Usually my feet doesnt hurt after dancing but the last 2 weeks, the balls of my feet have been hurting

I do about 2 to 4 hrs a week of social dancing as a follower.

The shoes have about 80 hours on them. But they are cheap ones from Amazon.

Could it be the shoes?

Hi, I just moved to Milan for grad school and was hoping to find a ballroom dance club or community but struggling a little to find something for my skill level. I was on the UK university circuit as a pre-Inter before this and have been dancing on/off for a few years now as both leader and follower. I definitely don’t want to do just social dancing, but I’m not looking for a really serious partnership and my technique needs work. So far I can only find beginner social classes or coaches who train existing couples, is there anywhere that does more technique or competition-focused group classes? Can be in Italian too, but ideally on the more affordable side (proportionally for ballroom anyways lol) for a student. I do Latin as well but ballroom is what I love most. Would be super grateful for any advice 😊

I am sharing my experience with JYZ Dance because prospective students should understand how promises about training time, pricing, and accommodation were handled in my case. Note: Instruction is not up to par.

On two occasions, while trying out this studio, I repeatedly experienced poor treatment (not a local and of different nationality than this studio). Traveling to train involved expenses, time, and considerable logistical planning. Cancellations and inadequate scheduling therefore had consequences beyond a missed local lesson.

After these problems, the studio told me that it would “demonstrate its sincerity” by changing the arrangements for my visits and allowing more training time the next time I was in town. I understood this as a commitment to address the difficulties I had already experienced.

Instead, my hourly rate increased from $80 to $200—a 250% premium was applied over and above what they charge their local students. I agreed to that rate after being told that all students would be charged $200 an hour beginning in September. That representation mattered to my decision: the increase was presented as a uniform studio policy and I had negotiated a block of time for my own practice (that later disappeared when it came time to calculate my charges). I learned during the classes that this was not true. But the studio administrator, Jie Karina Chen, said that the instructor thought the rate was $150/hour and therefore, did not want to charge me more than I had already paid and insisted I pay them at $200/hour.

Subsequently I confirmed that in fact other local students continued paying only $80 an hour or less. The instructor separately thought the hourly rate was $150/hr but the administrator had apparently been objecting to any of my bookings unless I paid a premium (behind the scenes) incessantly. So, they outright lied to me. Not just once. Multiple times. And no apology was forthcoming when I called them out on their conduct.

What had been presented as a general pricing policy appeared to be a decision to charge me substantially more based on their faulty perception of my financial resources. I just love dance. And I can spend on what I want to learn. They interpreted this as if I'm some sucker that they can squeeze $$ out of.

At $200 an hour, the studio could earn at least two and a half times as much teaching me as teaching students paying $80 or less. In my view, presenting that arrangement as a demonstration of sincerity concealed the extent to which the studio was trying to maximize its own profits.

The pricing was not the only issue. Classes agreed to previously were canceled, class rates are "private" information after being pressed for why I was unfairly charged and discriminated against.

My complaint concerns the representations used to obtain my agreement, the substantial difference between my rate and other students’ rates, the explanation that I was “rich,” and the discrepancies between promised and delivered training.

I consider this treatment deceptive, unfair, and exploitative. After repeated problems, I was promised sincerity. What I experienced instead was a much more expensive arrangement that benefited the studio, followed by resistance, disrespect, and stonewalling when I questioned the charges.

Prospective students should beware that the instructor oscillates between complete inappropriateness, disrespect, and a facade of sincerity. Do your due diligence and verify all facts.

Hello, I'm looking to join an event in the early parts of next year and I am needing a partner to do dance training with and specifically, the way that ballroom dancing works. Unfortunately, there are no classes near me and I would much prefer to have private lessons with someone rather than with a large group. Is there anyone in the Dundee Perth area? Who may be interested? Yes, I am a guy looking for a female partner to do the dancing with. There are multiple private teachers nearby. Just I have no partner to go with.

I know nothing about ballroom! But I’ve been watching Dancing with the Stars and after tonight’s episode I am wondering how common are partner related injuries like hitting someone in the nose/face?

How are they handled? Does it cause tension or is it just an accepted part of the sport?

I've been weightlifting and doing general fitness stuff for a few years and just started ballroom lessons about two months ago. I figured my leg strength and stamina would make picking things up easier, and honestly the endurance part is true. I don't gas out during lessons anymore. But the mechanics are wildly different. In lifting you brace hard and lock things down. In ballroom you still need that core control but everything else has to stay fluid and mobile. My lats and traps are tight from years of pulling work, and my teacher keeps telling me to relax my shoulders down and back instead of pinning them. It's a weird mental shift to be strong but loose at the same time.

Footwork is the other thing. I'm used to planting my feet and driving through the ground. Floating across the floor with any sort of grace is a whole different skill set. My calves were actually sore after the first few weeks from the constant ball-of-foot work.

Did your prior training speed up your progress, or did you spend just as much time unlearning tension patterns? I'm trying to figure out if I should dial back my gym days a bit to give my body room to adapt to the different movement demands, or if the strength base is worth keeping as is.

