

With Zumba classes popping up everywhere, towns are slowly starting to tremble as if hit by an earthquake, as people shimmy, shake & gyrate to the strong Latin music that is Zumba Fitness. To find local classes just visit the official Zumba website and enter your zip code or post code.

Zumba has recently arrived in Edinburgh, Scotland and is taking the city by storm! Tom and David Lowe's Zumba class is the only male team taught Zumba class in Edinburgh.

David originally fell in love with Zumba every since he attended his first class with Donna Giffen who is Scotland's own Zumba Master Trainer. David has always had a passion for all types of music & dance which reflects in his style & movement.

Tom is a very experienced fitness instructor and qualified Pilates instructor. Tom has taught in most health & fitness clubs across Edinburgh & has been lucky to have full classes across the years.

Warning:

Zumba is infectious with some people having to go to 4 or 5 classes per week because they enjoy the class SO much. In an average hour long class, you will burn between 500 - 600 calories but can reach up to 800 if you pull all of the stops out.

by, Suzanne E. Morrison

How To Dance The Tango Like They Do In Argentina

It's time to tango! Few dances rival the passion and showiness of the tango, the dance that everyone associates with Argentina. Celebrity dancing shows like Dancing With The Stars and Strictly Come Dancing are popping up all over the world, showing us all that anyone can have a go, but where do you start? Try these useful pointers...

1) Listen to the music a lot to get the "feel"

Familiarity with music gets your body moving nicely to it, and feeling is everything with the tango; experts say that you must really learn to listen to the music before you start to dance. Do it whenever and wherever you can; in the car, at work, just before you go to sleep. If you find after a few weeks that you can't stop listening, you may have just found a life-long passion!

2) Get comfortable with the basic steps to find you dancing feet

Tango as a dance is very free-form, based in improvisation. However, before you can let your feet do the talking, you need to train yourself in the basic moves and steps. To get helpful pointers and be surrounded by others to keep you motivated, find a local dance school or, even better, dance with someone who already knows it. Failing either of these, don't let circumstances kill your passion; try finding instructional videos on the Internet, a much easier alternative to reading a list of foot movements or trying to decipher pictures.

3) Persevere...

Like everything in life, only regular practice will get you going smoothly, and tango is no exception. Beginners must devote lots of time to solo practice and it is widely acknowledged that big advances can, and must, be made in tango without a partner. As you "walk your miles", try to move like you are already an excellent dancer; the dance is as much about attitude and communicating yourself as anything else. You may find yourself more convincing than you think! Also try and make your practice a regular commitment; it is common knowledge that the successful dancers are those that book a month of classes and show up to every one.

4) It takes two; find a partner

Once you've put in the time with your own steps, it's time to get someone else involved. Even though tango isn't a subtle way to meet people, make sure you dance with lots of different partners so that you don't get lazy being accustomed to the way one other person dances; everyone is different, and if you are improvising you should be ready for that!

5) More practice; get out there and enjoy your dancing!

Hopefully if you've dedicated yourself regularly to the previous steps, you'll have a group of people with whom you can go out and dance for fun, as well as knowing some good spots. The free-flowing aspect of the dance will come easier with time, as moves need to come automatically from "body memory" and not from actively thinking about them; this naturally only comes with a lot of practice.

Which style to learn?

Tango evolved in Argentina as a melting pot of cultural influences from world-wide immigrants that flooded into Argentina at the beginning of the 19th century. Lonely and looking for company in their new surroundings, the arrivals developed tango as a means to mix and express themselves beyond language. Thus, tango is a portrayal of Buenos Aires and its people. Over the last 100 years many different styles have evolved, including Ballroom, Social and Stage. Many consider the styles to be so drastically different that if you have learnt one, it won't form a basis to help you learn another.

True or not, the best way to learn Argentinian tango is to follow it to the source. Numerous companies run entire tours based around exploring Buenos Aires through learning to dance the tango. As well as an unforgettable adventure, you'll be sure of learning a pure-blooded form of the passionate, dramatic and beautiful dance that everyone wants to be good at.

About The Author -

Gary Sargent is the Managing Director of the tour companies Escaped to Peru and Escaped to Latin America and has lived in South America for over 10 years. Gary is passionate about life here, the people, customs and places. To learn more or to book your next personalized adventure please visit http://www.escapedtolatinamerica.com

The Difference Between On1 & On2 Salsa Dance Steps

Have you ever wondered why one salsa dancer seems to take salsa dance steps one way while another takes them a complete different way. Well, let me clear up any confusion you might have.

