Five Steps to Opening Your Own Dance Studio

Opening your own dance studio is an exciting process, but there are certain steps that need to take place to insure success. Sharing your love of dance will take you a long way, but a dance studio is a business, and like any other business, you will need to plan and design diligently, get the word out, and keep things running smoothly once you have opened the doors and are living your dream. The following steps will help you strategize your way to a profitable new dance business venture:

1. Prepare your plan. First, you will need to pick the right location. Naturally, you will want to find a place that is in the commercial center of town, with ample parking. If your studio is located on a busy street in the center of town, you can capitalize on foot traffic, because people will see it when they walk or drive by, especially if you have an eye-catching sign and a nice-looking studio. Consider how much space you will need for dancing, and make sure your studio has good natural light, a restroom, and enough space to create a dressing room and waiting area.

Salsa Dancing

Decide what type of classes you will want to offer, to which age group(s), and how often, which will help you begin to sketch out a class schedule. Another option is a dance studio franchise, because they can save lots of time and energy by offering their valuable expertise in choosing a location, marketing, and name brand recognition.

Five Steps to Opening Your Own Dance Studio

2. Design your studio. What sort of look and feel do you want for the dance studio? If you have decided to specialize in teaching ballet classes to young girls, you might paint the studio in feminine pastel colors that young girls adore, like pink or lilac, and decorate with murals, ballet costumes, or inspiring, beautiful dance posters. Whatever your theme, the end goal is to make the studio a place where people will feel comfortable and want to return over and over.

The physical layout of the studio is also important. Most studios have a reception area, where students check in and pay for classes, a changing area, a restroom, and a waiting area for friends and family members to sit and watch class, if they desire. Many studio owners create an area for a boutique that sells dance apparel, dance videos and music, dance equipment and supplies, and dance-related gift items.

A well-planned dance studio requires the proper dance equipment, such as sprung wood flooring, mirrors, and a sound system. If the studio is not already fitted with a dance floor, you will want a spring wood floor. This is a special type of floor that has cushioning to protect dancer's joints, and can be purchased as a kit or professionally installed. Most studios also have floor to ceiling mirrors installed along the front wall of the studio. If you need ballet barres, you can either attach them to the walls or purchase freestanding ballet barres. Your sound system needs to have enough power to fill the space. It should also have a port for instructors to hook in mp3 players or computers that contain playlists for class.

3. Marketing and promotion. Getting the word out is a vital part of getting students. You will need an appealing logo to put on all of your print marketing materials, including business cards, letterhead, brochures and flyers. Be sure to offer new student incentives on all of your marketing materials. New students are much more likely to come to your studio if you offer the first class for free, or give them special discounts.

Be sure to promote online, too. Your studio should definitely have a website with class schedules, pricing, your bio and photos. Consider listing your business with local business directories, schools, and in dance-related directories.

4. Network to increase visibility. A successful dance studio owner knows that a big part of their business involves creating good relationships with their students and the public. Creating community will always help you to find students and help students find out about you. Joining a business network group can add to your business. Other groups, such as parenting groups or church groups can also helpful.

A grand opening with free demonstrations, lectures, and giveaways can help draw attention to your studio. Some instructors offer workshops at community centers, or perform at local events.

5. Keep up with the business of your business. There are several administrative duties for every studio owner. Obviously, bookkeeping is mandatory. Mailing lists, class schedules, and information management can be time-consuming, and many studio owners opt for studio management software to keep track of it all efficiently.

Your music collection is the inspiration that drives your classes, so you will need to keep looking for new music often. Add new songs by searching online for options. Listen carefully to each song before you decide to download the music, and then arrange your songs for each class by creating a playlist on your MP3 player, iPod, or computer.

Going after your dream of opening a dance studio can be exciting, fun and profitable, provided you take the time to properly plan, design and run your business. Sharing your love of dance is wonderful, and earning a great living makes it priceless.

Five Steps to Opening Your Own Dance Studio

History and Origins of Pole Dancing

This has been around a lot longer than many of us would think, but how did pole dancing originate and where did come from? The form of pole dance we know today and its origins can be traced back to exotic performance dance arts.

