‘Dance’ Category

  1. Dancing is like Speaking

    March 26, 2024 by Joo-Lee

    One thing I’ve found when people are learning to partner dance is they want to do everything amazingly well straight away. They’ve seen the performances on ‘Strictly’ and the brilliant dancers on YouTube who make it look so effortless, and they want to fast forward to dancing like that.

    Everyone thinks about the process of learning to dance very differently. For me, I think of the learning of dance as being exactly the same as learning language and communication skills. When you’re little, you don’t go from not being able to talk to suddenly having clever conversations. You start with the basics and then you advance over time; first you have to master the alphabet, then you form words, then basic sentences, and eventually, you master the clever conversations.

    Start with the building blocks-learn the alphabet

    So for example when a brand new beginner comes to learn to partner dance, we would normally teach them the alphabet; those basic moves and steps like the rock step, walking, or swinging your arms. Just like when learning to talk, before we put words or sentences together and learn higher level skills, we need to learn the basic foundations.

    Don’t expect to run (or dance) before you can walk-form the words 

    When our dancers are right at the beginning of their dance journey, we encourage them to manage their expectations. It’s important that they don’t expect to be able to lead and follow or display those higher level skills just yet. Using the learning to talk analogy, when we learn the alphabet, it doesn’t teach us how to have a coherent conversation or join words together. We need to practise the alphabet then eventually form words. So when learning to partner dance, you need to practise the basics on your own, whenever you get the chance. Repetition and patience is the key.

    Forget the clever conversations-begin with short sentences

    If you’re doing a 6-week Lindy Jazz course, by week 3 you might be at the point where a few moves are coming together. But we will always encourage you not to stray from getting the basics right and expecting to master higher level skills too soon. This is the same as expecting to go from learning a few words here and there to having a clever conversation. This puts far too much pressure on you way too soon and it can take the fun out of learning to dance. Be patient; the clever conversations will come. Focus on mastering the basics, repetition, and having fun. The clever bits will come in time.

    Dance is not performance, it’s communication

    That’s why we run the 6-week courses. Sometimes when people drop into a single class as a one-off, they expect to be able to master things straight away. Others may see dance as merely a performance, like an actor learning a new language so they can perform in a French play. This is because we see so much dance on social media and television, it’s easy to think that learning to dance is a means to an end. The end goal being a performance.

    Here at Lindy Jazz, we think of dance as learning a skill and using that skill to communicate.  We don’t teach our dancers to memorise choreography, we teach them the alphabet, the words, the sentences, and the structure so they have the freedom to express themselves and communicate with those who are on the same wavelength and speak the same language.

    Learn to speak the language of dance-the right way

    You can’t learn a language by reading a book or watching videos. You have to speak it and be immersed in it. That’s why we create a friendly and relaxing environment for everyone to learn a few dance steps, stumble, feel uncoordinated, and make mistakes along the way. Just like when you’re learning a language. It takes time to be fluent, and mistakes and feedback are all part of the learning process.

    So book a place on our next 6-week course and learn the language of dance the right way. Join us for fun, relaxing, and enjoyable experience that will help you build some solid foundations for the next steps on your dance journey.


  2. How Do The Lindy Jazz Courses Work?

    September 30, 2023 by Joo-Lee

    We’d like to thank Vivienne, one our Lindy Jazz members for her views on how it all works!

    Is everyone in the class really good already?
    When I was a beginner, my main goal was simply to learn to swing dance to fabulous music. I wasn’t concerned about whether others were better dancers than me—I just wanted to gather the courage to go on my own. It was a personal achievement I aimed for, and thanks to Joo-Lee, Andy, and my fellow dancers, I felt incredibly welcome.

    Will I be the oldest or the slowest in the class?
    Personally, I didn’t worry about the age of my fellow dancers. When I first attended, the class had a diverse range of ages, so I never felt uncomfortable.

    How long does it take to be able to dance?
    There isn’t an exact timeframe for this. We learn foundational steps that serve as building blocks for more complex routines and moves. Personal attitude plays a role too—learning to relax, not being too critical of yourself if things don’t go perfectly, and embracing the freedom to express your own personality through dance. With Joo-Lee and Andy, there’s no pressure to get it right immediately. Dancing is an exciting, ongoing journey.

