Training in other dance styles

[Cobra Jazz Dance R]

So what other dance styles have people here studied (hip hop, jazz, ballet, tap, flamenco, contemporary, belly dance, etc.)? Are you still training in those other styles? What facets from other dance styles have helped your ballroom dancing, or might create difficulties?

 

[pygmalion]

Great topic, Cobra Jazz Dance.

 

[Joe]

Crosstraining in other things may help your ballroom, but IMHO if you spent that time working on your ballroom you'd be better off, ballroom-wise. You wouldn't be as well-rounded, but your ballroom would be further along.

 

[RhumbaWaltz]

I studied ballet, tap, jazz and "Broadway" dance from kindergarten through college. Advantages: Overall body awareness, ballet is great for posture, flexibility and strength, your feet are always pointed. Disadvantages: The ballet turnout is really tough to overcome in ballroom.

I will continue to take ballet classes along with ballroom.
RW

 

[tanya_the_dancer]

Crosstraining in other things may help your ballroom, but IMHO if you spent that time working on your ballroom you'd be better off, ballroom-wise. You wouldn't be as well-rounded, but your ballroom would be further along.

I take ballet class in addition to all work I do with ballroom. It has helped a lot with things like posture and coordination. It is like a light work-out for me.

 

[standardgirl]

I did a year of ballet when I was little, and I have gone back to taking ballet classes since I started ballroom dancing. It's quite different, but there are still things that apply to both styles. In fact, one of my ballroom coach suggested my former partner and I to take ballet classes.

 

[chandra]

So here is a question,

If I have the money to spend on Ballroom privates, to improve my dancing (Im thinking swing here) or to spend on ballet classes, Which would be better?

(ballroom obviously being more enjoyable will probably win in my case!)

 

[bobbobbob]

Belly dance and Jazz.

 

[alemana]

that *is* the million dollar question, isn't it?

i asked for dance lessons for xmas, and got them, intending to spend the money on ballet. but then i was thinking - i could just have MORe private lessons. then my brain started to hurt.

 

[Twilight_Elena]

that *is* the million dollar question, isn't it?

i asked for dance lessons for xmas, and got them, intending to spend the money on ballet. but then i was thinking - i could just have MORe private lessons. then my brain started to hurt.

Depends on the mood you're in, how you feel about your dancing right now. Sometimes you feel that you need to clear your head by doing some other dance style. Sometimes you might feel that you want more well-rounded dance knowledge. Some others you're at the peak of your technique spree and just want to do lots of privates to work on that.
Both are good to be done at some point or other. What do you feel like doing right now?

Twilight Elena

 

[Cobra Jazz Dance R]

How about Showdance or Cabaret, or whatever you might call it in your area- I haven't done it, but it seems to me that ballet, or even contemporary, might be highly beneficial in doing lifts. And both ballet and jazz for incorporating turns that are not "strictly ballroom."

I've also found that contemporary (mostly Limon in my case) and belly dance have really helped me get centered and grounded, much more connected with the solar plexus, hips and pelvis, what exercise science calls the "core" muscle groups. Good for Latin and smooth?

 

[redhead]

I've also found that contemporary (mostly Limon in my case) and belly dance have really helped me get centered and grounded, much more connected with the solar plexus, hips and pelvis, what exercise science calls the "core" muscle groups. Good for Latin and smooth?

I dunno about bellydance helpin with latin. The only two bellydancers I know who also dance other style chose to dance salsa, and even though they've been doing it for at least a couple of years, they just don't look right. Too jelly-fishy in the hips and not connected = hard to lead. My coach said it has something to do with how the upper body moves in two styles... basically you get your hips to move either way, but the look is not the same
hope that makes sense...

 

[dave_aw]

Totally depends on your teachers, I think.

Ballroom/Latin coaches tend to be less good at teaching posture, balance and muscular control - they just hope these things will come by tinkering with the rest. That's why some people find ballet etc. can help them achieve in these areas.

Ballet has a long-standing tradition of drilling students in standard exercises that emphasise these aspects. Endless repetition of these under supervision will no doubt help.

Ballroom/Latin has traditionally never gone down the road of repetition of standard exercises. However if you've got a really switched on ballroom/latin coach then you'd do better to ask them to work on those aspects as well during private lessons, if they're not already doing so.

 

[redhead]

Totally depends on your teachers, I think.

Ballroom/Latin coaches tend to be less good at teaching posture, balance and muscular control - they just hope these things will come by tinkering with the rest.

really? find a new coach

 

[caityrosey]

I used to dance hula/tahitian--in those disciplines you really isolate the hips, which confued me (and occasionally continues to confuse me) when I learned rhythm/latin.