Dancing at parties is a great way to cut loose and enjoy yourself. You don’t have to be a pro to have a good time, but practicing a bit beforehand is always a good idea. Try downloading an app or watching a dancing video to get inspired. When you are at the party, check out your surroundings and then make your way onto the dance floor. Start simple by finding the rhythm and following it with some head nods or small snaps.
Practice in front of a mirror. Put on some music that you enjoy and are familiar with. Go stand in front of a full-length mirror and try out a few basic dance moves. If you feel goofy doing this, that’s fine, but just own it and try anyway. This is also a good time to try some more complicated steps.
- Dancing by yourself at home will also help your body to develop muscle memory. This will make it easier for you to handle complicated moves when you are at a party surrounded by other people.
- As you practice you’ll probably realize that certain moves just aren’t for you. Knowing what steps to avoid is an important part of the learning process.
Practice dancing to different types of music. Don’t just listen to the same song, or type of song, over and over again. Mix it up by dancing around to all types of tunes, from country to hip-hop, while you are at home. This way you won’t be caught off guard by a diverse playlist at any party.
Practice with an app. There are a number of apps that you can download to your phone that will show you exactly what steps to do for a particular dance or style of dance. Pull up the directions and go through them at home. Or, for extra confidence, give the steps a quick glance through right before you step out on the dance floor.
Practice with a partner beforehand. Ask a friend, partner, or even family member to dance with you at home. Turn on some music and warm up by jumping around and trying out a few freestyle moves. Then, switch to a particular style of music, like hip-hop, and concentrate on moving with your partner to the rhythm.
Take a dance class. Look for a studio or private instructor in your area and enroll in a few classes. Contemporary or hip-hop classes will help you to become the most familiar with the types of music you’ll encounter in party environments. They can also make you more comfortable with your body.
Get out on the dance floor quickly. Give yourself a time limit, such as 15 minutes, before you start dancing at a party. Of course, you can wait until other people are out there. The point is to not wait too long before jumping in. Aim to be neither the first nor the last person who starts to dance.
- To keep yourself from leaving the dance floor too soon, set a goal of dancing for at least five minutes before you take a break.
Smile! With all of your concentration focused on dancing, it is easy to put on a serious, concentrated face. Check yourself every now and then to make sure that you are smiling. Dancing should make you feel good about yourself, so spread those positive feelings around.
Copy other people’s moves. Look around and pay attention to other people who are dancing. If you see someone who moves in a way that you like, try to imitate just one or two of their moves. Don’t make the mistake of mirroring them directly or they could take offense. Instead, repeat the same basic copied moves a few times until you feel comfortable with them.
Join in on group dances. A comfortable way to get started is to hop in on a synchronized and well-known group dance. The moves will probably be familiar and you can change them up a bit if you want. In fact, cutting loose and acting a little goofy is part of the fun with these types of dances.
Add in more complicated dance moves as you get comfortable. Start off small with simple movements, such as hand taps. Take your time with these and gradually add in more complicated steps. Don’t expect to be an expert right away. You’ll probably blend in more with basic moves, so be prepared to draw more attention as you get more creative and original.
Get goofy. Don’t be afraid to make fun of yourself or cut loose a little. Dancing doesn’t need to be serious, and you’ll look more like you’re having a good time if you don’t take yourself too seriously.
Keep a consistent amount of space around you. Unless you are interested in dancing with a partner, try to maintain a little bit of distance between yourself and other people. In a crowded club, this might mean just a few inches of room. But, even that small amount of space could keep you from accidentally hitting others or stepping on their feet.
