Loading... Please wait...
Mar
1st
Alyce in Fabulous Dance Exercises, March 01, 2012 - 04:25 am

The Real Secret to Healthy Aging: Benefits of Dance

As you age, your muscle mass and bone density decrease, causing you to lose strength and experience more body pain. It is only natural that you may feel the need to limit your activity. Although you can no longer engage in most of the recreational activities that young people enjoy, you can still take part in dancing. If you are hesitant about taking dance lessons because you do not know what to wear, don’t worry, there is always a type of dancewear that will not only fit your chosen dance genre but will also provide you with comfort and convenience.

Dancing is definitely beneficial for older people. In fact, the benefits of dancing on seniors are plentiful and they range from improved cardiovascular fitness to enhanced flexibility.

Improved Cardiovascular Fitness

As the body ages, it may deteriorate because of aging body responses. This means that seniors will not be able to keep pace with the young when it comes to the more rigorous forms of dancing like aerobics. Dancing, on the other hand, is low-impact so it won’t strain your aging muscles much. With that, seniors can dance on a regular basis thereby substituting any other forms of exercise. Over time, this would result in stronger heart muscles. The most popular form of dancing for the purposes of improving your cardiovascular muscles is ballroom.

Increased Balance, Control and Flexibility

It is normal for older people to easily lose their balance, control and flexibility as a result of aging. But what is not normal is not trying to do anything to try and control your body’s deterioration. You need to be more careful because losing your balance could cause serious injuries. Loosening up those stiff muscles can be done through dancing. Other than that, you need to choose the right dancing clothes for you to support your body as you move.

Increased Bone Mass

Dancing has been shown to increase the bone mass as effectively as milk does. So instead of spending a sedentary lifestyle, go and grab a pair of dance shoes and try dancing. Ask an instructor on what genre suits you best so as not to jeopardize your health.

Toned Muscles

The body’s metabolic rate slows down with old age. That is why you will notice that fat seems to build up faster even if you eat less. The most efficient way to tone and strengthen your muscles is to engage in physical exercises.  However, considering your body’s lower physical capabilities and perhaps your lack of enthusiasm for the more rigorous exercises that the youth seem to prefer, take out those dancing shoes and dance.

Improved Social Outlook

Dancing is a form of non-verbal communication but it is a highly effective method of expressing emotions. Studies show that dancers are more expressive than their non-dancer peers. Especially for senior citizens who may feel isolated and alone because of children growing up and having their own family, you need a positive outlet for your emotions. So go ahead and try expressing yourself through dance. By joining a dance class, you get to feel the company of other dancers and won’t feel so alone anymore.

For a great selection of dance clothing and dance costume accessories that fit your dance needs, check out www.alycedancewear.com.



Mar
1st
Alyce in Ballet Dancing Shoes, March 01, 2012 - 04:16 am

Frequent Dancing Stimulates Intelligence and Helps Reduce Dementia

Studies have shown that there are numerous health benefits associated with dancing including increased serotonin level, reduced stress and better cardiovascular health. More recently, it has been found that dancing can make one smarter. This is because dancing helps stimulate the mind and prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. For seniors, dancing even helps increase cognitive perception. With these new findings, dance wear stores are expected to experience a huge increase in the sales of adult dancing clothes.

The study on the relationship between smartness and dancing was conducted by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. However, it was suggested that only frequent dancing appears to protect you from dementia. Here are the statistics to show as proof:

  • Frequent dancing reduces the risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease by as much as 76%
  • Completing crossword puzzles 3-4 times a week reduces risks by 47%
  • Reading helps reduce the risks by 35%
  • Bicycling, playing golf and swimming do not help in reducing the risks of dementia

Notice that two of the three mentioned above have something to do with much brain activity brought about by concentrating on a given task. But they are no match to frequent dancing that uses physical and mental capabilities; thus, resulting in the brain rewiring itself more effectively.

What is the relationship between dancing and old age?

As you grow older, your brain cells weaken and that’s manifested by seniors’ ability to remember names and dates. Hence, seniors resort to parallel thinking, or more creative ways to remember what they need to remember. The key, according to the study, is to remain immersed in activities that require split-second decisions. Think about it, when you’re doing sports, you’re doing it based on your experience and what your coach told you during training. But when you’re dancing, especially modern dancing, when you are left free to move according to your emotions, you are making split-second decisions almost all the time.

However, you will not obtain the mental benefits unless you dance regularly. Hence, despite the fact that dancing is a tedious activity that requires a strong physical foundation, many older people were motivated to take up dancing.