First of all, there are many different styles of salsa dancing: Puerto Rican Style, New York Style, Miami Style, Colombian Style, LA Style, Cuban Style, and some even claim Aussie Style and London Style. However, no matter what style of salsa you dance all salsa dance steps and styles can be categorized into two main categories: On1 & On2.

This means that no matter what style of salsa you dance, all of the styles emphasize either the first beat of the music or the second, and thus the names On1 and On2.

When you dance salsa On1, emphasizing the first beat of the music, the leader generally steps with his/her left foot while the follower steps with his/her right foot on the first beat of the music, like in the LA style, Cuban Style, and Colombian Style. Depending on which of these styles you dance, the leader either takes the step forward like in LA style or back like in the Cuban Rueda style. In either case, both men and women emphasize the first beat of the music.

When dancing On2, however, men and women emphasize the second beat of the music. Another way to explain this is to consider whether someone is breaking On2 or On1, meaning whether someone changes his or her body's direction on the first or the second beat of the music.

When dancing On2 Puerto Rican Style, for example, the leader steps forward with his left foot on the second beat of the music and steps back on the sixth beat of the music. On contrast, when dancing New York Style the steps are reversed, while rhythmically speaking the emphasis stays the same beats. That is to say, a leader steps forward on the sixth beat of the music and back on the second.

Hopefully, this will at least give you the outline to recognize whether someone is dancing On1 or On2. And so the next time you see someone taking salsa dance steps that you cannot recognize, make sure you have considered what style and which beat are they on before judging them.

About The Author -

Mikko Kemppe is credited to be the founder and creator of two prominent salsa dance communities in Louisiana: Salsa Monroe & Salsa Shreveport. In 2009 he studied and trained for 6 months under the current world salsa champion Luis Aguilar. Along with his partner Ashanti Altovese he placed 4th in the 2009 San Francisco International Salsa Congress. Visit Mikko at http://www.salsaadventures.com

Creative Dance Training - Need and Importance

Creative dance training is important for people looking for options in cheerleading and other dance performances. High schools, middle schools, youth teams, colleges, and university dance and cheerleading teams requires dance training from creative dance experts.

Creative Dancing Camps

High schools, middle schools, youth teams, colleges, universities, and other school organizations organize dance camps for development of their student's dance skills. Especially for dance and cheerleading teams dance camps are arranged before dance and cheerleading seasons and competitions. The motive of these dance camps is to equip their dancers and cheerleaders in creative dance choreography, technique training, team building activities and discussions.

Benefits of Creative Dance

The scope of creative dance is not limited to dancing and cheerleading only. There are multiple advantages of creative dance training. Creative dance training helps people in developing confidence, self-esteem, and time management. It also enhances decision-making skills and makes people more extrovert and confident in front of masses. Several health benefits are also associated with creative dance training as it closely involves almost every part of human's body.

Role of Dance Instructors

Role of instructors in any kind of learning is very important. Whether you are learning dance as your personal hobby or to serve your professional ambitions as a dancer or cheerleader, your dance instructor plays a very active and important role. To perform according to the competitive requirements dancers and cheerleaders need formal dance training from expert dance instructors.

A professional dance instructor not only teaches you dance skills and techniques. They also make you ready for dance competitions by choreographing your routines. Under supervision of experienced dance instructors you can extract the real dancer hidden deep inside you.

Nowadays, visual training through real videos is a popular aspect of dance training. It gives you opportunity to learn choreography through videos. With the help of instructional dance videos you can rehearse and practice in the privacy of your home without any instructor and enhance your dance skills.

Some creative dance training agencies also organize dance camps for school and college going students as well as for common people. The purpose of these dance camps is to provide basic to advanced dance training to interested people.

Well, it does not mean that creative dance only prepares cheerleaders and professional dancers. People learn creative dancing for their self-development also. Such forms of dance are always associated with a group's performances rather than solo performances.

About the author, Lynette Mattice -

Creative Dance Vision - Customized on-site dance camps, team building activities and discussions, dance choreography,dance apparel and staff opportunities to dance and cheer teams in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, or any other on site location in the US. For more information visit us: http://www.creativedancevision.com

Learn To Dance Like A Seasoned Pro

If you have set your thoughts to learn to dance like a seasoned professional, you ought to work towards it. Getting recognized as a seasoned dancer is not the most simple of tasks. The enthusiast has to go the extra mile as when he plans to know how to dance to get recognized as a seasoned professional. Apart from the passion to learn to dance, the enthusiast should also possess talent and skills in spades to become a recognized professional. The ardent enthusiast who wants to make a mark as a recognized dancer should take efforts to learn how to dance effectively as well as graciously. The enthusiast should also embrace quintessential features to sharpen his dancing skills, and with it be on his way to get recognized as a seasoned campaigner. 

