People rarely know what they’re getting into when they pick up dancing. It starts with a movie they saw, a childhood obsession for the outfit, or maybe just the desire to be a dancing queen—but what it grows into is something one must experience. “Dancing as an adult is completely different from dancing as a child, when your parents forced you to take classes. This is something you’ve chosen, and that makes it fun,” explains Vivienne, 39, who quit ballet after childhood only to return to it years later with renewed passion. And as we drifted through dance studios, we kept on meeting that same kind of enthusiasm. Frankly, dance students look like they’re high—only their drug of choice is legal, keeps them fit, and doesn’t come with a withdrawal period. Try it, you’ll be hooked.

Ballet

Rising Star Dance Studio. 3/F, Fifty-Fifth Plaza Bldg., 90 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (at Soi Thonglor 2), 02-3822321.

What is it: You think you know what it is—girls hopping about in tutus (and boys in tights) to classical music—but ballet also happens to be the most ambitious, perfectionist, and studied form of dance out there. You’re going to benefit from generations of masters who have worked on making the human body move beautifully.

Where we went: Fay Pansringarm is an American who teaches ballet for the sake of dancing, not for those exams that Thai parents are so keen on seeing their kids pass. She’s all about expression, understanding the moves from within, and loving what you do. “We don’t do paper you can hang up on the wall, here. We dance.”

The crowd: Ages three and up. We sat in for an advanced ballet class with mostly Japanese ladies in their 30s to 50s, but the makeup of classes really depends on the level, age, and type of dance. Belly dancing, and jazz, for example, seems to draw a more mixed crowd of younger women.

The reward: Ballet is perhaps the most demanding dance, yet it can’t even be danced socially. That’s the bad news. The good news is that once you can dance ballet, everything else is easy. It contains the basic placement, energy patterns and lines for everything else. Students also told us they felt it made them feel beautiful and improved their posture. For Fay, ballet can take you to levels of bliss not unlike meditation. Judging by the look on her students’ faces, she’s not kidding.

Price: B500 for 90 minutes.

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studentspeak

Viviane, 39, tap dancing teacher

How long have you been studying?

I started it when I was six or seven, but that was only for a few years. I stopped dancing for a long time until three years ago when I met Fay and began to dance again.

How was your first lesson?

As an adult, it’s depressing to not be able to do the moves you could do so easily as a child. But it’s also more fun when you choose to practice ballet than when your parents force you to.

How long before you first felt like you could dance (if only a little)?

Two years, studying twice a week.

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Break-Dancing

Free Soul Studio, Bang Kapi, call for appointments, 08-9495-4712. www.freesoulstudio.com.

What is it: A very physical dance originating from the US, it differs from the ubiquitous hip hop dancing in that the music you will dance to has a faster old-school tempo. Think Run DMC, Apache or Incredible Bongo Band. More than a dance, it’s a whole culture, with a very strong stress on fashion.

Where we went: Cheno’s home, in Bang Kapi, where he’s built a very pro (if smallish) studio. He was on the team that won the SE Asian qualifiers and went on to place 10th and 11th in 2005-6 at the international dancing competition Battle of the Year, in Germany. He could well be Thailand’s best break-dancer. Closer to town, Cheno teaches at Alliance Francaise (29 Sathorn Tai Rd, 02-670-4224, www.alliance-francaise.or.th) and as part of the royal project, To Be Number 1 (www.tobenumber1.net).

The crowd: Lots of kids, (15-18). Cheno’s oldest student is a whopping 30, but he admits anything past 25 is rare. And yet, break-dancing in Thailand doesn’t exactly draw a rough inner-city crowd. Your dancing buddies will be good boys (mostly) and won’t make too much fun of you.

The reward: It’s nearly acrobatic so, of course, it will tone your body. But the best part of learning a popular dance is that it’s actually practiced in real life places. Head down to Route 66 and, once you’ve honed your skills, take on other B-Boys in “battles.” Or just go show off at BTS National Stadium.But Cheno believes the most important skill break-dancing taught him is patience, “It can take a year to master one single move. That means you learn to try and try again. Today, I don’t get upset easily.”

Price: B2,500/10 hours at Free Soul Studio. B3,500 for 3 months, 2 hrs a week at AllianceFrançaise—the next semester starts Jul 15 and runs on Wednesdays, 6:30pm-8:30pm.

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studentspeak

Poopup, 16, M5 student

How long have you been studying?

