Many people ask, “What can I do to become the best ballroom dancer I can be?” Obviously, taking lessons and practicing are steps in the right direction. However, there are at least 10 habits that are guaranteed to improve your ballroom dancing.

How to improve and grow your ballroom dancing skills.

1. Stretching

There’s a reason that the #1 skill to develop is stretching. To be sure, a ballroom dancer needs to increase and maintain flexibility. In order to accomplish this, stretching must become a daily habit.

2. Weight training

A good ballroom dancer needs to be strong with well-defined muscles.  Consequently, if you want to improve your ballroom dancing, weight training is recommended as it will help isolate different muscles to enhance performance. For this reason, I’ve included a link to this post, “The Best Beginner Weight-Lifting Moves for Dancers“.

3. A big-time cardio workout

To increase cardio endurance, I have had lots of success with martial arts training. For example, Kickboxing is recommended because it develops a healthy heart along with improving flexibility and strong muscles. In fact, to create the power needed when throwing kicks, you’ve got to engage the core and that’s super-good for your dancing.

4. A good diet

Eating a well-rounded diet with carbs, fat, and protein will help promote a lean physique with strong muscles. Experiment with the percentages of each food group until you find the mix that allows you to be at your peak performance.

5. Massage or Chiropractic

A ballroom dancer, like any athlete, needs to spend time with the mechanic in order to stay in good working condition.

6. Make drinking lots of water a habit

Isn’t it true that anyone who is as physical as a high-level ballroom dancer will need to stay hydrated? Of course. So, get in the habit of drinking lots of water. ‘Nuf said.

7. Get enough sleep

Sleep will go towards repairing the body and preparing it for the next workout. With this in mind, read about “The Healing Power of Sleep” in this WebMD post.

8. Imagery conditioning will improve your dancing

Envision yourself achieving your goals.  Granted, it seems crazy, but when you do this, you’ll be able to program your mind and body for peak performance. As a matter of fact, experts recommend you find time to enter this meditative state at least once a day, preferably when you’re relaxed.

9. Hot tub or hot bath

Above all, the warmth of a hot tub or bath helps to reduce tension and stiffness in muscles. Equally important, this may be a good time to use those imagery conditioning exercises.

10. More stretching is a habit with a big payoff

You know, you can never do too much stretching! Of course, you’ll be the one with the lovely arms and legs. Stretch more, then, go ahead and enjoy showing off the beautiful lines and extensions that others only dream of.

If you haven’t yet committed to improving your ballroom dancing with these 10 habits, perhaps a few minutes reading this Dance Safari post, “Why Dance? The Benefits of Ballroom Dancing” will help you make the right decision. (I used to hate it when my mother would say, “Barbara, I know you’ll make the right decision.” Lol

Well, there you have it, the secrets to ballroom dancing success. When you think about it, it doesn’t seem like it would be too hard to do. I hope not, because taking care of your mind and body will help you grow in all areas of your life. In the meantime, “Viva ballroom dancing and viva vita!“.