Is it ever too late to take dancing more seriously?

[Ish]

I've been pondering this lately. Obviously if your body breaks down the answer is yes, but otherwise I hope the answer is no, I know for me it is.

I have been "sessioning" recently with a friend that used to teach housedance. I have been clubbing since I was 14 and alwasy picked up the basic house steps, random club moves, etc.. over the years. I even followed the house dance scene closely as well despite never really immersing myself into it as an actual dancer, stayed on the sidelines doing my corner dance and left the cipher for the heads I considered "real dancers".

Nonetheless, i decided I wanted to take it more seriously, so been practicing every weekend, considering both a Tap and an African dance class as well to help build a stronger foundation.

Are any of you actively practicing outside of a club environment, whether it be housedance or any other forms?

[JoelS]

I started taking west african dance lessons when I was 30. One of the lady at my course, last year, started when she was at least 50...

It's never too late.

Peace.

[mattymatt]

I've been thinking of doing this lately too. I took african when I was in highschool. Hip Hop too. but now, its like, i need to reconnect with that.

Are you guys in NYC? It'd be cool to meet up at a dance class. I'm also looking for recommendations.

[Soleful]

Never too late!! I took a 15 hiatus from the scene completely. I've never taken lessons, just fed off the energy off the folks around me. As I get more into the music, the steps/moves just flow. Granted I may not have the agility of when I was much younger but for 46 yrs, I find my release & that's good enough for me.

As far as classes, I'd recommend contacting Shalewa or running a search. There are quite a few studios offering house dance lessons by well respected folks in the scene.

One other thing, unless you like the spot light then I'd stick to finding your flow without the somewhat competitive nature of what a cypher represents. Plus you'd just be hogging up prime floor space.

[D_Zyre]

Nope it's never too late. I've started bellydancing when I was 31 and I know women well up until their 70s who still does it. Dancing is what keeps the body young.

[likewater]

So true.. It's never to late.. I've been dancing since I was 8, my sister and I would use each other as a partner.. then once I got married at 20, my husband was a good dancer, so we would dance our butts off at parties and, family gatherings.. then he went to the Garage,, That Did It.. , Now at the young age of 55 I mix all of my styles from the past, from OLD musicals, and those sweet memories of a family gatheringS.. A dance a favorite uncle would do..

Tap, and Swing was the main dance in my home,, my Mom loved to swing, we would do that and the latest dances from Philly, always was into R&B and Funk .. Belly Dance.. Love that dance I used to sneak and do that in my room..

Now I do Lyrical dance for my cousin Koffee The Story Teller, That is fun.. I will never stop dancing. I want to take an African dance class and a drum class.. .. It's Does the Body Good..

[crazzycat]

I think it's never too late during all my life i start up and give up dancing of different kinds, 2 years ago when i was 20 i start to learn hip-hop than pop locking than ragga jam, i simply can't imagine mylife without dances

[wiz247]

I've seen people in wheelchairs dance/rock at parties, therefore if you can walk you can dance...
Go for it all the way!

[Rufus P. Funk]

It is NEVER too late to get in/back into the game (even Breakin showed us that with homie that had to use crutches to dance).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olTccIAvD68
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHDOSr8Xa04
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olTccIAvD68

and my most recent one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TZWOtF6d48

I'm 31 and while I still like to club from time to time, "sessioning" on my own time has allowed me the ability to see what others have and I never personally could. It's nice for studying style and understanding "what feels right".