    Are the Lindy Jazz courses suitable for beginners?
    Absolutely! Lindy Jazz courses are specifically designed for beginners. The learning pace is relaxed, breaking down everything from basic steps to counting beats, rhythm, and the unique style of Lindy Jazz. Supportive videos recap the steps, and Joo-Lee and Andy are excellent, approachable teachers who are always happy to help with any dance-related questions.

    If I can’t attend every class in the course, will I fall behind or miss out?
    Not at all! We provide recap videos via an online link that you automatically gain access to when you start the course. Additionally, there’s a Messenger group where you can watch videos or share supportive messages with other dancers. You’ll also receive emails about upcoming workshops and social events, ensuring you stay connected even if you miss a class.

    Learn to swing dance with Lindy Jazz courses. Easy basics for beginners and exciting moves for experienced dancers.

    Sign up here to receive occasional emails from Lindy Jazz with updates and upcoming courses.


  3. Mind the Gap!

    July 19, 2023 by Joo-Lee

    If someone asked you, ‘how long have you been dancing?’, what would you say?

    For me, it’s not an easy question to answer! I started dancing 30 years ago, but I didn’t dance consistently. But thanks to a local council that organised an incredible week-long dance summer school in 1993, I had the chance to learn to Lindy Hop. There began a wonderful journey that exploded my social life and helped me discover the joy of learning a fascinating skill.

    From Botching Ballet to Loving Lindy Hop

    It’s not conventional in the Lindy Hop community to issue certificates, so I am particularly pleased to have this certificate presented by Sedgefield District as it marks an important moment in my life!

    When I started out on my dance journey, I had no dance experience at all, except for a couple of years of trying ballet back when I was a child, and discovering that it definitely was not my forte!

    Ballet was not my forte!

    So when the opportunity came along to try the Lindy Hop at a local summer dance school, I jumped in with both feet. Not least because it was being taught by the world famous teachers from the London based company, the Jiving Lindy Hoppers.

    It was an exhilarating experience learning to dance the Charleston and Lindy Hop from 9-5 every day for a week. I will always remember this experience of living and breathing dance, and being completely immersed in the art.

    That summer school reignited my passion again for all things dance and over the next 4 years, I tried out every social dance style available. But it was Lindy Hop, an incredibly social dance that influenced later dances like jive, that really captured my heart and led to an explosion in my social life.

    The Gaps in My Learning

    In 1999, in the days before virtual classes,  I started following the Lindy Hop dance scene around the world in an attempt to learn to dance with flair and confidence, but my learning was haphazard. I’d go to a one-week dance camp in Sweden and have no dance class or anyone to practise with when I got home. Or I’d attend a one-off class in London or Edinburgh when I could take time out.

    So for about 10 years, I stumbled my way through social dance events, feeling that I didn’t have the confidence I should have for someone who was so passionate about the dance.

    But one day, I realised that I hadn’t had 10 years of consistent or progressive lessons, feedback to check on my unhelpful habits, or the opportunity to social dance or practise with a local scene. All the things I would have gotten if I’d attended great swing dance classes consistently.

    So how did I fill these gaps in my learning and become the confident social dancer I am today?

    The Basics aren’t Boring!

    I spent time building strong foundations, working on my basic moves and seeking private tuition from patient and knowledgeable teachers. Don’t be fooled into thinking that the basics are boring and aren’t ‘fancy’ enough. When learning to dance, many people are often impatient to build skills and they just want to fast forward to the stylish or complicated moves. But learning to dance well is about substance, not just style. If you have good foundations, fancy moves can easily be learned so much more quickly.

    Learn the Tools You Need to Dance with Confidence

    I had gaps in my learning so it took me a while to build confidence. But now I’ve developed a proven system to teach the foundations of the Lindy Hop to anyone who wants to dance with confidence and flair.

    Whether you are completely new to dancing or an experienced dancer who is feeling stuck or just can’t quite master something, my system can give you a clearer understand of technique and fill those gaps in your learning.

    In our Lindy Hop classes in Durham, we specialise in teaching those all-important foundations skills, because we believe that anyone who wants to experience the joy of dance shouldn’t be held back by gaps in their skills.

