Dance Tales Archive - Page 3 of 6 - International Ballroom

Why the personal approach is ideal for the IBDS way of teaching!

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!

Why the personal approach is ideal for the IBDS way of teaching!

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…

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

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

A Letter to Our Students…

It has been nearly a month since we have been able to share the floor with you, and I know that we can all agree that we miss each other and that we MISS DANCING! International Ballroom is more than just a place to learn how to dance. We come to see friends, get our minds off of daily stresses, exercise our bodies and minds, fuel our creativity, fill our souls and uplift our spirits.

We all feel that what we do here is much more than just a job. To pass on the joys of the kinetic flow of movement and the connection of ballroom dancing is our true calling and what we miss the most from our days in the studio with you. Day to day we are able to share our knowledge with you, while tuning in to the intricacies of our art form ourselves. As Phil Collins once said; “In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn”. This is true not just in the details and methods of ballroom dancing that we impart to our students, but also true in the lessons that we, as teachers, learn from you in every lesson.

Every day we get the chance to see how what we do creates an impact on people’s lives! We care about every single person that walks through our door. We love getting to know everyone’s true reason for wanting to dance because everyone’s reason is different. Knowing the “why” for every student helps us personalize our dance journey so that we all get the most out of our lessons. I say “our” journey because this is a road we travel together. Step by step, lesson by lesson, we strive to achieve our dance goals as a partnership. Whether you take your lessons individually or as a couple, your teachers are your partner, we are part of the team. Our vision of teaching through a personal approach is deeply rooted in each of our lessons… and seeing the look on your faces when you feel a sense of achievement gives us just as much, if not more, gratification knowing that what we are doing is helping you to excel!

Our studio is one big, happy dancing family, and we all are looking forward to the day that we get to waltz back into the ballroom…to the day we can, as they say, get back into the swing of things. Until then, know that we are missing you just as much as you are missing us. This time of pause gives us all a chance to reflect on the things that matter most and the connections that bring the most joy to our lives. In our case, one of those things happens to be ballroom dancing, but not just because of the beauty of the dance, but because of YOU, our students.

Until we dance again…Stay safe and be healthy.👩‍⚕️

Lacey, Andrey, and your International Ballroom Dance Studio Family

We’re BACK!!!!

The moment we have all been (not so patiently) waiting for has finally arrived! Our studios will be back up and running Monday, May 18^th! We have missed our dancing family every day, and we are looking forward to “waltzing” back into the studio (See “A letter to our Students”)! With that being said, we want to make sure our studios are still the HAPPIEST place in town while taking every precaution to keep both our students and teachers safe and healthy. Therefore, we will be taking our new safety guidelines very seriously. As per the general recommendations provided by the CDC and Governor McMaster, the following guidelines will be in place to keep our studio safe and clean for everyone to enjoy getting back into the swing of things again!

Making sure everyone is safe is our NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. A mask has been strongly recommended for people to wear when in close proximity, and since we are a close contact service, this is recommended but NOT mandatory. However, remember the following bullet points for proper safety when wearing a mask while dancing:

When wearing a mask, do not over do it. Pace yourself and don’t let yourself get out of breath. It will be a lot easier to hyperventilate since you don’t have as much airflow going through the mask.
Be sure your mask is clean so we can prevent the spread.

Make sure to talk with your teacher about what would help you to feel most comfortable during your lessons.

We will also be taking hand sanitation VERY seriously! Hand sanitation stations will be in place throughout the studio so you will be able to sanitize throughout your lesson. When you walk in, the front desk will have you sanitize before you enter the ballroom. Stations will be available at the music stand in order to use hand sanitizer before the start and at the end of each lesson. Your dance instructor will also be making sure to thoroughly wash their hands both before and after each student. Gloves will be made available at the front desk if you feel you’d like an extra layer of protection. Again, please discuss with your instructor what would make you feel most comfortable.

Providing a healthy dance space by maintaining strict cleaning and disinfecting schedules in our studios has always been a top priority, but upon reopening, we will be taking it to the next level. Throughout the day and in between lessons we will be disinfecting the commonly used surfaces. We want to make sure as you walk in, you are greeted with a smiling face (even if behind a mask) and a clean table to put your stuff down and get prepared for your lesson!

