Ballroom Dance Etiquette

I hope some of these are no brainers.

1.  Personal Grooming:  Please, wear deodorant, brush your teeth, or pop a breathe mint!  If someone offers you a mint, they may be trying to tell you something!  Wash your hands before the dance, after you use the restroom, and after the dance.  Touching hands, that are touching hands, that are touching hands....

2.  Ladies, if you have long hair please put it up, no lead likes to get pelted in the face, or even worse, the eye by a whip of your hair!

3.  Men: (or women) Bring extra shirts if you are a sweater.  There is little worse than having a guy lead you in a move that entails your hand sliding around his mid section and back and getting a hand soaked with sweat!!  There is also nothing more flattering and shows respect more than a guy that will take a moment to step away to put on a fresh DRY shirt!

4:  "Line of Dance":  The smooth dances (Waltz, Foxtrot, and Tango go Counter Clockwise around the floor!  For Swing and other stationary dances, stay in the middle and let those that wish to move around the floor do so.

5.  I personally recommend that every girl dance with a gentleman if he asks at least once.  After the first dance if you still don't want to dance with him you can do so with a more clear conscience.

6. Don't be a "Ballroom Bully"  Share the floor.  If the floor is crowded save the theatrics for a later time.  Be respectful of those around you.

7. Men: If you don't have a place to set your personal belongs place your keys and such in your LEFT pocket.  So you don't potentially hurt your partner

8. At the end of a song:  Leads, please don't abandon your partner on the floor, escort her back to her seat, or the edge of the floor.  Unless she is picked up by another along the way.

9: Say Thank You to your partner at the end of your dance.

10: "Never blame a partner for missed execution of figures. Once in a social dance I accidentally overheard a novice couple, where the lady said: ``I can do this step with everyone but you!'' The fact that she was wrong (I had seen her other attempts) is irrelevant. The point is that she was unkind and out of line. Even if the gentleman were at fault, she was not to say something like that"

"Today's beginners will be the good dancers of tomorrow, so be nice to them and dance with them"

Strip Happens, Part 2, Stripping Hints

These moves are intended for basic beginners, who's intended audience is a boyfriend or spouse.  This is not for those looking to make a career of it.  In those cases you have very little to work with anyway. ;)

Button Up Shirts:
To start, only have a few buttons buttoned.  2 or 3 should do it.  Keeping the first couple top buttons undone and showing some cleavage is a great idea.  Unless you are going for the Uptight Office Woman look. 
Unbutton while facing your man, and turn away once they are all done.  Show a little shoulder, enjoy your self a bit before you let the shirt drop down your arms


Jeans: 
Unzip first, then unbutton.  At some point when you are on the floor, lay on your back with your legs up as if you are going to do a Sit-Up.  Push your hips up off the ground, shoulders still on the ground, like your body is making a human slide.  And begin to push your pants down as you circle your hips.  This eliminates the grunting and struggle we may normally go through to get our pants over our backside!  It makes our struggle look sexy and planned, not neccessary! =)


Skirts:
Super easy, simply unzip and drop!  Keep away from elastic skirts!  You don't want the ripple imprint around your waist, plus it's just not sexy!


Heels/Boots: 
Stripper shoes are AWESOME!!  I highly recommend getting a pair.  Nothing gets you in the mood like stripper shoes, and you don't have to take them off.  They are freakin Hot to bring the Happy Ending Home!!
However, if you must wear shoes that you want to take off I recommend FMB's  A great way to take them off is to place your foot between your man's leg while you unzip them, and tell him to take them off. (Don't Ask)
Other than that I recommend slip on shoes, make it part of your routine by sliding your hand slowly down your leg, caressing your leg gently before you slip your shoe off.


Stalkings/Panty Hose:
Thigh High is the only option here.   Once again, you can go between your partner's legs as you slowly roll them.  Or remove them while you are on the floor during your floor routine, rolling them down either way.  Keep an open hand, using your palm to roll them down.  Think sexy, not like you are taking them off after a long day of work!


T Shirt:
I love T Shirt removals. Hopefully you are maintaining great eye contact this entire time. Tease him a bit by lifting your shirt just up enough to the bottom of your chest.  While sqeezing your arms into your side you can let him get a little peak at the bottom of your bossoms.  When you are ready to remove your shirt, Cross your hands and grasp the bottom of your shirt, working it up in a sexy slow manner maintain eye contact for as long as possible, even after your chest is exposed.  At the very last minute turn your head to the side and put your shirt over your head to block your face.  Keep it there for a moment while you move your hips and body around to the music.  This gives him sometime to enjoy the view before he needs to look you in the eye again.  Keep your head turned to the side to prevent Piggy Nose!!