    Are you ready to learn the tools you need to dance with confidence?

    Here’s a free online course to get you started.

    Like what you’ve seen? Check out our next Lindy Hop course starting 13th September.

    Great dancing starts with good foundations.


  4. Have You Got 5 Minutes?

    October 7, 2022 by Joo-Lee

    It’s that time of year again, the nights are drawing in and Strictly Come Dancing is back on Saturday nights. Of course, I love watching it for entertainment, but it’s very interesting to watch it from a dance teacher’s point of view too.

    In Week 1, head judge Shirley Ballas had this to say to every contestant / celebrity:

    “The work is about to start! Work ethic is key. Pay attention to your teacher. And when you’ve done a long day, do some more. And the more practice you do, the better you will become.”

    Is Learning to Dance All About Hard Work?

    Learning to social dance is not the same as learning intensively in a short space of time for a reality TV contest or competition. Anyone watching Strictly might worry about how hard learning to dance might be. Or it might have the opposite effect. People who learn to dance for social reasons might think ‘well I’m not aiming to be on a show, so I don’t need to practise.’

    Well yes you can take small steps towards learning the moves by just turning up. But if you want to get a real buzz and a huge amount of joy from your dancing, it’s about more than just turning up.

    Bring an Attitude of Fun

    Shirley Ballas is right when she talks about hard work being the key to becoming a great dancer. But I think that getting the most from your swing dance classes is about prioritising fun.

    Is it fun learning to swing dance at Lindy Jazz? Yes! However, hard work is optional. It depends on how far you want to take your dancing. That’s the beauty of it, you choose your own journey!

    Always start with an attitude of fun, that is very important. The next layer of the foundation is PRACTICE. This does not mean you have to practice for hours on end every single day with a view to performing in front of millions every Saturday night like the contestants on Strictly. Though If you can set aside five minutes a day to practice, this will make a huge difference to your dancing progress.

    Have You Got 5 Minutes?

    Class members often tell me that they can’t remember what they’ve learnt in class. After a busy week of work and family commitments, and not a single minute of dance practice included in their busy schedule, that is no surprise.

    If you can find just 5 minutes per day to practice, the improvement in your confidence will be significant. That means you’ll arrive for week 2 ready to move your feet then when you learn about moving your arms in week 3, it will all feel so much easier!

    So an attitude of fun is desirable and hard work is optional, but practice is THE must do to get the most out of your Lindy Hop Classes.

    Why not take a small step to fitting more practice in to your schedule? Look at your diary, schedule in a 5-minute slot each day, and login to our online videos which are specially recorded to help you enjoy your practice.

    And as they say on Strictly, ‘Keep Dancing!’


    Want to join the next Lindy Hop course which includes practice videos and lesson recaps? Read more.


  5. Lindy Hop is a Skill

    July 1, 2022 by Joo-Lee

    Lindy Hop is a Skill

    Lindy Hop is a skill and just like with any skill, the more you practise the better you get.  You might find this hard to believe at first. When you first attempt to put the moves together, you may feel a little uncoordinated, not unlike Bambi on ice! But I promise that you will get better and better over time. We got so much better over time and you can too!

    Putting together your rock step, triple steps, groove walks, arm swing, turns, and partner connection is a SKILL. And that means you’re not going to master it overnight. But you will master it over 6 weeks if you follow our courses step by step. Be patient and embrace the process, it just takes time. Our course members all tell us that the 6 weeks seem to fly by as they’re having so much fun. After all, fun is what dancing should be all about!

    We don’t just get you to copy us in class and leave you feeling confused. We teach you the skills you need and we answer all your questions to help you get clear on the Swing Out so that you can dance with style and confidence.

    At last you can stop fudging your way through these exciting Lindy Hop moves!

    If you expect to be able to acquire a bunch of moves or ‘fast track’ to becoming a great dancer after just one class then this course is probably not for you.

    Mastery comes from action, repetition, and practice over time. Sometimes, people don’t like to hear this, but it’s true. So the question is, is this something you want to do?

    If you can find the time to attend weekly classes (or catch up online) over the next 6 weeks, then this course is for you!

