4 Great Ways to Learn to Dance

Dancing is something that many people enjoy not only as a recreational pursuit but also as an integral part of their fitness routine. Dance is a great way to keep your body in shape without feeling as though you are somehow being punished for enjoying that extra scoop of ice cream on your cone. At the same time, dance is also something that many people simply find enjoyable. As with most things in life though, there are often right and wrong ways in which you can make most dance moves and some of them might not be as good for you as they think. For this reason you really do need to seek qualified instructions. Below you will find four different methods in which you can get the instruction you need to dance your heart out.

Private Dance Instruction

If you are in a financial situation that allows for this then this is the ideal option. With private lessons you will have one on one instruction and the direct attention of the instructor. Private lessons provide the absolute most bang for your buck and will provide the most immediate pay off for your efforts as you will move at your own pace and will not have to wait on other students to catch up or feel left behind by students who have a higher beginning level of skill.

Private lessons also provide the opportunity to address specific needs and problem areas when it comes to your dancing. This means you will learn the right way from the beginning, provided you went with a reputable instructor who is very knowledgeable. The benefits of private instruction are really amazing when compared to some of the other available methods of learning to dance.

Formal Group Dance Lessons

You can sign up for group dance lessons at almost any age. There are very few requirements and classes are offered for many different experience levels as well. If you are an utter novice there will be classes that will teach you the basics and get you started on your way. There are also classes that are designed to teach advanced students more difficult footwork and techniques. Some people thrive in these sorts of classes because there is some degree of competitiveness involved. Friendly competition is often a great motivator for success. Others however, feel somewhat left behind or unchallenged in these sorts of classes and would do better with a different form of instruction.

Informal Group Dance Instruction

This is the type of instruction you will often find prior to dances in local dance halls and nightclubs. The atmosphere is very informal and the goal is to give a basic primer. This sort of instruction will prepare to you to execute a few very basic moves and very little else. This is very popular in areas where line dancing is common to teach patrons how the moves involved in specific dances. This type of instruction is not recommended for those who want a serious amount of instruction when it comes to dance but for those who have a fleeting interest and only want to learn a couple of dances for fun on a night out, this is ideal.

Video Dance Instruction

Believe it or not, many would be dancers are petrified at the very thought of someone watching as they attempt to learn the moves required for the dances they wish to execute. We live in a world of perfectionists however and if you happen to be a perfectionist, then video dance lessons may be the perfect bet for your needs and wishes. You will find a wide selection of these video lessons online if you are willing to look. You will even find many that are designed to teach dance for the sole purpose of fitness while others teach dance for the sole purpose of fun.

The direction you take when it comes to learning to dance is entirely up to you. The many different types of classes offer appeal to the many different types of people in the world today. If one type of class worked for everyone wishing to take classes then there would be no need for the different types of dance classes. The truth is that not everyone learns best in the same situation. Select the learning method that you feel will be best for you and start learning to dance today.

First Date Dos and Don’ts

Did you finally get around to asking that girl you have been eyeing on a date?  If so, when is the big day?  What do you have planned?  If you have yet to have your date or even start planning it, continue reading on for a helpful list of first date dos and don’ts.

DO pay for the date.  You asked; therefore, you should pay.  If the relationship grows and results in more dates, then consider alternating payment or splitting the bill, but for the first date, you should pay.  As for why this tops the list, it may require a little bit of savings on your part.  If you are a teenager with limited cash flow or if you opt for a fancy restaurant, you need to prepare ahead of time.

DON’T pour on the cologne.  Unfortunately, many guys think the more the cologne the better.  This isn’t true!  Only splash a dap of cologne on you.  Even girls who don’t have allergies will have reactions to strong cologne or too much of it.  So don’t ruin your date; don’t cover yourself in it.

DO wear something nice.  What you wear should depend on what type of date you plan.  For example, a long hike and a picnic may call for sport pants, but leave them at home if you opt for the movies.  Always wear clean clothes, but make sure you are comfortable.

DON’T go overdressed.  As stated above, you want to look nice for your upcoming date, but don’t overdo it.  By overdressing, both you and your date will feel uncomfortable.  If you opt for a movie, a pair of nice jeans, kaki pants, and a clean shirt will do.  Unless you take your date to an elegant restaurant, leave the prom gear and eveningwear at home.

DO think of topics to discuss ahead of time.  First dates are awkward.  If you don’t really know the girl, you may wonder which topics are okay to discuss on a first date.  If you do know the girl, you may be at a loss for words because well you already know her.  For that reason, think of topics to discuss in advance.  Popular news stories, movies, and sports are good topics.
DON’T apply too much pressure on yourself.  As previously stated, first dates are awkward.  Rarely are they 100% perfect.  There will be some weird and slightly embarrassing moments, no matter how hard you try.  For that reason, don’t apply too much pressure on yourself.  In fact, just be yourself.

DO be yourself.  One of the reasons why first dates are awkward is because most of us try too hard to impress the one we are with.  Of course, you want to go out of your way to be polite, but that is about it.  If you aren’t known for holding doors open for women or saying please and thank you, do it.  Being polite and showing respect is vital to a successful first date, but other than that just be yourself.

DON’T be late.  Whether you pick your date up or meet her at the destination, do not be late.  In fact, be early.  Making your date wait is the quickest way to ruin a first date, as well as a potential long-term relationship.

DO have fun.  Whether you are 16 years old or 46 years old, it is common to be nervous about a date.  You should take the time to plan and prepare for your date, by thinking of topics to discuss and making sure you have enough money to foot the bill, but don’t let it consume you.  On your date, remember to be yourself, let loose, and have fun.

