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How to do the sidekick dance


Dallas Sidekicks Dancers - Dallas Sidekicks

The Dallas Sidekicks Dancers (DSD) are a professional dance team supporting the Dallas Sidekicks of the Major Arena Soccer League.

The DSD are a key component to the Dallas Sidekicks in-game entertainment. Fans can enjoy their performances at half time, in between quarters, and can find the ladies on the concourse taking pictures and signing autographs for their beloved Dallas Sidekicks fans! Off the pitch, the dancers can be found representing the Dallas Sidekicks at community and charitable events and appearances.

For more information on the Dallas Sidekicks Dancers please email Director of the Dallas Sidekicks Dancers Janae Green at [email protected].

AUDITIONS

APPLICATION LINK

Prep Classes:

Prep Classes are every Thursday at 8:30 PM and Sunday at 3:00 PM at Frisco Dance Studio. 4350 West Main Street #135, Frisco, TX 75034. The remaining class date will be 8/11.

We offer in person and zoom option is available for purchase as well. Both classes are $20 each class. Email the director of the Sidekicks at [email protected] and she will give you payment instructions.

2022-2023 AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:

  • Auditions will be held at Frisco Dance Studio 
  • Must be at least 18 years of age or older by August 13th, 2022. NO EXCEPTIONS.
  • Recent headshot on hand (4x6 or larger preferred). Photos will not be returned. Photos are for identification and should be a current representation of what you look like or will look like at the audition.
  • Attire for auditions: Half top, booty shorts, tights, and any shoe choice (tennis shoes recommended)
  • A performance ready appearance is expected. No pony-tails. Applications are to be completed prior to audition.
  • Application deadline will be FRIDAY AUGUST 12TH at MIDNIGHT. APPLICATION LINK
  • All candidates must be available for all phases of the audition process (no exceptions).

 WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

  • Must be able to commit to practices on Sundays & Thursdays (Subject to change)
  •  Must be able to commit to game days TBA
  •  Showmanship, energy and personality
  •  Professionalism and maturity
  • Dance technique and style
  •  Great memory with fast turn around
  •  Commitment to the job
  •  Positive attitude and teamwork skills

We are committed to a diverse, inclusive team. We welcome all individuals, regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, disability, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity or any other basis prohibited by law.

PRELIMINARY AND SEMI- FINALS:

  • Saturday, August 13th. Registration starts at 1:30 PM

FINALS AND INTERVIEW:

  • Sunday, August 14th. Check-in starts at 10:00 AM
  •  Interview attire will remain the same as the choreography portion.

Melanie

Captain

Hometown: Denver, CO

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Hometown: Denver, CO

Hobbies: Aviation, traveling, sailing, volleyball, and musical theater

Occupation: Southwest Airlines Customer Relations Representative

Most Memorable Experience: Meeting my soon-to-be husband for the first time.

Favorite Quote: “Work for a cause, not for applause. Live life to express, not to impress.”

Favorite Music Genre: I love a variety of genres. I love Indie Folk, Hip-Hop/Rap, Musical Theater, Country, and I know every Shania Twain song!

Favorite Movie: The Greatest Showman

Favorite Book: The Harry Potter series

Who do you admire most in the sports industry and why? I really admire Monica Aldama, the head coach of Navarro College Cheer. She is a very consistent and professional director to her athletes, but also a mentor and role model to them. I am inspired by her work ethic and determination to push limits, but I am mostly inspired by how much she loves her athletes unconditionally. Monica sets a great example of servant leadership, and I strive to be as much of a strong-willed and motivating leader as she is.

What do you love most this season as Dallas Sidekicks Dancer? What I love most this season as a DSD, is our Sidekicks fans and the Dallas community. I absolutely love to  create memorable and fun experiences for the fans, but most especially have meaningful interactions with all of the kids. I hope to inspire all kids to fall in love with a passion of theirs and never give up. There is nothing more beautiful than seeing that sparkle in someone’s eyes when they are doing something they love!

Words of wisdom: Love others as well as yourself and always extend grace, kindness, and joy. Wake up each day humble and thankful and live fully because tomorrow is never guaranteed.