The first recorded striptease dates back to a myth from ancient Sumerian times involving Inanna, the Goddess of Love, and her descent into the underworld to find her lover Damouz. At each of the seven gates, she removed an article of clothing or a piece of jewellery. As long as Inanna remained in hell, the earth was barren. When she returned, the earth again became abundant and fruitful. Some believe this myth evolved in the 'Dance of the Seven Veils' of Salome from the bible.

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The bible records Salome's dance but the first mention of removing veils rises from Oscar Wilde's play of 'Salome' in 1883. Some have claimed this to be the origin of modern striptease, but other influences may have come from Parisian times and the Moulin Rouge striptease through to Middle Eastern belly dancing and American burlesque.

History and Origins of Pole Dancing

Today many women learn the arts of Belly Dancing and dancing with Veils. Belly Dancing has been carried over from these legendary events. The skill have traveled from ancient Sumeria and into the Asia counties. It is understood to have been picked up by the gypsies who brought Belly Dancing through Europe.

The ancient Middle Eastern belly dance was thought to induce fertility in women and to strengthen their bodies in preparation for childbirth.

Throughout history there have been many forms of dance emerging. Many formed from sensual roots and bringing with them much controversy.

Another sensual form of dance, Rumba, is a dance of enticement and teasing. The tango originated in brothels of ancient Argentina. 'Gouchos' would arrive after working in the fields and the girls would entice them into going upstairs through dancing with their heads turned slightly to avoid the smell.

In the early 1900s the strip tease dance was added to burlesques shows to entice men to return. These featured famous strippers including Gypsy Lee Rose. Traveling tent shows had strip tease acts. The smaller tent dancers started to use the pole in the tent's centre to dance around. These tents became known as the dance pole tents.

Another idea of where pole dance actually started is linked to the Maypole. This Pagan ritual was seen by some as a phallic symbol which may explain why some link it to the pole dancing we know now.

The earliest recorded pole dance was in 1968 with a performance by Belle Jangles at Mugwump strip joint in Oregon.

Today's pole dancing craze is believed to have started in Canada in the 1980's in exotic table dancing and lap dance clubs. Fawnia Mondey, originally from Canada, is one of the worlds first pole dancing champions. During the 1990's Fawnia started teaching pole dancing to every day women. She produced the very first instructional pole dancing DVD.

Pole dancing quickly spread to the US followed by the rest of the world, helped by multi corporations such as Spearmint Rhino. Pole dancing is recognized throughout the world including Europe, Australia and even parts of China.

Lap dancing clubs in the UK grew in 1990's featuring pole dancing on stage. Since 2000 onwards pole dancing has become more acceptable by the general public.

Pole dancing as we know it today involves dancing around a vertical pole. The old ancient strip tease became a forerunner to the modern updated variation. Pole dancing provides a display of acrobatics and strength, combined with a combination of sensual, flowing, feminine dance movements to form the art of pole dancing we now know and recognize.

The modern form of pole dancing has only been documented since the 1980's, yet the origins appear to go back many years prior to this. Only in recent years has pole dancing become more acceptable. The stigma attached to this art may be one of the reasons why the dance appears to have little history documented and appears to have been 'underground' for many years.

History and Origins of Pole Dancing

Ballroom Dancing - The International Standards

Ballroom Dancing describes partner dances, performed socially or competitively, with prescribed specific movements. It evokes a sense of mystique and elegance if performed socially and of energy and passion when performed competitively.

The word "ball" in Ballroom Dancing comes from not the child's toy but from the Latin word "ballare" meaning to dance. It forms the bases for the words ballet (a dance,) ballerina (a dancer) and ballroom (a room for dancing). Ballroom Dancing was very popular among the English upper class during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, where it referred to almost any type of recreation dancing. By the early 20th century, as it caught the interest of the working class, the term become narrower in scope, with many of the dances dropping out of favour as being 'historical' or 'folk' dances.

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By the early 1920's a number of dance societies in both England and America began to offer regulated competitive Ballroom Dancing. They promoted a number of standard dances, with some basic movements that dancers could confidently perform with any partner they might meet. The highly influential Imperial Society of Dance Teachers (later, the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) formed a Ballroom Branch which was instrumental in developing standard dancing styles, which later formed the basis for the International dance standards.

Ballroom Dancing - The International Standards

Currently, the term Ballroom Dancing refers to the International Standard dances, which are currently regulated by the WDC (World Dance Council). The International standard comprises the following five dances: the Modern Waltz (also known as the 'slow' or the 'English' waltz); the Viennese Waltz; the Slow Foxtrot; the Tango; the Quickstep.