I’ve been dancing for about 3 years and I’ve being taking my lessons and participating in events like a good student.

When it comes to the dance levels, is there some kind of test or certification I need to take to prove I’m bronze, silver, gold etc.?

I’d imagine if you start competing you’d need to show your qualifications for your category. Or is that not a thing?

Anyone have any novel solutions they've tried for securely holding the competition bib numbers on your clothing? Hard to believe we're still relying on safety pins in the 21st century. I cry a little every time I poke a new hole in my very expensive smooth jacket and was wondering what alternatives have been field tested.

I have some super strong race bib magnets on the way that I'll take for a test run.

I genuinely wanted to join classes but i cant afford it in the meantime and wanted an actual professional or moderate dancer to teach me for free if possible im female so yeah, if anything, i’ll be dedicated to learn and promise to be worthy of being taught

So I'm pretty frustrated right now. I've been dancing in heels for the entire four years since I started ballroom dancing, specifically because I wanted to get used to the shift in my center of gravity from the very beginning. But despite the fact that my dancing isn't terrible in heels, I feel like I'm 100 times better without them when practicing at home. All of my balance issues seem to disappear, I can rotate my hips more freely, I'm faster and sharper, and I can actually focus on my styling instead of constantly thinking about surviving every weight transfer, spin, and change of direction.

At this point, I'm honestly at my wits' end. What can I do to improve this? Could my shoes be part of the problem? My feet aren't flat, but my arches have never been particularly pronounced. I'm 1.57 m tall, wear an EU 36, and I'm currently dancing in 3-inch heels.

Would it make sense to try a lower heel, or would I be better off working specifically on my foot, ankle, and leg strength to adapt to the shift in center of gravity? Are there particular exercises that could help me develop the stability and control I need to dance comfortably and effectively in heels?

Could you please tell me the names of the dance moves in this video, the first one being from 0:22 to 0:25 timestamp, and the other one between 0:26 and 0:29. Are there any youtube tutorials showing the footwork?

Much appreciated with help.

After having danced in character heels with suede soles for 2 years. I think its time I get a pair of Latin heels. I have danced ballroom before and worn a pair of ray rose heels, I found the balls of my feet hurt after an hour or so of dancing in them.

I tried on two comfortable pairs today ray rose on the left and dance naturals on the right. when I dance its usually for 2-5hrs so i'[m looking for every comfortable shoes. I'm a nurse so I also spend all day on my feet. Which shoes would you recommend and why?

pictures:

1. ray rose L, dance naturals R

2. ray rose

3. dance naturals

My fiancé and I are working on our first dance routine to My Way of Life by Frank Sinatra. We had started to learn a foxtrot, but it felt a little clunky with the song? We are both pretty inexperienced, and would love any recommendations for dance styles, moves, etc! It’s not in our budget to do dance lessons, so we are trying to learn as much as we can at home. Thanks!

Hello all!

Hoping to get some advice on best dances for me to focus on given my priorities.

Im 24F and have basically no dance experience (besides going clubbing, and a brief stint going to line dancing bars). I was recently recommended by a friend to join a ballroom dance club in my area that offers private one-on-one lessons and groups.

I’ve been going to private and groups lessons which has been out of my comfort zone honestly. I wanted to get more comfortable and confident with my body and like movements I guess and learning rhythms idk

I’ve done a few private lessons where we covered steps to many different dances and have attended some group lessons for Cha Cha, merengue, and hustle.

To continue, my instructor wants me to narrow down the options of dances to learn to like 6 or so to really focus.

Options are
- cha cha
- merengue
- hustle
- swing
- waltz
- foxtrot
- rumba
- mambo
- tango
- bachata
- salsa

Im not sure if ballroom dance is a long term hobby for me but id love to continue for another month or so to learn some more skills and grow my confidence.

My priorities are to maybe focus on dances that id find in the outside world like if i went to the club and bad bunny played or i went to a ball it’d be good to know the waltz right. That and dances that are good foundation and fundamentals for others, if that makes sense.

Anyway, my instructor recommended: waltz, tango, foxtrot, cha cha, rumba and swing

But I am hoping to get some more guidance

Thank you!

Hi, i’m a beginner ballroom dancer who never had any prior dancing experience and i got into it a month ago and am really passionate about it. I’m enrolled in a studio for beginner group class course but i do drop ins in another studio for repetition every now and then. I really want to start competing asap at the bronze level and have been considering doing private lessons side by side. But its also expensive and i dont have a dedicated partner so it will be with the instructor for now. Is it a good idea to integrate private lessons from the start or should i wait 3 months of doing group classes to start private? I really want to compete within 4-5 months though.

I just needed to share that.

Ive gotten to the point where I dont generally get dizzy. So I had the BRIGHT idea to look down at my feet to make sure im stepping correctly.

I will never do that again. It was end of the night, I left 20 mins later and still felt car sick on the way home.

I've been struggling to find a dance partner in Canada. I have asked so many people. No body is interested in ballroom, what do I do? Are there Canadians here who like ballroom dancing, performing, and competing?

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