Someone recently asked on a discussion forum, “what made Fred Astaire such a great dancer?” It was the way he made difficult things look like anyone could do them.
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I was recently asked, “Does dancing ever become effortless?” It’s a great question. The answer is not as simple as it might seem.
A common question these days, due to Covid-19, is whether you can learn to partner dance without a partner. Here are some insights.
A Time magazine interview with brain researcher Helena Blumen and professional dancer Derek Hough does a great job of describing the cognitive benefits of dancing.
The World Super Series competition in 2019 offers a great look at professional couples dancing the basic figures in competition.
This 8-minute video addresses a common issue in Ballroom dances in which the lead fails to rotate the upper body properly during figures with rotation. Yet Contra Body Movement is something we do naturally every time we walk!
Insights from a lecture by Italian coach Michele Bonsignori at The Camp about the value of understanding basic steps even when you dance at a high level.
We may be going through challenging times as we ride out the threat of COVID-19, but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep learning as a dancer. Here are some helpful ways to continue growing.
One powerful aspect of dancing is often overlooked: spatial awareness. Here’s more information about how you can develop this skill in your dancing.
A three-year study found that experienced dancers can use multiple areas of the brain simultaneously. Though multi-tasking is largely a myth, it seems to be very real in the world of dance.
In partner dance, two people move as one to music, all without a word being spoken. Let’s take a look at the elements of the unspoken language being used.
German researchers found in a study that dancing significantly increases the size of the hippocampus region of the brain, reversing the age of the brain.
Philosopher Allan Watts has an interesting perspective on how the journey is the entire reason for music. This compares nicely to dance, where the experience of the dance should not be lost in the desire to get to the end.
A discussion on Quora about the difference between competitive dancing and social dancing led to an interesting analogy. Ballroom dancing is similar to using speech, whether in conversation or in a presentation.
in a recent interview, former world champion Corky Ballas gave some excellent insight into the importance of focus during dance practice.
Learning involves one key aspect that most people fail to recognize. Here are some insights.
Nothing about dancing, whether as a raw beginner or a seasoned professional, is inherently comfortable. And it shouldn’t be. Getting out of our comfort zone is where we begin to rise to greatness.
Victor Fung and Anastasia Muravyeva are exploring a refreshing new way to look at the concept of lead and follow and are sharing this with the dance community.
A recent discussion on Facebook became an opportunity for ballroom competition organizers to dialog with competitors of ballroom competitions. Here’s why.
Every culture dances. Moving together to music is a universal drive. Here’s a scientific look at what might lie behind the need to move our feet.
As a dance teacher, I see lots of people breaking basic rules of social conduct, either because of a lack of awareness or a sense that they don’t apply to them. Here are the five most important rules for ballroom dancers.
If you’ve decided that this is the year you want to get into the best shape of your life, put ballroom dance lessons into your fitness schedule. Here’s why.
A number of muscles are used in ballroom dancing to create the beautiful shapes and movement we see on the floor. Here’s a guide to preparing your muscles for dance.
More than just a famous dance partnership, the story of Vernon and Irene Castle is the greatest love story the dance world has ever known.
