There’s a lot of false information around when it comes to dancing, so we, at Dance Stables, thought it was about time we set the record straight. We’ve picked out some common myths about dance and are here to tell you the real truths.
MYTH #1: “Some people can’t dance”
As teachers, this is a myth we hear all too often. “I can’t dance”, “I have two left feet”, “I’ve got no rhythm/coordination” - and we simply don’t believe it!
Professional dancers weren’t born triple pirouetting, just as mathematicians weren’t born knowing long division, or pilots already knowing how to fly a plane. Every skill imaginable requires lessons and practice.
Admittedly, certain things like dance comes more naturally to some than others, but that shouldn’t stop you. We have an endless supply of rhythm, moves, timing and confidence to give you, all you need to do is stock up! This may not make you the next Darcey Bussell, but it can certainly help you to survive, if not shine on the dance floor.
So forget the right and wrong, dance is about enjoyment. You may get the steps wrong, you might even fall over occasionally, but the main thing is to have fun with it. One word of advice - if you ever get stuck, just keep moving - a motto often spoken in our Dance Stables classes.
MYTH #2: “If you’re flexible, you don’t need to warm-up”
Even if you are able to do the splits every which way and hit yourself in the face with a high kick, that doesn’t mean you can skip the warm-up! A good warm-up isn’t about increasing flexibility, it’s about avoiding injury. By gradually increasing your body temperature, you are preparing for the class ahead which means moving with less stress and strain on your muscles and joints.
A warm-up doesn’t have to be anything too strenuous, in fact, it should be the opposite. You want to feel ready and focused rather than exhausted before you even start the first exercise. So just gently increase mobility; a little jog or stretch of different areas of the body will do.
And don’t forget the cool down either! This is just as important to decrease the heat of your body and ease muscle soreness and promote recovery after exercise, you’ll be glad you did it the following day!
MYTH #3: “Dancing is just for girls”
Nope, nope, nope! Some of the best dancers in the world are male. This myth is completely untrue and unfortunately keeps many potentially successful male dancers undiscovered. We are proud to have many DS boys, of all ages, at our academies, clubs and classes, as well as male DS teachers. Who we think's just fantastic, and inspiring to the next generation of dancers.
Really, the key to dance is athleticism - as you can see from the high, flying jumps, incredible balance and impossible turns and spins dancers are able to do. If anything, it can be a little superhuman. Some would even argue that dancers manage more than athletes ever could - I wonder if Usain Bolt could do a triple pirouette?
Dancing isn’t a girly, feminine activity in the slightest, it takes, power, substance, focus and determination. So, whether you are male or female, come and point your toes if you think you’re strong enough!
MYTH #4: “Lessons will be too expensive”
Forking out for a year’s worth of dance lessons may seem like a substantial spend all in one go, but it doesn’t have to be this way. A lot of our classes charge per term, meaning the costs are broken down into more manageable amounts every few months. And to put it in perspective, for a month of classes, quite often you’d be spending less than on a regular gym membership.
If dance is something you are trying for the first time, maybe try a trial class before committing to anything long term, this way you can dispel some untrue myths about dance or your lack of confidence in your own ability and see the benefits dance has to offer. We’ve got lots of offer, from Ballet to Street Dance, Contemporary to Cheerleading - we are certain we have a Dance Stables class that you will love!
MYTH #5: “I’m too old to learn how to dance”
When it comes to dance, there are no age limits. True, some people discover it from a young age, but there is no cutoff point to finding a love for dance.
There are numerous examples of famous performers discovering their ability to move at a late stage and still going on to be renowned dancers. But besides a career, it can be done for exercise, or as a hobby and can always be adapted to encompass any health concerns. If anything, the benefits dance provides, such as increased mobility, focus and concentration should definitely be considered in later years.
As long as you’ve got the enthusiasm and energy, there’s no stopping you. We’ve had the pleasure of dancing with some students 40 years our senior who’s stamina has put us to shame! So whatever your age, book a class and have a boogie, it can work wonders! Our Dance Stables adult timetable is growing, with classes for 16+ in Contemporary Dance, Ballet Fitness and Street Dance to name a few. As well as performances by our DS Collective, who train at our friendly weekly classes.
Want more information on the dance classes that we offer at Dance Stables, for toddlers, kids and adults in London? Drop us an email to - info@dancestables.co.uk - we would love to hear from you!
Happy Dancing! :)