7 Tips to Live a More Active Dance Life

Dancing is more than just an art form—it’s a way of life. But if you’re new to the scene, finding your rhythm, both literally and figuratively, can sometimes feel like a solo act. You’ve started learning the moves, but you haven’t quite connected with a dance family or found your community. Trust me, you’re not alone!

As the founder and CEO of Dance Unites Us, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing thousands of dancers from all walks of life come together through the magic of movement. But it didn’t happen overnight. It’s about small, consistent actions that make dance a more natural and integral part of your daily routine. And the good news? I’ve got eight tried-and-true ways to help you live a more active dance life and find your dance tribe. Let’s dive in!

1. Expand Your Dance Circle

One of the biggest challenges beginner dancers face is not having a dance community or partner. Sound familiar? That’s where Dance Unites Us' global map comes in. Imagine this: you open the map and find dancers near you, whether in your neighborhood or across the world. You can check out their profiles, see their styles, and even hit them up for a chat right on the platform.

Pro Tip: Use the chat feature to connect with dancers worldwide. Maybe you’re in the mood to talk about the latest dance movie with a fellow enthusiast, or perhaps you’re looking for recommendations on the best local dance spots. Strike up a conversation—it’s how friendships (and dance partnerships) begin!

The global map and chat make it easy to expand your circle from anywhere. Even when you're traveling, you can use the map to find local dance venues, studios, or crews.

2. Dive into fun Weekly Dance Challenges

Not every dance challenge has to involve intricate choreography or viral routines (we know how intimidating those can be). That’s why our Dance Unites Us weekly challenges are designed to be accessible, lighthearted, and fun. We’re talking simple actions that help you integrate dance into your everyday life, without the pressure of perfection.

Example Challenge: Hang up a few inspiring dance quotes around your home or workspace. Every time you see one, give yourself a little dance break—yes, even if it’s just a shimmy while waiting for your coffee!

Pro Tip: Sometimes all you need to reignite your passion is a new perspective—whether that’s a different style, a new routine, or a fresh way of looking at dance. Don’t be afraid to try something outside of your comfort zone!

3. Find Inspiration & Expand Your Dance Horizons

Staying connected to the dance world means knowing what’s happening. Do you know that there are tons of dance calendars out there that help you with exactly that?

Actually, there are even so many, that it gets confusing. That’s why we’re currently building up the Dance Unites Us calendar - which provides an overview of upcoming events, workshops, and socials in your area and around the globe and for every style. And if you don’t see an event listed that you know about? Add it yourself!

Fun Fact: The calendar isn’t just for attending events—it’s for building community. When you add a new event, you’re helping other dancers in your area connect and expand their horizons. It’s like being a matchmaker for dance enthusiasts!

Pro Tip: Commit to attending at least one dance event a month. Whether it’s a local social or an online workshop, these events are great ways to meet new people, practice your moves, and feel more connected to the global dance scene.

6. Enjoy New Dance Gear Without Breaking the Bank

Are you not more active because you’re telling yourself you don’t have the “dress to impress” - maybe because your wallet is looking particular pale this month?

We all know that dance gear can get pricey. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to splurge to stay equipped.

There are tons of Facebook groups out there where you can buy, sell, or swap second-hand dance gear with other dancers. The only problem is that it becomes quite the work to keep track of them and it’s not exactly a breeze to be looking through all those groups without a filter and where you need one group for each style.

On Dance Unites Us - we’re making it our goal to have one single second hand bazaar for every style, with search systems and great filters. You can even offer to swap your things. Everything to help you stay dance-ready on a budget.

Pro Tip: Before you buy something new, check the listings to see if you can swap or find it second-hand. It’s a great way to stay sustainable while also connecting with other dancers. Who knows? You might even make a new friend in the process!

5. Explore New Dance Venues & Make New Experiences

Let’s face it, dancing in the same place week after week can get a little dull. Luckily, the Dance Unites Us global map is your passport to new experiences. Whether you’re in your hometown or halfway around the world, you can use the map to find new venues, studios, and dance crews.

Pro Tip: Make it a personal mission to visit a new venue or join a new crew every month. Even if it’s just for one night, you’ll get to experience new styles, new people, and new energy. It’s an easy way to keep your dance life exciting and full of variety.

Personal Anecdote: I’ll never forget the first time I traveled abroad and connected with dancers through the global map. There I was, in a completely unfamiliar city, but the second I walked into that studio, it felt like home. That’s the beauty of dance—it transcends borders and language.

Dance equals creativity - and sometimes that’s just not available in spades on a regular Tuesday ;-) But the internet is brimming with inspiring dancers and resources. So follow dance influencers or teachers online who inspire you to keep moving. Set a personal goal to learn one new step each week and take it to your next dance event. Even if you don’t have a dance partner, you can work on your skills solo.

And don’t forget that there is always more to explore. On Dance Unites Us, you can find a variety of dance-related services beyond just dance teachers. Our “Service Exchange” is a job board for professionals related to dancing - of any kind of dance style! We’ve got dance teachers, choreographers, photographers, dance travel agents - both online and offline.

So if you’re feeling out of inspiration - you just need to know where to look for that new spark and now we’ve told you our little secret for a treasure trove full with it ;-)

4. Stay Up-to-Date & Contribute to the Community

7. Take Dance Breaks – Stay Active Throughout the Day

Here’s a little secret: you don’t need a full hour to squeeze in a dance session. Sometimes, all it takes is one song.

So this tip is something you can do right now when reading this: Set a timer to 60 minutes and when the alarm rings, take a quick dance break to refresh and reset.This is not something to do only when you’re working - sitting still for a longer period of time throughout your day (yeah - even lounging in your chair because you’re watching a series) is really not healthy! We need to keep our blood flowing - so what better way to do that than to engage in regular quick dance breaks!

Pro Tip: Create a playlist of your favorite dance songs and let that be your signal to move. Trust me, it’s amazing what a little groove can do for your focus and mood. It’s a small habit that makes a big difference.

Personal Anecdote: It doesn't even have to be a timed dance break - you can dance wherever you are if you fell like it! And don't worry about what people might say! If you're having fun - most likely they're going to enjoy watching you as well! Here to the left is a video of me and my partner actually doing that when waiting in line for our food!

What this all boils down to...

Living a more active dance life doesn’t mean you have to spend every day at the studio or wait for the perfect dance partner. It’s about taking small, consistent steps to integrate dance into your life. From connecting globally on the map to adding events to the calendar, there are so many ways to stay engaged.

So, what are you waiting for? Start today. Join the conversation, embrace the challenges, and keep moving—because dance is so much more than steps. It’s about finding your tribe, sharing the joy, and living life on beat.

Photo by Keenan Constance: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-breakdancing-on-street-2865891/