Hi, I started taking the ballroom classes at a national dance com two years ago. I only went for a few months. Did not feel that I was progressing like I had thought I would. Time of travel and fiances along with the dismay; I stopped.
I missed the dance and my dream had not been fulfilled. I am 56 yrs old and live alone. I started back with the same company. The prices had almost doubled. 560.00 a month. The instructor I now have if wonderful, he speaks clearly, patient, shows steps repeatly if needed. I am so glad he is the instructor.
Problem: I have such low confidence and am very self concious. I almost panic when attending the group class but am told that they are an important part of the learning process. Any suggestions to overcome this. I really don't want to stop again because of the low self confidence and low esteem.
any advice to improve it.

Not feeling confident probably means you are improving!

It is good you went back to dancing. Ask your tutor what he thinks about your level compared to the group class, I am sure he will re-assure you that you are capable of attending that level of class. Others in the class are probably feeling the same way that you do, but they may have a false air of confidence. Anyway, you are paying your money, go and enjoy yourself.

Don't let anyone blame you for their own failings. My wife occasionally goes to help a beginners Argentine Tango class, when I asked her about a certain partner she had danced with she said he was struggling but had insisted on blaming her for all of his mistakes! (My wife has danced with a four times world champion, and he didnt grumble!)

Do some homework if necessary, look at youtube, practice some steps at home.

Go for it, dancing is for enjoyment, and you need to enjoy yourself. If anyone thinks they have a problem with your dancing, the problem is theirs, nothing to do with you.

You will find partners you dance well with and others you don't (more frequently the latter!). I find some partners easier to dance with than others, and I am sure that a lot of people have problems dancing with me!

Walk into that next class with your head held high, do your best and enjoy yourself.

And please let us know your progress! There are a lot of readers of this board who have been there, done that and felt the same. They will be rooting for you.

If you don't mind me asking, what do you get for $560.00 per month? Is that a package deal? I'm just curious. Honestly, I wish I could afford to spend a sum close to that each month.

The amount that one pays each month really depends on how many private lessons per week and how many classes you are enrolling in.
The 540.00 month is suppose to be for one private lesson a month and a total of 100 classes. My instructor however, feels it would be better for me to take at least 2 private lessons a week, if not 4. He seems to think that I can move faster. Hope he is right. I am under the impression that you can take however many classes you want per week, but must have the total paid by the time you get to 100. This also includes as many group classes as you want to go to. There are usually two a day available. They have Dance parties once a week which is also included.
This amount for me is quite expensive but I am willing to sacrifice other things to do this. I don't know if this amount is in line with other areas but here, the other well know company charges much more and the only other dance studio is for group classes only.

Don't stop because you feel akward. Dancing really pulls you all kinds of different ways and the only real way to make progress is to dance out of your comfort zone. Everyone here has been a beginner and looked just like you look. You have to risk to make progress in dance.

Truly, I am shy and I occasionally feel like a total fool while I am learning a new step and making mistakes all across the floor. I have trouble practicing in studio because I don't want anyone to see me being less than perfect which is absolutely ridiculous because no matter what I never have anything down perfectly every time. Be okay and know that everyone else is screwing up as well and chances are they are too busy looking at what they are doing wrong to notice what you are doing wrong.

As far as group lessons there are nice people and there are jerks. Feel sorry for the jerks, enjoy the nice people. They often have some valuable insight no one else has.

You are typical of most beginners who truly believe that they will pick up everything quickly and will be dancing like a veteran in no time. A few months of instruction barely gets you doing more than stepping. You certainly aren't dancing yet. It is good you went back and it is difficult to get over the low self-confidence. First, do not apologize for what you do not know. Be upfront about being a beginner. Second, there are always dances that are easy for you and dances that are extremely hard. They are different for everyone. Don't get discouraged if you don't get it. Third, don't blame yourself right off the bat if you have a hard time dancing with someone. Quite often it is the lead, the man is learning to lead as well as his steps and that takes time and practice.
Practice as often as you can. Find venues where you can dance socially. Does your studio have parties? Go even if you are a nervous wreck. You will get better and it will get easier.
And lastly, this is dance - not life or death- it is supposed to be fun. So laugh at your mistakes and carry on.

You're probably thinking too much. Just let it happen for awhile without anything else clogging up your mind. See how things look after that. You may be surprised -- you're not as bad as you think you are, and things come much easier when you embrace it for the fun of it.
Dance like there is no one watching. That phrase has been out there for years. It fits your situation pretty well.
Here's another old saying to keep in mind:
You take dance lessons and you learn steps. Then you learn more steps, And more steps. All of the sudden, you learn how to dance and it feels so much different.
When you get there, you'll look back at your original post and likely not believe you wrote it.

Many threads on this site I feel barely able to read much less to understand but this one resonates with me. My wife and I took our first steps on a ballroom floor over 25 years ago. For about two years we took group lessons and became relatively comfortable at social dances.

Life went on and we got away from instruction, dancing only at social events and on cruise ships. Three years ago we returned to instruction at a local studio and have been developing steadily over that time. However, only in the last few months have I/we begun to become dancers and the feeling of accomplishment is amazing.

My wife is considerably more self conscious than I but she was convinced to enter her first Pro-Am this year. She did so reluctantly but found she enjoyed it immensely. Her confidence has grown visibly and has become a desirable partner at studio events.

I too began competition, first Pro-Am but now continuing with another lady at the studio to try our hand at International Latin as amateurs.

The absolutely most rewarding experience has been the development of my first show dance. My partner and coach is a 21 year old competing amateur who has placed well as a Junior and Rising Star. Should I live to be 100 I shall never dance as she does but what I have learned about frame, balance and presence is truly amazing.

I can't encourage you enough to push on. The rewards are worth all the money, embarrassing mistakes and frustration.

Good Luck, Ted

csrice. You are probably more concerned with who is watching you. Think of this only.
" I am not trying to dance better than anybody else. I am only trying to dance better than myself ".

I have read all the replies to my message and must say that I really, really appreciate the encouragement. It is comforting to know that others have the same problem and overcame it. I will somehow, struggle through this until I obtain what my goal was....to enjoy dancing and let dancing become relaxing. This is so important to me, something I have wanted since childhood. Yesterday, I had two private lessons and a group class schedule. I was as anxious as one could get. It carried over to the private lessons, which I was not impressed with at all, however: after reading all the replies I am not so discouraged. I will continue to make myself go to some groups until I am more comfortable with it. I thank each of you for your encouragemnt.