Eight months at home and in Ratchatewi but only two weeks with Cheno.

How was your first lesson?

I wasn’t shy on my first day, but it was very, very depressing. My arms were killing me.

How long before you felt you could break-dance (if only a little)?

It took three months training at home two hours a day and studying every week.

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Standard Ballroom

Best Image, 3/F, Zenith Hotel, 29/108 Sukhumvit Soi 3, Nana Nua, 02-655-4834/5.

What is it: Traditionally, ballroom dance has been enjoyed by the upper class (while folk dances were enjoyed by the lower class). Ballroom dancing served a mostly social function until competitionsturned it into a more open—and sporty—discipline. In Thailand, it became popular under King Rama V. Socially it’s now a bit on the wane but still enjoys continued popularity competitively. Standard (as opposed to Latin) ballroom dances are the more formal and traditional partner dances and include slow waltz, tango, Viennese waltz, slow foxtrot and quickstep.

Where we went: Best Image studio is run by Anantapat Sriprapat and Siriwanat Sriprapat. The couple won a gold medal at the Asian Games in 1998, making them highly respected masters in their field. At Best Image, the mood is very relaxed and friendly. Teens hang out in the halls and lounge chatting and practicing steps, while on the dance floor, everyone is more focused but definitely enjoying themselves.

The crowd: Today, in Bangkok, ballroom is mostly danced either competitively by a young generation (late teens, early 20s), socially by women in their 50s (and older), or professionally by their male teacher-partners (of all ages) who have made it into lucrative careers.

The reward: Like all dances, ballroom keeps you fit. For some of the younger practitioners, successfully competing in ballroom dancing can be a ticket into a prestigious university. For the more mature women who practice it, it’s an opportunity to socialize with other well-to-do ladies. But don’t think they are bored housewives—many of them are doctors or own businesses.

Price: Starting from B600 to B1,000/hour, depending on who your teacher is.

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studentspeak

Pattika, 21, university student

How long have you been studying?

Three months.

How was your first class?

Fun but it’s hard to stay in rhythm.

Is it hard to find the right dance partner?

Actually, I got along well with my teacher, so he’s now my partner and we are preparing for a competition.

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Latin

B.I.D.A., 2/F, Peninsula Plaza, 153 Ratchadamri Rd., 02-253-9529.

What is it: The term Latin dance can include any Latin American dance from tango to meringue but, here in Bangkok, it’s often understood in its stricter ballroom sense and includes cha cha, rumba, samba, paso doble, and jive only (think J Lo in Shall We Dance). It’s practiced much like ballroom dancing (similar social circles and competitions) but it’s a more sensual, rhythmic and faster-paced dance that even works with pop music.

Where we went: BIDA (Bangkok International Dance Academy) was founded three years ago by Burin Wongsangoun, head of the TATD (Thailand Asssociation of Teacher of Dancing). It’s an elegant and spacious dance floor where all the teachers are freelancers. They offer both Latin and standard ballroom dancing.

The crowd: At BIDA, there seems to be a seriously competitive mood among the young adults who practice here. One dancer stepped on her partner’s foot and they looked ready to kill each other. Maybe it’s all that Latin passion. On the sidelines, you’ll also spot more mature women practicing quietly with their dance teacher.

The reward: Compared to standard, Latin is a bit younger in mood, energy, and music. It strikes a nice balance between a certain amount of formality common to all ballroom dances and sensuality. Like other dances, it will keep you fit. When we chattedwith freelance teacher Victor Espanola, he said the hardest thing in Latin dance is to communicate with your partner. Great, just like real life.

Price: Private classes from B750 (depending on the teacher, this can exceed B,1000). BIDA offers a 10% discount for first-timers who bring a copy of BK Magazine when they apply.

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studentspeak

Pinyada, 18, university student

How long have you been studying?

Six years.

How was your first lesson?

Harder than I expected. It looks easy but actually a lot of small details come together. By the end, I wasn’t sure I could ever do it all.

How long before you first felt like you could dance (if only a little)?

After two months. But to compete, it takes two years of regular practice.

Is it hard to find the right dance partner?

Yes, this is one of the hardest things. The heights must match and both dancers must get along well.

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Belly-Dancing

Rumpuree, 5/F, Amarin Plaza, 496-502 Ploenchit Rd., 08-1430-6684. www.rumpuree.com.