Get in the Mood, Music

Here are MY personal favorite songs that get my body moving and put me in that certain frame of mind to be the Sexy, Sensual, fluid Goddess I want to be to entertain my Stapping Warrior!

1. She's Country-Jason Aldean~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AZLUohDCGo
2. Pour Some Sugar on Me (remix)-Def Leppard, classic stripper song right?! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPPngu7M3CM
3. Black Velvet-Alannah Myles~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkXNEmtf9tk
4. Tainted Love-Pussy Cat Dolls~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w37thYX6aYM
5. Candy Shop- 50 Cent~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRcnnId15BA
6. Nasty Naughty Boy-Christina Aguilera ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmWokmmHQV4
7. Santa Maria-Gotan Project~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajHLQnwUGt0&feature=fvwrel

Strip Happens!! Part 1: A Warm up to Strip Tease

I love this article I found on helpful hints for strip tease on Masteryourman.com.  I'll quote some from the article, but most of this is my own feedback, inspired from the article.

Please keep coming back, I will be posting strip moves & technique very soon.
Other related posts you may like: "mood music"
Start off Slow: The art of strip tease might not feel natural in the beginning. Start slow; I had gotten myself up to quite a little routine for the Hubs, I would do a routine on the Pole, transition to a little strip tease, move into a lap dance, and remove the rest of my clothing at the end, all with a bunch of flare and sass!  However, after having a baby I took a break for awhile when I got back to that place where I wanted to entertain my Hubby again I decided to practice first.  Always a good idea!  Boy am I glad I did, I stunk!  I was rusty as all get out.  I still wanted to give the gift of dance to my Hubby but I cut back and kept it simple, I nixed the pole entirely, kept my floor show short and sweet, and put my focus on the lap dance.  I guess you could say it was a happy ending. ;)

Lighten Up:  Be willing to laugh at your self.  I've been teaching, and performing for my Hubby for years.  Let me just say things happen that weren't planned.  I fell off my coffee table, pulled my ham string trying a move I hadn't practiced before hand, and totally missed the pole doing a handstand onto the pole.  Let me just say, my Hubby did not care in the slightest!!!  I was taking my clothes off and doing all this FOR HIM, he was in Heaven and would not mess it up by laughing at me.  It's essential, you need to relax and have confidence and the reality check that unplanned booboos will happen.  Play it off, keep moving, take that as an opportunity to flash your boobs, and I promise that mistake you just made is forgotten!!

"Fake It Until You Make It: Accept from the beginning of your strip tease class that your body, moves, and state of mind are not the same as the instructors or anyone else in your strip tease class.  Some people have a natural rhythm and will learn the strip tease moves very quickly while other struggle to simply hold on to the pole. Don’t look around and compare yourself to others. Appreciate yourself for making the attempt to learn strip tease.

Practice on the Sly: The best way to build self-confidence about your strip tease moves is to practice in private. Put on some sexy music and practice your strip tease moves in the mirror. When you are able to see how your body moves, you will find ways to correct your strip tease and be surprised at how sexy you look when moving to the beat. This will also give you confidence when you try it in front of a man."  I would like to add, invite an honest friend over and practice together.  Some of the best moves came from my friend and I practicing together.  We would just put the music on and GO!  We were very positive, and careful with our critics.  Instead of saying, "That move makes your butt look huge!"  We may have said something like, "that is good, try it again and this time try it again from this angle", or, "try placing your this way

"Own It:   Adjust the moves that you learned in your strip tease class to enhance and communicate the way you are feeling to your partner.  Give yourself credit and do the moves that feel right for you."  If you start to feel nervous Close Your Eyes.  This is the best way to really get into your body, and feel the music.  Tune out the rest of the world.  If he sees you enjoying your self that translates into confidence and self esteem.  Most men would agree, it's pretty hot to see a woman confident in herself.

Simple, yet Effective Lap Dance Routine

Please Consult a physican before attempting any of these moves, you proceed at your own risk. Enjoy!

