“The Do’s and Don’t’s of Dancing in ‘26”

Changing Lives through Dancing by David Woodbury                                       Arthur Murray Dance Studio Santa Monica

I’ve now lost 7 pounds of my Christmas gained weight. More to come off! It’s not easy. I’m walking regularly, watching my diet, and practicing intermittent fasting. With the combination of watching the amounts of what I eat, adding an exercise outside of my dancing, and planned fasting, I am back on track. At 69, it’s just consistency and focus and while still remembering to enjoy eating, just eating less and with good choices.

What are the Do’s and Don’ts of Dancing for 2026.

1. First, just start dancing with a first dance lesson.

• Continue to dance if you are already a dancer.

• Get back to dancing if you are away from dancing weekly.

• If you are a beginner, start at the very beginning at a great Arthur Murray Dance Studio and give it a good 6 months to change your life.

• Get into better shape. Every dance lesson and dance group and party will get you further to your ideal fitness goal.

• Buy clothes to dance in. Get a dress that flows. Buy a suit that you can wear to a dance party and wear dancing a spotlight. Invest in dance shoes. This alone will change your life. Dance shoes are so comfortable, and they are designed to make you feel good on the dance floor.

• Start listening to dance music and picking out your favorite dance music. Listen to music and discover what dance fits that music.

• Find other dancers and get to know them. Dance with them. Go out for drinks and dinner with them. Meet up at the studio and all dance together. Dance friends are truly the best and most fun lifelong friends.

• Invite a friend to join you at your studio. First, you’ll come out to someone that you are now dancing and secondly, you may help someone else find the love of dancing for themselves.

1. Sign up for a Dance Routine, a Dance Competition, a Coaching Session, a Spotlight show.

1. Attend Group Classes and Dance Parties.

1. Take exchange lessons with all the teachers in your studio.

1. Mentor a new student, dancer, couple and encourage and motivate them.

Don’ts in Dancing:

1. Fail to do all the above.

• Put off the decision to dance.

• Wait another day to start dancing!

Remember, making the decision to start dancing, and to keep on dancing are some of the best decisions you can ever make. “David danced before the Lord, and he danced with all his might”. Dance with all you’ve got and dance in 2026!

Thank you for reading!

“Steps & Kicks in ‘26”

David Woodbury