- Watch dance videos online to learn some basic moves and practice dancing in front of a mirror to relax your body.
- Bob your head to the beat, bend your knees, and keep your arms loose. If you feel awkward, hit the dance floor during a popular group dance like the “YMCA.”
- Learn classic dance moves that you can pull out at any time, like the two-step, snap roll, or grapevine. Add your own style by throwing out a snap, clap, or body roll.
Practicing Dance Moves Before a Party
Watch online dance videos. Go to a free video streaming service, like YouTube or TikTok, and type in “dance instruction” or “how to dance.” Follow these tutorials to learn a few basic moves, plus pick up tips to look more natural. Some dance studios also offer video series for beginners, which can teach you how to find the beat to any song and groove like a pro. Look up music videos or K-pop dance practice videos for even more inspiration. While you might not be able to mimic their moves perfectly, you can add some footwork, body rolls, or transition steps to your arsenal.
Practice dancing to different types of music. The key to dancing effortlessly at parties is to match the mood of the music, so don’t just listen to the same song or genre at home. Mix it up by dancing to all types of tunes, from country and pop to hip-hop and house. That way, you won’t be caught off guard by a diverse playlist at a party. To learn how to adjust your moves to the music, turn on a random party playlist on Spotify (or another music streaming platform), and practice without skipping any songs. If a song is fast and upbeat, throw out more dynamic moves, like fist pumps, spins, or the shuffle. For a chill and mellow song, incorporate slower movements, like sways, body rolls, or subtle head bobs.
Download a dance tutorial app. There are tons of free dance apps that walk you through each step for a specific move or dance style. Just follow the instructions and practice them at home. Or, for a quick boost of confidence, glance at the steps right before you step out on the dance floor. Popular dance tutorial apps include STEEZY, Dance Now: Step by Step, and CLI Studios.
Practice dancing with a partner beforehand. If you feel shy dancing in front of others, ask a close friend, partner, or family member to practice with you. Warm up by jumping around and busting out some freestyle moves at home. Then, turn on a popular party track, and concentrate on moving in sync with the rhythm. You don’t have to actually touch your partner, but practicing with someone can help you adapt your moves quickly, dance through your “mistakes,” and feel less awkward dancing at parties.
Take a dance class. Search online for a studio or private instructor in your area, and enroll in a few classes each week. Contemporary, ballroom, and belly dancing can help you become more comfortable with your body, but hip-hop and street dancing have more moves that you can pull out in party environments. Even a few hours of class time can help you learn the basics and build your confidence! Don’t be afraid to ask your instructor for specific tips—they can help you overcome whatever you’re finding uncomfortable or difficult.
Practice dancing in front of a mirror. Put on some music that you enjoy, then stand in front of a full-length mirror and dance your heart out. Practicing helps you develop muscle memory so you always have a few moves in your back pocket (and don’t blank out on the dance floor). This is the time to try out more complicated steps and see what moves you can improve on. Alternatively, record yourself on your phone to see what you look like dancing. If you look weird doing certain moves, you can avoid doing them or spend more time practicing them.
Dancing at a Party
Groove to the beat before hitting the dance floor. If you feel awkward dancing at parties, start small! Let the music guide your body and then bob your head or rock from side to side. This can help you warm up and feel more comfortable on the dance floor. Count the beat in a song by listening to the lower instruments, like the bass or drums. To get comfortable finding the beat of a song, listen to songs with a clear and pronounced beat, such as “Houdini” by Dua Lipa or “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson (feat. Bruno Mars).
Get out on the dance floor quickly. Challenge yourself to hit the dance floor within a certain time frame, like 15-30 minutes after arriving. Feel free to dance immediately if other people have already started, but try not to wait too long—the goal is to be neither the first nor last person on the dance floor. To keep yourself from leaving the dance floor too soon, set a goal of dancing for at least five minutes before you take a break.
Get inspiration from other people. Pay attention to other people who are on the dance floor. If you see someone moving in a way that looks good, imitate 1 or 2 of their moves (while adding your own flavor, of course). Copying them directly may make things awkward, but feel free to play off of their movements and energy. If you like the way someone double-taps their toes to the beat of the music, for example, make it your own by adding a snap or clap at the end of each tap.