Sometimes, the term Ballroom Dancing also includes the International Latin style dances, which include: the Samba; the Rumba; the Paso Doble; the Cha-Cha; the Jive.

Both, Modern Ballroom and Latin American Ballroom, dancing styles are well standardized for teaching purposes with a set, internationally recognized vocabulary, technique, rhythm and tempo. The dancing postures for International Latin style varies from dance to dance: some dances require using closed hold, some require partners holding each other with only one hand, few dances require a line of dance and a number of dances have the routines performed on pretty much a single spot.

For the International standard Ballroom dances, the posture requirement is a closed hold (5 points of contact between dancers) during varied tempo (beats per minute) and rhythm (structure). With a set line of dance, this posture provides a very elegant look as the couple floats across the dance floor.

Ballroom Dancing - The International Standards

The History of Bachata

Bachata which literally means "party" is a dance and music style from the Dominican Republic often centered around subjects of heartbreak, romance, and loss. Equivalent to the Blues in the U.S., thematic similarities and resolution are prevalent such as loss of a love and looking for ones self at the bottom of the bottle. The main melody is predominantly played by an electric guitar, which plucks out an eight note pattern. Bachata has had much success in clubs in the last decade. 

This music form had a rough and "nefarious" history. Born in the brothels and bars of the lower class, Bachata shares a common ancestry to Merengue.  Conversely, while the Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic, was responsible for the overwhelming success of Merengue, the government was also  responsible for the censorship, denigration, and almost extinction of Bachata. Trujillo himself felt Bachata was a backwards, lower art form for  country-people unfit to embolster his nation. After the Trujillo dictatorship ended, censorship feel away and bachata started to flourish again. Yet  high society still resisted its influence; branding bachata as unfit and immoral for society. Irregardless Bachata was still popular amongst the  countryside even as Merengue became highlighted as the Official Music of the country.

Salsa Dancing

Eventually Bachata permeated through the socio-political barriers and is now a popular music style from the Dominican Republic. Pioneers like Luis  Vargas and Antony Santos were part of the first generation of pop stars for bachata. One of the most popular songs in the style of Bachat is Aventura's  single "Obsesion", which has had worldwide success.

The History of Bachata

The dance, by the same name, which accompanies Bachata music is composed of 4 steps with a tap or pop on the 4th beat. The motion is from side to side  with both a closed and open frame (handhold). The proximity of the partners follows the idea that they are "brushing belt buckles". This can be a much  more intimate dance, and unfortunately has sometimes received a reputation of being "just grinding". The nature of the dance cause some gyrating motions  yet the natural movements of your hips should not be confused with or compared to "grinding". In fact your hips should move in unison, i.e. no grinding,  which comes from opposing motion. Cuban Hip Motion, the underlying technique in this dance, is all about shifting your weight by bending and  straightening your knee such that your hip naturally pops. The movement does not come from a focused attempt at popping ones hip from side to side.

The basic step, starts with partners facing each other. The leader extends his left hand holding the followers right hand and completes the frame by  placing his right hand on the followers back, the follower then drapes her hand on his shoulder. This is the known as the frame (for most latin dances).  The couple mirrors each others footwork as such this explanation will come from the leaders point of view. 

The leader steps to his left on 1. On the 2 the leader brings his right foot to meet his left foot. On 3 the leader steps to the left with his left  foot. On the 4 the leader taps his right foot next to his left foot. Next the leader steps to his right on 5. On the 6 the leader brings his left foot  to meet his right foot. On 7 the leader steps to the right with his right foot. On the 8 the leader taps his left foot next to his right foot.

Three things to remember:

1) The follower mirrors the leader's footwork during these steps.

2) There is no crossing of the legs during the basic, traditionally.

3) Remember to get close "Brushing Belt Buckles"; arms length apart is too far away.

The History of Bachata

Beauty Salon Furniture

Salon furniture includes the furniture and equipment used in beauty and hair salons. Salon furniture is spread over a number of categories, such as massage and body care, nail care, hair care and skin care. Salon furniture includes styling and barber chairs, massage tables, facial steamers, shampoo chairs and mats, as well as cabinetry and rolling carts.

