I was attracted to dance at the age of sixteen. I needed to express myself creatively and I have always been physical and sporty - so the transition to dance felt very natural.
For me, practicing dance is more than just every day work. It is a lifestyle. It keeps me going physically and mentally, as well as improving my artistic well-being.
Dance is for everyone whatever your need or ability. Not everyone wants to become a professional dancer, but dance as a hobby can contribute to your physical and mental health regardless of age, commitment or ability.
Dance encompasses many forms and techniques. Different dance styles suit different needs and requirements. Jazz, ballet and contemporary dance are great for improving co-ordination, posture or balance. Improvisition offers a chance to explore your own expression and creativity through movement. If you are interested in meeting and socialising with other people, social forms of dancing such as salsa could be just the thing for you.
Dance is a fantastic way of expression without words, and therefore it crosses cultural, social and language barriers. Regular dance practice can contribute to your general well-being by improving your confidence and increasing your sense of achievement. Dance may also help you cope with stress by allowing you to break from daily routines, as well as have a positive impact on your social interaction with other people.
Community dance has been a popular activity in South East Wales for long time, but it has is only recently become possible to train in Wales to gain a recognised qualification in dance.
To find a dance class to suit you, firstly think about what you want to gain from dance. There are several organisations in Wales that can help you find the right class. Try contacting Community Dance Wales or Welsh Independent Dance to start with. Rubicon Dance in Cardiff run classes in many different styles. They can be contacted by calling 029 2049 1477. Talk to teachers to make sure that the class is suitable for your skill level, and of course, try it out!
your comments
Gee in the Cardiff area
1-2-3, 1-2-3, I find it extremely difficult to learn steps. However, with the 5 rhythm-dance I feel the beat pulsing through my body, shaking my rusty joints lose. Instead of me moving my body the body is dancing me. As I don't have to do anything right, the dance is an exploration into my inner being. Sometimes I feel elated, even though the day may have started with a depression. Often emotions get unlocked I did not know I had stored away. I keep on moving and move through them - always a worthwhile adventure, despite the tears or agitation. My body seems to know how to express itself. And in the end I feel much better.
Davina Morgan, Bridgend
We have no Belly Dancing classes anymore during the evenings! Only a few in the mornings but most of us work:( Are there any teachers out there to possibly start a dance class here in Bridgend, South Wales please!!
Shelby From Bridgend
I'm 13 and Im Looking For Hip Hop/ Break Dance Lessons.Does Anyone know where I Can Get some?
Ian Wheeler, Cardiff
Hey I Was Looking For Adult Beginner Classes In Ballet Can anyone help ???
Liz Price from Cardiff
I started dancing when I was a child up until about the age of 17, then I gave it up. I am now 24 and would love to start again as it is something that I have greatly missed. I have recently moved into Cardiff and was wondering if anyone could recommend any decent dance academies. I am interested in Tap and Ballroom. Beginners ballroom as I have never done this before. Thanks.
Sydney
I am 15 years old, dancing since I was three, a competitive dancer, dancing many hours a week because I put my heart and soul into it. It is really offensive to tell me and all the other dancers around the world that dance is only a hobby! NO... dance is one the most difficult SPORTS you can come across! Dancing is definitely more than a hobby to me, it's my life! Not to mention, in 1997, the International Olympic Commitee officially recognized dance as a sport!
Chloe, Cardiff
I really luv all sorts of dancing but my fave dancing is contemporary, ballet, hip hop and ballroom. Every year I go to Diversions in the Millenium Centre it's really good and I would recommend going there for girls and boys!!!
Louise Hall, Cardiff and Newport!
I love dancing too and am interested to see that Tanja Raman got into dancing late as I did too. To the person looking for Newport classes you should contact the Riverfront and the Burleigh Academy.
Georgia Lewis In Wales x
I love to dance - it's my life! First of all I'm an RSD action cheerleader, then I dance for Richards School Of Dance which is street, disco, latin, team, doubles, solo, trios and lots more! I compete regularly in national and international competitions - I also do lots of dancing shows with diffrent groups. I have been on lots of dancing courses as well including a fab one with Diversions Dance Company of Wales. I have recently competed in the Wales Dance Championships which were really good. I came 3rd in my solo and 3rd in my doubles. I have made a lot of friends through my dancing life and it also keeps me fit! I Love It!
Chloe Evans..Rhondda
I dance very regularly through out the week. I would also love to become a professional dancer. I dance with Richards School of Dance and I go cheerleading with RSD action cheerleaders ... Ihave worked with Diversions Dance Company and I learned lots more tips and tricks... I will always dance now and nothing will stop me.. I regulary take part in competitions, shows and medal tests. The one thing I hate about some of the dancers are when they're bitchy and think theyre better than everyone else. Everyone is as good as each other - it depends how much effort you put in ... also there is a difference between trying hard and showing off.
Andrea, new resident of Cardiff
I really miss dancing - it is one of the best ways I know how to express myself and enjoy life. Yet I have no idea where to go for a good class, somewhere with people around their mid 20's and above. Can you help please? I'm looking for Jazz or contemporary mainly but even ballroom could be pretty fun.
Karen, Fife
I am a student studying childcare - I need to make a folio of dance for children aged 0-3 years and 3-5 years and cannot come up with any ideas. I have even tried looking up the internet and books but am still stumped. Do you have any ideas that would help me?
Sam Beardsworth from Lancashire
I think dance of any form is fantastic and although I'm 39 this year I will dance forever! I started when I was three, a born dancer coming from a dance back ground. Even though had to give up tap dance due to shin splints I will not give up on any other dance, and I'm lucky I have a great partner whos a great mover at the age of 51 - we love it! My daughter who is 22 has continued the tradition also and is fantastic! We are hoping to be able to continue when we move to Spain this year.
