Chapters
Fed up with traditional Zumba classes online, floor barre workouts and tap dance lessons? Why not try African dance with a qualified and experienced dance teacher?
African dances are well known for being both energetic and technical!
Thanks to a recent surge in popularity, African dance is now accessible for all dancing levels, from beginners to experts and everything in between. Dance in twos, in a large group or solo: there is something for everyone!
Read our advice to learn to dance as if you're in Africa!
Why Learn African Dance Steps?
Traditional classes such as tango, salsa and ballet lessons are particularly popular in the UK (click here to choose from our London dance classes). However, African dance has many advantages for dance students too!
African dance is renowned for being lively and upbeat. By learning to dance like you're on the African continent, dance students work every muscle in the body with a mixture of loose and jerky moves. It is not essential to have a high-level of fitness to be able to do African dance: it's all about choosing the dance style and speed that suits you.
African dance lets you work on your flexibility, muscle tone, rhythm and even musicality!
This type of dance focuses above all on body language and emotion. In a relaxed atmosphere, African Dance Classes help students learn about their body and bring out their sensuality.
What's more, African dance is an excellent way to channel stress and anxiety! The somewhat wild dance steps in African dances help students clear their head by letting themselves go to the beat of the music.
To make the most of an African dance class, however, you need to have the appropriate sportswear. African dance makes you sweat a lot, we recommend you choose breathable clothing and not too many layers to be able to move freely.
For women, it's a good idea to wear a sports bra, so you're more comfortable and don't have to be too cautious! Finally, no need to worry about what shoes to wear: most dances are done barefoot! Leave the cowboy boots you need for line dancing or Madison dancing in your wardrobe.
What Are the Different Types of African Dance?
There are dozens of styles of dance from East to West Africa: research all of the options before picking the right class for you!
In an African dance class, there is something to suit everyone's tastes. Children and teen classes, couples or solo dance lessons: the teaching style varies according to the difficulty of the style and the rhythm of the African music. While some styles favour traditional music with tom-tom drums, others are based on contemporary music (for example, Kapri and Afro House).
With private dance classes, you can learn a variety of dances:
- Kizomba,
- Kuduro,
- Rumba,
- Coupé-décalé,
- Belly dancing,
- Makossa,
- Stepping,
- Dancehall,
- Zouglou,
- Kwasa Kwasa,
- Malewa,
- Mbalax etc.
In recent years, many music artists have helped spread African dance all over the world. For example, rapper MHD who, thanks to his "afro-trap" movement, has made his choreography a real trademark.
The best way to choose the right style for you is to take an introductory dance class to familiarise yourself with a new style of dance. Most dance schools give you the first dance class for free so you can try before you buy.
Whatever your taste in music, you are sure to find an African dance class that you love!
Just as there are a number of African dances to choose from, oriental dances also have a range of styles.
Learn African Dance Moves at a Dance School
Perfect your rhythm and moves through African dance lessons
Whatever your level, you can develop as a dancer with a trained and experienced instructor. Prices at dance schools vary depending on the centre: on average, it will cost you less than thirty pounds for each African dance lesson.
African dance schools generally offer annual offers for less as well as dance lessons to progress quickly and move from beginner to advanced level!
Moreover, African dance schools sometimes offer music lessons, for example, to learn African drumming or djembe. Why not discover African culture while learning all the traditional dances of Africa!
Also, take a look at our London Zumba classes.
There are dozens of schools across the UK which specialise in African dance:
- Joliba West African Drum & Dance Schools in Stoke-on-Trent,
- Ace Dance & Music in Birmingham
- Movema in Liverpool and Bristol
- Dsantos Dance UK in South London
- Dance House in Glasgow
- Dance Classes in Bangor, North Wales
- DU Dance in Belfast, Northern Ireland
Unfortunately, national dance schools do not offer African dance training, focusing primarily on contemporary, classical and modern jazz dance classes.
Nevertheless, more independent dance schools offer specific lessons in African dance: so be on the lookout in your city!
In school or in an association, from African dance to Irish dance, there is something for everyone.
African Dance Classes at Dance Associations
To learn to dance in a friendly atmosphere, nothing like classes at a dance association!
Dance associations offer dance classes for educational purposes to promote values such as self-acceptance, respect and community. Most members of African dance associations make long-lasting friendships during these lessons.
Classes in associations are therefore a wonderful way to discover African culture while enjoying dance lessons at reasonable prices. Indeed, associations are suited to all budgets and the price is adapted to your personal situation. For example, students, young people or job seekers can benefit from discounted rates for dance classes.
Go ahead and register with a dance association today!
Most of the time, you just have to fill out a registration form with your personal information, indicating your preferred style of dance. Associations should offer trial classes so that students can be confident in their learning.
In some cases, associations ask for a medical certificate to prove you're fit to dance. As African dances are particularly demanding, it's important to be in good shape before starting classes!
Want to try out another world dance? Immerse yourself in the world of Indian dance.
Take Private Lessons in African Dance
To improve your dance technique, why not hire an African dance teacher just for you?
In just a few clicks, beginners or experts in dance can find their perfect teacher to help them with warm-ups and improve their understanding of African dance. Furthermore, students don't have to have any old teacher: here, it is the pupil alone who chooses their teacher according to their experience and specialities.
At Superprof, the average price of a one-hour African dance lesson is less than £30!
An African dance class is usually held in a professional dance studio so that students can learn in the best conditions. More than 92% of our teachers offer their first hour of lessons for free: what more motivation do you need to give dancing a go?
Getting a private teacher has many advantages:
- Regular follow-up for the student,
- Competitive rates,
- The opportunity to learn several styles of African dance,
- Your own choice of teacher,
- A negotiable price,
- The flexibility to take dance classes online,
- Learn dance exercises you can do yourself,
- African dance lessons for all levels, etc.
Some African dance students opt for group classes, with friends or family. In addition to being more economically friendly, this method of teaching is much more enjoyable and allows you to share your passion for dance with your loved ones!
So, embark on a new adventure and become a pro in African dancing?
From African to country dancing to Spanish dance lessons as well as online Zumba classes, Superprof has you covered.
The platform that connects tutors and students
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating.
Loading...