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The ultimate guide to easy dance moves
Whether you’re hoping to impress at an upcoming party or looking to revamp your exercise routine, these nine easy moves will help you start dancing on the right foot.
There are countless factors that go into mastering a dance move, whether a simple step sequence or an intricate combo. From selecting the right music to engaging your body through dynamic warm-ups, the possibilities are endless and a whole lot of fun.
When you’re beginning to dance for the first time, the most important thing is doing what feels fulfilling. According to dancer Kyoka, one of the best ways to find your groove is by dancing a little bit of everything.
Kyoka teaching a workshop
© Ulrich Aydt/Red Bull Content Pool
"Try to expand your horizons and experiment with different types of dance. Push yourself outside your comfort zone and challenge everything,” she says. “This will elevate your style. But most of all, believe in yourself."
If you’re looking to start out your dancing journey, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading for tips on how to maximize your practice — and to learn nine easy dance moves for the next time you’re on the floor.
Why learn dance moves?
Dancing is one of the most versatile hobbies (or workouts) out there. Some people dance to gain confidence in social gatherings or in their own bodies, while others do so as an enjoyable, non-intimidating way to exercise. Dancing is also just as stimulating for the mind as it is for the body — memorizing steps and honing coordination takes some mental skill.
Learning the basics of dancing has benefits both inside and outside of the practice itself. Dancing is an easy way to improve your coordination, social confidence and physical fitness. Starting simple, with one- or two-step moves, makes beginner dance moves ideal for people of all ages and skill levels.
Top easy dance moves for beginners
The following list features some easy dance moves to learn, regardless of your skill level.
01
The Two-Step
True to its name, the Two-Step is just that: a simple side-to-side movement that’s ideal for any song. This move, with its unstructured technique and casual rhythm, makes for a core step in social dancing. When you’re not looking to break out a full dance routine, but still want to groove to the music, the Two-Step is a solid choice.
The Two-Step’s instructions are in its name. Simply step from side to side, back and forth.
02
The Grapevine
For a beginner-friendly dance move with some simple choreography, consider the Grapevine. This basic sequence entails stepping to one side, crossing your other foot behind, and then bringing your feet together. The result is a chain of steps that, when repeated, can get you from one end of the room for another. The Grapevine is best done with a group, making this move a great choice to break out for line dancing at a party.
03
The Step Touch
One of the most basic grooves, with plenty of versatility, is the Step Touch. Similar to the Two-Step, the Step Touch is a side-to-side movement — the only difference is that, with a Step Touch, you bring your feet together. Because this move is adaptable to various tempos and styles, you’ll see lots of riffs on it. Some of the most popular ones include turning your body to the side, doing a full spin before touching feet, and clapping to the music.
04
The Box Step
From ballroom routines to easy hip hop dance moves, the box step is a familiar go-to in both professional and social dancing. Box Step requires you to move your feet in a box-shaped pattern by starting with your feet together and moving your feet forward, backward, left and right, one foot at a time. Adjust the speed of your box step to the tempo of the music for a move that fits any mood.
05
The Body Roll
While the Body Roll might look like a complicated feat, it’s actually one of the best beginner steps out there. By creating a wave-like motion from head to torso, this smooth move adds flair to any casual routine. Start by arching your back and moving your hips forward, and end with relaxing your shoulders, for the most seamless version of this classic move.
06
The Shoulder Shimmy
One of the quickest ways to energize your typical dance routines is with the Shoulder Shimmy. When you’re listening to a fast-paced song, quickly shake your shoulders, letting the beat of the music dictate your speed. To make the move even more dynamic, try leaning from left to right as you shimmy your shoulders, or pair it with some footwork.
07
The Wave
Think of the Wave as the horizontal version of the Body Roll. When it comes to the Wave, it’s all in the arms. Start with your fingertips on one side and roll your arm in a wave motion to the end of your shoulder. Then, follow the inverse with your other arm, ending on your fingertips. The best Waves create the illusion that your two arms are connected to one another, with no body in between.
08
The Twist
If you’re looking for a throwback dance move that fits many beats, look no further than the Twist. This retro step doesn’t actually require any stepping at all — keep your feet planted while twisting your hips side to side. To add some extra pizazz, stick your hands out and fan your fingers or kick a leg up with every twist.
09
The Hip Sway
For a softer, more fluid version of the Twist, try out the Hip Sway, which looks great with slow or medium-paced music. Just like the Twist, you’ll keep your feet planted, but with this simple dance move, you’ll roll your hips from side to side. Many social and professional dancers will make the Hip Sway a part of a dance combo with moves like rolling their arms or stomping in place.
Practice tips for mastering dance moves
The D Soraki in a hip-hop dance workshop
© Eva Berten/Red Bull Content Pool
When you’re beginning to expand your dancing repertoire, don’t be afraid to start slow and pace yourself. Take things one move at a time, using a mirror or watching a dance tutorial to keep you on track.
For beginner dancers, the most important part of practice is always to have fun. Don’t be afraid to trust your intuition, focus on the rhythm, and savor the learning process.
Bringing it all together: dance moves to get you started
From breaking a sweat to building your confidence, there’s no shortage of benefits to picking up these easy dance moves. Many of these steps are the building blocks for more complex routines — so the more you practice, the brighter your dancing future will be. As long as you have fun and keep grooving, you’ll level up your dancing skills in no time.
