Easy Ways to Practice Ballroom Dance in Minutes

Practice makes perfect - we've all heard that before. But who has the time to devote additional hours of practice into their busy lives? A better saying: Practice makes permanent.

Here are some quick and easy ways to slide in minutes of practice into your daily routine. And all of these ideas can be done without a partner. There are many components of ballroom dance that when practiced on your own will make you better when you dance with a partner. So why not practice your dancing as you go about your day?!

• Walking to or from your car - be aware of your posture.
• While cooking or doing the dishes - your kitchen has a great floor to dance on! Waiting for the water to boil or for the microwave to ding can become your favorite part of your day. (If you need help with balance, hold onto your oven handle.)
  • Box steps
  • Latin motion
  • Rise and Fall
  • Rhythm dance basics - Cha Cha, Swing, Push Pull, Mambo, Salsa
  • Samba pulse
• Walking down a hallway can be time to practice Foxtrot or Tango basics.
• Television time can be educational (for your dancing). Use the 2 minutes and 20 seconds of commercial breaks to practice a few moves.
• Brush your teeth and move your hips. Latin motion practice spices up this daily routine. Just don't attempt while flossing.
• In the car - Place your rear view mirror at an angle so you have to sit up straight to look into it. Adjust your seat so are not slouching at the wheel. Listen to music and try to figure out what dance to do. If you have a fellow dancer in the car, quiz each other. If you are learning timing, listen to the beats of music instead of the words. Try to count, 1, 2, 3, 4 or chant your quicks and slows.
• At the grocery store (My favorite place to practice. It makes this weekly errand fun and if your children are with you, they will think you're hilarious!)
  • Foxtrot, Tango or Rumba forward walk your way through the aisles. Use the cart for balance. Go to your own beat or dance to the Muzak played on the loudspeaker.
  • For the adventurous - this one gets the laughs from the kids - practice arm styling as you reach for your favorite item on the top shelf.

I hope this helps you squeeze a few minutes of dance into every day.