Category: benefits to ballroom

We at International Ballroom pride ourselves on keeping a clean and safe ballroom for all who walk into our doors. With all of this uncertainty of what is going to happen with the pandemic we are currently facing, we want to make sure the well-being of both our IBDS family and staff is our number one priority. So, to prevent from spreading ANY illness, we have comprised a list of ways to keep both you and others as healthy as possible!

1. COVER YOUR COUGH!: According to the CDC, you should always be sure to cover your cough or sneeze. They mention using a tissue and to throw away the tissue immediately after use. However, you may not always have a tissue around when you feel the need to sneeze or cough. The next best alternative is to do, what I like to call, the “vampire cough”. Our hands are the easiest way to transmit diseases and illnesses and…in our industry…we do a lot of hand touching! So, the best alternative could be to cough into the bend of your arm like a vampire. It will help prevent the immediate spread of germs as much. However, remember to always sanitize your hands afterwards…no matter how you sneeze or cough!
2. BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY!: We know…for some people, dancing is one of the biggest highlights of their week. HOWEVER, again…remember we are in the people business!
   • If you are feeling sick, stay at home! Trust me, we understand people get sick. And, to put it in perspective, though you may feel bad for potentially cancelling your lesson, remember that your instructor is going to be around way more people throughout the day. Also, to keep yourself as healthy as possible, be sure to stay out of large crowds. Our studios can have as many as 5-6 lessons going on at a time. WHICH MEANS…anywhere from 10-15 people will be on the floor at a time; not to mention the 20-30 people at our social dance parties. So the best thing to do is to just rest up at home and see us when you are healthy!
   • Delivery over dining in is another great alternative. In these modern times, we have the blessing of being able to order just about anything right at our fingertips! Delivery services such as GrubHub, DoorDash and UBER Eats are doing everything they can to provide the safest option for food delivery. They have many local restaurants within their network and will be happy to deliver the food right to your door! Also, many local grocery stores provide the service of ordering online and/or delivering to your car or even doorstep! So be smart, and help the cause to prevent the spread of germs and disease! Also take a look at the article from Charleston City Paper to see what other restaurants are participating in curbside service to help keep Charleston healthy!
3. PRACTICE HEALTHY ROUTINES!: Even if you are healthy, you want to make sure you STAY HEALTHY! So be sure to do the following things.
   • Be sure to get 7-8 hours of sleep. According to Healthline, getting the right amount of sleep helps boost your immune system! “When you sleep, your immune system releases compounds called cytokines. Some cytokines have a protective effect on your immune system by helping it to fight inflammation, including inflammation due to infection. Without enough sleep, you may not have enough cytokines to keep you from getting sick. Other components of the immune system, like antibodies and white blood cells, can be reduced over time without enough sleep.”
   • Exercising regularly is also a great option. We know dancing is a great form of exercise for many reasons! However, in the event you can’t come to the studio, going to the gym or even taking 20-30 minutes out of your day to work out does a huge amount for your immune system and overall health. According to Healthline, exercising can help with weight loss, developing strong bones and muscles, reduce risk of chronic disease, help with relaxation and sleep quality along with many other great benefits.
   • Keeping your house clean is definitely a must! If you are going to be staying away from the general population and self quarantining, why not be productive! Wipe down all surfaces with disinfectant, leave no dirty dishes in the sink, wash your clothes, dust your vents and ceiling fans, vacuum…you get the idea. This will not only keep germs at bay, it will also give you peace of mind knowing you have a sparkling home once again!
4. DANCE AT HOME!: We know, this can be a very hard thing to do without the help of your awesome IBDS instructors. But what if i told you that you can at least review your dance steps and keep practicing what you know? Dance Vision, the company whose syllabi we utilize in our studios, is offering a free 30-day trial to access all of their videos…NO CREDIT CARD REQUIRED! That means you can keep on with your dancing training even in the confinement of your (hopefully now clean) home! You may even find some other dances you may want to get into.

Though times are a little shaky right now, just know you will always have your dance family to rely on and help you! We care about our students and staff and wish good luck and good health to all of you! TAKE CARE AND STAY HEALTHY!

Take the first step on your dance journey…

Life can be so crazy at times; working all day, taking care of the family, cleaning the house, making sure all necessities are handled, etc. But what about time for you? What about something that can be just for you? Ballroom dancing could be just the thing. Trying a new hobby such as dance can bring a whole new world of benefits and give you a new and unique personal challenge! Take a look at what to expect when getting started with us in introducing you to the joys of the ballroom dance world!

