Dancing In Your Conservatory Is Strictly Essential

When the BBC first announced plans to launch a celebrity version of the original ballroom dancing competition ‘Come Dancing’ back in 2004 and air it at prime-time on Saturday nights it’s fair to say that many people raised an eyebrow. Nine years on and Strictly Come Dancing remains one of the country’s most popular TV shows, even becoming a hit across the pond in the guise of ‘Dancing with the Stars’.

The success of the show has reignited many people’s love for dance and given others a burning urge to take to the dance floor. With a brand new series due to start in a couple of weeks, it’s highly likely that dance classes throughout the UK will be inundated with new starters keen to follow in the footsteps, or quicksteps, of their favourite TV personalities.

Finding the space to practice at home can be difficult, but not if you have a conservatory or orangery. All you need to do is have a little bit of a clear-out and/or rearrange the furniture to create the perfect dance-based setting. You can even position your extension in such a way that you benefit from total privacy away from any passing audience.

We’ve listed a few forms of dance you could attempt:

Cha-cha-cha

You’ll need plenty energy and plenty movement in those hips for the cha-cha-cha; a dance of Cuban origin.

Jive

The jive, in one form or another, has existed for well over a hundred years and is a very energetic dance that requires numerous kicks and flicks.

Paso doble

The music commonly used for a paso doble is similar to that played in Spanish bullfights and therefore a very fast-paced dance.

The fox trot

Named after Harry Fox, the fox trot is usually performed to slow music and can be performed at a slow or fast level between partners.

Remember, practice makes perfect and it’s a terrifically enjoyable way of keeping fit.