Ballroom from a Beginner’s Perspective

I began ballroom lessons in January of 2025, fully convinced I already knew how to dance. After all, I’d taken lessons as a kid, performed in musicals through high school and college, and jumped into tap, jazz, or Zumba whenever a class popped up nearby. I even choreographed a few dances. None of that prepared me for competitive ballroom, which follows a strict set of rules. And I tend to break rules, accidentally.

When I watch Dancing With the Stars, I often feel the judges are too harsh. Now I understand. They’re looking for ballroom technique, and they downgrade anyone who doesn’t accomplish it. The technique does not come naturally, and beginners need to be reminded of it over and over again.

At a recent Rumba group class, my fellow student Laura and I had a moment of clarity — or maybe comedy. Our instructor, Dmitry, loves asking questions, and we usually hesitate to answer.

“Which way are you turning?” he asks.

We look at each other like two deer in headlights. I wait for Laura. “Right?” she whispered. “Correct,” he says with enthusiasm.

It sounds like a simple question, but it’s surprisingly common for beginners to turn without knowing which direction they’re turning. Apparently, spatial awareness is optional.

I asked about stability while doing a Rumba step. He answered with a question.

“Should you pick up your feet during Rumba?”

“No,” we answered in unison.

He disappeared into the supply closet and returned with napkins, placing one under each of our feet.

“I want you to Rumba. Don’t look at your feet, and don’t lose the napkins.”

I only lost mine once — a personal victory. And yes, it did feel more stable using the floor as a guide.

Later, Laura texted me a full synopsis of what we learned. This is only part of it:

• Practice basic with elements: basic, cross‑body lead, and ladies’ underarm turn
• Practice open Cuban walks with ladies’ underarm turn and outside/side break
• Use a toe lead — toe first, then ball of foot
• Use the inside of the foot, not the outside
• Step length should match the distance between your feet
• When one leg is bent, the other is straight

And the description went on…and on. Ballroom technique is not intuitive, even with years of dance experience.

I’ve made every beginner mistake imaginable, such as forgetting which dance I'm doing while doing it, stepping on my instructor, using the wrong frame (Latin vs smooth dance), beginning the dance without waiting for my partner, and many others.

On Wednesday practice nights, which we do every other month, it goes one of two ways: I’m either nervous and make silly errors, or I dance on autopilot and remember nothing. I perform best when I’m not thinking — which is both helpful and unhelpful.

Because I’ve had balance issues recently, my instructor tried to help me.

“May I tie an elastic above your knees?” he asked politely.

“I guess so,” I replied, having no idea what was about to happen.

He returned with a resistance band and tied it. We danced. And suddenly I felt an empowering sense of balance — I could actually perform my Rumba turns.

“Was that better?”

“Definitely.”

He paused. “Do you want me to get the napkins?”

I know he meant well. “No thank you,” I replied.

Ballroom is a challenge, delightful, maddening, and humbling. It demands dedication, patience, and a sense of humor. Every beginner is in the same boat, making the same mistakes, learning the same rules, and discovering the same joy when something finally clicks.

And when it does, it’s magic.

Fred Astaire Studio, Lafayette

Gatsby Party We learned quick step on Friday night. This is my outfit.

Roaring 20's I did not take photos at the party, so I took this selfie at home.

Who knew that napkins, resistance bands, wrong turns, and the occasional rookie mistakes were just steppingstones to a night of Gatsby sparkle? All that drilling, the toe leads, the balance fixes, the “wait, which dance am I doing?” moments, slowly build into something wonderful. The hard work doesn’t just improve your dancing; it gives you the confidence to slip into a Gatsby dress, strike a pose, and feel every bit as glamorous as the music promises. Wish me luck on practice night! Until next week ... Joanne