Building Confidence On The Zumba Dance Floor

Two Left Feet? Get ‘Em Right!

“I’ve got two left feet.”

I can’t count how many times this has been the first response I get when telling someone what I do for a living.

“The idea of dancing in public is terrifying, so please, please, don’t ever force me to come to your class,” is usually what I interpret their comment as.

No worries, dragging  people to class isn’t exactly my idea of fun either! 😜

But what I do find is that often the naysayers don’t actually hate dance as much as they may think. It’s more about disliking a feeling of awkwardness or self-consciousness – similar to being in a room full of people speaking a foreign language and not being sure if they are laughing with you or at you (I’ve had plenty of practice with that!). We don’t exactly walk down the street doing a merengue march or salsa step in line at the bank, so swirling our hips and shaking our shoulders can feel pretty strange in a world where you are told to stand straight and still.

So, this week, let's talk about the next step: building confidence while you're dancing!

You might be wondering how to feel more in sync, more capable, or just more "in the flow" during class. Here are some simple suggestions to help you feel like you've got a better grasp of what's happening and truly shine on the dance floor:

• Take a Clue from Cues: No, I’m not pointing to my eyes to say I need glasses, I’m telling you to look out for the step that is coming! Visual cues and hand signals give you key info about directions, repetitions, and upcoming changes in class. Plus, have you seen my face while I teach?! Watch out for those expressive cues and hints!

• Pay Attention to Patterns: For all you math lovers out there, you'll appreciate this! Most dance music includes repeating patterns. In Zumba, our movements often repeat with the verses, chorus, and breaks, sometimes getting a little more challenging each time. A common pattern is the "single, single, double" – like stepping right, then left, then right-right. Once you spot it, you'll be able to anticipate the other side (left, right, left-left)!

• Feel the Rhythm: Zumba classes feature core rhythms like Merengue, Salsa, Cumbia, and Reggaeton, with special flavors like K-Pop, Hip Hop, and Bollywood mixed in. To get familiar, practice clapping along to the beat of the songs on my Zumba Basics playlist and check our private KMoves Studio Facebook group for videos of basic rhythm breakdowns I’ll be sharing this month!

• Magic of Modifying: There's no "Zumba police"! If a movement feels too complicated or too intense, feel free to freestyle. March in place instead of jumping, or simplify the arm movements. The goal is for the moves to fit your comfort and fitness level, not the other way around!

• Practice Makes Progress: This is key! Keep coming to class. Notice, I didn’t say practice makes perfect; it's about consistently dancing in a way that feels right for you and your body. Every class builds your confidence and skill, allowing you to enjoy the experience even more.

Remember, building confidence is a journey, and every step, every beat, counts. Your consistent presence in class, whether in-person in Taipei or online, is how you'll feel more at home on the dance floor.

Come join us in class this week and put these tips into practice! Let's keep moving and growing that amazing confidence together!

 Keep moving!

xx,

Katie

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