Dancing With The Stars: Episode 10/17/11

Did you know that each week I share the hits, misses and inside tips of Dancing with the Stars performances?  I do this to benefit all of you.  You can use my tips at home to get fit and lead high quality lives.  Each week I also tweet live @ilysebaker and you can join me there at 8pm PST every Monday.  Please type #DWTS and #DWTSPartywithIlyse in your comments.

It’s 80s week on Dancing with the Stars!

David nails the tango while Rob is called “The Heart Throb” and Richard Simmons pines over Carson’s wardrobe

DAVID ARQUETTE and KYM JOHNSON nailed their tango to “Tainted Love” and the choreography was fabulous. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba advised David to stop thinking so much and just dance. David did just that and blew everyone away with his killer performance.

Dance can be very intimidating for a non-professional dancer, which can cause you to over think. I constantly tell my students that thinking is overrated in dancing and to turn that little voice off in your head that does not offer encouragement. Dancing is just like riding a bike for the first time. You are going to fall off that bike the first couple of times, but as you keep at it you will get better.  It is the same process with dancing. Try grasping 1-2 moves in your first lesson then keep at it. You will get it and rock it. Just remember to breathe and also know that dance is another way to express yourself so have fun.

ROB KARDASIAN and CHERYL BURKE performed the Rumba last night.  Rob has had a tough time connecting with Cheryl so past contestant, Romeo, came to share his expertise. The Rumba is a very sexual and passionate dance that Rob struggled with before Romeo came to the rescue. When Rob hit the dance floor, he turned into a sex machine and Bruno complimented him with, “Rob, The Heart Throb.”  His dancing was strong and he was in total control of Cheryl on the dance floor. Way to go Rob! Every week you get better and better as a performer!

Finding the sex appeal in a dance can be challenging, but very doable. You must allow yourself to let loose and share with your dance partner what makes you feel sexy. Try picturing yourself in your hottest outfit and dancing with the love of your life or your high school crush. This is what I like to call, “setting the stage.”  It is just like acting. Every Actor “sets his/her stage” before a show. It is about making your connection with the performance. Before you start dancing, sit in a quiet place, put your music on, close your eyes, and do the dance in your head. This will help you make the connection in your mind first then you will be ready for the dance floor.

NANCY GRACE and TRISTAN MACMANUS are not my favorite couple on the show. Each week, I hope Nancy improves and she will change my opinion about her – but it doesn’t. When I watch NANCY dance, I feel like she is fake. It seems she lacks the passion and drive to be Dancing with the Stars best dancer. She just goes through the motions.

Don’t get me wrong, a dancer with flawless technique is beautiful to watch, but there is something to be said about a “total package dancer.” I am sure you are wondering what I mean by this…right?! This is a dancer who has fantastic technique and the personality that goes with it. This dancer pours out their passion on the dance floor. When you watch a “total package dancer” you are on the edge of your seat and have chills. You want to get up and dance with them to share their passion for dance. So how can you achieve this? I recommend you think of something that makes you the happiest person on earth. Something that puts you on cloud nine then put those feelings into your dancing. Instead of using your words, tell the world how you feel through your movement on the dance floor.

CARSON KRESSLEY and ANNA TREBUNSKAYA jived their way to a fun and entertaining performance last night.  Carson is “Mr. Personality” on the show and he does an excellent job each week. However, there were parts of his jive that were a bit sloppy. But because of Carson’s high energy and entertaining performance, I enjoyed watching him strut his stuff. He dressed the part of the jive and even Richard Simmons seemed a bit envious of his killer costume. It was very cute to watch.  

Dress the part like Carson did last night by matching the theme of your dance or workout to your wardrobe. Not only will it help you connect to your workout, but also will add the entertaining “it” factor that you need for a successful show.