Be more loose?

Question

When I dance I'm so stiff, what can I do to be more loose and make my moves flow, also what else can I do to become a better dancer?

But my biggest problem is staying on beat and being too stiff.

I'm in a dance class at school, it's not that I can't dance but I'm just not loose on all my moves.

Answer 1

I am very self conscience and when I dance I look like Frankenstein with spasms ( grin)

I "warm up" before a dance alone and in front of a mirror. I won't ever be on dancing with the stars, but at least I can smooth it out a little.

My wife suggests dancing lessons to build self confidence ... I think that's a good idea

Answer 2

There are three things you can do to make this better.

1. Relax and enjoy yourself.
2. Breathe
3. Practice, practice, practice...

If you consentrate on enjoying yourself rather than how you look, you mind won't be preoccupied so it will be easier to concentrate on the music and how it relates to your movements.

When you breathe you will naturally relax. When you are nervous, you will sometimes take more shallow breaths, and unfortunately, it can contribute to a bad cycle making you even more nervous. So, take a deep breath and go for it! After a while, you may even notice that you start breathing with the music, and (voila!) you are looser and on the beat. If you are having trouble relaxing, focus on just one thing - such as breathing, and see if that helps. (Later you can choose to focus on other things such as weight changes and specific movements.)

Practice at home dancing to your radio or your own music. Have fun doing this and then bring it to the dance floor later. It will build up your confidence as well as your dance skills.

I think it might also help you to know that Frankie Manning (a very well known swing dancer who was in several movies and traveled the world dancing) was once told by his mother that he was "too stiff" to be a dancer. By the way, he is 93 years old now and still travels the world teaching people how to dance.

Answer 3

Here is an unexpected approach. Do this at home. 1) Exaggerate every move as much as you can. So what if you look funny - noone can see it. 2) Who is your favorite dancer? How would she dance the same moves? Imagine that. Pretend that you dance like she. It is still OK to exaggerate. Then go back to the dance class and dance normally. You will feel and look different.

Answer 4

try one day just puting on some music and just listening to it. after listeing to it try moving to the music.. this helps in becoming more of a loose and carefree dancer...also in a way of not being stiff try not thinkin to much of dancing.like dont concentatrate so much on ur moves..dance because u enjoy it not cause u have too.

Answer 5

stretching- being more flexible is a good aid in relieving stiffness

also look into yoga and pilates- even videos you can watch and participate in make movement more "flowing"