Mandy B, Bridgend
I am 16 years old and wanting to be a dance teacher. I specialise in hiphop and R'n'B. I am doing a dance course where I take Ballet, Jazz and contemporary. I am looking for somewhere to teach to help build up my teaching skills. Can anyone give me any help as I have tried looking and haven't got very far?!
Shan S. Wales
I discovered Jawahir in 2006 and it has gently and delightfully strengthened my health and brought back my sense of being beautiful which rather got lost in the crush of family life. Jawahir is not the only company of belly dancers around but they are exceptional in their kindly approach which never never plays hierarchy or outsider games - not even a bit. The acceptance among the women is truly remarkable so that each of us can get better at the dance and enjoy what we individually can do very fully without being held back by confidence or approval issues. Of course it's also exciting, vigorous, colourful, delicate, exasperating, exotic and exhilerating - and so female! The men in our lives love it too as it brings us happily alive - and they get invited to our parties! The company is aged from grandmothers around 70 down to children. There are quite a few like me who have struggled with illness etc but also some amazing zingy teenagers. Belly dance is the most female exercise there is and it also develops gracefulness. Delicious.
Jodie Donaldson
Hi - I live in Newport, South Wales, and I am looking for a dance class near me. I really want to learn how to dance and would also like to get fit. Please help.
Jess, Cardiff
Hi I'm 23, I started to dance when I was 3 and stopped when I was 14. I did ballet, tap, modern and jazz. I would really like to get back into ballet and hiphop. Any ideas and places to go? I'm not interested in doing shows, exams or anything - I just wanna get fit and get back into dancing.
Manjeet Kaur from Luton
I have always loved to dance but a few weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend 2 Biodanza dance classes in Redburn village & London- what a wonderful experience! Takes you deep within and allows you to connect with the group you are dancing with and the Earth. What a release.
Emma Roberts, RCT
Hey, I'm looking for somewhere I can begin to learn tap and hiphop dance. I am a fan of dancing and do a lot in school. I was wondering are their any classes close to Tonyrefail or Llantrisant Because that would be great!!!! I have just been accepted into college to do dance after my auditions so I must be ok lol!!!!!
Jasmine French, Wales
I dance nearly every day of the week - I would love to be a professional dancer, but I know that it will be very hard to get to be one! I go to Rubicon dance Cardiff, ballet, street, contemporary, disco, pop, and jazz. I enjoy all of them and it really keeps me fit! I have been on quite a lot of dance courses with recognised companies like Welsh Independent Dance where I trained with Tanja Raman and Jem. I really enjoyed watching these two dance at the end of the show - they were fantastic! I have also worked with Diversions the Dance Company of Wales where I worked with two teachers. I really enjoyed watching your show and seeing you both dance and thought you were excellent as well!
Stephen Ash from Coventry
Attending a contemporary dance class helped me to stop smoking. I had attended a dance course in the late eighties which was such a truly unpleasant experience - it took me about seventeen years to get over it. I eventually managed to separate dance from the abuse I'd suffered on the course and I now perceive dance in a similar way before I'd started the course.
Zoe, Cardiff
Could any one help me please - I'm 14 and love le roc dancing and latin american dancing but I cannot find any classes for my age group where competitions are available. Could any one help? Thanxs
Gemma Owens from Caerphilly
I started dancing about 7 months ago. I go to salsa dance classes. It has given me something to focus on, something to aim for and somewhere to go where i can forget about any troubles i may be having. I have achieved my bronze and silver medal thanks to Dance world in Newport. It's a fantastic school that cover a wide variety of dance styles.
TigerEyes
I'm a full time dance student at Bedford College and i enjoy every bit of it. The course is challenging but has helped me greatly to improve my fitness level and body composition and weight.
Rachel Elward
I love dancing, my friend Rachel Gronow like to dance too. my other bffl's like to dance too. along wiv Emz n Abz aka Caz n C.F we love it!
Samantha Balkcom, Florida
She is right, Dance is not just a class that I go to - it's a part of my life and I don't know what I would do without it. I have danced since I was only 5 years old now I dance on pointe with a nationally recognized company. Dance is my getaway and without it I would be nothing!
Rachel Gronow from South Wales
I love to dance but being a teenager in my area iz hard because there are no dance classes anywhere that do morden hip hop.
Kyra White,Trowbridge Mawr,Cardiff
I am a very big fan of dancing.I love barn dancing as I have a farm and I open my barn every summer and hold parties for all my friends.Everybody loves them who attends.
Joanne Shepherd, Wales
I going dancing at least twice a week. I love it very much and it's a fun activity as I can dance with my partner Terry. We have entered a few competitions and have not won but we enjoy taking part and getting really fit. My favourite dances are the waltz and the tango.
Janelle McDonald from Radyr
I danced as a child and up until the age of 18 years - two of those years at a full time dance school in Manchester. At the age of 18, however, I gave it all up. I am 23 years old now and have not danced a step in the last 5 years - until September of this year, when I realised I had to start dancing again. I can without doubt say that deciding to take up dance again is the best thing I have done in the last 5 years and probably in my life. It has filled a void that has hung over me since I gave dancing up. If I could turn the clock back, I would have spent those last 5 years dancing my feet off, and the next 20 years after that. Dancing is a great escape from everyday stress in life and the feeling of freedom is fantastic. My advice to anyone who is dancing is to stick with it, or anyone who is not dancing to take it up. The benefits from dancing, both mentally and physically, are second to none.
Robyn L from Washington
I dance every day of the week and I have become very fit. I enjoy it very much - it's fun to be doing something with other people your age and enjoying it. I have made a lot of friends and we all have one thing in common - we dance everywhere we go and love to do it. I encourage everyone of any age to join a dance team or class.
