Why Taking Different Dance Styles Can Make You a Better Dancer

Have you ever found yourself taking the same dance class every week because you absolutely LOVE it? Same! Finding a dance style that makes you excited to walk into the studio is such a good feeling. There is something so satisfying about knowing the music, getting comfortable with the movements, and watching yourself improve.

At the same time, trying different dance styles can actually make you better at the style you already love.

You might be thinking, “Wait... why would taking Ballet help my Hip Hop?” or “What does Dancehall have to do with Contemporary?” A LOT, actually! Every dance style asks your body and brain to do something slightly different, and those skills can carry over into other forms of dance.

1. Your Body Learns New Ways to Move

   
   

Every dance style has its own movement qualities.

Ballet can teach you about posture, balance, alignment, control, and using your body with intention. Hip Hop can help you develop grooves, musicality, texture, and confidence in your movement. Contemporary can challenge your relationship with weight, levels, flow, and floorwork. Dancehall can develop your rhythm, coordination, bounce, and ability to connect movement with Jamaican music and culture.

Taking different classes gives your body more movement experiences to work with.

You might struggle with something in one class that suddenly becomes easier because another style has helped you develop the coordination or strength you needed. Your body starts making connections that you might not even realize are happening!

2.Your Musicality Gets Stronger

Music is a HUGE part of dance, but different styles can teach you to listen to music in completely different ways.

A Hip Hop class might have you focusing on the groove and hitting specific beats. Contemporary might encourage you to explore the emotion, dynamics, or texture of the music. Dancehall can introduce you to different rhythms and ways of connecting your movement to Jamaican music.

The more types of music you dance to, the more comfortable you can become with finding the rhythm and responding to what you hear.

Eventually, you may find yourself hearing a song and automatically thinking about how you could move with it. That is musicality!

3. You Become More Adaptable

   
   

Walking into a new dance class can be HUMBLING. 

You might be really comfortable in your usual class, then suddenly find yourself in a completely different style where your body feels like it has forgotten how legs work.

That is actually a good thing!

Being a versatile dancer means being able to adapt. Different teachers, music, choreography, tempos, and movement qualities will challenge you to think on your feet.

The more often you put yourself in unfamiliar situations, the easier it becomes to stay calm when something feels difficult.

4. You Find Your Own Style

   
   

Trying different dance styles can also help you discover what makes your dancing unique.

Maybe you love the sharpness of Hip Hop but the fluidity of contemporary. Maybe you enjoy the musicality of Dancehall and the technical focus of ballet. You might eventually notice yourself bringing little pieces of what you have learned into your own movement.

This does not mean every dance style needs to be mixed together. Each style has its own history, culture, foundations, and vocabulary that deserve to be respected and learned properly.

Exploring different styles simply gives you more tools to understand your own movement.

5. Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone Is Part of Growth

Sometimes we stay with what we already know because it feels comfortable. There is nothing wrong with having a favorite class, but your biggest growth can happen when you challenge yourself with something unfamiliar.

You do not need to walk into a new class expecting to be amazing.

Actually, please expect to be a little confused sometimes.

You are learning something new! Give yourself permission to mess up, ask questions, laugh at yourself, and try again.

So... What Should You Try Next?

If you normally take Hip Hop, try a Contemporary or Dancehall class. If you love Contemporary, maybe challenge yourself with Hip Hop. If you have always wanted to try Heels, Ballet, Jazz, or another style, this could be your sign!

You never know which class might teach you something that completely changes the way you dance.

At STU Arts Dance, we love having dancers explore different styles and find what works for them. You do not have to choose just one style forever. Dance is a huge world, and there is plenty of room to explore!

So go ahead, book that class you have been thinking about. Your favorite dance style might just get a little better because of it. 💃🏽

Check out our website to discover our dance classes and workshops in Brussels.

See ya out there trying something new!

The STU Arts Dance Team 😎