I want to dance… but where even to start?…

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I’m 27 and I have CPTSD. I realised I can’t dance, I don’t have a rhythmic bone in my body - but also, I am so internalised due to my ptsd. When I hear music I’ll often tap my toe, or grind my teeth to the beat. But I have SO much awkwardness when actually dancing.

I was watching strictly and there’s so many things to learn and it’d be fun. But I feel like dancing would feel so uncomfortable but would be so freeing and would do wonders for my confidence and posture. However, I would hate to go to a class and completely embarrass myself. Do people even go as complete beginners? What style do I go with? Can you even get one to one lessons??

I can relate to grinding teeth to the beat !

Yes to all those questions. You can pay for one to one classes or join groups and there are groups suitable for beginners. I've always wanted to learn street dance but I took a Salsa class once. Go for it . My aunt met her future husband at disco dancing classes.

oh lovey you are setting you bar way to high. I dont know what CPSTD is. But a start would be to play music in your own home and move about to it. Is there anything on you tube

Not laughing at you but with you OP. Im similar and spend hours watching dance videos on Instagram instead of dancing 😁

I have taken a ballet class for adult beginners! It was awesome!
It was not easy, but it was so much fun.

I go to a local fitsteps class, its a group exercise class based on ballroom dancing. The one I got to has people with whole range of experience and ability and the focus is on moving for fun rather than a technical dance class. Everyone is so focused on themselves that they don't notice what everyone else is doing I really enjoy it.

if you did want to properly learn to dance lots of dance schools do adult beginner sessions. My local one does adult ballet, tap and ballroom

Dancing that looks great like on strictly is not the freeing kind OP. It's very regimented and hard work and you'd be doing steps you were told to and moving in a way you were taught. If that's what you want there's loads of beginners classes in everything from tap to salsa. But from what you've said, I'm not sure it would hit the spot as you want to express yourself and respond to the music in your way and if you had difficulty mastering the taught steps it might actually put you off and you'd miss out on the joy of doing your thing. Could you not just put your tunes on, get up and move as the mood takes you? Nothing more freeing and joyful than that.

Whereabouts are you OP? My daughter's compete in ballroom and Latin. Their dance school does beginners classes on weekdays evenings. They are very popular

You can get a Just Dance DVD and do it from home.

Or look for a fitness class that is based around dance like step class or Zumba.

Everyone is so busy trying to keep up with their own steps that they don’t care what anyone else is doing and it’s more about moving your body rather than technique.

I absolutely love dancing and it’s something I wish I took up when I was younger.
You have inspired me to see what classes are available in my area :)

@Choochoo21 could you say which DVD in particular please? Looking at Amazon, the most likely one is priced at £235!

Yes, you can go along to classes as a complete beginner!
And yes, you can pay a dance teacher to give you private one-to-one lessons (but this will be much more expensive).
Which part of the country are you in?
May be able to make some recommendations.

Zumba at your local gym may appeal? I gave it a chance earlier this year and hooked as it's great fun. Everyone has such a lovely time. It's not easy but satisfying when you get used to it and the place I go to is very friendly. It's a great way to beat the trauma for an hour. I'm overweight and arthritic but try my best and my body shape's a little trimmer for it.

Hi. It's possible to get beginners classes. Look on the internet for dance schools locally. They will usually do classes in the evening and have beginners, improvers, and advanced. Beginners classes will teach one dance at a time, so the waltz, the cha cha etc. till everyone in the class can do it. Lessons where I am (midlands) are about £11 per session.

You can also have one to one classes - which might be c.£30 a session (not sure, looked at several, various prices). Again, look on the internet for your area. Be prepared to travel a little way. The class I have started is on the other side of the city from where I live, entailing a short drive up a motorway. But it's worth it. It's fun. People are friendly.
When you book lessons the instructor running classes may offer a free 'taster' session and also tell you when they are starting to teach a new dance (bit overwhelming to join a class that is the last in a session - everyone can dance the dance!).
Go, and have fun. It will also increase your co-ordination.

Swing dance can be quite fun if there's anywhere near you. DH and I absolutely have two left feet and learned to swing dance for our wedding first dance. We were still totally rubbish at the wedding but I think everyone was so amazed we did it at all that they totally loved it and it didn't matter. It's a fun style to learn and not too difficult.

Big mirror and YouTube!

I often think celidh dancing is quite good the steps are simple. Music is bouncy. There’s often a called telling you the steps as you go.