Dancing along to a walkthrough in the living room is a brilliant way to keep your steps sharp between classes. We all want to be back on the dance floor in one piece, so here’s what to think about before you press play. Warming up before and cooling down afterwards matters more than ever when you’re dancing in a smaller space.
Practise safely
How to Stay Safe Line Dancing at Home
Your Dance Space
- Clear a space and be aware of your surroundings.
- Move as much furniture out of the way as you can, particularly coffee tables and other low furniture you could trip over or bump into.
- Roll up or remove any rugs you might catch your feet on.
- Make sure wires and other trip hazards are out of your dance space.
- Keep pets out of the room while you dance.
- Think about the floor. Carpet can grip your feet and twist knees and other joints, while tiled and wooden floors can be more slippery than you expect.
- If you’re sharing the space with your household, know where everyone is so you don’t bump into each other.
- Open a window for ventilation if you’re likely to get hot.
What to Wear and Have to Hand
- Wear the shoes you’d normally wear to class. Not slippers or flip-flops, however comfy they are.
- Wear the clothes you’d usually dance in.
- Keep water to hand so you stay hydrated.
- Don’t try to eat or drink while you’re dancing.
Top 5 Safety Tips
- Clear a safe space to dance, moving furniture and other trip hazards out of the way.
- Warm up before and cool down after dancing.
- Keep pets out of the room.
- Wear proper dance shoes and clothing.
- Stay hydrated.
For Instructors Teaching Online
- Include a disclaimer at the start of your class, spoken or on screen: this is general exercise, students should be aware of their own capabilities and seek medical advice if in any doubt.
- Include a disclaimer about copyrighted music, making it clear you don’t own the rights to it.
- Remind people to wear suitable clothing and shoes before they start.
- Consider a warm-up and cool-down, which could be a gentle dance.
- Remind everyone to take a breather and drink some water during the class, and do the same yourself.
- If you teach under-18s or vulnerable adults, get written consent from parents or carers, use an online platform that avoids needing children’s contact details, and don’t make contact outside class without parental consent.