When you hear the words “dance lessons”, what’s the first image that comes to your mind? Chances are, it’s a skinny little girl in ballet shoes and a tutu. With such representation serving as the face of the dancing industry for many years, it’s little wonder that people who don’t fit the mold feel some trepidation about learning to dance.
However, we’re here to tell you that dance classes aren’t all that you’ve heard. In fact, they can prove beneficial to your mental health if you give them a chance! So, let’s take a moment to bust some of the most common myths surrounding dance classes today.
Table of Contents
Myth: You Have to Be Good at Ballet to Take Dance Lessons
Fact: While ballet’s served as the face of the discipline of dance for centuries, it’s not the only option. There are many different types of dancing taught at dance schools, including but not limited to:
- Jazz
- Tap
- Ballroom
- Musical theater
- Modern
If the absolute grace and control you think ballet requires aren’t for you, then any one of the above options could help you get a toe through the door.
Myth: Dance Lessons Are Only for Certain Groups of People
Fact: While again, young, skinny girls tend to serve as the poster children for dance classes, the true face of dance is much more diverse and includes a range of ages, skin tones, and body types. The best dance classes available these days shed those preconceived notions about who can and cannot dance, and extend lessons to any willing to learn.
If you’re worried about language as a barrier, don’t lose your head. Many dance instructors come from non-English speaking backgrounds. In fact, the instructors behind these dance classes offer instruction in Spanish.
Myth: You Weren’t Born Graceful, So You Can’t Dance
Fact: Even the best dancer in the world wasn’t always a perfect, graceful swan. In fact, many of the top dancers would still assert that they have two left feet, despite clear evidence to the contrary. No one was born knowing how to dance, so anyone can learn if they apply themselves.
Myth: You Need a Partner to Dance
Fact: While partnered dancing is one of the most popular types of dancing, you don’t need a partner while learning to dance. In fact, it might be better for you to start learning dance on your own before you dig into partnered dance, as the lifts and coordination might prove tricky if you’re starting from scratch.
Still on the Fence About Learning to Dance?
If you’re still on the fence about learning to dance, there’s no need to stress. The dancing industry has a lot of horrible myths and stereotypes attached to it. However, if you’d like to learn more about the art and discipline of dancing and the benefits dance lessons can offer for your health, you can check out the Lifestyle section of our blog. We update each day with more helpful and informative articles like this one! In fact, it might be better for you to start learning dance on your own before you dig into partnered dance, as the lifts and coordination might prove tricky if you’re starting from scratch.
