So you’re a dancer, and you want to keep improving. You’ve taken all the levels offered by your local studio, and aren’t sure where to go from there. You’re contemplating cross-training in another genre, but really aren’t sure where to start.
First of all, in my opinion cross-training in another genre is a fantastic idea. But, where do you start? What genres are the most and least helpful to improve your dancing?
Disclaimer: This list is only my personal opinion. If you have a trusted dance instructor, it may be worth talking to that person and discussing what is right for you.
Solo Dances:
Ballet/Contemporary:
Why it’s Awesome:
Ballet and its derivative forms are in many minds the base of many dance genres. Balance, posture, control, power, technique, and flexibility are all improved by Ballet. It also Ballet is usually one of the first cross-training recommendations I make to students. Since many partner dancers began dance later in life and do not have formal dance training, the fundamentals of Ballet are sometimes a key way to help improve general ‘dance’ technique.
What’s not so Awesome:
Ballet is pretty kick-ass. The only thing it doesn’t really touch on is partner connection because it is a solo dance, so if you want to improve how you feel I wouldn’t recommend Ballet.
Hip Hop:
Why it’s Awesome:
Creative, modern, and works a ton on isolations and body control. Hip Hop really does give an element of smoothness to the social dancer who branches out. Hip Hop is also great for adding creative foot and body styling to dances that are more in line with the less-formal social dance floor.
What’s not so Awesome:
Hip Hop does not work on partner connection. It also does not have the same advantages of Ballet in terms of working on your frame and posture. Basically, Hip Hop is a dance that gives major ‘cool factor’ but doesn’t necessarily improve fundamental dance technique in the same way as something like Ballet.
Belly Dance:
Why it’s Awesome:
Talk about core control and movement! Building the core is essential to balance strength in dancing. Plus, the isolations in through the core area are very valuable for both styling and as a cornerstone of many dances – like Zouk. Another bonus from Belly Dance is that it tends to give a very nice variety to arm styling. It certainly makes your dancing more sexy at the very least.
What’s not so Awesome:
You don’t really get a high exposure to footwork or frame, and there is no partner work. As such, Belly Dance tends to make people more sexy and have a higher quality of core movement when they work, but neglects some of the key areas dancers use – like footwork and spins.
Tap:
Why it’s Awesome:
If you are a Lindy dancer, Tap has a lot of crossover into the same movement repertoire.
What’s not so Awesome:
There’s not that many transferable skills; it is very niche. Outside of the Swing dances stemming from a similar era, it’s not always the most useful dance to learn for cross-training.
Jazz:
Why it’s Awesome:
Jazz tends to be a solid middle ground. It’s not quite as intense as training in ballet, and tends to borrow from some of the more urban movements present in softer forms of Hip Hop.
What’s not so Awesome:
I tend to prefer Ballet to Jazz for cross-training just because of the structure that gives such a strong foundation. I kind of view Jazz training as Ballet’s little, cooler sister in terms of benefits.
Pole/Burlesque:
Why it’s Awesome:
Well, Pole will make you really effing strong and flexible if you pursue it. Outside that insane advantage, Pole and Burlesque both tend to bring out the inner sexy in dancers.
What’s not so Awesome:
I don’t know if all the movements and attitude from those classes will transition so well to the social dance floor…
Partner Dances:
West Coast Swing:
Why it’s Awesome:
There are few dances that push the creativity envelope as far as West Coast Swing. The level of creativity and the need to ‘wait’ for your partner helps to raise awareness in dancers of how to really dance with their partner. It’s also a fantastic way for follows to learn how to take more ownership of the direction of the dance. This is a great cross-training dance for Zoukers, in particular.
What’s not so Awesome:
The connection is not very transferable to most Latin styles as it is far ‘heavier’ than what many will be used to – especially from dances like Salsa. It’s also not a dance that utilizes upper body or isolations very much – especially at lower levels – so it’s not particularly helpful for improving styling.
Brazilian Zouk:
Why it’s Awesome:
Zouk is the only partner dance that really utilizes lead/follow motions of the head and upper body. Because most partner dances are danced primarily from the waist down, the upper body and head movement tends to be highly transferable to other styles. It’s also the dance that will help you learn not to get dizzy, as tilted movements and balance are critical to success in this style. Frame is also really developed in this dance, and has a high benefit for Tango, Ballroom, and Kizomba. West Coast Swing dancers really benefit from Zouk, particularly in learning how to use their upper body, tilts, and body rolls.
