New to Line Dancing?

Are you new to line dancing or thinking about giving it a try? Welcome aboard! We're absolutely thrilled to have you join us. Line dancing is not only incredibly fun, but it's also a fantastic social dance that you can enjoy anywhere. Plus, you'll make tons of new friends and enjoy a variety of health benefits at the same time!

It can sometimes feel a little daunting to learn something new. Here are my top tips to help you feel confident when starting out.

Give yourself time

Your first few classes may be a little challenging, and that's completely normal. Stick with it! Learning to dance is the same as learning anything new, like driving a car, or a new language. It may seem unfamiliar and challenging at first, give yourself the time to learn. A few classes in and things will start to feel familiar to you. Whilst you're learning, you're still exercising!

Ask questions

Don't be afraid to ask questions, or for something to be repeated. Instructors genuinely LOVE it when people ask questions, we would rather you "got it" than stay silent and be confused. It may also tell us we didn't explain something fully or need to say it in a differnt way, so we learn too. 🙂 Learning is aided by repetition and I guarantee there'll be other people that are glad you asked.

Dance in the middle of the floor

I know, I know, it's your first class, and you want to hide at the back of the room or on the edge of the floor. You fear you might "put people off" because you don't know the dances. (You won't, trust me). BUT.... line dances are repeated by changing directions to a different "wall". When we turn around, you'll have no-one in front of you to follow. Dance in the centre of the floor, and there's always someone that you can watch and follow, you'll find more experienced dancers dance around the outside of the floor. STAY on the floor, everyone started as a beginner and folks will be happy to help you out.

Terminology - Learn some basic moves

Most line dances for absolute beginners are choreographed using the same set of *basic moves or patterns that each take several beats of music (or "counts") such as grapevines, K steps, V Steps, toe and heel struts. For example, a K step is an 8 count pattern.

*Tip - An important one is learning the difference between a "step" and a "touch step".

Take a little time to learn the names of the moves (the "terminology"). Learning the names of the patterns means you won't have to think about each individual step or beat of music, and will learn a lot quicker.

Repetition

Repetition is essential to successful learning.

When you've mastered a few basic steps, practise repeating them to some slower music. When you've mastered a few, try linking some together.

If you can link - 3 walks and a kick, toe struts and v steps together you've learned the 3 elements of the dance Moves Like Jagger

You'll soon find it soon becomes second nature on just hearing the name of the steps and find learning a lot easier.

Practise

You see those dancers in class that really look like they know what they're doing? They very probably practise.

Practising line dances regularly outside of your class will really help cement your learning. Whether you're reading from a step sheet downloaded from a website like Copperknob or Bootstepper, or following along to a video, repetition is key to learning. Your instructor will be happy to tell the names and details of the dances you're learning

Be Consistent

Reinforce and cement your learning by consistently showing up to your classes. Skipping a week might mean it's 2 weeks since you've danced your dances so find it harder to remember them, or missed the first teach of a new dance. Consistency and repetition are absolutely the keys to learning successfully.

Get to know your class mates

Chat to the people around you, on the floor, off the floor at water breaks, sometimes a simple smile can get the conversation started. Line dance is a very friendly community, you're never dancing alone on the floor. Your fellow dancers are a great resource for sharing helpful tips, and you'll make new friends too. You'll find learning a whole lot easier when you're relaxed and having fun. Remember you're all there sharing the same interest - line dancing!

Allow yourself to be a beginner

NO-ONE starts off being perfect, we all make mistakes. Even the most experienced dancers including your teacher. Expect to make mistakes, it's all part of learning. I say in classes "the sky won't fall down if we go wrong, it's just a line dance". And it's true!

It's ok to find something challenging. You might not have it right now, but you WILL. And it's a great feeing when you do so enjoy the process and celebrate the wins when you nail that tricky move or dance! 🙂

Have fun!

Want a little extra help? Why not take a look at my online Learn and Dance Home package:

• Detailed, step by step instructions for over 80 of the most commonly used line dance steps from absolute beginners to advanced.

• Step by step full tutorials of the most recently taught dances in my classes. Currently 50+ dances and growing weekly.

• Dance fitness tuition and full on demand classes.

• Healthy recipe ideas