How To Learn To Dance

Pretty much in my view. The standard line is that if you can walk you can dance - but then I discovered competitive wheelchair dancing - so you don't need to be able to walk! I also know people who dance who have serious hearing loss. I know a kid with one leg who learned to dance.

Over many, many, years of social dance classes I've seen maybe two or three people out of hundreds who just never got the most basic of steps. Both were men, both were quite sure they were doing it right, and both were more interested in chasing woman than learning to dance. They both got asked to leave.

That's an impossible question. First off - what's your experience? I've seen ex-ballet dancers pick up Latin American very quickly - competiting at a good level within months. I had not background in dance, and no natural balance or flexibility - I know it took me years to actually figure out where my weight was over my feet and to actually follow my partner in ballroom. If you asked me to learn ballet - I can tell you I'd never learn to go en point or to arbesque - I'm just too heavy and not flexible enough. Belly dancing though, might be a different story. Most hip-hop is beyond me too. So my best advice is to be realistic and chose an style of dance that has some hope of suiting you.

Learn to Dance Salsa

It depends on you and the style of dance. If you want to dance ballet or contemporary, I seriously suggest that you go and find a qualified teacher. You need someone who will not just demonstrate what to do - but put your body in the correct position when you get it wrong. With these difficult technical dances you can easily hurt yourself trying it by yourself.

But other forms of dancing is far more forgiving! I personally think both belly dancing (if you are looking for a non-partner dance) or salsa (which requires a partner) are fun and easy dances that you can learning from a DVD or online course. If you want to take it further you will probably want to get out and find a class to join, but for a beginner without the time or maybe without a local class, why not give it a go at home?

Certainly! I took up Zumba when my dance partner was injuried and its fun. Coming from a dance background I found it pretty easy, but I also saw people who had no dance experience picking it up very quickly from one week to the next. I would say though that there is absolutely NO technique taught in Zumba class - it all about having fun and sweating! Its not a substitute for a dance class, but Zumba is certainly great fun.