    Are you ready to learn a new skill and experience the joy of Swing Dance?

    Check out our next course: Click here for details.


  6. What to Expect On Your Lindy Jazz Course

    June 16, 2022 by Joo-Lee

    So you’ve signed up to a Lindy Jazz course and you’re really excited to get started. Or maybe you’re a little nervous, which is completely natural. What often helps get rid of the nerves and helps you feel prepared for your first live class is knowing what you need to know beforehand.

    I’ve put together this blog as a ‘what to expect’ guide for everyone (beginner or experienced dancer) who enrols on one of our courses.

    Before You Get Started

    You don’t need any dance experience to join this course. However, you do need the following;

    Good health– Just like you wouldn’t want to go for a run or go the gym when you don’t feel 100%, don’t attend class if you’re unwell. Rest up and come back when you’ve recovered.

    Good mood– Sometimes you’ll be coming to class after a stressful day or getting stuck in traffic. Take a few moments to centre yourself and prepare your mood and mindset before you start dancing.

    A lot of patience– Be patient with yourself if things don’t go the way they should. Be patient with your teachers if something doesn’t make sense. Be patient with other class members if they are not on the same wavelength as yourself. Things don’t always click straight away, but you’ll find that they will fall into place gradually over the course of the 6 weeks.

    Good hygiene– Wear a fresh top / shirt for class and sanitise your hands before dancing. This keeps things hygienic, safe, and pleasant for everyone.

    Try to Find Time to Practise

    You’ll get online videos that you can practise along to in between lessons but this is not compulsory. I do encourage people to try and find 5 minutes a day to practise so they remember the moves more easily.

    But if you don’t have time to practise, don’t beat yourself up about it.  Just turn up to class with an open mind and a relaxed mood. This will help you to take in the information more easily. Worrying or ruminating on the fact that you haven’t practised can slow down your learning and stop you from taking things in.

    Different People, Different Levels

    Everyone’s dance experience is different so don’t compare yourself with others in the class. Everyone learns differently, so you may find that some of the lesson material suits you but it doesn’t suit others. All we ask is that you be patient with others if things aren’t quite clicking for them, just as you would expect them to be patient with you.

    On the other hand, if it’s you that’s new to dancing or new to the topic, don’t try to keep up with others if they’re doing something fast or fancy. Just focus on what you’re doing, do what you can, and follow the teachers’ instructions. Don’t ask your dance partner for advice during the lesson as you both might end up missing something important.

    What If I’m an Experienced Dancer?

    If you’re an experienced dancer, it’s important to keep your mind open to learning. Don’t assume that your muscle memory is 100% consistent. You may have come across some of the concepts before, but working on your foundational skills will prevent you from forgetting them as you advance.

    Everyone may have different levels of dance experience but we all have the same goal, which is to have fun learning to dance. So relax and enjoy, and let the teachers take care of you.

    Keeping Things Safe

    For this course (June 2022), we are asking everyone who comes to a class in the hall to do a Lateral Flow Test on the day of the class and to share your results in the Messenger chat or via email at joolee@lindy-jazz.co.uk

    Dance Class Etiquette

    There are some simple social dancing rules of conduct to remember to keep things flowing and pleasant for everyone.

    • Before dancing with someone new, introduce yourself;
    • At the end of a dance or a practice, say ‘thank you’ or ‘high five’ your partner before moving on;
    • We all dance with each other as this is a social dance. However if you prefer to stay with your partner and not dance with others, we encourage you to smile and say ‘hello’ when others move past you to change partners.

    The Lindy Jazz Course- Summary

    • You don’t need any previous dance experience to join this course;
    • Everything will be explained from the beginning;
    • If you forget something, you can check the videos in between class;
    • If you don’t understand something, you can ask in class, pop a query in the Messenger chat or email info@lindy-jazz.co.uk.

    How Can I Progress My Dancing?

    After each 45 minute live class, you can stay to watch or try out the Advanced Class to see if this might be for you in the future.

    I hope this blog has told you everything you need to know, but if you have any more questions, we’d be happy to answer them. Just drop us a line at info@lindy-jazz.co.uk.