Ballet is a specific form of dance that is designed for all ages. Since it involves a wide range of movements, wearing appropriate dance apparel and comfortable ballet dancing shoes is crucial to preventing injury.

Social dance is another dance form that stimulates intelligence. When social dancing, the females get the most benefits because they interpret their partner’s movements and that requires a lot of thinking and split decision-making. And if you want to optimize every dance class and wear your dance attire longer, try dancing with different dance partners. But for men who oftentimes lead in these freestyle social dancing, you can also get the same cognitive benefits by occasionally adjusting your dancing to fit your partner’s mood.

The entire study is telling you to dance frequently and that means dancing as often as three to four times a week. If you are not doing anything, you could spend some of your pension for dance classes and in investing in durable dance costume accessories that you can use in your every dance class.

If you are planning to enroll in dance lessons and are looking for a great selection of dancewear and accessories, check out www.alycedancewear.com.



Feb
29th
Alyce in Dance Accessories, February 29, 2012 - 02:38 am

Dance Bags : Must Have for Dancers

Every time dancers go to performances or rehearsals, they usually carry dance bags to carry their dance supplies. Ordinary bags usually cut it, but it’s always recommended to have a separate bag for the dancer’s gear. This way dance clothing and shoes are easily sorted from other clothes before and after a trip to the studio. Many beginning dancers use old duffel bags, or make their own, but there are also plenty of available dance bags in the market to choose from. There are bags designed to suit a dancer’s personality and needs. Child dancers in particular need compact and custom-designed luggage.

For young ballerinas and modern jazz artist, there’s the Monkey Print Zipper Dance Bag for storing tights, leotards, skirts, towels, and shoes. The bag comes in a lovely pink color with an adorable monkey ballerina print. The Monkey Print Zipper Dance Bag is compact and lightweight (.50 lbs) and perfect for children who want a cute bag to carry to the studios. The bag is well constructed, with a microfiber exterior and a smooth satin finish. Its interior is made of nylon and the bag is lined fully inside.

For young dancers who may not go for the sporty look of the Monkey Print Zipper Dance Bag, here’s the Dance Star Tote Bag. This soft pink tote is emblazoned with the word “Dance” dotted with some rhinestones. Also fully lined, this tote bag has sturdy strap and a durable zipper. Dancers may find two inside pockets for separating smaller accessories from dance shoes and wardrobe. Carry this stylish bag to practice or to a recital. Because of its versatile style, this tote bag can even be used for picnics and excursions.

The quirkier but more mature personality, the Zebra Dance Tote is a must have. Its hot pink color and zebra print is eye-catching without seeming garish. Older ballet and jazz dancers can rock this fashion find that also comes with a tutu and pink bow when purchased.

A companion style to the Zebra Dance Tote is the Quilted Zebra Duffel. This dance bag is accented with a zebra print bow and features an adjustable strap. The inside is fully lined and the exterior has the comfy quilted finish. The Quilted Zebra Duffel Bag has a top zipper and a pair of side pockets. A bag that can be used for storing any type of dance accessories, this huggable duffel comes in hot pink.

For dancers who want matching bags of different colors, the Glitter Hearts Dance Bag is the right pick. Available in pink and baby blue, these heart-speckled roll bags features a zip top and adjustable straps. At 10 and half inches by 5 and a half, it is roomy enough for all basic dance clothing, but also compact and can easily be stored.

For young male dancer’s who want a more neutral choice in color is the Trendsetter Sling Bag. Featuring a graffiti design, this sling has drawstring closure and is about 12.5 x 17.5 inches, big and reliable for carrying sweat soaked towels and dance pants.

To learn more about the sizes and affordable prices of this stylish crop of dance bags, visit: www.alycedancewear.com.



Feb
29th
Alyce in Dance Apparel, February 29, 2012 - 02:36 am

The Many Faces of Belly Dance Performance Wear

Of all the types of dance, the belly dancing is the most colorful because of the many possible costumes that you can wear for this dance. The variety in the dance clothing could be attributed to the fact that belly dancing has many origins, and each of these origins have their own set of guiding principles when it comes to the dance style and the kind of dance clothes to wear. So if you are picking a style for your belly dancing clothes, here are some possibilities to choose from:

Belly Dancing in Egypt
If you are belly dancing in Egypt or performing in front of a crowd of Egypt origin, you need to pick out dancewear that covers the midriff or one that does not display too much skin. This is because since the 1950s, it has been made illegal for belly dancers to wear costumes that are too revealing. So it would be best to wear a long but figure-hugging one-piece gown of lycra. Of course, there would be some cut-outs involved but they should be filled with sheer, flesh-colored fabric.