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Geralynne

Captain

Hometown: Brownsville, TX

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Hometown: Brownsville, TX

Hobbies: In my spare time I enjoy exercising, reading, watching movies, hanging out with my dog, and of course dancing!

Occupation: Special Education Teacher

Most Memorable Experience: Making the Dallas Sidekicks Dancers and shooting my first swim calendar!

Favorite Quote: "Change your thoughts and you change your world. "

Favorite Music Genre:EDM & alternative 

Favorite Movie: The Lord of the Rings

Favorite Book: The Catcher in the Rye

Who do you admire most in the sports industry and why? The humbleness, dedication, and loyalty of Tim Duncan has always been admirable to me. Even in retirement he continues to teach so much more than basketball to the men on the San Antonio Spurs as an assistant coach.

What do you love most this season as Dallas Sidekicks Dancer? I have never met more inspirational, hardworking, passionate women. Being on this team has allowed me to make some amazing friendships and have experiences I never would have dreamed of. I am forever thankful!

Words of wisdom: If you keep doing what you've always done, you'll keep getting what you always got. Step out of your comfort zone and take a chance!

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Jordan

Captain

Hometown: North Richland Hills, TX

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Hometown: North Richland Hills, TX

Hobbies: Reading, hiking, watching tv

Occupation: Student 

Most Memorable Experience: Making this team, it was a big dream of mine to make a professional team and I never thought I would or could do it. 

Favorite Quote: “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you’re to live forever.” -Mahatma Gandhi

Favorite Music Genre: Pop 

Favorite Movie:  The Wiz

Favorite Book: Catcher in the Rye

Who do you admire most in the sports industry and why? Misty Copeland, she didn’t start dancing until she was 13 and now she is the first black female principal dancer at ABT. I did not start dancing until high school so she inspires me to try and achieve my wildest dreams.

What do you love most this season as Dallas Sidekicks Dancer? I really love getting to sign autographs and talk to fans after the game! It fills my heart getting to talk to the people who constantly support the team.  

Words of wisdom: Do something everyday to get you one step closer to your goal. Your goals and dreams are a lot closer in reach than you think.

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Kelsie

Veteran

Hometown: Dallas, TX

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Hometown: Dallas, TX

Hobbies: Writing, figure skating, yoga and dancing

Occupation: College Student and Dancer

Most Memorable Experience: Visiting Aruba for the summer.

Favorite Quote: “Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”

Favorite Music Genre: Pop

Favorite Movie: White chicks

Favorite Book: Beloved, Novel by: Toni Morrison

Who do you admire most in the sports industry and why? I admire Pelé a soccer legend, I remember watching the movie “Pelé: Birth of a Legend” ever since I got to know about his story, I learned that it’s not about where you come from but the love and dedication you put into a sport and the faith in your own talent.

What do you love most this season as Dallas Sidekicks Dancer? Getting to dance with a group of talented and hard-working women, who inspire me every day.

Words of wisdom: Hardships in life are not meant to make you weak but to make you stronger, make the best out of every situation.

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Brianna

Veteran

Felicia

Rookie

Hometown: Houston, TX 

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Hometown: Houston, TX 

Hobbies:  Spending time with family and friends, traveling, dancing and resting

Occupation: Elementary teacher

Most Memorable Experience: Going bungee jumping in Nashville! Will never do that again lol

Favorite Quote: "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart."

Favorite Music Genre: R&B 

Favorite Movie: Center Stage 

Favorite Book: Home of the brave by Katherine Applegate

Who do you admire most in the sports industry and why? That's a tough question given there are so many sports with legends that have extraordinary testimonies and wisdom of their own! If I had to choose 1, I'd say Misty Copeland because I relate greatly to her and admire her strength as an African American woman.

What do you love most this season as a Dallas Sidekicks Dancer? The thing I love most this season as a Dallas Sidekicks Dancer is being able to foster close knit relationships with the girls on this team. They're more than teammates, they're sisters! 

Words of wisdom: Never lose faith, never lose passion! Love is the answer! 

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Kaylea

Rookie

Hometown: McKinney, TX

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Hometown: McKinney, TX

Hobbies: Gardening — I like to grow my own flowers, fruits and veggies — baking and crafting. 

