Central Dance Studios believes that everyone should be able to enjoy dance, whatever your age or ability, but we also understand that as new dancer, especially if you’re a bit older than the average teenager (!) can be daunting, so here’s our easy guide to getting started:

1.       Don’t be afraid to visit the studio and take a look around, meet the staff and check out the facilities.  One thing to remember, dance studios are rarely glamorous.  It’s an arts thing… whilst we love to dance, most of the money a studio makes goes on getting the best teachers in, so changing rooms are often small, few studios in HK have showers and you might need to be willing to travel to find one you like.

2.       Not sure how Hip Hop is different from Jazz Funk? Doesn’t matter.  I recommend you just try the classes and see how you like them. The name is just the name. Each dance teacher has a different style, which means one person’s Hip Hop class is completely different to another person’s hip hop class. Just dive in and keep going until you find a teacher you like.

3.       Ok, so you really want to know the difference between Hip Hop and Jazz Funk?  Mainly, it’s technique. Jazz Funk is more girly, and uses some kicks and turns that are based on ballet, so it’s sexier, but also sharper. Pussycat Dolls style dancing is a good example of Jazz Funk. It’s also called Commercial Jazz, Jazz or Street Jazz depending on where you’re from.


Hip Hop  traditionally uses moves including breaking, locking and popping, but at Central Dance Studios we don’t really teach beginners these moves because they’re quite technical and we want you to learn to love dance before we throw the harder stuff at you! So think Urban music and high energy sounds that are great for working up a sweat. All our teachers have their  own style, so why not try a few classes and see who you like best.

4.       Afraid that everyone in the class will be too young, or a great dancer? At our studio, the average age of our dancers is 28 – 32, because we specialise in adult beginners classes. Most people have never danced before, or just started when we opened, so you won’t be alone.  It is important you feel comfortable, and dancing with other like minded people helps. But remember, everyone in the room feels just like you do, and they are all too busy worrying about what they are doing to be looking at you in the mirror – if you still need moral support, enlist a friend to come with you.  
 
5.       Not sure what to wear?  For most classes gym or yoga clothes and trainers are fine, for ballet class you can do it in socks or ballet slippers, just call us and ask and we’ll tell you what to bring.

6.       Worried you won’t be any good?  If dancing was that easy, we’d all be out of a job because it takes more than 1 class to pick up the basics. Here’s some handy tips to get  you started though:


-          You need to train your brain to talk to your body – through motor fitness exercises

Even gym bunnies rarely do this, so coordination is often a bit slow, and it takes time to get the grey cells working at speed. The good news is that if you stick with it, you’ll see improvement within 4 – 8 weeks  and once it clicks, it stays.  However, it’s like a muscle, so use it or lose it!!!


-          Getting great muscle tone through dance means doing technical dance like ballet or jazz. It’s the effort of standing in the correct posture that tones you up and gives you buns of steel.  So Hip Hop to burn calories, and ballet to tighten and tone….great!

-          Don’t think that missing a class is the end of the world.  We all have commitments ,so book onto classes, but if you miss one, don’t drop out, book the following week and keep coming. Set yourself a goal and you can reach it!

-          Don’t hide at the back of the room. The brain uses your reflection in the mirror to help you learn, so watch yourself not the teacher as soon as you can, and you’ll find you remember routine quicker, and improve your dancing too!


So want to try a class? Why not come and see us.  START WITH A BEGINNERS CLASS – it’s always best to start easy then move upwards , than the other way around . See our timetable here and book yourself in – we hope you love dancing just as much as we love teaching you.
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Calling all CDS dancers, if you want to grab yourself some free tickets to the HK International Art Fair next weekend, get yourselves down to Central Dance Studios, where you pick yours up, for simply being one of our fabulous clients!Brilliant!
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Not long now and school’s out for summer!  There is a vast variety of summer activities for all ages and many parents and children carefully consider their choices hoping to discover their child’s talent or develop a lasting interest.   Activities are also an opportunity to get a head start outside of the classroom developing interpersonal and communication skills through the means of games and physical exercises.

Even better than learning a new skill, is getting to show it off! And that’s exactly what experienced kids dance teacher, Twinkle Lam is hoping to get everyone excited about this summer as she launches Central’s first kids summer dance program, that culminates in an exclusive show for friends and family.

With three ages groups to choose from, each child can explore dance in a fun yet developmental program that will keep them entertained through the summer months.  Programs run in July and August and each month Twinkle’s dancers will put on a dance extravaganza at Central Dance Studios, designed to show off their new skills.

Speaking about the themed programs incorporating ballet and jazz such as ‘Under the Sea’ for infants to ‘King of Pop’ for older dancers, Twinkle Lam, Principal of Twinkle Dance Co says, "Whilst playing games, the children are learning to give directions to their body and command its movements. The games are designed so children can develop a greater sense of their physicality at an early age."

“It’s the first time that Central Dance Studios is hosting shows of this kind and I hope that this will enable parents and friends to really engage with their children’s summer activities.” Says Elle Kealy, Director of CDS.For more details please see HERE
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1.      What if we told you that you can have an energy pick me up and improve your skin, circulation and sense of wellbeing in less than 1 hour? You can ! You’ll instantly boost your activity leveland feel good endorphin levels and it will only take 60 minutes to feel the benefit!

2.      Does class slip you by each week with drinks or dinners? - Book yourself onto a course instead and set yourself a goal of learning 3 routines well – you’ll feel fab when you achieve it and with a start date and end date in sight, you can clear your diary and it will prevent you from procrastinating.

3.      Summer.. …..Beaches….Bikini’s…say no more. Plus, going back to class gives you a great excuse to grab some new dancewear to match the new you. 

4.      You can get FREE dance classes this summer when you attend regularly – ask Kerry for a card and details

5.      You haven’t missed out and you haven’t fallen behind – you can pick up anytime. There are beginners and beginners+ sessions that are NEW starting each month, so if you worry about being left in dark if you’ve been away. Our levels haven’t changed, so you can step right back in without being out of your depth.

6.      Regular classes don’t fit in with your schedule? Why not get a group of friends involved and book a package of privates so that you can dance when it suits you, or just come along by yourself for 1-on-1’s.  10 classes start from $4900 – which is great value! Check out the website for more details.

7.      Don’t feel guilty, feel great! We all go through stages of commitment and not so much commitment! I know I’m a keen gym goer for 3 months of the year, but then one small lapse and it’s ‘bye-bye gym’ for another 9 months, until I get back into it. Take the first step, even if it feels like a challenge and you’ve won half the battle


.8.      Make time for yourself – if the kids or work has been sapping your energy, dance class gives you 1 hour a week to concentrate on your wellbeing. Without this time you’ll feel drained. Turn off the TV and get into some real life action in class.

9.      Recovering from injury? Scared that dance will put you back a step... Actually, with the right reintroduction you’ll strengthen and improve your fitness, as long as you return when you’re really ready. Book an appointment with your physio or doctor and ask to get their OK to dance. Then come back and watch as muscle memory kicks in and gets you moving again.

10.   If you’ve lapsed…we want you back at CDS. Talk to us about our limited offer package reactivation programme this summer. You may be able to claim back unused or expired credits, or even qualify for a returning customer discount or freebies. Contact us for more details.  Now get out and get dancing!!!
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