There are many styles of salon furniture to choose from, depending on the interior decoration. There are classic styles in different hues as well as modern designs. Salon furniture, new or used, is sold in a beauty salon equipment store.

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It is essential to choose the right type salon furniture, since old-fashioned and worn salon furniture does not appeal to clients. It is imperative for salon owners to maintain their equipment, to increase their clientele.

Beauty Salon Furniture

Salon furniture is purchased to enhance the look and add a touch of professionalism to the premises. The chosen equipment should be able to provide the necessary service, without encroaching on the space. A salon may begin only with hair- care services such as shampooing and cutting hair. After a while, the salon owner may want to expand with spa services and add manicures and pedicures to the list. It becomes necessary for the salon owner to purchase the required additional salon furniture and equipment.

The most important detail to be considered is the cost of the equipment. Salon furniture is available to fit every owner's budget. It is possible to lease salon furniture, temporarily. The quality of salon furniture is perhaps the most significant consideration. It goes through a lot of use and needs to be well -constructed. It is always advisable to check on the reputation of the manufacturer and the seller. It is important to lend a thought to the availability of reliable customer service.

Beauty Salon Furniture

Do Women Really Relate Sex To Dancing?

No matter what, no matter when, no matter who, any man has a chance to sweep any woman off her feet. He just needs the right broom." That is what the "Date Doctor" said in the movie "Hitch" starring Will Smith. The Date Doctor goes ahead to say "women relate dancing to sex."

Since the movie featured, I have been bombarded with emails asking me if it is true that women relate dancing to sex. I know other people have other opinions, but as for me and my household, we believe that many women judge a man's sex potential by his dance moves. With a few exceptions, music touches women in a very profound and unique way - it stirs their soulfulness. Dance on the other hand unlocks the playful and sensuous side of her personality. And if men only knew what a powerful aphrodisiac dancing is for women, they might not be getting the "I am not in the mood" as often as they do.

Dancing

Many of my girlfriends and women I have been privileged to work with tell me they could tell what kind of a lover a man would be by the way he danced. They could tell if a man is a player, shy, inhibited or uninhibited, passionate or passive and yes they could even tell if he is a drunk by observing the way he moves his body on the dance floor. And when it comes to dating, these women say they want a man who is interested in more than just eat, work and sleep. They want a man who knows how to communicate his love potential and one who knows how to move that sexual energy through his body. If you've seen Patrick Swayze in "Dirty Dancing" then you know what I am talking about. It is much more than "dancing sexy", it is like the man reaches deep within and then releases that inner being in sensual movement. It is purposeful yet playful. It is relaxed and effortless. Something about his body says "strong and tender, fun and frivolous". It's ...it's...how can I put it? It gives a woman that "jolt" below the navel. And when a woman has tasted the pleasure of dancing in the arms of a good dancer, it is next to impossible to settle for anything less, unless he has some incredibly exciting career in which they can experience unlimited financial freedom together or he is unbelievable in bed or both!

Do Women Really Relate Sex To Dancing?

Unfortunately misperceptions depicting dance as being effeminate keeps a lot of men from getting their groove on. Some need a two-drink minimum to get the nerve to get on the floor. And when they do get on the dance floor, their alcohol-aided sense of adventure is a series of exaggerated theatrical gestures that are a torture to watch.

Guys, if you do not have the unlimited cash flow or do not exactly fall into the category of "unbelievable" in bed then a dance class should be your next stop. If you've already got the moves, show off that fancy footwork and I don't mean those Tarzan ape-like gestures. Put some grace into it. If you have not been to the gym lately and have accumulated a little bit of excess or have a really lean slight build, please don't try belly-dancing. Leave that to the co-ed high school dance floor. Unless of course your intention is to attract another man, then by all means, more power to you. But for the man who embraces more of his masculine side, the wrist-turned- up-elbows-against-hips thingy - no, don't do that.

Dances like tango, salsa and ball-room dancing are some of the most passionate and graceful dances around but only good for you if you already have a relationship or have made a strong connection. And remember she has to say yes to "shall we dance" first. To make certain that she will say yes, when you approach her, show her what you got. No, please not that. Keep that for another day, another place and another time. I mean show her your moves. The Ricky Martin-Usher-Omarion sensual dance moves around the groin can get her imagination going in a romantic seductive way. If she's at your wavelength, she'll most likely get the message and smile back.

Do Women Really Relate Sex To Dancing?