  7. Am I Turning the Right Way?

    June 14, 2022 by Joo-Lee

    Our members often share videos of themselves dancing so they can get individual feedback. What’s great is if they pop the videos in the group chat, along with any questions they have, the feedback can benefit everyone.

    Asking the Right Questions

    One of the most common questions we get is about the direction for turning.

    “Am I supposed to turn  clockwise or anti-clockwise?”

    That is a closed question, which means I have only 2 options; clockwise or anti-clockwise. Neither would be a good answer.

    I would always say if you want a better answer, ask open questions like;

    “How should I turn?” Or,

    “What is your feedback for me regarding my turning?”

    This opens up more options for a better answer.

    Focus on Rhythm, Not Direction

    We all tend to ask questions according to our own focus because we are so influenced by what we think is important. For example, if you think that everything should be uniform, you might ask, “For the sake of uniformity, should I turn clockwise?”, but the focus is not necessarily about uniformity in terms of steps.

    Our focus is usually about rhythm. The reason we sometimes turn in a different direction or get confused is not because of steps. It’s because if the rhythm is slightly off this can result in our weight being shifted onto the other foot and we then turn in the other direction.

    Remember, Lindy Hop is mainly about rhythm. If your rhythm is a little inaccurate or if you are slightly ahead or behind the beat you may feel confused. Then it’s tempting to think that it’s all to do with the direction of the turn when it’s really about the rhythm.

    If Your Rhythm is Off, So is Everything Else

    So bear in mind, it’s not always to do with which foot or which direction. It’s more to do with our basic understanding of rhythm. So in you are ahead or behind the beat, you may end up on the wrong foot and this may cause you to turn in a different direction.

    So what should you do? Check your rhythm and focus on the rhythm. Keep bouncing, keep counting, and everything else will come!


  8. Why Do People Want to Learn Fast?

    June 9, 2022 by Joo-Lee

    Why the Secret to Being a Great Dancer is Slowing Down

    We used to run workshops called Fastrack workshops, which were designed to transform people from okay dancers to amazing swing dancers in a short amount of time. Well, in theory, anyway. We soon realised that encouraging people to learn fast wasn’t turning them into the confident accomplished dancers they wanted to be. In fact, it often had the opposite effect.

    Why Do People Want to Learn Fast?

    It’s usually because they are short on time and they want to ‘get things done’ quickly. They want to take the shortcuts and tend to need instant assurance that they are going to be able to dance well, instead of taking small steps in each lesson.

    Not taking the time to learn the essentials and build a good foundation can become your main obstacle to becoming a confident dancer.

    The Problem with Wanting to Learn Fast

    It takes time to acquire skills but it’s always time well spent. When you learn fast, you tend to ignore and bypass a lot of the essentials; from the need for building a good foundation to the need for repetition and regular practice.

    When you try to rush learning how to dance, it’s a bit like painting by numbers. Yes, you’ll have a picture at the end, but you won’t have learned any skills. You won’t know how to use light and shade, or make a painting come to life. None of that impressive artistic stuff.

    Like with learning anything, it’s about taking the time to enjoy the process. When you’re in a dance class, it’s the taking the time to enjoy every moment that will help you become a more confident and stylish dancer. While the process will take longer, it will be much more joyful and fruitful. Dancing should be something for you to lose yourself in and enjoy, not just another thing to ‘get done.’

    Build Skills That Last

    When you start a new dance course, how do you feel at the start? Anxious? Excited? Confused?

    Do you feel anxious because you don’t know whether you’ll be able to learn well?

    Well I want you to believe in yourself and realise that you don’t need to do know everything right from the beginning.

    Often, I’ll start teaching one of our 6 week courses and I’ll notice that at the start of the six weeks, many of the participants are anxious. But by the middle of the course, they are really getting into it, and by week five, they are extremely happy!

    Just start as you mean to go on; be happy and open-minded instead of anxious and see what a difference it makes to your experience, and your dancing!

    Want to experience the REAL joy of dance, without the rush rush rush?

    Join our next 6 week course here.


  9. Don’t Let The Triple Step Pass You By

    October 16, 2021 by Joo-Lee

    Our Social Dance courses will help you to improve and sharpen your pass-by technique, to let you perform the move more clearly and easily. If you are an experienced dancer who is familiar with the pass-by, it will pay dividends to work the finer details of pass-by technique, as this will help prepare us for the ultimate Lindy Hop move – the Swingout.

