Expert: David Lynch - 7/27/2008

Question
Hi, I'm 14, I've just realized that I love ballroom dancing and I'm not just saying this because I just watched "So You Think You Can Dance"...I watch the U.S. competitions that feature real professionals...anyway, I really want to learn the art of ballroom dancing...
I'm 14 and overweight, and I probably won't be down to a healthy weight until next year---would that be too late to learn to ballroom dance, socially?

Answer
KHAYLA:
 GOOD NEWS:
AGE AND SEX AND WEIGHT ARE NOT BARRIERS TO LOVING AND ENJOYING DANCING.
ENJOY IT, DO IT LEARN IT TEACH IT.
HERE  are some good at Home practices/combinations/stretches for dance?

STUDY ALL CLASSES LIKE:  jazz, tap.ballet,acro,hip hop,lyrical, pointe,dance team, and classical jr./sr. try out for private lessons Do you have friend who can help you?  

I do really understand your desire to learn  this art form where everything seems to be a competition. But let me give you some advice. And in fact to become a better dancer you need to still have a life to be inspired by or you will quickly burn out like many dancers do. It  isn't necessarily the quanity of classes you are taking but the quality.

So if you are still looking for things to do on your own here are my suggestions.
There are HUNDREDS of combinations/across the floor exercises/ and warm ups I have used in my life but here's the general idea on how to set some up.
When doing a class, which is essentially what you are doing for yourself, I start with some cardio to warm up (like running, jumping jacks etc.) Then from there we work from our head down to feet. So isolations with the head and body followed by stretching the body and down to the legs. The next thing I would do would be slow stretching on the ground (this takes more time and will be more relaxed) Following the stretching I would usually do crunches and push ups. The next portion of class would be across the floor. And to design these yourself, if you have room and want to, I usually pick a aspect to work on  foxtrot, swing, waltz, (for example turns) and put in some fillers to work with that. For example you might  bal;let, jumps, pas de bourre two times then prep and double turn repeat. After across the floor I would practice battements and possibly turns in the center to really make my body work. Finally comes combinations which I again build off of things I want to practice, whether it is a certain jump or turn. You basically put them all together and you've got a combo.


Mostly, the best advice for things you can do at home to keep up on your dancing is to stretch, and correct and work on things you notice during class. It could even be a good idea to bring a notebook to class with you and right after class is over write down what you noticed or what your instructor pointed out that you want to work on at home, even write down some combinations.

I promise, with dedication you will learn, it just takes full commitment and internalizing the movement to yourself. Now take some time off to enjoy life as a 14 year old.  ...let dance be in your life, not BE your life.

Over the year,  the best thing to do to fine tune everything is to stay in shape and take the classes you need to  gain and continue your skills. Summer is also a good time to explore new styles of dance that you may have never tried or to even try experimenting with different athletic activites that could help you in dance like yoga,  biking, skating jum rope,  karate, kung fu, pilates or even swimming. Keep up the good work but stop being so stressed out about the competition you are feeling from others! surf the web for other dance info.  

I did not start dancing till age 17. you are smart to start at 14.
I teach now on cruise ships and my wife who is overwt assists me. I teach on carnival to alaska next month.  free.

I struggle with wt too.  chew slow. keep a diary. close your eyes and really enjoy each bite. breathe between bites. dring lots of water.  stay active.  

good luck.
I hope this helps
dwl master dancer