What is it: Belly-dancing originates from folkloric dances of the Arabic world: North Africa, Middle East, Turkey... It is characterized by the isolation of certain parts of the body. For example, when your hips are rotating, the rest of your body—shoulders, torso, head—is not. It’s often performed solo, which means you don’t need to worry about finding a partner.

Where we went: Rumpuree “specializes” in New York salsa, belly dance, African dance, Afro-Caribbean, carnival samba, samba de gafieira (Bossanova), zouk, striptease, meringue, dance hall, hip hop, break dance, body stretching and Thai dance. Of course, that means some teachers teach more than one style.

The crowd: A mix of Thai and foreign working women and students, aged 20-45. The goal here seems to be exercise and relaxation—don’t expect to become a performer or somehow go pro. But that’s what students like, the attitude is positive and you can make some cool girlfriends.

The reward: Belly-dancing is shrouded in an exotic and lascivious mystique—most of it due to prude 19th century Westerners fantasizing about the risqué outfits. If you’re not planning on staging some bedroom 1,001-nights-meets-Bollywood scenes, you can still enjoy the catchy beats (there’s a lot going on in contemporary Arab music) and the soft exercise.

Price: A single class is B400/hour—great to give several styles a shot before you make up your mind. Then you can buy a 10-class card at B3,500.

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studentspeak

Kewalin, 33, nurse

How long have you been studying?

Three months.

How long before you first felt like you could dance (if only a little)?

I’m starting to get the hang of it now, so three months.

How was your first lesson?

It was difficult. Belly Dancing uses muscles you never normally use or even suspected exist. It’s also a lot of fun.

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Where to dance

Ad Lib Singing Club: Chang Bldg., (Bldg. A), Paholyothin Rd., 02-937-4455, 02-937-4000 ext 5202. Jazz.

Alliance Francaise: 29 Sathorn Tai Rd., 02-670-4224. www.alliance-francaise.or.th. Contemporary, Jazz, tap, ballroom (tango, salsa, rock n’ roll, tcha tcha), break (hip hop), L.A. salsa.

Aree School of Dance Arts: 1521/2 Sukhumvit Rd., Pra khanong, 02-714-0812/3. Ballet, jazz, Spanish, tap.

Bangkok City Ballet: 6/F, City Resort 49, 39 Sukhumvit Soi 49, 02-662-7933. www.bangkokcityballet.com. Ballet, contemporary, tap, hip hop.

Bangkok Dance School: 20/F, Vanisa Bldg., 29 Soi Chidlom, Ploenchit Rd., 02-655-6880. Jazz, ballet, tap, contemporary, gymnastics, Thai.

Bangkok International Dance Academy (BIDA): 2/F, Peninsula Plaza, 153 Ratchadamri,02-253-9529. Latin, ballroom.

Best Image Ballroom Dance Studio: 3/F, Zenith Hotel, 29/108 Sukhumvit Soi 3, Nana Nua, 02-655-4834/5. Latin, ballroom.

Boonlert Dance School: 4/F, New City Bldg., 240/7-242 Rama 1 Rd., 02-225-2233. Ballroom.

Dance Vit Me: The Ninth Tower, 65 Rama 9 Rd., 08-6535-1152. www.vitfanclub.com. Street, jazz, hip hop, B-boy, break, popping.

House of Pro Studio: 4/F, 33 Paholyothin Soi 5, 02-619-6132/3. Open Tue-Fri 10am-8pm, Sat-Sun 9am-8pm. www.hopstudio.net. Jazz, hip hop, street jazz, B-boy, house, latin, belly.

KPN Music Academy Thonglor: 3/F, J Avenue bldg., 323 Thonglor Soi 15, Klongton Nua, 02-712-8666. www.kpnmusic.com. Hip hop, jazz, street, ballet.

La Danse: 4/F, Siam Paragon, 02-559-0556, 08-1734-7138. www.la-danse.net. Jazz, hip hop, B-boy, funk.

Nadtaka: 5/F, Central Pinklao Tower B, 02-884-8699, 08-9480-0894. www.nadtaka.com. Thai.

Patravadi Theatre: 69/1 Soi Wat Rakhang, Arun Amarin Rd., 02-412-7287/8. www.patravaditheatre.com. Latin, ballet, Thai.

Pilates & Dance Studio (Studio 31): 289/2 Sukhumvit 31, 02-662-1833, 08-4070-4060. www.pilatesanddancestudio.com. Ballet.

