Most Often Asked Questions
Discover more about how to finally get started dancing! We constantly update this page, but if you still can’t find what you’re looking for, please feel free to get in touch with us – we will be more than happy to help.
What do I wear?
The first guiding principle for dance clothing is that you need to be comfortable. Clothing should not restrict your movements or make you feel self-conscious when you move. But in most social dancing we don’t move into extreme positions like we might in a yoga or pilates class, so you don’t need to wear ‘excercise clothes.’ Dressing with light layers is helpful because most good dance spaces will feel cold when you arrive but become hot as you move throughout the class. We don’t need to dress up for classes, but some people enjoy wearing fancier shirts or shoes for dance parties. It is totally up to you.
What shoes do I need?
The features you need in a good practice dance shoe include: flat or low heel, smooth sole of leather, suede, or hard plastic, and a strap or ties on top to keep the heel on your foot when you put weight on the ball. Boots are fun for country dancing, but tend to restrict your foot when you are just learning and can cause more injuries. The worst shoes you can wear are walking or running sneakers with rubber tread on the bottom. They restrict the turning we do and can injur your knees.
I recommend the Sansha Salsette as the best shoe to begin learning any social dance form. They have removable insoles so you can replace them with your own arch supports or orthotics. The sizing is not normal US or EU sizing, so I have a local dance store supply them for my students in black at approximately $50. Once you purchase your first pair and learn your size, you can buy other colors online.
Check out the shoes at Opening Night
6371 Sawmill Rd, Dublin, OH 43017 or
163 Granville St, Gahanna, OH 43230
614-764-0033
What should I bring?
The most important thing to bring to class is water you have already drunk. Hydrating before you arrive helps you stay active and prevent injuries. But you will also want a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated throughout class.
A towel is helpful to dry off if you are enjoying class in a hot or humid environment. Some students who are prone to sweat more bring hand fans or rechargeable, portable fans they can hold or wear around their necks. It isn't normal to get this hot during your first few classes, but know that the culture of social dancing encourages you to be comfortable, whatever that means for you and your body.
We encourage people to have a simple way to take notes during or after class. Your cell phone notes app works well or a small paper journal/notebook. We all think we will remember more than we do and having notes you can refer to comes in really handy!
How long should I wait to start after a medical problem?
It goes without saying that your doctor is your best source of when it is safe for you to start moving after a surgery or illness. They will often advise that you begin walking soon during your recovery period. Our advise is that when you can walk a mile (about 20-30 minutes) easily without pain or stress, you are ready to begin learning dance steps. Dance can help your body move muscles in different ways that prevent overuse injuries. It is also an activity where you can take breaks if you need rest periods. Especially with cardio-vascular illnesses, social dance can help you build back your endurance very safely and quickly.
How old (or young) can I be to join classes?
Social Dancing is a sport that ages well with you. We feel students are ready to focus and remember routines by age 12. Some youth younger than that are ready after other dance training.
There is no upper age limit to start. If you need modifications to different moves, your instructor will help you. Because line dancing especially has different levels, you can start at the beginning and work up to a level that fits your fitness level.
The great thing about dancing is that you don't age as fast as your peers, so whenever you start, you will continue much longer than you imagined.
How much will dancing cost me?
Like many sports, there is the "putt-putt" level up to the "travel the world to play on the most exclusive courses" level. You should have some budget in mind as you start and expect to spend more as you advance.
Our classes run between $4 and $10 per class with private lessons at $60 per hour.
There is very little equipment needed other than shoes, which can be very affordable and last quite a while. If you become active, expect to spend between $100 - $200 per year for shoes.
The conferences we travel to will average $500 - $700 for all expenses, and we try to keep them affordable by sharing rides and rooms.
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