Is there any hope for me???

[turtle]

I realize there's already a lot of beginner advice out there... but I don't really fall into the same category as most. I am in college, and I don't have the money or a regular time that I could take dance lessons. I've been too shy all my life to try and dance, and darn it, I'm ready to get out and have some fun. Is there any hope for me... I mean, besides watching BET with my dorm room door locked :? , trying to imitate what those guys do, I have no idea how I'm supposed to learn anything. I'm not trying to be a great dancer or anything, basically I want to be able to get on the dance floor and not look stupid.

In case you're wondering, I have rhythm, and I'm not a total spaz... :lol:

[peachexploration]

Hi Turtle, welcome to the forums. Unfortunately, the best way to dance is with other people. :D I suggest a couple of options. How do you feel about just grabbing a couple of friends and just go out dancing? :banana: If you go out with friends, it may be a little easier than going alone. If you're just too shy to do that and depending on your dance interest, invest in a couple of videos to work up your courage a little. Any other suggestions? Oh, what are your dance interest by the way?

[Sagitta]

There always is hope, until you are dead in the ground with a foot or more of earth over your head!!

Welcome to DF turtle!! :D This question of yours is a really vague one. If you could provide more specifics I'll be glad to help you out.

Are you a leader or follower? Are we talking about partnered dancing or non-partnered? What dancing style are we talking about? For instance, in non-partnered dancing there is reggae, hip-hop, r&b, clogging, line dancing..... For partnered dancing there is zydeco/cajun, zouk, salsa, swing, waltz, cha-cha, mambo, merengue, fox-trot, american tango, contra, square and round dancing, argentine tango, ce-roc...

[SwinginBoo]

Welcome Turtle! I love your avatar!!! The very brave Spaceman Spiff!

Yes there is hope! I used to be painfully shy and would not ever dance in public. now dancing is a major part of my life.

Some things to keep in mind:

1. You don't look as awkward dancing as you feel you do. (I'm sure of this because you said you have rhythm.)

2. Going out and just doing it might be one of the best ways to get over your nerves and do it.

3. if you have a friend who you feel comfortable with, who can dance, then maybe ask them over for an afternoon of dancing so you could learn some stuff.

4. If you can find a cheap instructor in your area, consider going in for a few lessons. I know you said you're in college and can't afford to take lessons. But if there's a will there's a way.

:D

[dragon3085]

What year are you in College and what college do you go to? Most colleges have a requirement for at least one or two physical activities classes as a degree requirement. So what not kill 2 birds with one stone. Every college I've ever been too offered ballroom and or social dance classes. AT the university of Arizonia the students actuall do there final and midterms for salsa at a salsa club. (sorry just an aside that I thought was cool). Like I said, besides fullfilling a probable degree requirement you'll have a great opportunity to meet other on campus, also if you've already fulfilled the pe part of the degree reqs, most campuses have intermural dance clubs as well that offer different levels of instruction for free or very low cost as well.

[SDsalsaguy]

Most colleges have a requirement for at least one or two physical activities classes as a degree requirement.
They do??? I'll be finishing up my Ph.D. in the next year or so and I've never heard of anything like this. High schools, yes, but colleges? :? :shock: :?

[dragon3085]

Maybe its a texas thing but I know for my undergrad degree I had to have 2 or 3 one hour pe courses. I'm sure grad school is different but I was thinking undergrad. Now things might changed to in the past 4 or 5 years since I got out.

Most colleges have a requirement for at least one or two physical activities classes as a degree requirement.
They do??? I'll be finishing up my Ph.D. in the next year or so and I've never heard of anything like this. High schools, yes, but colleges? :? :shock: :?

:?

[Swing Kitten]

My undergrad was this way... ony required three units but at least one of those units had to come from a sit in a classroom type PE classes (take a health or nutrition course and you're done)

That's where I learned Tai Chi

[SDsalsaguy]

Hmmm...

You think that maybe mine did too and it is just such a distant memmory that I've forgot? :shock: :?

