Many dancers or aspiring dancers live in areas where there are no dance classes, studios, nor communities. If this is you, please don’t be deterred you from starting!

Where there is a will, there is always a way! You can start dancing on your own by making the most of the resources that you do have.

Keep reading to learn how to start learning how to dance – wherever you live.

No dance classes? No problem.

1. Define what type of dance you’re interested in

First, narrow down your scope of interests to a style or a few styles that resonate with you most.

There are so many different dance styles and each have different methods for learning and practicing it.

For example, are you interested in the robotic, eye-tricking motions of Popping? Do you like the athleticism and flair of Breakin’?

Are you drawn to grooving out to old school hip hop music? Are you looking to learn and perform choreographed pieces, like in Urban Dance Choreography?

Think about. Take a second. THEN –

2. Do background research

Once you’ve narrowed it down to one or two, look for online resources that can give you some deeper insight on the style.

For instance, if you want to learn Popping, read up on its history, origins, and basic techniques (the hit is a great place to start).

Test it out with these exercises recommended by Charles Nguyen (from Kinjaz and Poreotics) here.

‍For you hip hop heads, brush up on where the culture comes from in this article.

Those wanting to get into the Urban Dance world, read this article on what it actually is, and watch videos on YouTube from your favorite choreographers.

3. Find ways to learn online

As you learn more about these different dance styles and cultures, you’ll also gain a better sense of the techniques and key moves that make up the style.

Since you can’t get to a physical studio with teachers who teach that specific style, look up online learning platforms that can teach you the ABC’s – for examples, aspiring Poppers, try Boogie Frantick’s Beginner Popping Program on STEEZY Studio.

For Breakin’ heads, B-Boy and B-Girl Dojo provide an interactive, immersive Breakin’ program that teaches moves, techniques, battle skills, and more.

‍VincaniTV also has great tutorials on Breaking and Hip Hop styles.

There are some awesome YouTube tutorials on basic House steps by Jardy Santiago, too!

‍Other online dance classes:

‍DanceTutorialsLIVE offers tutorials in everything from Twerking to the Dougie.

The amazing Matt Steffanina teaches the hypest pieces to the most popular current music on his YouTube channel.

You can learn from Korea’s best choeographers with 1MILLION Dance Tutorial.

And of course, STEEZY Studio has over 90 online classes where you can learn advanced Urban Choreography pieces, grooves, beginner choreography, and more.

‍Curious to see how it works? This’ll tell you everything: How To Use STEEZY Studio

4. Get your friends together to practice

If you have friends who are also interested in learning how to dance, then get them together and try out one of these online classes.

Or, freestyle and practice drills together.

Set a weekly day/time to get together and practice at a park, your garage, front lawn, even in your living room.

Even if it’s just 1 other person, having someone share that experience with you creates a sense of community (yes, a community of 2 is still a community!)

5. Commute to take live classes

Yes, it’s kind of a mission to take 2 trains, a bus, and walk 3 miles to get to a studio…

But commuting to take a in-real-life class once in a while is worth it!

You get to be in an environment made for optimal dance training, around other dancers who are trying to learn and grow, and receive instruction from a professional teacher!

You can learn tons of skills online, on your own, from your home…

But nothing can replace a real-life experience, just like how FaceTime can’t replace face to face hangouts.

So save up some money and block out a chunk of your time to experience in-person classes.

Treat it as a vacation, if anything, where you get to indulge heavily in your passion.

While it may take a bit of extra effort, don’t take the fact that there are no dance classes in your area as a handicap.

If anything, you can receive instruction in other ways and supplement your training in ways that best cater to you.

Also, being more self-taught allows for room for you to dance like you, without being too influenced by a particular instructor or regular set of students.

Take advantage of all the resources out there, as well as the freedom to develop your own unique style.

Let’s keep growing together, STEEZY Nation!

‍Do you have a hard time getting to a dance class? What are some ways you train? Comment and share your advice!