Smile and find your own style. Dancing is all about having fun, so enjoy the moment and spread positivity to those around you. Play around with different facial expressions to add personality to your moves, and try not to think about how you look to others. Once you relax and let loose, you’ll look like the life of the party! Shift your focus from the people around you to the rhythm of the music. Committing to your movements will also help you look more cool, confident, and effortless.
Relax and don’t cut off your movements. Shake your arms, bend your knees, and keep most of your weight on the balls of your feet. Think about staying “light” on your feet and bouncing into each step. To make your arms look more fluid, keep your hands open or in loose fists. Avoid locking your limbs, or keeping your arms and legs straight. An easy trick to relax is to check that your body feels comfortable. If you feel tense, it probably shows, so perform a few shoulder stretches or neck rolls to warm up.
Join in on group dances. One of the easiest ways to dance at parties is to hop in on a synchronized and well-known group dance. Since you’re probably familiar with the moves, you can switch things up, cut loose, and act a little goofy. It’s also a great ice breaker for socializing with those around you! For example, “YMCA” by the Village People, “Thriller” by Michael Jackson, and Kool & the Gang’s “Celebrate” usually lead to fun group dances. If you don’t know the moves to a particular group dance, stand at the side for a moment and watch. Oftentimes, you’ll be able to figure out the steps quickly and join in.
Switch up your moves when you’re comfortable. Start off small with simple movements, such as snaps or head bobs. Take your time with these and then gradually work the rest of your body—roll your hips, pop your booty, or pulse your chest to the beat. Once you feel confident dancing, you can incorporate more complicated moves like the worm, renegade, or plug walk.
Get goofy. Don’t be afraid to cut loose and make fun of yourself. If you know the lyrics to a song, sing along with the person beside you. Or, bust out the air guitar, sprinkler, or chicken dance! Dancing doesn't need to be serious, and you'll look like you're having a good time if you don't take yourself too seriously.
Keep a consistent amount of space around you. Unless you’re interested in dancing with a partner, try to maintain a little bit of distance between yourself and other people. In a crowded club, this might be just a few inches of room, but even that small amount of space can prevent you from accidentally hitting others or stepping on their feet.
Easy Dance Moves for Beginners
Nod your head. This is a nice move to start off with or to add alongside more complicated steps. Just softly bob your head from side-to-side with the rhythm of the song. Keep your shoulders and neck relaxed, and and close your eyes occasionally to look like you’re lost in the music. This is a great way to join in on the fun without pushing yourself out onto the dance floor, especially at a crowded party.
Do the two-step. This is a move that you can pull out anytime, as long as you know the beat of the song. To dance the two-step, take one foot and step out about 1 foot (30 cm) to the side, then pick up your other foot to meet it. Repeat this on the other side until you’re stepping side-to-side to the music.
Do a snap roll. This is the more stylish version of clapping your hands mid-dance. As you move your feet from side-to-side, end each step with a quick snap of your fingers. Take it one step further by rolling your shoulders or upper body at the same time. Or, snap your fingers on both hands and roll your wrists for extra flourish.
Hit the four corners. Slide your right foot forward on a diagonal arch, pushing your right hip out with it. Then, slide your foot back in the same pattern. Do the same move with your left foot and hip. If you feel both your hips completing a small square of movement, then you’re doing it right! You can do this move solo or with a partner, especially if you’re holding hands.
Keep your arms moving. Put your arms in the air or bend them at your elbows, almost like you’re running. Sway them to the music and let them naturally follow the motion of your feet. Run your fingers through your hair every so often, or pump your fist in the air as the music reaches its peak.
Mix in a body roll. To do a body roll, visualize passing a hula hoop from your shoulders downwards. This will force you to push out your shoulders, chest, waist, and hips at different times. This move is a little wild, so make sure that you feel comfortable with those at the party.
Try a grapevine. Take a horizontal step with your right foot. Bring your left foot over until it’s directly behind your right one, then move your right one over another horizontal step. Shadow it once more with your left and repeat. This will carry you across the dance floor. This move requires a bit of extra space, but it’s super fun to throw out during a group dance. It’s not necessary to grapevine across the entire floor if you don’t want to. Instead, just take a few steps right, shadow them with your left foot, and then let your left foot take the lead in the opposite direction.
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