[danceguy]

Turtle - I'll add another welcome to the list - I do hope you pursue dancing! There's lots of great advice here from many levels of dancers. As a relative newcomer myself I know exactly where you are coming from, it can be tough in the beginning but the rewards are definitely worth it. :)

Do check for dance clubs, intermural or rec sports at your college as dragon suggested. Most colleges have these, that's how I learned Lindy Hop, and it was only 25 dollars for an entire semester of once a week classes. Helluva deal if you ask me, and the instructors were really good. :)

Swing Kitten - what style of tai chi did you learn? I didn't know you ever studied it. :wink:

SD - If you're memory is lapsing, you're just getting old. :P

[SDsalsaguy]

SD - If you're memory is lapsing, you're just getting old. :P
You better hope not SG... I've only got a couple of years on you after all! :tongue:

[Swing Kitten]

Swing Kitten - what style of tai chi did you learn? I didn't know you ever studied it. :wink:

Yang Short Form --- I know I've mentioned this before :P


and SD... it's most likely that your undergrad had a similar requirement-- sorry pal!

[danceguy]

Yang Short Form --- I know I've mentioned this before


Oh I know you have dearie, but its so very sexy to hear you say it again. :kissme:

You better hope not SG... I've only got a couple of years on you after all!

Believe me, its already happening! Hmm, how old are you by the way? I'm going to turn 30 this year...ugh...so I'll have to continue to work on not growing up. :wink: :banana: :tongue:

[SwinginBoo]

Swing Kitten - what style of tai chi did you learn? I didn't know you ever studied it. :wink:

Yang Short Form --- I know I've mentioned this before :P


and SD... it's most likely that your undergrad had a similar requirement-- sorry pal!

You know, my undergrad didn't have that requirement, just so you know! SD you are probably right and didn't have it for a requirement.

:P (sticking my tongue out at swing kitten)

[KevinL]

Hmmm...

You think that maybe mine did too and it is just such a distant memmory that I've forgot? :shock: :?

My undergraduate university had a PE requirement, but I didn't know about dancing then, so don't know if it was an option.

The university where I got my masters has a PE requirement for undergraduates, and they offer a 1 credit social dance course as one way to fulfill that requirement.

Kevin

[Swing Kitten]

I stand corrected Boo
--
I stand unimpressed SG -- I'm not your type!

[danceguy]

I stand unimpressed SG -- I'm not your type!

Oh yes, I forgot, I'm a gentleman...most ladies go for jerks these days! :wink:

The true gentleman: Ever devoted to his cause - ever living a life of celibacy. :oops:

[Swing Kitten]

I'm not your type!

Oh yes, I forgot, I'm a gentleman...

Ouch! A little low don'tcha think?


... not a very gentlemanly thing to say --- but comments like that will help you with the celibacy part!

[danceguy]

? :roll: ? You got me! :oops:

[turtle]

:shock: OH my gosh you guys, this is great... I've posted things on forums like this, and I expected an answer in maybe a week or two... I guess I'll be checking this more often. :D

So, more about me: I'm a freshman at the U of Illinois... I guess right now what I'm interested in, is going out to clubs with friends (i do have friends that dance!) so, my interests would be rap, r&b, and that sort of thing. But, for reasons that I can't explain (lol, not like I need to in company like yours) I really do think that.. I dunno.. dancing could be something that I really enjoy. But all that is irrelevant.... if I don't get out and try huh?

Thanks for the confidence. One of these weekends, I am promising myself, I will go to a club with a friend. We have a lot of great ones around, so I hear... I will keep you posted :wink:

[Swing Kitten]

Yes please keep us posted turtle! Stick with it and have fun!

[vey]

Hi Turtle and welcome! (It's nice to have a fellow U of I person at DF)

Unfortunately I can't help you with rap, r&b, and that sort of thing, hopefully some other members can direct you.

I just wanted to say: GO FOR IT :!:

You might have to struggle a bit at first and spend some time figuring things out but dancing is so worth it..


(If you ever are interested in salsa I can definitely give you some pointers for chicago-area lessons and etc.
:) Sorry can't restrain myself from promoting salsa, even when it's not very relevant :lol:)

[turtle]

I got invited to the Canopy Club Friday night, and I am taking a friend... I am getting butterflies already. Gonna do it, gonna do it...

This girl's gonna be there...she's been dancing since she was three, and she is amazing :lol: :shock: :lol: And, well... oh man I hope I don't make a fool of myself. I'm not!!!!!!!! You're right no one cares!!!! I'm gonna do it!!! :mrgreen:

[Swing Kitten]

Go YOU!!!

getting out there is definately a step in the right direction! ;)

[ballroomboilergirl]

:shock: OH my gosh you guys, this is great... I've posted things on forums like this, and I expected an answer in maybe a week or two... I guess I'll be checking this more often. :D

So, more about me: I'm a freshman at the U of Illinois... I guess right now what I'm interested in, is going out to clubs with friends (i do have friends that dance!) so, my interests would be rap, r&b, and that sort of thing. But, for reasons that I can't explain (lol, not like I need to in company like yours) I really do think that.. I dunno.. dancing could be something that I really enjoy. But all that is irrelevant.... if I don't get out and try huh?

