For many people, dancing is the ultimate form of expressing themselves. It is one of the finest and richest forms of art that has been a medium of entertainment, expression and enjoyment for ages now. Dance is also a great form of exercise, to keep oneself fit, flexible, strong, and healthy. There are many people who hesitate to dance and also have the misconception that they cannot dance! Let me assure you that dancing is very easy as long as you enjoy it and are willing to put in just a little effort to learn it. Once you do this you will be able to coordinate your body as per the music beats. Deciding upon a dance routine is easy when some essential steps are followed. Dance routines for beginners need extra precautions and considerations. Step 1 Always warm up before you begin any routine. If you are a beginner, make sure you gather the lyrics of the song that you want to set your dance routine to. Then think of some simple dance movements that will best suit the lyrics. While doing that, avoid dancing exactly to the lyrics (give some thought to the music and beat also), and always finish the dance with a catchy movement. Step 2 The most important factor is deciding the type of dance that you want to bring into your routine. There are way too many dance forms that vary based on different cultures; so get your facts clear and decide the best dance form for yourself. Step 3 Next thing is to learn variations and contrasts in the dance. I am not saying that you will be able to master a dance form as soon as you begin. But you need to get some information about the elements of that dance like speed, body motions, level of enthusiasm, repetition of the movements, and body isolation movements while dancing. Step 4 The final stage is about creating permutations and combinations. A dance is usually set over eight beats so combine different dance steps to fit into different segments of the song. You can then decide whether you want to use one step for two beats or four beats. Remember that it is very important to maintain high energy levels throughout the dance, which is why warming up before you expend so much energy is important. Also note that the energy will depend on the rhythm and speed of the song. Work on moving gracefully, be it any kind of dance you do. Example If you choose to perform a hip hop dance routine, start by choosing songs that can be easily choreographed. Also gather some recent hip hop videos to get an idea about the latest dance steps. Decide the level of difficulty; if you are looking for a routine for kids, then make sure there are some easy steps that kids can perform. Start with simple eight-step sequences. If the song is too long with too many bridges and musical pieces that beginners or kids cannot grasp, then edit the song to make it short and set eight-step sequences throughout the song. Practice is very important here. The best way to practice is in front of a mirror; this way you can learn different dance routines without a dance instructor! Once you are comfortable with basic hip hop, you can move on to trying its different styles such as breaking, b-boying, locking, popping, and krumping. Of course, you have to be very careful when trying out these routines as they are difficult to pick up, and require a lot of practice. There are many other ways to get information about step-by-step dance routines, especially on the internet. Buying a dance routine CD will also prove helpful. Finally, if you want to become a perfect dancer, then joining a dance academy where you can find the best dance trainers who can guide you to become the perfect dancer in whatever form of dance you like, is your best bet! Choosing the right kind of music, planning the steps accordingly, and practicing them to perfection are the factors that come together to make you a great dancer. If you follow these steps religiously, then I bet you can be the best dancer of your times! So what are you waiting for? Dance like nobody is watching!