You also need a belt or any additional embellishment that is directly embroidered on your skin if you were to choose a dance performance wear that has a separate bra and skirt. A body stocking must also be worn to cover the midsection and still pass the rather strict dance clothing rules of Egypt.

Belly Dancing in America
Although belly dancing originated in the Middle East, it is widely performed by American dancers today. Classic dance costume accessories worn by American ballet dancers include a headband with a fringe, bra that is decorated with coins and other metalwork and sheer harem pants or skirt. The idea is to create a soft tinkling sound as they move and also to create a mysterious illusion with their costume that enhances the effect of the dance.

Sometimes, full-length galabeyah or beledi dress is worn. But in almost all cases, belly dance supplies are imported from Turkey or Egypt. The only exception to this generalization is the American tribal style dancers, who create their own costumes by mix and matching. For instance, they use large pants and then cover them with one or more skirts and belts. Then they use a coin bra and topped with flowers, metal headdresses and other folkloric-inspired dance costume accessories.

Belly Dancing in Turkey
Turkey belly dancers wear bedleh style costumes. It is a stripper-like costume that was made popular in the 80s and the 90s characterized by skirts that display both legs up to the hip and bras with plunging bras. If you look at the Turkish-inspired belly dance costumes, you would easily see where the playful and flirty attributes of the dance came from.

Belly Dancing in Lebanon
Dance apparel for belly dancing in Lebanon is quite confusing. The skirts tend to be skimpier and there is no prohibition with regard to the use of more revealing costumes but dancers wear veils to cover their faces and hair. And instead of dancing barefoot, Lebanon belly dancers use high heels as their dance shoes.

Now, you have an idea of how belly dancers dress up. It’s now time for you to decide which culture will inspire you in your choice of dance attire?

Once you’ve made up your mind, see us at www.alycedancewear.com.



Feb
29th
Alyce in Dance Accessories, February 29, 2012 - 02:33 am

Review: Dance Bottoms and Tops

When it comes to dance, freedom of movement is of utmost importance. That’s why, no matter what level of skill a dancer is in, she or he needs proper dance attire that is comfortable and easy to perform in.  Whether your dance is ballet, modern jazz, contemporary, or hip-hop, the quality of your dancing also depends on the durability and design of your dance clothing. In terms of style and comfort, this selection of dance tops and bottoms are a great addition to your collection, whether you’re a beginner or a professional.

For the ballet dancer who wants a simple and comfortable skirt for rehearsals and performances, the Classic Georgette wrap skirt is a wonderful choice. This dance skirt comes in pink and black and has a slightly longer backside. Imagine yourself doing turns and positions in this simple but elegant piece of dance attire.

A fun and lovely Mesh Dance Skirt with Shorts can be the perfect dance wear for Latin, modern, hip hop, or contemporary dance performances. You can choose from lime green and hot pink and enjoy the comfort and snug fit of the shorts that comes with the mesh skirt. It even has a terrifically comfortable elastic waistband for a secure fit and hold. Whether you’re doing pas de bourres, pirouettes, or pliés, this mesh dance skirt guarantees maximum ease of movement during your rehearsal or performance.

On stage, this Graffiti Print Dance Booty Shorts from Funky Diva is an eye catching dance bottom to wear. Made of spandex and polyester, these snug dance shorts will surely bring spice to your dance routine. You can use it for hip-hop or contemporary dance numbers that require leaps and leg moves.

For young female dancers who want a little more style, their groove will love this Reversible Halter Crop Dance Top. This stylish and functional top comes in small, medium and large sizes to accommodate dancers of different shapes and sizes. You can simply tie it to your neck and back for a comfortable hold and fit. If you feel like wearing a bright festive color, the pink side is a great choice. For a more somber performance, you can simply reverse the top and wear the polka dot print. The Reversible Halter Crop Dance Top is perfect for hip-hop and contemporary routines and can even be used for modern ballet and jazz.

Another addition to your dance shorts collection is the Metallic Booty Short. This dance short comes in Electric Raspberry, Silver, Gold, and ElectricTurquoise. Leap and twirl on the dance stage while your bright patterned shorts enhance your stage presence. This dance short can also be worn under any type of skirt for support.