As a precaution, we have currently suspended all social gatherings. This includes showcases, group classes, social dance parties, trophy balls, etc. Though we would love to be able to see all of our dance family in one place at one time, we want to safeguard the health and well-being of both our staff and students. This doesn’t mean your long-term goals have gone out the window! The instructors will just be talking with everyone about their goals and how though we may be putting some things on hold, the show must go on!

Last but certainly not least…IF YOU ARE FEELING SICK, STAY HOME! If you are feeling any sort of symptom that has you not feeling 100%… be safe and stay home. We would rather reschedule you for when you are at your best! No late cancellation charges will be issued at this time.⏱

We are really looking forward to having everyone back! Though we know it will take some time to get back to our regular dance lives, we are going to waltz through this and come out stronger than ever! Your International Ballroom family will be ready and waiting with smiling faces and dancing feet on May 18th!

Why dancing is the best medicine for the mind, body, and soul

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!

Taking the Lead: Thank You to the Leading Ladies and Gents of IBDS

We are beyond excited to be getting back in the studio with our dance family. We send out a heart felt “thank you” to all of our leading ladies and gents who made our first week back both busy and fun! We understand that not everyone is ready to waltz back into the ballroom and so we asked our pioneering students how they felt about taking to the floor once again. Was IBDS indeed the happiest, healthiest place to be in Charleston amidst the madness? Here are some of their responses…

Question 1: What did you miss most about IBDS?

“I missed the physical expression of music and connecting with my instructor and dance family”

~Bonnie

“I missed so much about IBDS, but perhaps most of all I missed the studio as my ‘happy place’. It is that magical spot that transforms the cares I carry into joy and lightness of spirit.”

~Marcia

“I missed all of the people! IBDS is my extended family. Of course, I missed dancing”

~Joy

“I missed the instructors. They are such a positive influence in the life of the dancers”

~Judy

“I missed the joy of being able to be on the dance floor, moving to the music, and feeling alive again! Of course, this requires a partner and I missed my teacher so much!”

~Sharon

Question 2: How did you feel when you came back to IBDS?

“I was excited to come back to the music and working on my showcase dance. Getting back on the floor felt almost like coming home. Working up a good sweat and feeling it all fall back into place was so much fun and lifted my spirits.”

~JM

“I was there the first day the studio opened back up & this made life seem like we were getting back to normal. That made me happy…”

~Brenda

“I was happy and excited to get back. That first lesson after the long lay-off reminded me how much I enjoy ballroom dancing.”

~Woody

“Going back into the (studio) took a lot of thought and I was hesitant at first…but my first week back was awesome; danced EVERY DAY! I felt safer in the studio than any place else other than home”

~Annie

“If felt so good to relax into dancing again”

~Colleen

“I felt very comfortable and pure joy in coming back”

~Donna

Question 3: Did IBDS provide a safe and healthy dance space for you to come back to?

“I felt completely comfortable coming back. The studios are always kept clean and I had no doubt all precautions had been taken to ensure the protection of the students and staff’s health”

~Lynn

“They were disinfecting and hand sanitizing…the only dirty stuff were my jokes”

~Keegan

“Because everyone has a different idea of what ‘feels safe’ to them, I appreciate my instructors being willing to go the extra mile and do whatever is necessary to make me or others feel comfortable in regards to being safe. I was not anxious or concerned during my time of dancing at the studio at all”

~Aurelia

“In the difficult time of reopening, the International Ballroom staff are the cleanest, most sanitary and friendliest studio I have ever seen in my 22 years”

~Carl

The studio owner and director have taken every precaution and the studio is even more spotless than ever! We all know Lacey and Andrey are clean freaks so their commitment to our safety is unquestionable…PS as a retired RN, I know clean 😊”

~Sharon

We are so thankful to all of our leading ladies and gents who led the way back into the studio with style and grace! The health and well-being of our dance family will always be our priority as we navigate these uncharted waters. We look forward to seeing you ALL on the dance floor soon!

Dance Family Spotlight: Anne Goldstein

We all have a story as why we started dancing. Whether it be for exercise, fun, or the thrill of learning something new…everyone’s reason is different. So, as part of a new series, we want to share the stories of our dance family! Introducing Dance Family Spotlight! Our first spotlight is on Anne Goldstein! Take a look at her story on how dancing became one of the biggest parts of her life…

How long have you been dancing?