Occupation: Floral Designer 

Most Memorable Experience: Seeing the lights sparkle on the Eiffel Tower right before they go out for the night. If you stay up late enough, they turn the main lights off and it sparkles with twinkle lights for a little while in the dark. It’s beautiful. 

Favorite Quote:  “I must always have flowers, always and always” - Claude Monet 

Favorite Music Genre: I love all music, I don’t have a favorite. 

Favorite Movie:  Madagascar!!! 

Favorite Book: The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson

Who do you admire most in the sports industry and why? Shaquem Griffin because he is the first one-handed player to be drafted by an NFL team, the Seahawks. He is an amazing player and did not let having a disability stop him or hinder him in any way! He’s an amazing inspiration for us all!

What do you love most this season as Dallas Sidekicks Dancer? I love performing on the field and on the sidelines with my sisters on Sidekicks Gameday!! 

Words of wisdom: Never ever ever give up on your dreams, and always remember to love thy neighbor. 

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Kalyssa

Rookie

Hometown: Fort Worth, TX

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Hometown: Fort Worth, TX

Hobbies: Other than dancing I enjoy listening to podcasts, singing, photography, and anything make-up.

Occupation: Pre School PE Teacher and full-time student at UNT

Most Memorable Experience: My most memorable experience is the time when I first danced on stage at a talent show in California with my best friend with a dance combo we choreographed. That’s when I faced my fear of dancing in front of an audience.

Favorite Quote: “You can’t play it safe your whole life and expect to reach your highest potential. You’ve got to be willing to take some risk” – Joel Osteen

Favorite Music Genre: Pop

Favorite Movie: All Step Up Series

Favorite Book: #Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso

What do you admire most in the sports industry and why? In the sports industry I admire the dedication each athlete puts into doing what they love. Knowing that people are successful in the things they are passionate about shows you can accomplish your dreams in life.

What do you love most this season as Dallas Sidekicks Dancers? What I love most this season is being able to perform on the field with my dance sisters and meeting the kids that look up to us after each game.

Words of wisdom: Never live life trying to get validation from others the only validation you need comes from self-love.

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Julissa

Rookie

Hometown: Dallas, TX

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Hometown: Dallas, TX

Hobbies: Dancing, Singing, Walking my dog Zoey, and Pageantry- I've won 7 pageant titles!

Occupation: High School Math Teacher/ Drill Team Director

Most Memorable Experience: Getting the opportunity to study abroad in India & Dubai

Favorite Quote: Wake, Pray. ..Slay

Favorite Music Genre: I will listen to ANY music with a good beat!

Favorite Movie: Bring it On

Favorite Book: Purpose Driven Life

Who do you admire most in the sports industry and why? Lebron James. Not only is he an outstanding athlete, but he has is a great father, husband, and role model to his the community. 

What do you love most this season as Dallas Sidekicks Dancer? This season as a Dallas Sidekicks Dancer, I've been blessed to have an amazing Director that goes above and beyond to make sure the team is at its absolute best, both on and off the field. 

Words of wisdom: God's timing is perfect. Never give up, and certainly don't stop praying! There's a purpose for each and every one of our lives.

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Charity

Rookie

Hometown: Dallas, TX

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Hometown: Dallas, TX

Hobbies: Reading 

Occupation: I work as Registered Behavior Technician for children with autism

Most Memorable Experience: I would say my most memorable experience was when I spent a month in France. I went there with about 10 other people for a school project but we all lived with different families in different cities. It was such a freeing experience to be able to completely immerse myself in that culture.

Favorite Quote: "Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." -Albus Dumbledore

Favorite Music Genre: 90's R&B

Favorite Movie: Bringing Down the House

Favorite Book: Anything Harry Potter

Who do you admire most in the sports industry and why? Simone Biles. Her level of passion and dedication to her sport is unreal. On top of that, she is someone who has been through so many obstacles throughout her entire life and is still able to remain positive. I truly admire her for that.

What do you love most this season as Dallas Sidekicks Dancer? What I love most this season is seeing everyone's growth. Looking back at videos from the beginning of the season until now, it is insane how much each of us has grown as dancers and as women and I am so honored to be apart of this journey with my teammates. 

