“Secrets to Becoming a Great Ballroom Dancer”

Changing Lives through Dancing by David Woodbury                                       

Arthur Murray Santa Monica

The first secret to becoming a great ballroom dancer is to just get started. Is your health good? Do you have a bit of time and tuition? Do you have a pep in your step? Then just start lessons at Arthur Murray and begin from the ground up.

It is no secret that consistency, time and dedication are necessary components for success as a ballroom dancer. You must carve out time from your busy week for private lessons, taking groups and parties, and attending events. You will even change the way you look, dress and move as you begin to dance. Dancing released the superstar that is hiding deep inside of you!

I have had students in all stages of health taking dance lessons. Some began with excellent health and had many years of dancing. Many came to me when they had cancer, or just had or were having surgery. My most inspirational stories are from my dancers who danced through poor health, and then regained their strength and agility and became wonderful dancers. Please don’t put off dancing because of time. Dance today!

In my 47 years I have had students who were a good a pros. They did not teach and did not want to teach. They were just excellent dancers. The best of the best dancers practiced and took notes. I had students who came in early and warmed up before their lessons, students who asked me for homework and students who stayed after their lessons to practice. Just a few minutes, or a lot of hours of practice will go a long way to your dancing success.

My champion students came in all shapes, ages, and sizes. I had two ladies who were unbelievably talented and were successful competitors. One lost 100 pounds and the other over 80 pounds. They went on to be national champions in Arthur Murray. They started competing when they were heavy and did not let that stop them. The magic is to get involved not matter your age, shape, or ability. Get out there and dance.

Now going on 68, I am not a slender guy anymore. But I can still dance pretty well, and I still wear out younger dancers. They seem to give up too soon and they stop before they are fully warmed up. I love having my body warmed up, for those are the times I feel great and nothing hurts anywhere. My body feels young and fit and happy.

Learn to make your planner your best friend. I plan out everything with my dancing. I have 2024 almost filled in with all my events and competitions and dancing activities. Plan to take your regular lessons and plan your practices. Plan out all your dancing dates. Perhaps do some extra exercising such as ballet, yoga, Pilates, walking, weightlifting, etc. Even check in on your diet, hydration and rest to see if you are taking the best possible care of your body.

Plan for success. You may have a super busy time in your personal and or work life. That will happen to all of us. Plan and work around it. I plan a lot, and then take the super busy times one day at a time. It’s the only way I can cope and keep my peace of mind. You’ll find that step-by-step you’ll keep your pep!

There are many blogs, web sites, and books about ballroom dancing. Note that studying dancing is not the same as actually being on the dance floor with a professional instructor. Just get on the floor and move with the music. You’ll become a great dancer before you know it!

Thanks for reading!

Here’s to dancing in 2024!

David Woodbury