Crawl to partner
Caress his inner thigh with your body & face/head

Missed Kiss: While on your knees, lean in and place your hand by his shoulders slide your body up his, as if you’re going to kiss him, but then veer off and put your chest in his face

Mount & straddle: (your legs on outside of his)

• Keep hips moving entire time – circles, thrusts, etc – caressing his “lap”
• Maintain eye contact
• Rub your body/breasts against his chest, face
• Hands on self or him

Hello Kitty: Slowly stand with your "kitty" in his face.

• Squeeze his hips with your ankles for balance
• Dance your hips – circles, 8’s, zig zags, up/down; optionally touching his body

Booty Call: Turn Around (back side facing him)

To Turn Around-

• Bring left foot across his body and step next to right foot
• Cross right foot in front of left, bring it across his body, and step onto right foot (you’ll be twisted with right leg in front)
• Untwist your legs so you’re facing away from him

Dance the hips as before in front of him
Rub your backside up and down his chest, to eventually sit, straddling him

Reverse Cowgirl:

• Shins flat on couch, feet in back edge of couch near his butt, knees at front edge of couch
• Keep hips moving on him

 Dramatic Finish:

• Transition to hands on floor - keep butt toward him (legs stay very bent) as you drop between his legs (goal is to hide everything from view except your butt)
• Wiggle your butt (you won’t feel like you’re moving much, but it looks great!)
• Use his knees to push yourself back up
• Extract one leg at a time and bring it to floor. Dismount!

See my partner in crime, Deb Arends, at Groovy Studio in Seattle for more info and lessons
and Jennifer Waldroup @ www.1life2dance.com in Tennessee. 

Will Travel All Over TN, and parts of KY and GA for Pole Dance Parties.  Please inquire for more details and see if we are available in your area.

Dance Descriptions

Smooth Ballroom:

Foxtrot~Foxtrot is a smooth conversational dance with graceful flowing style.  Very Popular wedding dance style 


Waltz~Look like you are dancing on air, a gentle rise and fall of the waltz transports you into a fairy tale world as you spin and glide around the floor.


Tango~Tango is a snappy dramatic dance with lightening fast footwork.  Get enveloped in the intense and passionate mood and steps of this dance, Scent of a Woman anyone?!

 

Rhythm & Latin:

Swing~I know you will have fun with the upbeat kicks and spins of Swing.  If you are going to learn swing, learn it ALL, Lindy, Jitterbug, Jive, There are many different tempos and style of swing.  Let me help you find the style you prefer.





Rumba~Rumba is slow and romantic.  The controlled frame and emphasized hip movement make this a hypnotic dance that will truly get your dance juices flowing.

Cha-Cha~The tight controlled snappy movements of Cha-Cha are electric and exhilarating.  By simply working on the quick, quick slow action and footwork I will have you looking like a more advanced dancer in no time. Video below is of my old dance partner, Tyler-Ryan Allen!  He is fabulous, I adore him!
Samba~This Brazilian carnival dance is characterized by bouncy hip and leg action.

Mambo & Salsa~  Mambo is the "good child", Salsa is the Rebel.  Mambo offers more structure, while Salsa can be more laid back in nature.  Each is known for their extremely quick body and hip actions.




West Coast Swing~ One of my personal favorites.  This is the Ultimate dance for Rhythm and blues style music.  To make this dance look good I will teach you the slinky walking style as well as different syncopation's. This video as well is of one of my previous dance partners Randy Carter.  This video is of a "Jack & Jill" this is an impromtu dance, made up on the spot, they have never danced before.


Night Club 2 Step~ You can be NC-2-stepping in 2 minutes!  This dance is full of graceful body sway a flowing side to side movement.  This beautiful and romantic dance is set apart from the others by it's grapevine footwork and many sweeping turns.  

Top 1st Dance Wedding Songs of 2011 & 12

First, let me just recommend going to ourbridalsongs.com for an up 2 date list. I'm not claiming to have new ideas, just helping you to find the resources since you are already on my page. Here is a great list of 2011 songs to consider for your 1st Dance. Once you have your song picked out and if you live in Middle Tennessee I would love to help you get a few steps together or an elaborate choreographed routine for your first dance, whether you have time for 1 lesson or 100 I can help make your first dance Amazing!

Christina Perri-A Thousand Years
Colbie Caillat-I Do
Thompson Square-Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not?
Runner Runner-I Can't Wait
Beyonce Knowles-Countdown
Lady Antebellum-Just a Kiss
Selena Gomez-Love You Like a Love Song
The Black Eyed Peas-The Time
Bruno Marcs-Marry You
The Script-For The First Time