Freestyle dance is a form of dance that allows you to express yourself creatively and freely. Freestyling requires no specific steps or choreography, just the courage to move your body to the rhythm of the music. We’ve compiled a beginner’s guide for you to get started.
- Find Your Own Style: The beauty of freestyle dancing is that there are no rules or limitations. You can dance in any style that feels natural to you. It could be hip hop, breakdancing, heels, contemporary, or anything that you like. The key is to find what feels comfortable and authentic to you.
- Warm Up: Before you start freestyling, it’s essential to warm up your body and loosen up your muscles. Stretch your arms, legs, neck, and back, and try to loosen any tension in your body. Perform some light cardio, like jumping jacks or jogging in place, to get your blood flowing and heart rate up. The more relaxed and warmed up you are, the easier it will be to move freely and avoid injury.
- Listen to the Music: Music is the driving force behind freestyle dancing. It is important to listen to the beat, tempo, and rhythm of the music. Pay attention to the emotions the song evokes in you, and try to convey those feelings through your dance. For more on Music and Musicality, check out our article on that while you’re at it. Start out small and start moving to the song while getting a feeling for it. A common problem people have is they get overwhelmed/anxious and start moving too much, ignoring the music. If you start feeling this happening, consciously tell yourself to reset and get back in tune with the music.
- Experiment with Different Movements and Concepts : Once you’ve got the music in your head, start experimenting with different movements. Don’t worry about being perfect, just focus on having fun and moving your body. As you dance, challenge yourself to try new moves or combine existing ones in different ways. Start thinking in terms of stringing different concepts together, or sticking to one body part or dance style, and then connecting it into another one. The more you practice this, the more comfortable you’ll become with it, and the more natural and impressive your freestyle will become.
- Focus on transitions: Smooth transitions between moves are crucial in freestyle dancing. Practice moving from one dance step to another seamlessly and fluidly. This will make your freestyle dance appear more polished and professional, even if you’re just dancing for fun.
- Record yourself: Recording your freestyle dance sessions can be a valuable tool for improving your skills. Watching yourself dance can help you identify areas where you might need improvement and inspire you to try new moves or techniques. Plus, it’s a great way to track your progress and see how far you’ve come.
- Take Classes: Taking classes can be a great way to improve your freestyle dancing skills and learn new techniques. Look for classes at local dance studios or online like TMILLY TV, and don’t be afraid to try out different styles of dance, such as hip hop, breakdancing, or contemporary.
- Join a Dance Community: Becoming a part of a dance community in your area is a great way to learn new techniques, get feedback, and connect with other dancers. Find a local dance studio, and if you’re ever in LA, come take classes with us in person at TMilly Studio! Or join our online dance community on TMILLY TV to get started.
Freestyle dance is a fun and rewarding way to express yourself, connect with music, and improve your overall fitness. By following the tips and techniques outlined in this blog, you can unleash your inner dancer and discover the joy of expressing yourself through movement. Remember to be patient with yourself, practice regularly, and most importantly, have fun!
Become comfortable with various dance styles for your next freestyle session with TMILLY TV’s online classes today. (And since we’re here, follow TMilly TV and TMilly Studio on Instagram too!)
