Swing Dancing advice?

[caraluvsfirbies]

Hi!!! So!
I'm not sure if this belongs under sports... or hobbies.... or just random..... but whatever.
So.
I lovelovelove swing dancing, (I hope at least someone else here does), but the thing is, I'm really bad at it.
I know the moves, I know when to do what and whatever, but I'm so robotic that it's actually really bad.
I can't move smoothly, people who dance with me are constantly telling me to loosen up but I just don't know how to.
Any advice?

[Elizabeth]

Think about little kids when they dance. They shake their butts and shake their heads and get really into it. They really allow themselves to feel the music and do what comes natural because they don't care what other people think about them.
I'm not saying you have to shake your butt, but you may be thinking about looking dumb, so just relax and allow yourself do it whatever.

[Kanye West]

I had the same problem whenever I did ballroom, though I never really did swing dancing.

The best thing I can say to you is to practice with someone one on one who knows the dance well, and practice many times. From my experience, it takes hours of practice to get comfortable with the tempo, posture and footwork of the dance. Also, what Elizabeth said. If you are conscious about feeling awkward with changing your posture, don't worry. It's all about learning and more importantly, having fun.