It never ceases to amaze me how many of life's lessons are intertwined with the process of learning to dance. The one that stands out the most is the balancing act of "being in the moment." Whether a beginning student or a seasoned competitive dancer, finding the perfect balance of thinking enough to get the job done but being in your body and present enough to be able to connect with your partner and the music is the best way to create a smooth, beautiful dance.

Usually for leaders, the biggest struggle in the beginning is simply trying to remember patterns. As muscle memory settles in, the next step is to pay closer attention to leading and connecting to your partner. With all of these thoughts going on, it is very hard to relax and be in the moment. For followers, the seemingly simple act of following is not all that simple! It's difficult to not anticipate what the leader is about to do and act upon that. However, the key for leaders and followers, even in the beginning, is to slow down and feel what is going on. Just the act of being conscious about your movement can help you grow as a dancer by leaps and bounds. Knowing what your body is doing is a key step towards making it do what you want! 

How do you do that? It does take time, and quite honestly until you've got a few months of dancing under your belt, it's pretty much impossible. Once you've got the hang of the basics and can make it through a song with minimal thought, try this: Dance to a song (or more!) and keep the patterns simple. Focus on what you are feeling in your body. Feel your feet. Feel your arm lift and how your partner responds. Followers, feel his movement, and notice if you are in sync. Is it too fast? Slowing your body down also calms your mind, so you can focus solely on musicality and feeling the movement.

If you can develop this skill, it will go a long way to aid in your learning experience and make dancing even more fun and relaxed! Good luck!