What’s not so Awesome:
This dance is not particularly easy to ‘dabble’ in, and learning how to properly execute head movement takes time. As such, there may be a slow start to really honing the transferable skills that make Zouk so beneficial.
Salsa:
Why it’s Awesome:
Want to learn how to spin and learn how to respond to your partner at lighting speed? Learn Salsa. To this day, I still find the most responsive spinners (both lead and follow) have a strong Salsa background.
What’s not so Awesome:
Salsa is a very confined dance in terms of material to ‘create’ new things with. The rigidness of the timing leaves little room to develop creativity and unique body movements.
Tango:
Why it’s Awesome:
Tango is the ruler of frame. The entire dance depends on it. If you want to get better frame and really learn how to use frame to stay with your partner, do Tango. It also tends to develop fantastic leg lines.
What’s not so Awesome:
Tango exists almost completely in the close hold position. Thus, upper body styling tends not to be as accentuated, and dancers may not be as comfortable with open hold positions.
Lindy Hop:
Why it’s Awesome:
Lindy certainly teaches you how to leverage off the partner. Unfortunately, I’m not very familiar with Lindy Hop and therefore do not understand exactly what the other benefits of this dance would be – aside from fantastic cardio!
What’s not so Awesome:
The connection that I’ve felt from Lindy Hoppers tends to be way heavier than most other styles of dance – and turns are not really a thing (at least at the lower levels). This distances the ability of Lindy Hop to be an effective cross-training dance for other styles outside of the Blues/Swing family.
Non-Dance Cross-Training:
Gymnastics, Yoga, and generally getting in shape tend to be fantastic for really developing dance abilities. Anything that works on flexibility, strength, and balance has major payoffs for any dancers. Almost magically, things that were once very challenging suddenly become super easy (trust me – this has happened to me!).
For the timing-challenged, taking up a musical instrument or working with DJ software is also beneficial. The more exposure you give yourself in terms of understanding music, the more musical a dancer you will become!
Did I miss a style? What’s your cross-training secret? Add your thoughts in the comments below!
Lindy Hop:
I think it encourages a dancer to study and learn a lot of Jazz technique to truly shine in ECS. It also requires greater study of music as the robust movements have to be planned well in advance in order to be properly let with musical timing. WCS is slow enough we you can freestyle more comfortably, even songs never heard before. In order to have the same freedom, i have to KNOW the music for ECS.
Cons: The greatest con is that its close enough to WCS to short circuit the brain. Gaining skill in technique in one will hurt technique in the other as their framing is totally different. WCS is upright while ECS/Lindy is down in action stance ( think tennis )
Blues:
An excellent beginner dance as it has a low initial learning curve that allows everyone to enjoy after that first class. It also serves as a great ice breaker to those not used to partner dancing. It’s simplicity allows for great freedom of movement and creativity, often stifled in more patterned dances.
Cons:
It requires appreciation for older Blues music. It may be harder to find a local scene willing to adopt Turquoise or Fusion music that is perfect for dancing Blues. ( think AWOLNATION’s Sail ) It’s simplicity can also lead to a false sense of mastery and conformity which can stifle general growth.
Hey, Yahve ^_^ Fancy I find you here on an article discussing crossing-over dance styles…hehe Loved that you mentioned “Sail”. <3
I’m not much of a Blues Dance fan but I do think that Blues has taken the close embrace lead/follow dynamic to a level not found in other dances. Through Blues I have learned leading through breathing and with micro leads or very subtle movements of the abdomen. The con is that most Blues dancers are not so great in open position. If you want to learn to connect with your partner in open position go with WCS.
And just a comment on Tap. Tap will sharpen your timing.
I dance forro, and I have taken up salsa
They have a lot of commonalities, and Im hoping I can improve my forro, while learning a new style
Thank you for writing this. I do lindy hop and can do a bit of rock n roll. I have recently started salsa and bachata after falling in love with zumba. I keep getting feedback that my frame is too strong, and I’m worried that people think I’m not listening, because I don’t seem to be able to loosen it up. I was wondering if my fellow lindy hoppers were too polite to say anything, or if it was something that didn’t transfer so well between swing and latin. I think you’ve answered this for me. I’m also not used to being directly in front of a partner without being at arm’s length, so I think I might be a bit embarrassed and nervous of the other person’s proximity. Arm styling is going to be an interesting learning curve too. Does anybody have any tips on how to relax my frame please?