Dancers who want to appeal “wilder” on stage will find much to love in these Metallic Animal Print Booty Shorts. Coming in Black/Gold, Black/Silver, and Black/Sizzling Magenta, this booty short is made of spandex and nylon and has a 1 inch waistband that features a premium 4-way stretch metallic.

For more dance attire and accessories, visit our superb collection at: www.alycedancewear.com.



Feb
29th
Alyce in Fabulous Dance Exercises, February 29, 2012 - 02:29 am

Women Learn About Heart Disease Prevention Through Dance

Lead by head dancer Tammi Galloway, the Benefits Spirit of Women Day of Dance introduced women to an exciting way to burn calories and stay away from hart disease: through dancing. Women donned their most comfortable dancing clothes and shimmied their way toward knowledge and illness prevention.

Galloway stressed how belly dancing, a form of dance that has roots in Persia and and much of the East, can be a truly unique and fun alternative to exercising. She began the program by sending five belly dancers to demonstrate to the audience who were in their best dance attire that day.

Spirit of Women and outreach coordinator for the community, Lacey Gallagher couldn’t agree more. She too believes that dancing is good for the heart and the figure.

A yearly event that takes place in different areas all over the country, the Day of Dance program aims to educate women about the risk of cardiovascular disease.  Gallagher hopes that through an engaging and artistic activity such as dance, they are able to reach out to women who need more information about their cardiovascular health.

Aside from belly dancing, women who participated during the Day of Dance were introduced to Pilates and Zumba and enjoyed a flash mob presentation to the tune of Michael Jackson’s megahit “Thriller.”

A credited laughter yoga instructor, Martha Jones delivered a talk and presentation about the transformative force of laughter, also called “joyology,” which according to Jones does wonders for the heart.

Jones believed that getting a good laugh, whether or not intentional, once every day can be good for one’s well being. The audience in response gave a hearty laugh.

There were also other related activities headed by the Montana State University who sent nursing students to offer body mass index and blood pressure checks during Day of Dance. Many of the participants did not only rely on their dance accessories and moves but also got a health checkup. Both the checkups are known to be significant in one’s cardiovascular wellness.

For those who did not bring their dance gear, there were booths that gave out information about stress and diabetes and sleep and cholesterol.

There were booths that focused on the importance of nutrition and proper diet, where interns stressed the important of controlling portions during meals to maintain a healthy weight.

Participants in turn learned about how we consume certain food twice as much compared to people’s diet 20 years ago. Back in the way, a plate of spaghetti only contained 500 calories, compared to the 1,025-calorie serving we have today. The bucket of popcorn we take to the cinemas has 630 calories.

Women are the target participants because many still believe that heart disease affect mostly men. This is only one of the myths that Day of Dance wants to eliminate, according to Gallagher, who added that heart diseases do not choose its target across the age brackets.

Dance of Dance got many women to think more about their cardiovascular health and add dancing to their daily routines.

Whatever dance you’re into, you need quality dance gear. Visit: www.alycedancewear.com for a selection of tights, leotards, dance skirts, dance shoes and many more.



Feb
27th
Alyce in Dance Classes, February 27, 2012 - 02:57 am

The Positive Effects of Dancing on Children

Dance classes have a positive role in increasing the intelligence and creativity of children. According to recent studies, dancing help kids grow intellectually, physically and emotionally. This is not only because of the total body movement that is required when dancing but also because of the power of inspirational music. So if you want your child to be his or her best, start stocking up on dance clothes for him.

When your children have already expressed their desire for dancing, you should be ready with the right dance apparel for them. Luckily, dance stores love to create and sell comfortable and cute outfits for kids. With this wide variety of children’s dance wear, little girls become the center of attention in their tutu skirts and body-fit dance leotards while little boys would become man-like in their comfortable dance shoes. Regardless of which brand you choose, your child’s dancewear must support all his movements and must protect him from muscle cramps and pain.

If children are more equipped for dancing, they better absorb the benefits of such activity. As such, they can come out of their shells and learn to interact with the other dancers. They can also learn more effectively as learning takes place while the body is involved in an expressive activity.

Dancing is Therapy
Moreover, dancing has been proven as an effective therapy for children with disabilities and emotional disorders. As long as these children are wearing comfortable dance clothing, they would be more focused on the moves of the dance rather than on the clothes they wear to dance school. Some of the noted benefits associated with dancing are as follows:

  • Children with cerebral palsy have increased muscle tone as a result of regular dance exercises
  • Cancer patients have shown improvement when it comes to controlling pain
  • Deaf and blind children become more expressive primarily because of the soothing effects of music and the fact that dancing is a form of non-verbal communication
  • Children with ADHD, learning disorders and depression have shown a significant amount of improvement after a prolonged exposure to dancing as a part of therapy

In addition, dancing improves the attitude of children. Dance schools require a great amount of discipline – in the food you eat, the time of practice and even the frequency of practicing just to learn a routine. So a child becomes accustomed to rules and routines in the long run and that helps him or her become more controlled and more confident.