Words of wisdom: Love yourself. Be patient with yourself. Trust yourself. You are the only thing standing in the way of achieving your goals. It's okay to make mistakes but just remember to learn from them and forgive yourself for them. Don't hold yourself back!

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Meredith

Rookie

Hometown: Gilroy, CA

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Hometown: Gilroy, CA

Hobbies: Hiking, camping, surfing, exploring new towns, dancing, and hanging out with my dog.

Occupation: Part-time student and part-time nanny

Most Memorable Experience: My most memorable experience was dancing at halftime at the Military bowl when I was a San Jose State Spectrum.

Favorite Quote: “Be afraid and then do it anyway.”

Favorite Music Genre: Country

Favorite Movie:Clueless

Favorite Book:The Untethered Soul by Michael Alan Singer

Who do you admire most in the sports industry and why? The athlete I admire most in the sports industry is Simone Biles. She  is the most record-breaking gymnast in history because of her hard work. Her dedication inspires me to keep chasing the dreams I have. 

What do you love most this season as Dallas Sidekicks Dancer? What I love most about being a Dallas Sidekicks Dancer is having the privilege to dance on the field at halftime and quarter breaks with my sisters!

Words of wisdom: Never give up. Whatever anyone’s dreams are, no matter how big or small, chase them. When one door closes another one will open and it happened for a reason. I truly believe that people don't get a certain job or they don't make a team because there is something that will make them ten times happier coming their way.  

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Cierra

Rookie

Krysta

Rookie

Katia

Rookie

Gabi

Rookie

Dance And Cheer Exercises For Legs | Kbands Sidekick Strengthener

The ability for cheerleaders and dancers to perform moves like the arabesque, heel stretch, toe touch, or sidekick comes from a good combination of functional strength, mobility, and flexibility in the core, hips, and thighs. Since the muscles controlling the abduction, movement away from the body, of the leg are smaller than the muscles which control the movements in a forward kicking motion, like a heel stretch, cheerleaders and dancers must perform a wide variety of strengthening exercises for legs.

Using resistance provided by the Kbands Leg Resistance Bands during a dance workout allows cheerleaders to place resistance at a point on their body which maximizes the use of the glute and hip flexor muscles. Maximizing the tension placed on these muscles requires the body to activate more muscle fibers in these muscle groups. As more muscle fibers become activated the body has the ability to exert more force. This creates a stronger sidekick and a more intense cheer or dance workout for athletes. By moving directly into unresisted exercises for legs the athletes will maintain that enhanced muscle activation, but will have removed the resistance provided by the Kbands Leg Resistance Bands. At this point in the cheer or dance workout athletes have activated more muscle fibers, generating more force in the desired muscle groups, and then removed resistance, with the same number of muscle fibers being activated. This will result in a light feeling to the leg as it is taken through the same motion meaning higher sidekicks and a more intense cheer workout.

Performing dance workouts which focus on specific moves is a great way to improve the height of the move or stunt, as well as the fluidity and control of the movement.

Cheer And Dance Workout Sidekick

The sidekick move and the sidekick movement are great ways for athletes to strengthen the glutes and hip flexors. Since glute and quad strength is directly related to vertical jumping ability it is important for athletes to perform exercises for legs which target the glute and quad area. Although the glute and quad muscles help to flex the hips and knees they can be effectively strengthened by performing abduction with the legs. As stated previously, optimally placing resistance just above the knees during exercises for the legs will help create more resistance and muscle activation in the body parts targeted during the cheer or dance workout.

To perform the Kbands Sidekick Strengthener dancers and cheerleaders will need a set of Kbands Leg Resistance Bands securely attached just above the athletes knees. Older, more advanced, dancers and cheerleaders can use the Green Resistance Bands while younger, less advanced, athletes can use the Yellow or Red Resistance Bands during the cheer and dance workout. To learn more about the different levels of resistance which can be used with the Kbands Leg Resistance Bands go to the Shop Section.

Once athletes have the Kbands attached with the correct amount of resistance athletes will begin the Kbands Sidekick Strengthener. From a standing position athletes will raise their leg directly to the side, as high as they can, driving through the Kbands Leg Resistance Bands. When performing the Kbands Sidekick Strengthener Drill athletes should keep a tall chest and straight body positioning while driving the toe up. Perform 8-10 repetitions of the Kbands Sidekick Strengthener Exercise on each leg for one set. Perform 2-4 resisted sets on each leg before removing the Kbands Leg Resistance Bands and performing 1-2 unresisted sets of the cheer and dance workout. Allow 40-60 seconds of rest between sets.

