When you were a younger boy, you probably heard the idea that you either weren't put into dance classes or you never thought about taking dance classes because dance was largely a female thing.
I don't blame you for it.
But it doesn't mean you shouldn't try. Dance has its rewards. You'll thank me later, I promise.
1. You learn to express yourself
Dance is a language of expression via body movement.
2. Dance trains your body in a different way
Like myself, most men are accustomed to training with big dumbbells or free weights. That's OK, because it helps you build strength and resistance. Dance adds a different strength to your body. You build the ability to leap, kick, and reach higher. You also develop body control and your feet become stronger. You improve the ability to land softly on the ground after a leap in the air.
3. You'll need to have a dance ready for your wedding
Assuming that you want to get married, you'll have a dance with your newlywed, and likely also a dance with your mother.
4. You can learn it quickly
Obviously, perfecting the craft of dance will take a long time, but when you watch a routine take place, it's easier to pick up sooner.
5. Nobody is there to intimidate you
They're doing their thing; feel free to join them!
6. You're not the only guy
Plenty of guys have tried and done dance, and actually enjoyed it. You can be the next one.
7. You make plenty of friends and have fun
I've made some awesome friends just from auditioning for a dance showcase and going to dance classes with them. It's a blast every time.
8. You learn how to be precise
Getting the technique down is part of the growth that's more challenging once you learn the moves of a routine, since precision will make it appear better, especially in the context of ballet or contemporary dance.
9. You learn to focus
When you're trying to learn dance, you're inclined to watch the instructor as he/she leads each step. As a result, you're not focused on the other dancers and you can also pick-up verbal cues in practice to remember the next step, even though it's not going to be perfect initially. You're going to learn not to care what others are thinking when you are in the class setting.
10. You always have something to do
Since dance is broad and diverse, you can make different combinations of routines, and you'll also learn about multiple styles.
11. You can incorporate it into your exercise
There's exercise programs that are strictly dance-focused, such as "Jazzercise," which really helps push your limits.
12. You can put your own spin on it
In some cases, you can implement some improvisation into your dance, especially if the choreography calls for it. If you're the choreographer yourself, you basically are putting your own spin on it already.
13. Dance knows no boundaries
Whether you're tall or short, guy or girl, young or old, healthy or oft-injured, experienced or inexperienced, dance will never exclude you unless you choose to exclude yourself from it. Just like love, when you give up on it, you choose to exclude yourself from finding it. I've had nearly double-digit ankle sprains since I was in high school, but it didn't turn me away from since I wanted to learn it.
The above 13 reasons are enough to show you that as a man, you have nothing to lose by trying dance. It builds skills and abilities that you otherwise wouldn't develop. Whenever it comes the time in your future, if you have a son or daughter who wants to learn, or if you want to get married, learning dance will be so pivotal for you. You'll make some new friends as you dance with them. Nobody is there to make you feel inferior, as you are there to learn dance and also have some fun. So have that fun and make the most of it.