Develop Your Child’s Love for Dancing at an Early Age
Babies “dance” whenever they hear music but without enough encouragement and support coming from parents, they lose interest as they grow older. But bear in mind that dancing is a universal language and it is very important for self-expression especially during the early years when your child is still learning a language. Children as little as 3 years old can already start attending dance classes to nurture his or her talents and help him or her grow.

Dance wear for toddlers can come in many styles and colors. To help foster your child’s love for dancing, it is essential that you choose the type of dancewear that will make him or her feel comfortable while dancing and add to the excitement and fun of the experience.

For an exciting collection of children’s dancewear, visit: www.alycedancewear.com



Feb
27th
Alyce in Dancewear, February 27, 2012 - 02:45 am

Essential Convertible Dance Tights for a Comfortable Dance Experience

Wearing tights during dance practices and performances is more than just a part of your costume; rather tights are indispensable tools that break the friction between your feet and the floor. Too much friction may cause leg pain and weakness. There are many types of tights that you can use as part of your dance clothes. Among these are footed,Capri, seam, footless, stirrup, fishnet, body tights and the convertible. Of all these types the convertible dance tights offer the highest flexibility.

But dance tights are not only for adult dancers because they also make great dance costumes for kids. Compared to adult dancers, children dancers are inexperienced and their feet are still too soft to be constantly exposed to friction. They need to be well protected in order to encourage the proper development of their legs which is essential for their progress in dancing.

Convertible dance tights can be worn in either a footed or footless style. The secret is behind the presence of a hole that can be wrapped on the ankle or used to cover the entire foot. This makes it easier for ballet dancers to wear these tights comfortably underneath their ballet shoes. Sometimes, if you choose to use these tights to cover the entire foot, a small lump can be felt. Most first-time users would feel uneasy and get distracted with the lump but over time, it wouldn’t be such an issue anymore.

The significance of wearing convertible dance tights is especially felt by dancers needing to change in between classes. This makes it possible for you to shift from ballet to jazz to ballroom without having to wear different kinds of tights for every dance genre. Hence, it would be easy for dancers to shift from wearing a pair of pointe shoe pads to a pair of sneakers or flip-flops. These tights also come in many natural colors so they won’t interfere with your costumes and would look almost look invisible once you start dancing.

As mentioned earlier, the convertible dance tights are the most flexible and that’s because they are usually made from 14% spandex and the remaining 86% nylon. In addition, the cotton gusset ensures comfort and the included waistband keeps the material in place while you are dancing. The combination of these materials allow for ease of movement especially when you are doing dance routines that require a lot of stretches like ballet.

During theatrical performances, dance tights can be adorned with small jewels to improve its look. However, the addition of small decorations does not devalue these dance accessories even by a single degree. Just be sure to practice extra care when putting on the rhinestones to prevent the tights from getting unpleasant lumps and holes.

Now if you have invested in a pair of convertible dance tights and you suddenly decided to stop dancing, there is no reason to feel any regret over the money you spent. This is because these dance tights will also make great tools for exercising like aerobics and yoga so you have a whole new world of fitness to explore just by using the same accessories that you already have.

For your first pair of convertible dance tights, look only for the best. Check out www.alycedancewear.com.



Feb
25th
Alyce in Dance Clothes, February 25, 2012 - 06:45 am

Good Nutrition and Better Dance Clothes: A Ballerina’s Prized Possessions

Good nutrition is one of the most essential aspects of being a good dancer. But because of the need to fit in those dainty dancing clothes and also be light enough to perform pirouettes correctly, most ballet dancers fall victims of various eating disorders. So to correct common practice of skipping meals just to look good in leotards, here are some tips on how to eat well, look good and perform like it’s the last time you’ll dance on stage.