Sidekick Form During Cheer And Dance Workout

Cheerleaders and dancers need to use good form and technique to truly benefit from strength exercises for legs. While performing the Kbands Sidekick Strengthener coaches and athletes need to take time to perfect the form of the cheer and dance workout. Athletes who bend excessively at their opposite side and leg are limiting their mobility by repositioning their body, instead of actually raising the leg higher. Cheerleaders and dancers who experience this “buckling effect” should incorporate abdominal exercises like the Scissor Plank Combo or the Reverse Scissor Mountain Climber into their regular cheer and dance workouts. Cheer and dance workouts which strengthen the abs and improve flexibility (See Best Stretching Exercises For Cheerleaders) will help cheerleaders develop the stability and strength to correctly perform the Kbands Sidekick Strengthener Exercise.

Cheerleaders and dancers should work to increase the control and range of motion they can move their leg through during the unresisted repetitions of the Kbands Sidekick Strengthener. Since more of the muscle is activated a light feeling in the leg muscles means a larger amount of muscle mass than normal is working to move the leg.

Choosing The Right Resistance Bands During Cheer And Dance Workouts

Some cheerleaders may still struggle at higher levels of resistance despite having adequate core strength, flexibility, and balance to complete the Kbands Sidekick Strengthener. Cheerleaders need to continue to use a level of resistance which is challenging, but still allows them to perform the movement with good body positioning and movements. High levels of resistance which limit the athletes movements mean that only a small portion of the muscle is being trained. If less resistance is given and the athlete is able to take their leg higher then they will be working and stimulating a larger amount of the targeted muscles.

Using resisted and unresisted sets and slowly increasing the resistance used during the cheer and dance workouts is a great way for cheerleaders to perform strength exercises for legs to increase strength which can be used to increase athletic output while performing stunts and routines.

Pairing the Kbands Sidekick Strengthener Drill with explosive drills like the Toe Touch Training, Cheer Tuck Jumps, Kbands Explode And Hold Drill, and the Hurdler Training Routine are great ways to mix strength and explosive exercises to improve athletic skills like jump height, foot speed, and balance.

I want to dance. 10 misconceptions about dancing

The desire to learn how to dance is natural and natural in the modern world. You can list the reasons, starting with obvious and popular pragmatic desires, for example, to start moving or losing weight, ending with unconscious and even existential ones.

This is due to the fact that dances are at the subtle intersection of the inner and outer worlds, physical and spiritual. Above this, music becomes a driver that cannot leave anyone indifferent.

In dancing, there is magic inside a person, which is not always noticeable when viewed from the side. At the initial stage, it is the external picture that attracts to dances, and sometimes repels, as it seems too frivolous and superficial.

But there are even stronger obstacles that stop many people from starting dancing. These illusions and delusions roam the minds of the majority, and are often afraid to ask about them directly, or they ask the question about it so often that they are no longer ready to hear an honest direct answer. I will try to do it in this article.

There are many examples of contemporary dance instructors sharing their thoughts about not expecting to be in the dance industry. Once upon a time there was a man and was engaged in adult, serious business. Sometimes even very serious. A person could have children and even grandchildren. I saw dances only on stage or on TV. For reasons unknown to himself, he ended up in dances. At first, everything seemed like entertainment and a useful pastime. But time has passed, and a person catches himself thinking that he thinks about dancing not just every day, but really all the time. A couple of years pass, and he already becomes a teacher or organizer of some event.

A similar path can start at 15 or 55 years old. The only difference will be in the self-perception of the starting stage, that it’s too late to dance. In fact, for each age there is its own dance direction, which can reveal it to the greatest extent at this stage. Hip-hop or breaking is closer to children and teenagers, and Argentine tango is closer to adults. It's never too late to start dancing. You need to make the right choice of dance style based on several parameters: age, gender, music, goal. There is a dance direction for any arrangement.

Misconception 2: Men don't dance

Our culture has a number of restrictions related to dancing. Most of these causes are psychological and lie outside the realm of rational reasoning.