Rising Star Dance studio: Fifty-fifth Plaza Bldg., 90 Thonglor, 08-1553-0656. Belly, jazz, ballet.

Rumpuree Dance Studio: 5/F, Amarin Plaza, Ploenchit Rd., 08-1430-6684. www.rumpuree.com New York Salsa, Belly, striptease, Afro Caribbean, hip hop, meringue, Thai, jazz, tango.

Salsa Hacha: 130/5 Silom Soi 6, Suriyawongse, Bangrak, 02-634-3383/4. www.salsahacha.com. Salsa, bachata, belly, swing, tango, meringue, striptease

Trigenda: 117/14 11/F, Parnchit Tower, Thonglor, 02-712-6597. Ballroom.

Varaporn-Kanchana Ballet School: 51/5 Soi Lang Suan, Ploenchit Rd., 02-252-8704. Ballet.

www.salsabangkok.com: Various venues, 02-655-1460/1. Salsa.

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Look the Part

So you’ve decided to sign up for that first class. Now’s the time for that essential question: what do I wear? That way—even if you can’t move—you’ll look good standing still.

BALLET

Please don’t stroll in wearing a tutu. A T-shirt and tight pants will do just fine. You do need proper shoes, though.

Ballet (1/F, Amarin Plaza, 496-502 Ploenchit Rd., 02-256-9006) This shop offers tailor-made shoes. As the name suggests it specializes in ballet shoes (from B450) but you can also opt for ballroom shoes here (from B2,200).

Bangkok Ballet Shop (Sansha Dance Shop) (3/F, MBK Center, 08-1820-2937, 08-1903-1470. www.bangkokballetshop.com) sells ballet, pointe, jazz and tap shoes, camisole and leotards.

BELLY DANCE

Again, let’s keep it subdued—you’re not a Persian princess in a 50s Hollywood production, yet. If you want your top to stop short of your belly button, that’s fine though. At home, it’s a different story. The Indian textile market at Pahurat is full of Oriental excentricities. Try Gandhi (326 Pahurat Rd., 02-225-5997, 02-225-5503. Open Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 9am-5:30pm).

HIP HOP

If you want to pick up the moves, you probably already have the style. Just in case you’re really new to all this, here’s where the baggy jeans and T’s are.

Samuraidrive Bangkok (Lumpini Night Bazaar, Ayutthaya Soi 4, 08-9017-7765. www.geocities.jp/samuraibangkok.) Makoto Yoshikawa is from Japan (not South Central or the Bronx), but he’s got all the necklaces, caps, jackets and sneakers a good B-Boy needs.

Sports Mall Global (2/F, Siam Paragon, 991/1 Rama 1 Rd., 02-610-9000. Open daily 10am-10pm.) Nike, Adidas, Obey, Puma are all here (just like everywhere else), but at this mall, you might find some limited editions that will make you stand out from the crowd.

BALLROOM DANCE

For in–class practicing, you don’t need to fret too much. Girls, show off your legs; boys show off your butts. But the real focus here is on the shoes. Women should wear high heels to get use to them and boys have their own ballroom shoes as well. When it’s showtime, dancers rely on tailors to craft them the perfect (or the most outrageously tacky) outfit.

Be 70’s (1/F, Lido Theater, 08-1629-0166, 08-6977-2818.) Jumping back to a disco age where tight was right, this shop has lots of sexy Latin style dresses. Tailoring services are offered for both men and women.

www.leelart.com. There’s a thriving second-hand market for these outfits. With leelart.com you can hook up with other dancers to get previously owned outfits but also news, tips, and updates on coming events.

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Can I Do It?

We asked teachers out there if there were limitations when deciding which dance to perform. What if you’re past your prime, or a weakling, or fat as a whale? Their answer: “Just do it.”

Fay (Rising Star): “People who are overweight sometimes say ‘First I’ll go on a diet and then I’ll pick up dancing when I’m fit.’ That’s silly! You get fit by moving. Start now, whatever your shape. Look at my arms: this is only from dancing, no weights, no gym.”

Victor Espinola (BIDA): “If 80-year-old ladies can do it, so can you.”

Cheno (Free Soul): “Even athletes will have trouble with some of the moves we do in break-dancing—and no amount of time in the gym can prepare you for them either. Break-dancing requires a lot of strength, particularly in the arms. But the only way to acquire this strength is to break-dance. So just do it!”

Chongpisut Jetphukthai (Best Image): “Within two months, you’ll be dancing. Go ahead and give it a try.”