Dancing With the Stars
If you’re an avid entertainment enthusiast like me, I’m sure you’ve caught an episode or two of the hit reality TV show, Dancing with the Stars. It basically features a competition among pairs of contestants that consist of a celebrity figure matched with a professional dancer. Past celebrity contenders include a race-car driver, Olympians, football players, supermodels, actors, singers, an astronaut as well as teen-heartthrobs.
Each pair performs predetermined dances and competes against the others for judges’ points and audience votes. Whichever couple receives the lowest combined total of judges’ points and audience votes is eliminated until the champion dance pair remains. Dancing with the Stars is currently in its 12th season and shows no sign of letting up for more entertainment extravaganzas.
Then again, you don’t have to be a celebrity icon just to jiggle and shake like dance superstars do. You may think that you have two left feet or perhaps you’ll never learn how to dance like a pro but there are a few important points to take note of that can definitely transform the way you dance and turn you into a master performer over time. Raring to put your dancing shoes on? You’re sure to become a more accomplished dancer when you follow these guidelines:
Relax! While Dancing with the Stars may feature professionals who make even the most intricate dance styles seem effortless, always remember that they are paid to do so. The very first thing you should do to make your way to the top of the dancing league is loosen up. The inability to perform the way you want is, in a bit, self-inflicted. It is all because of your nerves.
Most experienced professionals advise that there are two simple ways to train yourself to loosen up. The first way is physical. Make sure that you have stretched your body before you dance. Most dancers are fully stretched before performing. The more limber you are, the more impressive you will look when you take on the dance floor. The second way is in the breathing. Always keep in mind to breathe consistently while you dance. Many people tend to take short breaths and hold them in while they dance. Taking deep breaths and letting them out very slowly will help you to relax and wow the crowd in a snap.
Pay close attention to the music. Focusing on the music is one of the key factors that will make or break your performance. Although you are working very hard to display grace and composure and follow the choreography right to the letter, not giving your musical accompaniment the attention it deserves will make you look really stiff and awkward.
Just like your car’s steering wheel, the music drives most of your movements. Make sure you listen carefully for the beats, the melodies, and any other rhythms that you may be following with your dance steps. They will essentially inform you when and how to do your routine. Your performance will surely change tremendously when you pay careful attention to the music.
Don’t be afraid to use the whole dance floor. Fully interpreting a dance routine involves a lot of movement, which naturally requires a lot of space sometimes taking up as much as large stages, full-size football fields, huge gymnasiums as well as giant dance halls. One of the most important factors when impressing even the most meticulous dance aficionado in the audience is utilizing the most space you can just to give it all you’ve got.
Fully implementing your body is the whole point of dancing. It is more than just swaying your hips, kicking up your heels and bending your arms. Don’t hold anything back. Even the slightest twitch and pivot will look more powerful and interesting if the movement is extended completely. Who knows? You might just get signed up for the next season of Dancing with the Stars in the near future!