Our introductory program is where you will begin your journey. This program consists of 2, 25-minute private lessons, as well as a group class and a social dance party. Here, you will be able to get a feel of everything we can provide for you as well as get a taste for what you like and want to pursue.

Private lessons: On your first lesson, you will sit down with your instructor and be able to talk about what you are wanting to achieve for the program. Think of this as a sampler platter. In your 2, 25-minute lessons, you will get the chance to explore the 6 major social dances; waltz, foxtrot, cha-cha, rumba, swing, salsa. You will get to see what kind of dances you like and want to further develop on your road to dance. Maybe you have a particular dance in mind you have always wanted to learn…we can help with that too! For example, say you have always wanted to learn our state dance, the shag! Our team at IBDS will be able to show you the foundations, as well as recommend what other dances complement this style (ex: rumba, cha-cha, foxtrot, etc). Remember, this is JUST AN INTRODUCTION! We want to get you introduced to the world of dancing, but we cannot teach you everything there is to know in the Introductory Program; this is just the tip of the iceburg…the beginning of your dance journey! This is the chance for both you & your instructor to get to know eachother and find out how ballroom dancing can add to your life. We want to make sure you will be getting the most customized instruction for your goals in dance!

Group Class: We have group classes designed for every level of dancer! The class we recommend for the newly introduced dancer is our Newcomers class! In this class, you will get a chance to review what you learned in your private lessons…OR gives you a chance to learn something new! Sure, it may be different from your private lessons…but this is only going to help you on your journey! You are going to be in a class with people who are at the same level as you. This will also build the strength in how you dance with someone else. You get the chance to dance with other partners, which will build your leading/following skills. And, as an added perk, you get to get to know your new dance family! Take a look at our group class blog for more information: https://internationalballroom.net/uncategorized/top-3-benefits-to-group-classes/

Social Dance Party: It’s just as it sounds, A PARTY! We dim the overheads, switch the laser lights on and play a BUNCH of different music for you to dance what you have been learning in your lessons. We announce the different dances that are coming on, you get to dance with all of our dance family and practice what you know without the “eagle eye” of the teacher staring at you! It is a low-key environment with no judgment so all levels are welcome! It’s a great place to really practice what you know in the best of company! Take a look at the top benefits to coming to our social dance parties: https://internationalballroom.net/uncategorized/get-out-there-and-dance-top-benefits-to-go-out-and-dance/

Our introductory program is the best way to learn about what ballroom dancing can do for you!  If you are ready to take the first step on your dancing journey, you can get your start here:

https://internationalballroom.net/product/introductory-course-gift-certificate/

We look forward to meeting you soon and helping you find that “moment for you”!

Quarantining has really put a dent in to everyone’s daily routines…including our DANCE LIFE! Though we may be getting stir crazy and wishing for some virtual interaction with our IBDS Dance Family, there are some very important reasons why you will not be seeing online classes offered by our studio. Though we know you are eager to get back to dancing and are willing to do anything, like virtual classes (which have been going viral) to keep dancing while you’re at home, we want to make sure that you are going to be getting the absolute best when it comes to instruction!  Everything these days is being virtualized, computerized, and commoditized…however, at IBDS, our vision has always been and will continue to be the PERSONAL APPROACH.

Ballroom dancing is a “hands-on” experience, and there is a lot more to it than just teaching steps and techniques.  We pride ourselves and dedicate our teaching on fostering real partnerships, which we cannot create through a virtual approach.

With no disrespect or criticism to our colleagues around the globe who have entered the virtual lesson world – this approach just does not align with our vision or our standards of quality.   The personal training we pride ourselves on works with the senses of sight and feeling to get a fully immersive experience. With virtual training, we cut out the VERY important aspect of the human element.  This is what we define as the personal approach.  This is also why our studio teaches mostly on a private lesson basis and uses group classes & social dance parties as supplemental methods.  Feeling, movement, & partnership are the most CRUCIAL parts to enjoying/learning how to ballroom dance! Ballroom dancing is a SOCIAL activity.  It is not a a solo act.

In the virtual world, we are unable to further develop anything beyond steps.  Think about going to YouTube and trying to learn how to dance. Sure, you will learn a couple of steps and some unique combinations…but when adding it to the additional element of having a partner, it can potentially confuse you even more!   It’s like learning a language without being able to communicate with someone in person & having a response back…like trying to describe the taste of an ice cream flavor from a picture.  There is also so much more to our studio than just “learning how to dance”.