First, in our culture, in principle, dancing for pleasure or self-expression appeared relatively recently. 20-30 years ago dance clubs were only for children. To start dancing even in adolescence was considered exotic.

Secondly, the aesthetics of the body in our country for men is not in the focus of attention. In general, this can be attributed to the fact that Russian men try hard not to draw attention to their appearance and clothing. Men in our country use other tools for this.

Third, dancing is associated with entertainment and alcohol. If a man feels serious and respectable, then he either does not have time or desire for this.

Nowadays the general cultural background has changed and the result is that men are learning to dance. It becomes as much a sign of masculinity as clothing, hair or beard.

Unfortunately, many misconceptions remain even among those who have already started dancing. Dance teachers do not always pay attention to this, as it seems to them that this is a matter of course.

Fallacy 3: special training is needed

For an outside observer, there is always a cognitive dissonance about what dance is. What he sees on the big stage in the form of a show with sweeping movements and splits is obviously dancing. Breakers doing unimaginable elements in the air and on their hands, competing with each other, also seem to be dancing. Pensioners in the park are waltzing. Dancing again, but for some reason everyone is so different. How to understand that this is a dance, and what physical criteria should be in the body.

In fact, any self-expression through the body to music can be attributed to dance. There are a number of reservations, but they are not essential. For self-expression, a person uses the set of plastics that he has. Subtlety and technique do not depend on extreme ways of self-expression, and it often happens that splits and somersaults interfere with a meaningful dance. The development of plasticity and the expansion of the body's capabilities are part of the preparation of the dancer, but not an end in itself.

Fallacy 4: You must learn to dance in pairs

In couple dancing, the final learning outcome is that the couple dances at a party. It would seem that you should always train together to get the desired result. This is not true. Let's take an example from boxing. An indicator of a boxer's skill is a fight with an opponent, but this does not mean that he constantly has to fight. Also, the ability to dance is built on the possession of one's own body and the ability to interact.

The skill of the teacher is the correct selection of methods so that the student masters the skill. Based on the skill, you can engage in creativity and self-expression in dance. Not everyone knows, but it is no coincidence that almost all social dance dancers have a serious dance background, which is based on the development of individual techniques.

The same can be attributed to the interaction in a pair. The ability to separate in oneself the one who leads and the one who follows the lead is impossible within the framework of studying the sequence of movements in pairs. For this, there are special exercises that make the skill more versatile. For this, the presence of a permanent pair is not necessary, as well as the regular presence of a partner in general.

IMPORTANT! You can’t experiment at a party, and everything should be in its place there: men dance with women.

Getting rid of illusions is a complex internal process. If you leave them to yourself, you can even get the opposite result.

Fallacy 5: plastique and stretching are mandatory attributes of dance

Much depends on the genre of dance that you want to master. In previous articles, I have already mentioned that different dance styles are suitable for different ages. It is appropriate to dance hip-hop in adolescence or youth, Argentine tango is a more adult dance, it is important to enter classical choreography at a young age.

The degree of necessary plasticity and sensitivity to the dance direction also correlates. For example, breaking requires great physical effort and dexterity. Elements are built on acrobatics and high speed of execution. Whom do they suit best? Obviously young people.

There is a lot of interaction in salsa. It is necessary to feel the partner subtly, to be able to show a variety of figures and elements. Twine or acrobatics are completely inappropriate here. However, a variety of ways to show oneself are required. Accordingly, the dance is youthful, but not at all childish.

The older the dance, the less stretching or acrobatics is required. The main emphasis is on the quality of technology, the variety of ideas and the ability to show plasticity.

Misconception 6: Mirrors are necessary for learning

There is a set of instruments that dancers use to learn how to dance. The fact is that the dancer needs to receive feedback on how his movements look from the side. It is impossible to dance and see yourself from the side at the same time. The most common tool is a mirror. But not the only one.

Like any auxiliary tool, mirrors have positive and negative effects. The positive is that they can receive feedback in real time and technically it is not very difficult. The downside can be dependence on mirrors. A situation where a dancer cannot capture the feeling of dancing, such as on stage or at a party. For these purposes, you can use, among other things, video filming or proper preparation.

