You’ve seen the really good dancers and how easily they move with just about anybody. They look like they know exactly what they’re doing and they seem to actually enjoy themselves!
You just wish you can be as confident as them when you dance…
But how did they get there? And where does this confidence in dancing come from?
We have enough specific dance lessons here on our website that teach you the tools of the trade, so in this article I’d like to explore mind-set ideas to help you understand where confidence comes from.
Confidence = ‘Knowledge’ & ‘Doing’
What is ‘knowledge’ in dancing:
This is all the information you learn about dancing. You learn the count, you learn the step pattern, you can explain to someone how the hips are supposed to move in a figure 8 motion, and many other things. Those are all things you’ve been learning at your studio and with our online videos!
What is ‘Doing’ in dancing:
The doing is what you can actually do or execute from all of your knowledge. This is when you train your body to do the step, the turn, the hip action and anything else you’ve been learning. This comes from practicing and getting out into the real world to dance socially.
So coming back to the original question – How do you become more confident?
Confidence comes from both Knowledge and Doing. You need to know what the hip action needs to be and then you need to do that hip action with your body.
If you only have one or the other you will always feel like you are missing something. And when you feel like you are missing something, you may start doubting yourself.
To FEEL confident you need both Knowledge & Doing!
Let’s use the hip action example. If you only KNOW that the hip action must make a figure 8 motion on the Cuban rocks in Rumba, and you may even be able to explain it in words – but you cannot physically do it, then your dancing is not actually improving. If you didn’t spend the time to practice and transfer that knowledge to the body then you will not improve or become more confident (But you can always write a nice book on ‘The theory of dance’!!….).
On the other hand if you start DOING your hip action without knowing that it needs to be a figure 8, your hip action will not be right…. You will look uncoordinated and probably be off time. If you didn’t spend the effort and time to learn the proper way of movement, how can you expect to get better? Or to feel confident?
Again, confidence comes from knowing exactly what to do and then actually doing it. You must constantly seek new information but also train your muscle memory to do all those new things.
Start working on both!
Ways to improve the KNOWING:
– Take group classes and workshops to learn how to dance.
– Take private lessons once a week. Private lessons are the most effective lessons because everything is customized to your level and pace.
– Read articles (like this) and watch our instructional videos once a week to review steps and learn new techniques.
Ways to improve the DOING:
– Schedule at least 1 hour practice session for each class/lesson that you had that week. The only way to put that knowledge into your body is by training the muscle memory.
– Go out dancing socially at least once a month so that you can practice leading and following different people. As well as try out new moves/techniques you’ve been learning.
Do you feel confident in your dancing?
Leave a comment below!
More articles:
5 Types of dance lessons
3 Benefits of taking group classes
Ballroom dance styles
Why you can’t remember your steps & what to do about it
Do you dance enough (video podcast)
I recently decided to take up dance lessons, and it has been one of the greatest experiences! I was always worried because I was getting older that it was too late to dance, but I am glad that I still tried. I like the tips you’ve provided to know and do. I know I can be so much better if I want to become a confident dancer. Thanks for the advice!
I really like your emphasis on practicing. I don’t think a lot of people understand the difference it makes to practice, especially when it comes to dancing. Do you have any advice about finding good dance coaching? I really do think that a good teacher can help you with your confidence.
To find a good teacher you would just search for dance instructors in your area. I’d reccomend trying out 2-3 and see how you like them. Also, if you really want a good criteria to finding a teacher, I’d recommend someone who used to compete in Professional dancesport competitions. They will have the most knowledge even if you just want to learn for social dancing.
I’ve never really connected “knowing” and “doing” with confidence in dance. It makes sense that knowing how to dance and doing it does lead to a greater sense of confidence. I wonder if dance classes focus on giving students confidence, I’ll have to look more into it! Thanks for the tips.
I want to make sure that I can be confident while dancing. It makes sense that I would want to know what I’m doing! Maybe I could benefit from taking dance classes.
I like your point that confidence means knowing and doing. Like you explain in the article, knowing is learning the moves and steps of the dance and doing is putting your knowledge into action. I think that another valid part of having confidence on the dance floor also comes from practice. As you start to practice the moves that you’ve learned the confidence will come because you will get better each time through the routine.
Hi Dave,
Yes I agree, practice will give you confidence big time – since you’ll be improving and thus feel better.