In saying all of this, let’s take a look at some of the best ways you can still work on your dancing and practice from home…

One of the best things to do for you and your dancing is to PRACTICE! Practice should not just be the times you come in for your dance lessons. According to the Dance Vision blogpost, “The IMPORTANCE of practice withNadia Eftedel”, for every 1 lesson you take, you should dedicate 8 hours of practice. That being said, we understand that life is CRAZY and, unless you are a professional who does this for a living (which sometimes that is even tough) it can be very hard to fit in those hours. However, now is the time to “catch up”! Push away the furniture and create some space for you to dance and practice. ANY SPACE WILL DO! And, though YouTube may not be your go-to for new steps, it is definitely a GREAT source for music. Below are some sources for how to find the best music to practice to:

• Waltz: type in waltz music DJ Ice
• Tango: Type in tango music DJ Ice
• Foxtrot: Type in Foxtrot music DJ Ice
• Cha-Cha: Type in AMERICAN cha-cha music
• Rumba: Type in AMERICAN rumba music
• East Coast Swing: Type in East Coast Swing music
• Salsa: Type in Salsa music

Finally, remember, DO NOT USE YOUTUBE AS A SOURCE FOR NEW STEPS! www.DanceVision.com is a phenomenal resource to review any steps you have learned as that is what our curriculum is based off of! If you have any questions that arise about your dancing that you cannot seem to solve on your own, the best thing to do is to write down all of your questions and bring them to your first lesson back in the studio…and, be sure to only practice what you have already been taught!

See you guys soon enough! Stay strong and be healthy!  We miss you as much as you miss us, PARTNERS!

Quarantining has really put a dent in to everyone’s daily routines…including our DANCE LIFE! Though we may be getting stir crazy and wishing for some virtual interaction with our IBDS Dance Family, there are some very important reasons why you will not be seeing online classes offered by our studio. Though we know you are eager to get back to dancing and are willing to do anything, like virtual classes (which have been going viral) to keep dancing while you’re at home, we want to make sure that you are going to be getting the absolute best when it comes to instruction!  Everything these days is being virtualized, computerized, and commoditized…however, at IBDS, our vision has always been and will continue to be the PERSONAL APPROACH.

Ballroom dancing is a “hands-on” experience, and there is a lot more to it than just teaching steps and techniques.  We pride ourselves and dedicate our teaching on fostering real partnerships, which we cannot create through a virtual approach.

With no disrespect or criticism to our colleagues around the globe who have entered the virtual lesson world – this approach just does not align with our vision or our standards of quality.   The personal training we pride ourselves on works with the senses of sight and feeling to get a fully immersive experience. With virtual training, we cut out the VERY important aspect of the human element.  This is what we define as the personal approach.  This is also why our studio teaches mostly on a private lesson basis and uses group classes & social dance parties as supplemental methods.  Feeling, movement, & partnership are the most CRUCIAL parts to enjoying/learning how to ballroom dance! Ballroom dancing is a SOCIAL activity.  It is not a a solo act.

In the virtual world, we are unable to further develop anything beyond steps.  Think about going to YouTube and trying to learn how to dance. Sure, you will learn a couple of steps and some unique combinations…but when adding it to the additional element of having a partner, it can potentially confuse you even more!   It’s like learning a language without being able to communicate with someone in person & having a response back…like trying to describe the taste of an ice cream flavor from a picture.  There is also so much more to our studio than just “learning how to dance”.

In saying all of this, let’s take a look at some of the best ways you can still work on your dancing and practice from home…

One of the best things to do for you and your dancing is to PRACTICE! Practice should not just be the times you come in for your dance lessons. According to the Dance Vision blogpost, “The IMPORTANCE of practice withNadia Eftedel”, for every 1 lesson you take, you should dedicate 8 hours of practice. That being said, we understand that life is CRAZY and, unless you are a professional who does this for a living (which sometimes that is even tough) it can be very hard to fit in those hours. However, now is the time to “catch up”! Push away the furniture and create some space for you to dance and practice. ANY SPACE WILL DO! And, though YouTube may not be your go-to for new steps, it is definitely a GREAT source for music. Below are some sources for how to find the best music to practice to:

• Waltz: type in waltz music DJ Ice
• Tango: Type in tango music DJ Ice
• Foxtrot: Type in Foxtrot music DJ Ice
• Cha-Cha: Type in AMERICAN cha-cha music
• Rumba: Type in AMERICAN rumba music
• East Coast Swing: Type in East Coast Swing music
• Salsa: Type in Salsa music

Finally, remember, DO NOT USE YOUTUBE AS A SOURCE FOR NEW STEPS! www.DanceVision.com is a phenomenal resource to review any steps you have learned as that is what our curriculum is based off of! If you have any questions that arise about your dancing that you cannot seem to solve on your own, the best thing to do is to write down all of your questions and bring them to your first lesson back in the studio…and, be sure to only practice what you have already been taught!

