I started much later than you are! Most people in this forum will probably tell you it's never too late and I agree with them. Ballroom dancing has competitions for every level and every age.

Hi CV75,

First, I sympathize with your sentiments. I wish my parents had the good sense to have me larn piano, learn a foreign language, and maybe dancing when I was a kid. Listen, 99% of parents have no clue what they are doing... they just sort of think they'd vanguely "like to have a baby" without bothering to ask whether they themselves have the intellectual, emotional, maturity level, or financial resources to give the kid the best upbringing possible. It's fair to say that for most parents, they bit off way more they can chew when they decided to have a kid.

My honest opinion is that, yes, you are too old to ever dance like those ladies. Take heart. I am 29; I will never be able to dance like those younger guys; its something one must accept... every year you put in on this earth closes a few doors and opens a few new ones. But there are things you've accomplished, because of your background, that those young ladies you so envy will never be able to do.

To me, the main point is stated on my web page: "We must define ourselves, not by our history, but rather by our potentials." Be the best you can be, however you define "best" and that is all anyone incl. yourself, have a right to expect.

Finally, remember the key point: if you can find a partner who you can practice with such that both of you appreciate and rejoice in every step along the way without feeling pressured to measure up to the artificial standard that those young whippersnappers are trying to set, you'll be so much happier than those young women for which dancing has most likely become a discipline and a chore. Certainly everyone will agree that if a hobby is worth doing for its own sake, it is worth doing at whatever level we are able to do it rather than to try to judge ourselves in comparison to the "experts" in the hobby.

Dave

Hi CV,

I just want to say that you can achieve your dream is you put your heart and mind into it.

You put to much "Expectation" on yourself. you stated that you only learn to dance 5 months ago. Take it slow and be patience.

The secret to be a good dancer is to ENJOY IT and HAVE FUN, trust me you learn quicker. you never know what happen 3 yrs from now. THINK POSITIVE and DO THE BEST YOU CAN. There are plenty of dance competition level you can enter in the international level.

I also agree with Dave that those young women probably think dancing become a chore. dancing suppose to be FUN

Hope you will achieve your dream. Keep us posted with your progress

[This message has been edited by marset (edited 11-26-2000).]

Why compare yourself to other people ??? Don't you find that the next time you do something, you do it beter than the time before???Think about when you first started to dance and appreciate just how far you have come! It gets better as you go along. Enjoy your dancing & don't put so much pressure on yourself. You learn more when you are enjoying yourself. Age is no barrier to commitment....so make up your mind & enjoy!!

You are too hard on yourself, CV75. I started dancing at 55. I am currently competing at the prechamp level in standard. Last winter, I competed in A level (under 35)Gold at a comp last winter because there were no entries in the older levels. We came in fourth out of seven with a second in foxtrot. Don't tell me you are too old.

I am so glad I came across this posting (and this site). I have just started dancing international latin style, and would really like to compete someday. I didn't take dance (ballet, jazz) classes as a child, but did get to study in college.

I take it seriously, but at the same time I realize this: there really is no point in going through with the commitment if the joy is taken out of it for you. Always go for what gives you that joy. If its dance, so much the better!!

I believe it is wrongful to self-limit one's goals, and that we are all the least competent to accurately judge our own capabilities. I started at 49, am a 53 yr-old man who is short with bad body habits, am headed toward performance dancing, and believe (as does my trainer) that great ballroom, for the 99.5% of us who are not naturally gifted, is 2% natural ability & 98% work & devotion that is very rewarding. I think you may also eventually find that many of those whom you think are so good-looking at it so quickly, are not necessary so very accomplished at all. If you are a "slow learner", you may be better off than some of those who think they've "got it" overnight. Anything worth doing really well requires some time & sacrifice - the greater the value, the greater the sacrifice required. Dancing is one of the very few things one can pursue to high excellence, while still having a great deal of fun in the process. The guiding principle is not to become your own worst enemy - which I'm sure most of us have done at one point or another. We all have somewhat different personal priorities in ballroom, but from my side, I would rather spend 3 months working with a partner who took that long to learn a simple waltz box with technique - and had the mirth & determination to keep at it - than one who thinks they have it all down in an hour and can't wait to learn more fancy patterns. I know that this lady will look & follow better than 90% of the others on the floor (at least in my area), doing the simplest of things with power & grace. Nice 'n easy does it - keep plodding along on the things that count instead of comparing yourself to what others look like, and it will probably pay off big. It is likely that if you do this, one day, many those whom you regard as so talented may be sitting down to watch you.

Gosh!! CV, after seeing all these messages of encouragement and condolence, the mischevious streak in me wants to just say 'Give up and move on, you have no chance'. But that would both be cruel and incorrect. Honestly however, you may be too late for professional competition, but then again, that could also be moot. But a lifetime of amateur competition lies ahead of you if you have the motivation, the time and commitment, and most of all, the money..

I know that most people appear good to a novice's eye if they demonstrate even a basic level of technique. Give yourself a couple of years, and if you are anything like I was, you will start critiquing their technique before long, and think you are far better than they are..

Good luck, keep it up, and stop being so darned pessimistic.. (I am only half kidding).

Sri.

CV75,
I'm older than you . I'm and ancient 38 and have only just begun!
I love dancing!!!
I'm still on training wheels ( self-help videos) and don't plan on looking back.
My main goal is to have fun.

I'm still trying to keep a straight face just looking in the mirror.

My girl friend bought me a dance partner.
She found a life size inflatable skeleton left over from holloween and dressed him in her sons old prom tux and added velcro to his hands for grip.

keep dancing and smile!!!

BTW,
SRI... your a little stinker!

Lauran

I have students over 60 who have just begun to dance. I tell them up front not to expect to achieve a high proficiency level in all rhythms of dance. I further tell them to select a rhythm that appeals to them and put more effort into that aspect. To master all dance rhythms is a pipe dream that most beginners come in the door with but is is a big let-down to hold on to that thinking too long.