Thanks for the confidence. One of these weekends, I am promising myself, I will go to a club with a friend. We have a lot of great ones around, so I hear... I will keep you posted :wink:


Welcome to the forums, turtle!!! I too am a freshman in college...not far from you, at Purdue University! :lol: I'm also a member of the Purdue Ballroom Dance Competition Team, which is made of college students that dance competitively against other college teams across the country. In fact, one of the comps we attended this past fall was the Dancing Illini Dancesport Classic at your school! If you are at all interested in ballroom/latin dancing, I would recommend checking into your school's ballroom club/team...its a great way to ease your way into dancing and is usually fairly low-cost, compared to the cost of private lessons. Anyway, if you have any questions on dancing while in college, I could talk for hours about it :lol: Hope to see you in the forums again soon!

[turtle]

one more quick question:

of course I don't have dancing shoes... I am debating whether to wear an old ratty pair of shoes that are very comfortable and have smooth soles, or AE dress shoes, with thick soles and low back..... :roll: lol, yeah i know i'm hopeless lol (j/k!!)

[Sagitta]

Comfort is the number one consideration for me at all times. I would have gone for the comfortable ratty shoes with smooth soles. When I started dancing I regretted having thrown out some of these shoes as I would have worn them rather then buying shoes.

[hobrien]

Hello turtle,

It sounds to me like you are in the featal stage,

BUT do not worry, a guy like you has HUGE prospects to be a great dancer. Ok its great to have money to go to the clubs etc, BUT
dance in your dorm dance in the kitchen, you will improve you have the desire to. You have the burn like the rest of us here do.

You have computer access obviously so why dont you look for some video clips from the internet something to practice with. For example have a look at our good friend Gallito's site he has some "shines" there, that you can do on your own in your dorm, (although there are lots of cha cha in there also, which is also worth doing, cause, when they play cha cha it feels pretty good to be the only one who can do it)
http://www.how2salsa.com/index_fw.htm

There is more out there on the internet. Ask me and the others here for more links sometime.

SO : Is there any hope for me

Man you have no Idea !!!!!!!

Dance On

:bandit:

[turtle]

:shock: :D :lol: :D :!: :!: :banana: :mrgreen: :shock: :D :lol: :D :!: :!: :banana: :mrgreen: :shock: :D :lol: :D :!: :!: :banana: :mrgreen: :shock: :D :lol: :D :!: :!: :banana: :mrgreen: :D :lol: :D :!:
I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! TONIGHT WAS GREAT!!! I had NOOO idea... soooo much fun. SO... hot, tiring, exciting, exhausting... exhilirating... ok i'm out of ex-es... manomanomanoman I need to get to bed now, but that was great. I am ready for more. OW my feet hurt, but you know, it's the GOOD kinda hurt... WOOHOOOOO!

And yeah, I danced with the girl.... but not very long, the guys who are better kinda moved in...like vultures...lol.. but next time-- next time... :twisted: mwa-hahaha........
:shock: :D :lol: :D :!: :!: :banana: :mrgreen::shock: :D :lol: :D :!: :!: :banana: :mrgreen::shock: :D :lol: :D :!: :!: :banana: :mrgreen: :shock: :D :lol: :D :!: :!: :banana: :mrgreen::D :lol: :D :!:

[SDsalsaguy]

Heya turtle...glad it was such a positive experience for you! :D

Welcome to the wonderful world of dance! :cheers:

[peachexploration]

Good for you! I'm so glad you had a great time! :cheers:

[Sagitta]

Glad that you had such a good time Turtle!! :) :cheers:

There's a good thread on building a shine repertoire (http://www.dance-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=1158), that you can use to improve your dancing. It also has a link to another site that has shine video clips. Shines in salsa are those times when partners break up and do a little solo dancing. So, learning about shines whould definitely help you out!!

Hobrien thanks for the new link to salsa shines. I am very interested in other such sites that you know about.

[vey]

Good for you, Turtle :!: :cheers: :cheers:


(and welcome to Dancoholics Anonimous :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: )