In many countries in Latin America, dance classrooms are not equipped with mirrors. Classes are held in bars or large halls. The dancers initially form the skill of focusing on the inner sensation, and not the habit of looking for their reflection in the mirror with their eyes.

Misconception 7: there is a lot of obsceneness in dancing

A common question from novice dancers who are taking their first steps in more contact couple dances is “in order to dance cool, there must be passion inside the couple?”. I immediately answer that no, not necessarily. Kizomba, bachata and Argentine tango attract many with their close contact. Like any other contact in our everyday life, in dances, contact can be different. We hug friends, parents, children. These hugs can wear many different shades. Sexual overtones are one of many.

The culture of dance also includes the boundaries of what is acceptable. A compliment from a well-mannered person is different from a statement about female sexuality by a gopnik. Usually, those who study at a dance school already have an idea of ​​what boundaries should not be crossed. A good dance from a technical point of view will never look vulgar or vulgar.
Dancers always have a choice about the boundaries of contact. Most prefer to leave a good impression of themselves, as word spreads just as quickly in the dance world.

Misconception 8: the best dancers are the bearers of culture

Even the very question of the origin of this or that dance can be paradoxical and ambiguous, especially when it comes to its development and performance.

For example, the Viennese waltz did not originate in Vienna, but in Germany. Salsa has its main roots in the USA, not in Cuba. The famous Greek folk dance sirtaki was invented for the film Zorba the Greek and appeared only in 1964.

The same can be attributed to the development of modern dance styles. Korea is known for its world-leading break dancers. People go to Turkey for Argentine tango, Spain is strong with excellent salsa and bachata dancers, in Egypt, Russians are considered the best belly-dance performers.

A good dance is based on quality training and diligence. Skin color, place of birth and age are secondary. Exotic appearance, unfortunately, is often a reason to be more superficial about one's own professional development. This becomes the reason for the low level of teaching among the bearers of culture. I am sure that few readers of this post will be ready to conduct a master class in Russian folk dance outside of Russia.

The mastery and teaching of a particular style does not depend on the dancer's homeland. And "they absorbed the dance with their mother's milk" is nothing more than a common misconception.

Misconception 9: You have to know a lot of moves to learn how to dance

Focusing on learning a lot of moves often detracts from the essence of dance. Of course, the sequence of figures is important. Especially at the start. Over time, the dancer should have an understanding of how movements can be generated independently. Accordingly, instead of memorizing millions of figures, you can understand how to create them.

From every system of improvisation that a dancer can use as an instrument, dozens, hundreds or thousands of variations are derived. This frees the head from trying to reproduce the exact sequence and definitely adds freedom in the performance of the dance.

The huge theme of musicality can be attributed to the same question. Not every pre-conceived or learned sequence will fit specific music. The dance should give freedom, and not drive the dancer into the shell of the ropes.

Misconception 10: dancing is homosexual

The unusually high attention to the body and flair from stories about professional ballet led to the spread of this myth, among other things. Unfortunately, such an idea still exists in the minds of our fellow citizens.

The dance industry is now very broad and is represented by many dance styles. Some of them can even be called homophobic. Dances reflect the general attitude to the world and it is different depending on the life position and worldview of a person.

In many dances there is contact between the dancers. In Russia, dance contact between men has always been perceived very intensely. In most other countries it is different. An example of the fact that this tension is associated only with the dance theme and does not apply to other areas is, for example, wrestling. When practicing techniques, men are in much closer contact with each other. Sometimes lying on the floor and holding each other tightly. The historical roots of Greco-Roman wrestling are also ambiguous from a sexual point of view. But in our country, unlike dance, they are perceived as acceptable and brutal.

Dance, like the culture of speech, makes a modern person more successful and self-confident. The ability to control one's body, tune in to another person and the ability to be aesthetic in the plasticity of movement is valuable in the modern world. If we add here the pleasure of the process and the availability of dance as such, then the possibilities of this activity can hardly be overestimated.

It's sad when interested people are stopped by prejudices and myths that have nothing to do with dancing. Freedom in body movements begins with freedom of thought and willingness to change.

I hope that this review will help to take a different look at the dance culture for those who still have doubts about whether to start dancing.

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