“I have been dancing for over 15 wonderful years.”

What got you initially started on your dance journey?

“My husband and I went to see the movie “Shall We Dance” and, at the end, we turned to each other and said ‘let’s do it’ ! We had a friend who danced and she invited us to go to a dance party at the studio. The minute I put my foot on the dance floor I knew that I had discovered my passion! It was love at first step and it has never ceased to thrill me

I love the challenge, the physical activity, the mental exercise, the beauty of the music. It’s truly a ‘stress buster’ – you cannot think of your problems while engaged in moving your feet and body, thinking about the steps, hearing the music and enjoying being with your teacher. I find my spirits lifted every time I dance.”

How has ballroom dancing impacted your life?

“Most of all, spiritually. Dance to me is very spiritual. When I’m dancing, I feel closer to God than at any other time. I seem to enter another plane of existence. Being able to make that connection has brought me unsurpassed joy! And, it has gotten me though the many rough spots in my life during the past 15 years; especially the death of my husband and a very scary aortic aneurysm that occurred at the dance studio. I would not have survived had it not been for Andrey’s quick thinking; he got me to the hospital just in time! I would not be alive today if it weren’t for Andrey! I thank God that I was at the studio when all that happened!!! Having a very strong body, thanks to vigorous dancing, was also key to my recovery.

For me, no matter what is going on in my life, there is always something to look forward to in my pursuit of dance. The joy of working on a showcase, a competition, Trophy Ball or just getting better and better at my passion and working for approval and complements from my teacher/partner Andrey. Dance has been at the center of my life for over 15 years. A constant calling to express myself through movement and connection with God and certainly my friendship and the joy I have shared with Andrey as we have practiced and competed together has greatly enriched my life.”

What advice would you give to anyone who is interested in or just starting on their dance journey?

“My advice is to enjoy the journey! Whether your goal is social dancing or competition, enjoy and realize that it is a journey. It is a journey of steps…one at a time and each step can be sheer joy; it has been for me. Also, if you do pursue it you will find a wonderful dance family here. The teachers, students, Lacey and Andrey will all make you feel welcome. And, if you stick around, you will find great friends.

I will close by saying that I guess dance is my calling because I cannot imagine my life without it!”

Thank you for sharing your story, Anne! We would love to hear everyone’s dance story! Please let us know if you would like to be featured and share your story with everyone! email us at dance@internationalballroom.net

Dance Family Spotlight: Annie Crane

We all have a story as why we started dancing. Whether it be for exercise, fun, or the thrill of learning something new…everyone’s reason is different. For our next Dance Family Spotlight, we are highlighting the ever-so-lovely Annie Crane! Take a look at her dance journey:

1. How long have you been dancing?

I started dancing 9 years ago.

2. What got you initially started on your dance journey?

While sitting in a beauty shop listening to conversation about the TV show ‘Dancing With the Stars’, I heard there was a studio offering ballroom dance lessons. This peaked my interest since I’ve always enjoyed trying things I’ve never done. Two days later I entered the dance studio for my first lesson of an introductory package, knowing that this would probably be a ‘been there – done that’ experience. While checking in at the desk, Lacey said to me “We’re going to put you with Maks”. I never could have imagined that this was the beginning of a very special friendship in my life. Russ and I were spending our summers in Pittsburgh then so after very few lessons I was headed north, but I suffered from ‘dance fever’ all summer, so back to the studio I went upon our return to Kiawah that fall, at which time Lacey and Maks asked me what my dance goals were. I hadn’t thought of goals in dance but I did want to stop watching my feet all the time. They mentioned several things to consider plus dance competitions. I had no idea one could actually compete in dance and they had no idea that they had just

‘lit a fire’.

