The Complete Handbook of Dancing
For Professionals, Businesses, and Serious Hobbyists Who Need to Know What Works
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
The practical reference handbook for dance professionals, instructors, studio owners, and serious hobbyists who need real knowledge, not motivation.
About this book
Dancing is a physical discipline with measurable forms, trainable techniques, and real business applications. Yet most resources treat it as either an art form (emphasizing creativity and emotion) or a beginner activity (emphasizing fun and wellness). This handbook is different.
It's written for professionals, businesses, and serious hobbyists who need practical, concrete knowledge: what types of dancing actually exist and how they differ mechanically; how to choose the right style or training method for your specific goals; how to set up, practice, and maintain your dancing correctly; and how to build a profitable business around dancing—whether as a studio owner, instructor, trainer, or consultant.
Each chapter cuts through vague advice and provides actionable specifications, real-world examples, and the concrete reasoning behind best practices. Whether you're a choreographer evaluating styles, an instructor designing a curriculum, a studio owner buying sound equipment or flooring, or a competitive dancer training for a specific discipline, this handbook gives you the reference material to make informed decisions.
Reader Reviews
Elizabeth Taylor
★★★★★This is the handbook I've been waiting for. Unlike every other dance book I own, it doesn't waste time on inspiration or basic fitness benefits—it assumes you already know you want to dance and shows you how to do it right. The opening chapter's explanation of what dancing actually is (the biomechanics, the discipline structures, how it differs across styles) changed how I think about my own training. If you're a competitive dancer, studio owner, or serious instructor, this is essential.
Jennifer Wilson
★★★★★Finally, a dance resource that treats the subject seriously instead of like a wellness trend. Chapter 1 alone clarified what I'd been fumbling to explain to new students about the biomechanics and discipline structure of different styles. The concrete examples (ballroom vs. hip-hop partnership models, music timing relationships) helped me redesign my studio's class progression. Worth it for instructors who want to build actual curricula rather than just follow YouTube choreography.
Amanda Garcia
★★★★★This is exactly what I needed. I opened my second studio last year and found myself reinventing wheels constantly—choosing flooring, designing schedules, hiring instructors, figuring out what specs actually matter. The handbook walks through all of it with specifics and reasoning, not cheerleading. The business chapter alone will save me thousands in bad decisions. Highly recommend if you're serious about dancing, not just hobbyist.
Betty White
★★★★★Good foundation, but with gaps. Chapter 1 is genuinely useful in breaking down how different forms work mechanically, and the business opportunities section is solid. Where it falls short: very little about music production, licensing, or the technical side of sound systems in studios—which is huge if you're running a serious operation. Also wished for more on competitive circuits and judging criteria, since that shapes training differently. Still a keeper though.
Emily Taylor
★★★★★Solid technical reference, though I'm not sure it's as relevant outside the instructor/studio owner lane. The maintenance and injury sections are practical and well-researched, but if you're a semi-serious hobby dancer (not running a business), some chapters feel like overkill. Chapter 1 and the types breakdown are genuinely useful for anyone. The business sections would've been 5-star useful to me five years ago; now they're just reference material.