First, you have to be aware that restricting calories is not encouraged. Calories are important because they are later converted into potential energy. You will not able to keep up with the energy requirements in practices and dance routines if you do not have the energy to move. So instead of limiting your calorie intake, you must focus on eating power foods. To help you identify power foods, here are some tips:

  • Choose foods are digested slowly so that you’ll have enough energy to last for a long time. Examples of these foods include whole wheat bread, brown rice and yellow vegetables. If you are serious about your diet, stay away from foods with refined carbohydrates such as white rice, white bread and deserts and so on because they contain white sugar that is easily digested by the body. If this is the case, your system will release insulin quickly and thus, your body will be forced to ask for more food to produce energy.
  • Being a ballerina and a red meat lover won’t go well together so in order to be the former, you have to go really light on the latter. Red meat is rich in protein but it is loaded with animal fat. Animal fats add to your weight so unless you want to stay in the art of ballet for long, you need to cut down on animal fat.
  • Lastly, in order to use those ballet dancing shoes as often as you need to, stock high on protein. Eat fish, nuts and chicken in order to get your needed body trim.

Second, bear in mind that ballet dancing is not aerobic. An aerobic exercise promotes better cardiovascular health because it encourages your heart to act. This means that in order to burn the right amount of calories, you need to move to encourage a faster heart rate. Doing 30 minutes of non-stop activity every day like walking, running or working out will help increase your stamina and at the same time, burn those extra calories. In addition, studies show that these aerobic activities, when done right, do not result in bulky muscles or ruin the long straight legs that are prized by ballerinas.

Lastly, to maximize every cent you spend on ballet dancing clothes and shoes, choose those made of quality materials. This way, you won’t be restricted in your movements regardless of whether you have just eaten or not. Other than that, if you dance equipment are long lasting, you won’t need to buy often and the money could just be spent for your body nourishment.

Every time you eat healthy, you will also be a step closer to your dream of being a prima ballerina. A toast to a better career.

Good nutrition is a matter of choice and interest. You can get the nourishment you need anywhere you look. But better dancing clothes can only be bought from the best sources like the Alyce Dancewear. Visit their website at www.alycedancewear.com.



Feb
25th
Alyce in Dance Tips, February 25, 2012 - 06:11 am

Tips on How to Improve Your Dance Technique

All types of dancers—be it ballet, modern jazz, lyrical or hip-hop—strive to improve on technique and achieve what, in their respective disciplines, can be described as technical perfection. Hours upon hours of practice are needed to attain some level of competence in dance. We can call technique as the way dancers execute effectively and adroitly the required components of a dance. Before expressiveness, interpretation and artistry, technique, along with physical dexterity, is one of the first hurdles of a novice dancer. No matter what type of dance shoes you fill, we’ve gathered a few tips on how you can improve technique in dancing.

1. Prioritize technique
Learn the basic steps and work towards executing them as well as you possibly can. Don’t be satisfied with adequate. Be fastidious with your posture, extension, standing position and other dance components. Simple steps when done very well can make such a huge difference in your performance.

2. Watch and learn
Educate yourself by watching dance videos, performances and your fellow dancers who are more experienced as they practice. Even if you were a break-dancer, you’d absorb so much from a Martha Graham footage. Ballet dancers in turn have a lot to learn from contrasting styles, such as indigenous dance or street dances. Enrich your skill set by watching others doing their best.

3. Wear proper dance attire
Wear proper dance clothes even when just rehearsing so you’ll be encouraged to perform at your best at all times. If you’re into tap dancing, don’t settle for substitutes, unless you’re trying to learn combinations deliberately without your tap shoes on. Each dance shoe is built according to the demands of a certain dance. Wearing the right clothes increases your chance at improving your technique.

4. Enroll in dance lessons
If you haven’t done this yet, you better get to it—dance lessons are for all aspiring dancers. You interact with other dancers, learn from a skilled pro, and acquire new knowledge on your chosen dance style.

5. Practice, practice, practice
Even when you’re not in the dance studio, it will serve you well if you put on your leotards and tights when you’re at home on Sunday. Practicing can be your regular cardio/aerobic workout, as well as your path to becoming a great dancer.

6. Don’t overwork, learn to loosen up
Like in all art forms, even the moments we do nothing is important to making art. Our minds need to breathe, as well as our bodies. Dance being such a physical art form, requires you to take proper care of your body. Relax, take breaks, and let your body recover from rehearsing.

7. Hire a dance instructor
Get someone who not only has attained some achievement in the field but also someone who has experience in dance instruction. The process of choosing the best dance instructor can be a challenge in itself, but be patient. After all, you are a dancer, and patience is everything. You need an instructor who can guide you as you go through new moves, steps and pieces. Get an instructor who can point out weaknesses and constructively critique your performance.

To get you started with dance, you’ll need the right equipment. For affordable and quality accessories, shoes and dance apparel, visit: www.alycedancewear.com