DON’T apply pressure for a second date.  At the end of your date, you may have had a good time, but that does not mean your date did.  If you want a second date, ask, but don’t apply too much pressure.  Tell your date you had a lot of fun and that you would like to do it again.  Make sure she has your phone number and put the ball in their court.  Let her call if she is interested in a second date.

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Beginner’s Guide to Coin Collecting

Coin collecting is a hobby that is extremely popular among a lot of people. Whatever the age of the person is, collecting coins has its benefits. In most cases, coin collections gravitate on two things. For children, they tend to collect coins that look pretty
or unusual. However, for adults, their coin collections will tend to gravitate towards the value of it rather than the looks.

People have different ways to acquire their collection. Some will just collect any coin that they stumble upon, while there are people who buy in bulk and eagerly anticipate limited mint edition of coins. Whatever your methods are, there may be some questions that you may want to ask about this particular hobby.

The first would be about handling the coin collection. As a beginner, you must understand that you should handle the coins as little as possible. The fact that fingerprints on an uncirculated coin can dramatically cut the value of the coin, you must never handle the coin at all. However, if you do need to handle the coin, do so from the edge and never on the face of the coin.

If you need to lay the coin down, it is important to use a velvet pad if it is available. But, if none is available, a soft and clean cloth will do. If you are going to handle coins that are extremely high in value, you must do so with surgical gloves and protective face mask.

Most people will also tend to ask how to keep their coin collections clean.

Basically, you don’t really need to clean your coin collection. In fact, you shouldn’t even think about cleaning them at all. Most collectors look for the authenticity of the coin rather than its shiny newness. Even if you wipe the coin clean with clean, soft, and lint-free rag, it will leave hair line scratches on the coin which will greatly reduce its value. So, cleaning a coin collection is never really an option.

Storage is also another question that you may have about coin collecting. Basically, the goal in storing your coin collection is to protect it from temperature extremes and humidity. Also, you may want to protect your coin collection from dust, dirt, chemicals, and even fingerprints. So dehumidifying equipments will be needed as well as locking the storage as airtight as
possible.

In most cases, low value coins are kept in almost any container and can be handled any way you like. However, when you are dealing with high value coins, you will need to give it extra attention. The goal here is to provide a container that will preserve the coin’s condition. Make the container as airtight as possible, and the container should also be able to display the coin in order for you to never need to take out the coin from the container.

Uncirculated coins are very much valued by collectors. However, if you really want a valuable coin collection, go for rare ones if you can afford to have it. Learning about grading coins can also help you to determine the true value of a particular coin.

So, if you want to start your very own coin collections, you may want to keep these things in mind. With these tips, you can be sure that you will be able to know how to handle your collection and also help in appraising its value. Always remember that this hobby is not just fun, but is also a good investment.

I Hope You Dance

There are many things in life we can do to show emotions and let others know how we feel. Some people sing, some people write poetry and prose, some retreat within themselves and hold it all inside. Others dance. Dance has for centuries been a way to express a wide range of emotions. It is an excellent outlet for the emotions that at times our minds simply cannot process. Dancing is a method in which you can work through those emotions and to some degree move on with your life in spite of emotional upheaval.

Believe it or not, many people believe that belly dancing (or Oriental Dance) brings not only emotional healing but also physical healing for some conditions. Dance is well known as a form of exercise but belly dancing is a type of dancing that is body friendly. This means that you do not need to be in the best of physical shape to enter into this sort of dancing. You will not have to worry about stress on your joints due to high impact moves that other forms of dance require. You should also note that the movements in oriental dance these moves are smooth and natural.

Among the health benefits you can experience through Oriental Dance are improved circulation, lower blood pressure, improved joint health, and the burning of calories. Some believe that in addition to the health  benefits mentioned above that Oriental Dance can also help improve whiplash symptoms and back problems. If you are considering belly dancing to address these sorts of symptoms you really should consult with your doctor before doing so and make sure that you have a highly qualified instructor.

When it comes to Oriental Dance, physical healing isn't the only sort of healing that is often experienced. Many dancers also find themselves letting go of the stress and tension in their lives as well as some quite traumatic issues that have been in their past that may continue haunting them long after. For this reason, Oriental Dance is sometimes recommended for treatments of emotional issues as well as physical ailments.

There are vides such as Healing Dance that will allow you to learn some of the basic moves at home. However, if you have the resources within your community there is really nothing that can replace taking dance lessons with a group of women. You will find that these women come in all shapes and sizes and from all sorts of financial, physical, and spiritual backgrounds. It's a solidifying experience to join with other women for the sake of physical and/or emotional healing such as an Oriental Dance class will provide.

In addition to the Oriental healing dance there is also the African healing dance. This is a little more high impact in nature and focuses on healing through expressions of joy. This is a very uplifting form of dance and one well worth considering if you would like to focus on feeling happy and energetic and renewing your joy for living but prefer something that offers a little more impact than the Oriental style of Dance for healing.

There are also healing water dances or hydrotherapy that are often used in helping people with specific injuries. These sessions are low impact though there is some degree of resistance offered through the water for great results. You should make certain however that if you are considering this sort of dance you have a qualified instructor and if possible one on one attention.

For many common ailments, there is a good chance that some form of dance exists that could aid you in recovering from your ailment. Additionally, there are often classes offered for groups in your area. If you are considering learning to dance in order to improve your quality of life or just your enjoyment of life in general, I for one hope you dance.