See you guys soon enough! Stay strong and be healthy!  We miss you as much as you miss us, PARTNERS!

According to a Japanese proverb, “We’re fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance.” That proverb is so relevant during these “interesting” times we are currently facing. However, with everything going on, everyone needs a little break from reality, and we are here to help! There is so much more to dance than “just another hobby”; it’s a complete wellness package for the mind, body and soul!

Mind:

Think about what all is going into learning how to dance:

• Remembering the steps
• Frame and posture
• Recognizing a beat
• Moving with your partner in synchronization
• Moving to the music

All of those things require quite the amount of brain power to execute simultaneously. When you dance, it’s like going to the gym for your brain. According to various sources such as the New England Journal of Medicine, Stanford University, and Biomed Central, dancing is a great way to improve your mental health. It’s been proven to be a viable therapy for people with cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. It’s also been known to help you retain more information and build your mental capacity.

Body:

Dancing is truly a full body work out! From your head to your toes you are working and building every single muscle group there is! According to Time Magazine, you can expect to burn around 300 calories every half hour that you dance. Also, between the resistance and communication between you and your partner, the fast turns, and the syncopated and complex footwork, your body will start to develop more tone and definition. It is also great for your bones and joints. According to Health Fitness Revolution, “since dancing is a weight-resisting activity, it can help protect bone density and prevent osteoporosis. It’s also a great addition to physical therapy for injuries or surgeries. And because it is low-impact sport, it is great to start at any age!

Soul:

Dancing has been a part of civilization since the dawn of time. It has been a way of bonding, communicating, celebrating, worshiping, and even healing! We as human beings are very social creatures. Dancing allows us to socialize and be ourselves without any judgement. But, most importantly, it helps heal the soul. When you dance, you are releasing many different hormones that make you feel like you are on top of the world. One of which is the release of serotonin; the hormone that causes you to feel content. When you are dancing in your lesson, you will immediately feel all of the stresses and struggles of your daily life melt away. You will also have a release of endorphins which can limit the feelings of tiredness and pain. The most important hormone it releases is DOPAMINE! The moment you hear your favorite song and start to move your body, you will be taken back to a time or place that makes you happy or rewarded and feel like you are on cloud nine!

So, see? Dancing is one of the best things you can do for yourself during these trying times! When in doubt, DANCE IT OUT!

And remember, we are taking EXTRA precaution to make sure EVERYONE is waltzing into our studio feeling safe and healthy during this time!

As 2020 draws to a close, it’s time to start thinking about what we’d like to accomplish in the new year. Resolutions are always jumped in to head first, but without proper planning it is hard to stick with our goals and achieve to our highest potential. One of the funnest things to plan for each year are your DANCE GOALS…and we are here to help!

Have you ever really thought about why you dance, or about the way dancing is changing your life? There are so many benefits to ballroom dancing, and to really get the most out of this wonderful sport, you and your teacher need to design your dance plan!

There are many kinds of goals and each goal has a different benefit. Some people want to be good social dancers, some want the exciting experience of performing, and others the challenge of competition. Or, maybe you want to travel and dance around having the time of your life while doing it! All of these goals are possible…they just take a little planning. Take a look at the process we take to make sure you not only can achieve your dance goals, but get the ABSOLUTE MOST out of your dancing!

First, we look at where you are currently within your dance journey. “Cookie cutter” goals are not a thing at IBDS. Every student is different, so every goal is going to be different. We create a new dance plan at least every 6 months because as you grow in your dance journey, your goals will grow and change as well!

Next, we want to figure out what you personally want to get out of your dancing. Maybe you and your partner are just looking to have a date night every week; that path is going to be different from someone who wants to head off to their first competition. Maybe you don’t even know what you want to get out of your dancing…you just want to DANCE! That’s where your instructor comes in. When you sit down with your teacher, they are going to let you know all of the things that will be going on throughout the year and will be able to guide you to the perfect goal for YOU.

Lastly, you and your instructor will decide about how many lessons it will take to achieve your goals. Again, this is not a “cookie cutter” amount that we tell everyone HAS to do. The number of lessons needed is based off of the conversation that you and your instructor have, and is determined by what your personal goals are. A person who is just doing a “date night” with their spouse will not need as many lessons as someone who is preparing for a showcase or going to competition. And with our Semi-Annual Festival happening in June and December, it’s the perfect time to get your prescribed amount of lessons for the next 6 months at a super discounted price!

So, when you are planning your goals with your instructor…plan to ACHIEVE! Design the dance plan that’s right for YOU and start feeling the benefits. Don’t you wish every New Year’s goal was as much fun to plan for?!?