    The pass-by and the Swingout combine many movement elements and many many layers of rhythm – so I’d love you to take this opportunity to enjoy each mini move and each little element to solidify your core technique, rather than rush ahead now, and then have to fix your pass-by or Swingout later on.

    One of the most important aspects about being a good partner is to have good rhythm. We connect with our partners in different ways, so when people say “I want to connect with my partner”,or “I want to have better connection from my partner”, “How do I connect with an advanced leader”, or “I want better connection when I’m leading”, I’d say that you need to start with yourself and focus on developing your own technique. Your ability to stretch will connect you but your rhythm is key. If your rhythmic accuracy is off, then no amount of good stretch will make it work.

    So to help you improve, I’d like you to practise your Triple Steps by watching short 20 second videos of your feet. Check whether you’re dancing flat-footed or are you rolling through your feet. Check whether your ankles are flexing a little rather than looking stiff. Check if you have enough of a bounce. Check if your arms are swinging from your shoulders or if your arms are still and your hands are gripping. All these habits will affect your Triple Steps.

    By thinking about the techniques when practising and by repeatedly training your body to develop good habits, you will be able to enjoy dancing without over-thinking, even when you are combining exciting moves and rhythms on the fly. Come & join us!

    Check out the course details here.


  10. Get Ready to Social Dance Again

    August 5, 2021 by Joo-Lee

    Shim Sham, Tranky Doo
    Lindy Jazz Dancers dancing together in the hall after months of practice on Zoom

    As a Lindy Hop dancer, you’ll know that the absolute best things about coming to classes are meeting other people and dancing with different partners in a warm and wonderful social environment.

    But how do you do that in a world where we still feel unsure about giving people a hug?

    Covid rates are still high, so that means it’s not yet safe to dance in the sociable way that we used to.

    However, that doesn’t mean that we can’t use this time to prepare for when we can social dance and dance with partners again.

    You see, many people think that social dancing is about dancing in close contact or it’s only possible if you dance in pairs.

    But really, social dancing can be whatever you want it to be.

    Want to dance with friends, old and new?

    It’s the perfect chance to have fun and see your friends.

    Don’t feel safe being in close contact right now?

    You don’t need to be. You can dance Lindy Hop solo, in pairs, or in groups of 3, 4, 5, or more.

    Hopefully, very soon, we’ll all be partner dancing again, but for now, why not work on your skills so you feel confident when the time comes?

    First, there’s something I need you to know.

    Learning partner dancing skills does not require you to:

    • Have a dance partner or have close contact with anyone;
    • Lead and/or follow a partner;

    Confused? Don’t be!

    The most effective ways to hone your partner dancing skills are:

    Mastering your own movement

    If you’re not in control of your own movement and coordination, this affects your dance partner.

    Improving your dance vocabulary

    This means learning as many moves as you can BEFORE you partner up. That way, you’ll have the confidence to dance with dancers of different levels when social dancing is back again.

    Improving your leading and following skills

    If you have a partner, you can dance with them in hold, as we all did before the pandemic. If you don’t have a partner, this can be done with ‘shadow dancing,’ where no physical contact is needed. Often, dancers over-rely on physical contact to help them lead or follow and this can affect the flow of the dance.

    Do you want to be confident with all of this and more?

    Get yourself back into the swing of things for the social dancing comeback with our next course which starts 7th September.

    The course is designed to get you feeling confident enough to enjoy social dance events again.

    Don’t let fear or a lack of confidence stop you from doing what you love.

    Learn new moves, rewind and re-learn the moves that you used to know, and learn to lead and follow with confidence.

    Your next social dance event awaits.

    What are you waiting for?

    Click here to see the course details.

    • 6-week course – Tuesdays 7 September – 19 October 19:30 on Zoom
    • 6-week course – Wednesdays 8 September – 20 October 19:30 at St Aidan’s Church Hall, Durham DH1 5BL
    • Workshop and Social Dance – Saturday 23 October – 12:00 at St Aidan’s Church Hall, Durham DH1 5BL