3. How has ballroom dancing impacted your life?

Sports have been a huge part of my life as a child and as an adult and competition has always accompanied these sports and was the catalyst for self improvement. Ballroom dancing entered my life at a time when I could no longer participate or compete in some sports because of age-related issues. When I heard that dance offered competitions and heard it referred to as ‘dancesport’, I knew that I had discovered something I wanted to pursue. To say I found my passion is an understatement — and to find it in my 70’s — what a blessing! Being a competitive person doesn’t necessarily mean always having an opponent — we compete within ourselves, always striving to be better than we were yesterday or last week. My forever patient teacher/partner, Maks, understands this personality of mine and works with it to my benefit. He knows I am my worst critic, that I am often out of my comfort zone, that I get frustrated when I can’t learn quickly or move like I want to, that I struggle with age-related issues and he knows how to handle each one. His advice has been helpful in other areas of my life too — especially other sports. Dancing, on occasion, has brought frustration, tears, and ‘pity parties’ as Maks and I call them, but this is not out of sadness — it’s out of a passion for something I dearly love —- and then, of course, there is always the unsurpassed ‘joy on the floor’ — all of these add to this dance journey I’m on. Not just dance steps have I learned from Maks. He has taught life lessons along the way — to be happy with what I CAN do, to be patient while learning new things that can’t be mastered tomorrow. I’ve learned to set goals that are reachable and goals that are not, but that these goals will continually get higher as I progress. Most of all he has taught me to enjoy every single moment of my dance journey which I continually try to do in other areas of my life as well.

4. What advice would you give to anyone who is interested in or are just starting on their dance journey?

We all come to dance for different reasons and then wonder how we could ever live without it. Ballroom dancing offers so much to choose from whether it be social dancing and dance parties, showcase dancing or competition. There’s always the thrill of learning something new from a talented instructor, developing friendships with others who share the same passion, and being part of an extended dance family.

Dance has enriched my life…..

Dance Family Spotlight: Susanne Jeter

We all have a story as why we started dancing. Whether it be for exercise, fun, or the thrill of learning something new…everyone’s reason is different. For our next Dance Family Spotlight, we are highlighting the beautiful Susanne Jeter! Take a look at her dance journey:

1)How long have you been dancing?

I entered Fred Astaire/international dance studio about 5 or 6 years ago

2) What got you initially started on your dance journey?

to refresh my waltzing skills since I was going to a Big Wedding with a Big Band. I took about 4 lessons and, before the wedding, I had booked and scheduled a land/cruise of Alaska. I never dreamed I’d be dancing on the ship. The first night on the ship I sat in the bar alone watching and a gentleman asked me to dance. I was shocked, but thought, now I can try out my waltzing skills. After dancing many dances with this man, I discovered that he had lived in Charleston (Folly Beach) for 20 years and worked for the health department in Charleston so we had lots to chat about. We ended up dancing every night, hopping from one bar to another. The Fourth of July extra on the ship was a Big Band performance with dancing on the stage with the Big Band. Needless to say, I did not turn that down either. Of course, I enjoyed it all and as we ended the cruise, the man’s advice to me was to go back to my dance studio and learn to Foxtrot. Well, needless to say, I have learned a lot more than the Waltz and the Foxtrot thanks to my instructor James Meek.✔

3) How has ballroom dancing impacted your life?

This dance experience and ALL that goes with it has been “a life saver” for me thanks to James and of course, Lacey and Andrey.

4) What advice would you give to anyone who is interested in or are just starting on their dance journey?

My advice to anyone who is “thinking” about dancing don’t think just start dancing and you will “love it”!

If you are wanting to share your dance story, we would love to do a spotlight on you! We want to hear everyone’s story!

Get started on your dance journey!

Have you ever watched one of those old black and white dance movies and just WISH that you could move like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers? But, then you remember…”you have two left feet”! Well, how do you think Fred and Ginger got to be as good as they were? They had to start exactly where you are and practice! Taking on a new hobby can be both challenging and rewarding…and ballroom is no different. What’s more…it is something you can either do as a single person or as a couple.

We always love to start everyone in our Introductory program. Think of this program like a “sampler” of the various types of classes and events you can do to get started dancing! You will have 2, 25 minute private lessons, a social dance party and a group class all included.✔

Our Newcomer’s class is always a great way to “test the waters” and see if you are ready to take the plunge into ballroom dancing. In this class, you will get introduced to the 6 most popular social ballroom dances; Rumba, Cha-Cha, Swing/Shag, Waltz, Foxtrot, and Salsa. This class is the first group class you will take and it will not only reaffirm what you learned in your private lessons, it will also give you a chance to get to know others who are starting in the same place as you! You will then realize how much FUN you have been missing out on and how easy it is to get started! Take a look at our sample Newcomer’s class with Scotty!