Ballroom Dance as a “First Dance”
Due to the social media wave, a first dance can now be seen by thousands who were not at the wedding or for that matter, don’t even know the couple. Some couples are quite uninspired by the idea, while others are purely motivated by this, so they rush to their ballroom dance class and prep for the big dance. With that being said, first dances are now extravagant displays of entertainment, even groomsmen, and guests are getting on the choreography train. It is almost like a concert… or… I KNOW, a ballroom dance competition! Yes, brides and grooms are looking more and more like ballroom competitors on their big day and we are loving it because the passion for dance is NOT dead.
Ballroom dance is a fabulous introduction to marriage, helping the couple work towards a common goal, communicating, and having fun. It also provides a time for the couple to escape the stress of wedding planning while getting their groove on. With that being said, some couples forget to look natural, they forget to have fun, and they are so concentrated on their dance moves that they look like programmed machines rather than two people celebrating a lifetime of happiness.
So where is the balance? How do we teach our couples to look less stressed during their dance? Well, we should probably tell them that the best choreography comes from within our cores and not in our arms and legs, when we dance with a partner we need to mirror their core movements and don’t forget eye contact. That is how we get chemistry, that is how we create a beautiful dance unique to the couple. Do not let them worry so much about their feet, also minimize dips and twirls if it’s a slow song. Allow them to find their feet and try not to force their every step. Yes, we may break a few “technical” rules but that is exactly what dance is suppose to do. Some of these first dances are so awkward it is hard to watch so lets give them a little wiggle room and force the important things like chemistry, core movements, and eye contact. Dance is FUN, especially for newlyweds!
Also remind the bride that she may need to change shoes before stepping (or slipping*) on the dance floor. There are a ton of amazing shoes out there that are great to dance in. We would recommend Benjamin Adams shoes with the mid heel and possibly some straps! Benjamin Adams is a high end bridal shoe designer and has been recognized by the RBA as the best shoe designer of 2014. We have picked some favorites for you but the list goes on. (Benjamin Adams Styles: Catherine, Lawrence, Astor, Blake, Preston, Mia)
Now some people want extra comfort while they practice their dance and even may continue dancing after the wedding. This is when we would recommend the bride investing in a pair of ballroom dance shoes. www.showtimedanceshoes.com has all heel heights, wide and narrow fits as well as split soles and practice shoes. Speaking to their customer service department about fitting options is highly recommended prior to ordering your shoes!
Ballroom Shoes with Custom Fitting: Expand your dance abilities, prolong your endurance, eliminate foot pain
Ballroom dancers all agree on the same exact pains in dancing. Blisters on your feet, swollen ankles, toes that look like they have been run over… oh the many joys of dancing. It is estimated that 90% of dancers will suffer from an injury and 50% of those will be related to foot and ankle. Aside from band-aids, wraps, and hydrocortisone creams, which only help with rashes and itching we are pretty much hopeless in the fight against foot pain on the dance floor. Or are we?
Here are some tips for muscle soreness and inflammation:
- Applying the acronym athletes know well — RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation)
- Remember to stretch the muscles in your feet (5 finger toe spread and the toe release)
- Rub the muscle that feels tight with goldbond pain relieving foot cream
Though some of this may only be a temporary relief, it is certainly better than ignoring the pain or giving up on dance.
We can not promise zero pain, but at Showtime Dance Shoes we provide custom fitting. We often times see dancers wearing shoes that cause more problems rather than eliminating issues. We see dancers with high arches in shoes with no curve, we see wide feet in narrow shoes, toes pushing out of the shoe bottoms, and weak ankles with no ankle straps. Then comes injury, about 60% of dancers who quit, walk away due to injury. Which is why we stress to our professional dancers, teachers, and studios to inform their students of the importance of a great fitting shoe. A great practice shoe will keep a dancer focused in practice, and not complaining about their feet.International, Freed and Supadance Dance Shoes
Men’s Practice Shoes: Supadance
- Published in Balloom Dance, Ballroom Dance Shoes, health tips, supadance
At some point in North America’s history, dancing became a “non-masculine” thing to do. Yet men in other cultures dance without hesitation. How many weddings (in America) have you gone to where women flood the dance floor and the men sit back. Women hate that. They grew up loving Flashdance, Dirty Dancing, Save the Last Dance, and Step Up. I say it’s time to drop the attitude and defy the American stereotype! DANCE. I have put together a list: 5 reasons why REAL men dance.
1) Because Real men LOVE a challenge
Do you want to be that guy who can’t try anything new? Do you want to raise your children to be afraid of judgement? If you know anything about being a real man you know that you have to sometimes break the chain of expectation and do something different. Drop your inhibitions and use your body in confidence… we all know women would much rather be with a man who is confident than a man who slouches in the corner of a room.
2) Because it’s a great way to start a conversation
Men are so judgmental of their competition. Often times they glance across the room and “can’t believe she is with HIM.” Well women don’t see the line of attractiveness drawn out, we see potential, we see interesting, and we see dancers. If you want to talk to a woman what better way to do so than showing her your true colors. Hell… you don’t even have to be a good dancer! Dancing is about having fun and if you can show a woman that you know how to have fun that is all you need.
3) Because it shows you know how to lead
We all like leaders, how they can make a decision on a whim, how they can change things just because of intuition. Leaders are charismatic people who know how to handle others in all sorts of situations. Being a leader is also knowing when to lead and a man who dances does just that. When a guy can give you the space you need to shine yet step in and direct you in other moves it is THRILLING.
4) Because real world objects no longer matter on the dance floor
A real man is not identified with his car, his job or his political views. A real man is identified by the way he carries himself, the way he honors others, and the way he is not afraid. Those are qualities men don’t get to show very often while they are in the office or at a bar… but on the dance floor nothing else matters other than the way he dances.
5) Real men can make fun of themselves
A man who dances is a man who knows how to act silly and still be sexy. Take every single dance movie that has ever existed. They always break out randomly in a move that says “I know this is totally corny but I DON’T CARE.” Again, a man who doesn’t care about what others might say or think is a real man.
The stereotype of men not dancing in America is something that has festered into a real plague at social gatherings. Somehow making it “cooler” to sit in the back of the school dance with sheer terror of having to dance with a girl. No that is not COOL… that is just sad.
For amazing ballroom dance shoes like Supadance go to: www.showtimedanceshoes.com
Featured Ballroom Dance Shoes February 2014
- Published in Balloom Dance, Ballroom Dancers, Dance, health and fitness