yogahOMe is offering ballroom lessons, and there sure is a lot to learn! There are several different dance styles under the large umbrella of ballroom, just like with yoga. In ballroom these styles are usually split into ‘smooth’ and ‘rhythm’ dances to simplify things a little.
Smooth dances: Foxtrot (and its derivatives Foxy, Quickstep, and Two-Step), Waltz, and Tango
These generally move you across the floor in a sweeping manner. For waltz, think Cinderella.
Rhythm dances: Rumba, Cha Cha, Merengue, and Swing
These dances tend to remain in one place more. Think of a packed nightclub in Cuba… that’s where the Rumba was born!
All of these styles can be broken down into American or International technique. For the sake of clarity, we stick with American here at yogahOMe. It’s more realistic for a couple who wants to be able to go out and enjoy dancing together, whether it’s at a wedding or a work function.
These classes are appropriate for all levels of dancer. Maybe you never get out of your seat and onto the dance floor, or maybe you’re sick of always swaying back and forth during slow songs, or maybe you love to get out there and strut your stuff. Regardless, ballroom at yogahOMe will teach you the fundamentals of dancing you need to improve your skills. And hopefully, your social life will grow to include dancing more regularly, something which– just like yoga– can be a source of both joy and exercise.
Ballroom classes at yogahOMe will be broken up into 6 styles of dancing with 6 classes a piece.
All sessions are open to all. Previous dance experience, at yogahOMe or in general, is not required.
In each, you will learn:
- How to correctly lead/follow your partner
- Steps to move you around the room comfortably
- Foot placement and technique
- Character of the dance
- Ways to apply this dance when you go out as a couple in your daily life
January 2012 Offerings- Tango & Cha Cha
The tango is a very passionate dance, which makes this session ideal for couples looking to get a little closer,
reignite that flame, or just learn a new dance style. The tango promises drama and flair in it’s head flicks and kicks, and Kate will break it down to make it accessible to all with the desire to learn.
Where: yogahOMe Mariemont
When: Sunday, January 8, 6:45-7:45pm
Sunday, January 15, 6:45-7:45pm
Sunday, January 22, 6:45-7:45pm
Sunday, January 29, 6:45-7:45pm
Sunday, February 12, 6:45-7:45pm
Sunday, February 19, 6:45-7:45pm
Attire: Ladies are asked to wear comfortable heels that will not fall off their feet.
Gentlemen are asked to wear shoes that do not have a rubber sole as they will stick. (ie, no sneakers or gym shoes)
Registration for January Tango:
Regular Registration: 279/couple
maximum enrollment: 8 couples
Register here.
Hot and sassy, the Cha Cha is as much an ab work out as anything. You’ll learn the mechanics of how your hips move and why, and then get to learning steps that will definitely help you stand out on the dance floor.
Where: yogahOMe Mariemont
When: Sunday, January 8, 5:30-6:30pm
Sunday, January 15, 5:30-6:30pm
Sunday, January 22, 5:30-6:30pm
Sunday, January 29, 5:30-6:30pm
Sunday, February 12, 5:30-6:30pm
Sunday, February 19, 5:30-6:30pm
Attire: Ladies are asked to wear comfortable heels that will not fall off their feet.
Gentlemen are asked to wear shoes that do not have a rubber sole as they will stick. (ie, no sneakers or gym shoes)
Registration for January Cha Cha:
Regular Registration: 279/couple
maximum enrollment: 8 couples
Register here.
Other Offerings, Coming soon!
Swing
Swing is an incredibly versatile dance. It’s not all the tricks and flips you might be thinking of; those are neat, but it’s not practical to bust those out in the middle of a crowded floor. In this course you will learn both single-time and triple-time swing and how to use these steps to strategically move around the floor or stay in one place depending on your surroundings. Plus, a lot of the steps we use in swing are easily translated into Merengue, a great dance for cruise ships or any music with some island flair to it. Kate will show you how to bridge the gap between these two styles, so it’s a 2-for-1 deal!
Waltz & Rumba
One smooth and one rhythm dance with a whole lot in common. Kate will show you how to use the same foot patterns to glide across the floor in the waltz, and then change the rhythm up to do the sultry rumba.
Foxtrot
The Foxtrot in its truest sense is meant to get the couple around the floor, fast. In this session you’ll learn how to use your natural stride to move you across the floor with authority, and learn proper ballroom technique. Then, you’ll take it down a notch as Kate explains how to make this dance more applicable to a crowded setting, without abandoning your technique. Like Swing, you can do the Foxtrot, or some variation of it, to almost anything.
Country (Two-Step, Country Cha Cha, & Swing)
One of the best things about ballroom is that it is constantly evolving to include more current music styles. This session will focus on three styles as they are applicable to country music specifically, discussing how stylistic elements change to make the dance fit with the character of the music. In the case of Two-Step, Foxtrot maintains some of its characteristics while completely abandoning others.
This session is meant to be a brief overview of Cha Cha and Swing; for a more comprehensive look at Cha Cha and Swing, please enroll in the sessions focusing on those styles.
Meet Your Ballroom Instructor
About Kate
Kate Stark has been dancing for 20 years. She studied ballet, tap, and jazz extensively until attending college at Miami University in Oxford. While completing B.A. degrees in Journalism and Biological Anthropology, Kate was an executive board member and choreographer for Vision Dance Company. It was during this time that she began her training in modern, lyrical, and contemporary. After college, Kate began producing TV news for WHIO-TV in Dayton, and continued dancing as an instructor at Arthur Murray. There, she worked extensively on the Foxtrot, Two-Step, Waltz, Tango, Swing, Rumba, Merengue, and Cha Cha. Today, Kate remains involved in the dance community as a teacher for Webby Dance Company, yogahOMe, and Dancing with Parkinson’s programs, and as a member of the Greater Cincinnati Dance Alliance. She also works as a Marketing Associate for Doth Brands.