Take cue from dancing legends 

While you are taking efforts to know how to dance, getting registered in a dance class or other mediums is a surefire way to learn the basic steps and movements of a dance style. Most importantly, when you are keen to learn to dance, getting inspired by looking at the dance movements of the legends is sure to set the tone up for an exciting learning process. You should make it a point to take cue from the dancing legends, as in a way to know about the hardships they went through to acquire the needed skills, which is sure to be a motivating factor during the learning process. It is an ideal way to get started to know how to dance, and to make a good progress to get recognized as an established professional. 

Motivate yourself 

To get to grips with any art form, passion is an element that kindles the desire to master the art form and dancing is no different from the other art forms. While you are passionate to learn to dance and are exploring avenues to know how to dance, you ought to motivate yourself in your quest to become a recognized dancer. 

Make use of various mediums to learn 

While you are looking for ways and means to get initiated to know how to dance, there are several powerful mediums that impart skills and techniques pertaining to a dance form in the most effective way. As an enthusiast, you can make use of the various mediums to sharpen your dancing skills and be on your way to learn to dance and get recognized as a seasoned professional. The dance class is a traditional medium that imparts dance lessons to enthusiasts who fall under various skill levels, as you can also make use of online dance lessons and DVD to learn the tricks of the trade. 

Observe skilled dancers 

Apart from the efforts put in during the dance class, an enthusiast should also observe skilled dancers as when he craves to learn to dance and be on his way to get recognized as a seasoned campaigner. Be it the dance class, online dance lesson or even that of dance clubs, an enthusiast should be on the look out to learn a few tricks by observing the dance movements performed by skilled dancers. 

Remain focused 

When the learner is yearning to know how to dance, and is also eager to unearth the nuances of a dance form, he should remain focused during his quest to become a recognized professional. When the focal attention is lavished upon acquiring the dance skills, it becomes easy to learn to dance effectively and get recognized as a seasoned professional. 

For the enthusiast who dreams to become a seasoned professional as when he gets initiated to learn to dance, there are effective measures that help him convert his dreams into reality.


If you are keen to learn to dance like a seasoned professional, read here and embrace effective measures to know how to dance effectively. The author, Vasanth Rajan invites you to visit: http://www.salsabootcamp.com.

Dance Shoes Can Add Grace to Your Performance

Having the right dance shoes is just as important as mastering a well-choreographed routine. If your feet are uncomfortable or if your dance shoes are slipping off, there is no way you can perform to your ultimate ability. But the right pair of dance shoes can add grace and style to your performance.

Dance Shoes for Graceful Performances

There are several types of dance shoes that are made to cater to the type of dance the dancer performs. There are ballet shoes that allow for gliding, sliding, twirling and standing or spinning on toes. Jazz dance shoes can range from the traditional black, thin leather shoes to a more contemporary type of thin flexible sneaker; but all jazz shoes are thin soled and usually a bit slick on the bottom to allow for easy sliding while the shoe itself is very thin and flexible for all types of movement.

Tap dance shoes are typically slightly thick and durable with metal taps on the bottom. The taps are placed under the toes and under the heels for the dancer to strategically hit the taps at just the right time during the performance. Ballroom dance shoes are very formal and dressy looking but are also made to glide across the floor, spin and stomp. Women's ballroom shoes are generally high heeled with very sturdy heels and support structure while the men's ballroom shoes are thick, shiny and normally have a type of platform added to the sole that also allows or gliding across the room and extra support.

Dance Shoes for Fitness

Sandals are even included in the dance shoes list, such as Lyrical and Hermes sandals that can be used for various types of dance. Some need dance shoes for fitness purposes, such as the current Zumba dance craze that is forms of Latin dance used as a workout routine. Some dancers also choose to practice in half-sole sandals, foot mittens, gymnastic shoes, footie thongs and more. Whatever works best for each dancer to practice in and then perform in is what should be used.

Whether dance shoes are needed for an individual or an entire group of dancers, most dancers trust Dance 4 Less for their dance shoe purchases. Offering the most brand names, highest quality and lowest prices, Dance 4 Less is the choice dance shoes provider for various types of dancers, gymnasts, cheer teams, dance academies, schools and more.

Dance 4 Less offers hassle free returns, great customer service, fast shipping, group rate discounts and much more. Most items are always in stock, even on bulk orders. For more information on dance shoes and other dance needs, please visit Dance Shoes from Dance 4 Less.

Andre Justin from Dance4less is the author of this article. Find more information about dance shoes and accessories at http://www.dance4less.com.