Ballroom dance can be challenging to master, but follow these tips to fast track your improvement.

1. Practice – don’t just rehearse
2. Take medal classes
3. Take as many private dance lessons as you can afford
4. Find a dance partner
5. Compete in Dancesport
6. Listen to what your teacher asks
7. Challenge yourself
8. Social dance
9. Attend technique classes
10. Don’t argue with your teacher
11. Read the technique books
12. Become physically fit
13. Take up pilates
14. Do a dance teachers course
15. Make sure you always have impeccable personal grooming.
16. Don’t fight with your dance partner
17. Don’t give up
18. Accept imperfections as you are learning
19. Stop comparing yourself to others
20. Compare yourself to yourself – yesterday.
21. Become more flexible
22. Keep persevering
23. Join a stretch class
24. Treat your partners with kindness
25. Turn up on time
26. Eat a healthy diet
27. Work 99% on yourself and 1% on your partner
28. Have a lesson from a tough teacher and ask them how you feel to dance with
29. Be patient with progress
30. Attend dancing competitions
31. Get inspiration from other styles of dance – ballet, flamenco
32. Never pull or push your partner
33. Never fight with your partner – verbally or physically.
34. Master foot positions first.
35. Get a stronger core
36. Dance 3 – 4 time per week – 2 -3 hours each time
37. Go online and watch overseas champions
38. Perfect your rise and fall.
39. Rather than earn yet another dance – learn to dance the ones you know more beautifully
40. Stick with your coach until they tell you you are ready to move on
41. Never criticise your partner
42. Be realistic with your expectations
43. Take up yoga
44. Practice rise
45. Watch advanced dances for inspiration – but don’t lose heart.
46. Learn to isolate your hips, shoulders, ribs and back.
47. Praise your dance partner – a lot
48. Become stronger – join the gym
49. Learn music and rhythm
50. Always be grateful you have a dance partner

Monica Fincham is a ballroom champion and former competitive dancer and the owner of Dancesport Kingdom in Lilydale, Melbourne, Australia.  

“Becoming a beautiful ballroom dancer is not really different from any other physical pursuit – we get better through dedicated, intelligent practicing, through turning up week after week, year after year, and through the sheer love of it”

Click to book your Private Dance Lesson.