The road to becoming a great dancer is neither short nor easy. It’ll take blood, sweat, and maybe even some tears if you want to become a professional dancer.
On the other hand, if you’re just looking to get into some bachata lessons so you can dance comfortably at a party, then – you can loosen up a little bit. You’ll just have to sweat a little.
Now, we understand that signing up for a first dance class can be stressful. Maybe you’re self-conscious about the lack of your dancing skills, maybe you don’t feel comfortable around strangers, or maybe you just despise not being great at something. Whatever the reason – we get it. We get it, and we’re here to help.
Here’s how to calm your nerves and prepare for your first dance class – 2024 style!
Table of Contents
Relax
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First of all – breathe. Take big breaths when you feel anxious about your first lesson and try to relax.
Keep in mind that everyone was a beginner at some point. No one was born an amazing dancer. Everyone tripped, fell, and messed up early on – it’s just natural.
Accept that and try and get over your nerves.
After all, you’re taking bachata classes for fun. So, have fun!
Get Comfy Shoes
Whether you’re a boy or a girl – make sure you wear comfy shoes for your first lesson.
There will come a time when you’ll probably have to dance in high heels or dress shoes, but that time is not now.
Wear the most comfortable footwear for the class you’re taking. Naturally, you won’t wear sneakers to a ballet class, but then again – you could try?
Jokes aside, you have to wear the most comfortable shoes you own. Trust us. Your feet will thank you.
Wear Comfortable Clothes
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After you pick the comfiest shoes, walk over to your closet and pick something comfortable to wear.
Wear something that will allow you to move around freely. Wear something that’s loose enough that it won’t restrict your movement. Wear something that fits you. Wear something that won’t make you sweat like you’ve just run fifteen miles on a treadmill.
Also, don’t try and “look good”. There will come a time when you’ll get to pick your outfits, but if you’re just getting started – focus on comfort. Worry about style later.
Expect To Mess Up
Arguably the best way to prepare for your first bachata dance glass, or any other dance class for that matter, is to expect to mess up.
You will most certainly mess something up if this is your first class ever. You’ll miscount the steps, you’ll look awkward, and countless other things will probably go wrong, but remember this – it happens to everyone.
Don’t let these mistakes affect you. The worst thing you could do is let these mistakes discourage you from coming in again.
Just accept that you’ll mess up. It’s only natural. You’ll learn from your mistakes, and you’ll get better with time.
Reach Out Of Your Comfort Zone
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If you’re feeling stressed or anxious about dancing in front of a large group of strangers, or if you know you’ll be uncomfortable – put yourself out there.
Go outside and put yourself out of your comfort zone in whatever way possible. Do things you wouldn’t usually do – especially the ones that make you squirm. Wear something ridiculous. Try out a new drink. Eat something you never have before. Visit that nightclub you never did but have always wanted to.
Just do something that will make you step out of your comfort zone. That’ll help you walk into your first dance class feeling like a million bucks.
Prepare Yourself Online
If you’re one of those people that can’t overcome their anxiety and fears if they don’t know what they’re getting into – prepare yourself.
We live in a digital world – a world that provides us with limitless information. You could find the best tutorials on various dances in just a few clicks. You could read something like this article or watch some videos that would prepare you for your first dance class.
You could learn the basics in just a few hours, and if that’s something that would make it easier for you – do it.
Set Realistic Goals
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Don’t set yourself up for failure by setting unrealistic expectations – whatever they might be.
You might be confident in your dancing ability or your social skills, but expecting that you’ll flourish into a wonderful dancer after four lessons and that everyone there will want to be your friend is just ridiculous.
Realise what you want from these lessons and set realistic goals.
Now, we’re not saying you shouldn’t shoot for the stars. By all means – shoot for them. But if you do, understand how much work goes into it.
Listen To Music
Want to get in the mood to dance? Listen to some music.
All you need to do to get into the mood and get your body moving is listen to whatever makes you want to move.
Don’t even think about how you’re moving. Just play some music you like to listen to and move around. That’ll get you going!
Be Confident
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Believe in yourself and be confident – that’s probably the only thing you truly need before your first dance lesson.
You’ll survive uncomfortable shoes, and you’ll adjust your goals as you go, but if you come in without confidence – you won’t enjoy your first class, and you’ll never make it to the second one.
Find it in you to believe in yourself and be confident in your ability to dance and get better at it. Adopt that mindset, enjoy yourself, and take your classes seriously, and we promise you – you’ll become a great dancer.
Just Dance
Finally – just dance!
Let go of your fears and dance. Go to the club or the bar and just enjoy the rhythm. Move around and listen to your body. Who cares if you’re not good? And better yet – who says you’re not good? Maybe you are.
But you’ll never know unless you try.
Conclusion
So, are you ready to put on your dancing shoes? We would certainly hope so.
We’ve done all of these before we started prancing around, and believe us – it helped us. Allow it to help you, as well.
Dance away!
