Posts Tagged ‘Charleston’

  1. Is it difficult to learn to dance?

    March 20, 2014 by Joo-Lee

    Recently a number of new people joined our class. Watching one couple learn was particularly interesting because their experiences of the same class seemed to differ greatly. One of them was smiling throughout whereas the other appeared frustrated with footwork and getting it right. When I asked them how they had found the class their responses reflected this observation.

    Learning to dance, particularly an informal swing dance is not an academic subject. It involves both motor skills and muscles. If we are stressed about anything, we’re actually inhibiting our ability to get it right. What is right anyway? When we are new to dancing we have a limited amount of information about the skill set needed. If we over think we’re actually only considering a small amount of information and so perhaps analysis should come later… we’ve all heard of “Analysis Paralysis”.

     My recommendation for anyone that’s new to dancing is to just enjoy it. Things don’t always go to plan. Allow yourself to make mistakes. If you want to walk backwards but go forward instead it’s not the end of the world, your body will adjust and next time you can move in the direction you intended. You’re not training to be a brain surgeon or an engineer (well . . . not whilst dancing anyway!) so there’s no major consequence, you’re just learning to dance. Have a go, trust yourself that it’s fine, trust that no one else is watching or judging and trust that your teacher will help you.

    So is learning to dance difficult? No. Our ability to interfere with our own learning is what makes it difficult. Learning to dance will change your whole approach to trying new things. It’s about relaxing and not making it harder for yourself by trying to hard. Dancing is either unfamiliar or familiar and to make any skill familiar you need experience. So, keep coming to class, relax and just enjoy it! Before you know it, you’ll be dancing.


  2. Two Left Feet

    December 30, 2013 by Joo-Lee

    If I had £1 for everyone that told me they had two left feet, I’d have more money than I’d know what do with!

    It’s a common misconception that people think they can’t dance, it’s maybe because they find it hard to move or they have no rhythm; but I’ve found a few smart solutions for all of you Two Left Feeters out there.

    STAND UP

    Stand on one leg, then the other. If you can do this, you can dance!

    You’ll find dancing far easier when your weight shifts from one foot to the other instead of being stuck fast to the ground and don’t stand rigid to the floor either, loosen up.

    Let go and open up. We know how frightening it can be and sometimes we remember when we were at events that just weren’t nice. Unpleasant experiences from our childhood aren’t easily forgotten and that’s why at Lindy Jazz, we really do welcome everyone with any ability to come and have a go.

    In the 70’s I wondered how my friends looked so good on the dance floor and how they learned their moves. Then came Saturday night fever and I still wasn’t convinced! Over the years I’ve grown to watch and learn from others to know how to dance. The trick, make your moves natural and simple and just enjoy the music.

    Learning a new skill, whatever your age or ability is a great asset to have. It’s never too late and if learning a new skill means making friends and widening your social circle, then all the better!

    Take a look at these top tips…

    1. Don’t try too hard!
    2. Do as few moves as possible
    3. Repeat the simple moves
    4. Relax your knees, hips and ankles. Don’t stiffen up
    5. Remember to smile and breathe, it’s supposed to be fun!
    6. Don’t think about what other people think. They’re probably more concerned about themselves
    7. Enjoy the music and move naturally

    Give those a go at your next social event and just see the difference a few changes makes.

    Like with any skill, practice makes perfect and at Lindy Jazz we dance every week to help build our confidence and learn new moves. We teach how to listen to the music and what to listen out for when dancing. In an informal environment you have the freedom to be yourself and go with the flow.

    Lindy Jazz encourages everyone to just have a go. You’ll be surprised at how good you really are; with a little guidance you’ll be beaming with confidence and getting those dancing shoes on in no time!

    Come along to a Lindy Jazz dance club for free and we’ll show you how to get over those two left feet. 

    Mondays at Alington House Durham from 7.30 pm

    Tuesdays at Gosforth Parish Hall from 7.30pm

    If you have any questions feel free to ask us on Twitter or Facebook or email info@lindy-jazz.co.uk

    Happy dancing!


  3. The Zen of Parking

    November 9, 2013 by Joo-Lee

    What has parking got to do with dancing?!

    If you can imagine rushing to a busy shopping centre on a weekend, knowing in your mind before you leave you’re not going to find a space when you’re in a hurry and you’ve decided in advance that there are no spaces as you would inevitably only notice the occupied spaces. It’s super hard to find an empty space when you’re rushing and short of time, it’s not enjoyable and you inevitably just want to turn around and go home.

    It’s similar when you go along to a dance class, if you’ve decided in your mind you have no rhythm or it’s going to be hard to learn; and when you get there, your two left feet just seem to be out of time with the rhythm! It’s much easier to learn if you don’t decide beforehand that you’re going to find it hard or to put pressure on yourself to get it ‘right’ right here, right now. Having an open mind and a relaxed attitude will make everything so much easier and so much more enjoyable.

    The point I’m trying to make is patience is the key. If you have patience you’ll progress, not just trying to find a parking space but with learning new moves too. Putting too much pressure on getting things right first time also results in stressful situations and lack of enjoyment. Breathe, give yourself a few seconds or even a few weeks and take your time; achievement comes to those who wait!

    Here are some great tips to ensure every class is worthwhile and enjoyable:

    Upon arrival, have a drink. Taking a relaxing few minutes to settle in and have a tea or coffee will most certainly leave your work or family stresses behind for an hour or two.

    Have a chat, meet new faces. Every class is different and whether you’re brand new or have been coming every week, it’s always good to take inspiration from a new face with fresh enthusiasm.

    Switch off the robot! Everyday life can be full of busyness and busy thoughts that occupy our already busy minds. Switch off the busy voices in your head, leave the stresses of the office behind and get ready to have fun. With new moves, great music and friendly people around you, take those few hours and have them for yourself… and just be yourself.

    At Lindy Jazz we cater for everyone’s abilities, whether it’s absolute beginner or experienced professional, we recommend this approach; be relaxed, engaged and ready to dance!


  4. DJam Announcement

    July 3, 2013 by Joo-Lee

    I’m so excited for DJam, I just thought I’d share some news.

    I’m happy to announce that our yearly international swing dance festival will be at a fabulous 4 star venue in 2014. On the banks of the river in Durham, the Radisson Blu hotel is the prefect venue to dance, learn and relax.

    No need to save those extra pennies for luxury! We’re keeping the festival super affordable and registration for early bird tickets will open at 9:30am on May 18th.  Check out our website for more information

    I’ll be announcing the line up shortly so keep your eyes peeled on our Facebook page for news and updates.

    If you would like further information about attending DJam, please contact me.


  5. A Little Introduction

    May 1, 2013 by Joo-Lee

    Dancing, music and everything that goes with it is my passion and I launched Lindy Jazz some years ago to share my enthusiasm with others. I love nothing more than helping people that have never danced before, find their feet and move.

    There’s something very joyful in seeing people around me being happy and dancing to great music. Every class, I love watching the progression from someone with two left feet to feeling really confident in how they move, as well as the more experienced dancers learning new moves and thriving from the atmosphere in the room.

    I love teaching and coming from an educational background in music has really made me live my passion. I do everything to be happy and I don’t waste a second on anything that doesn’t make me feel good or confident in what I’m doing. Surrounding myself with great people helps too!

    To find out more about Lindy Jazz visit the website or Facebook and if you’d like to discuss any one on one teaching or business opportunities, please contact me. I’d love to hear from you.