The Ballroom of Sacramento, a dance facility located on Folsom Boulevard, helps people improve their well-being and how to express themselves while learning how to dance.

Manager Linda Infante has been working at The Ballroom since 1997 and always hears from people who said dancing has helped cope with their busy lives.

“We have a lot of doctors, nurses, lawyers and people that come here because their life is so stressful and they come here for a stress outlet,” Infante said. “It’s exercise without knowing it, they get to socialize and it’s a whole different atmosphere than what they’re used to.”

Infante said dancing is like riding a bike because once a person learns how to dance, they will have the skill forever. She also said learning how to dance is beneficial to men because once they learn, they will have women throwing themselves at them.

Sac State alumnus Tyler Appian, a dance instructor at The Ballroom for two years, teaches two types of dances as well as competes in them.

Appian performs in the smooth category, which consists of the waltz, Viennese waltz, tango, and foxtrot. Appian also teaches the rhythm category with five types of dances: Cha cha, rumba, swing, bolero and mambo.

Appian said despite being an introverted person, dancing put him in front of people to open up and express his personality through dance.

“I think the biggest thing with dance is that it gave me more confidence,” Appian said. “Most people come in and don’t have an idea of what they want to learn.”

The east coast swing and salsa are the two basic and recommended dances to learn for beginners. Students who learn these two dances get the most out of them because there are many clubs that specialize in them.

Infante says that 80 percent of the people who come to The Ballroom are single, as it is a perfect place to socialize and find new people.

Theatre Arts major Brent Bianchini has been working at The Ballroom at Sacramento for more than four years and teaches 16 types of dances, but specializes in teaching smooth dancing, like Appian.

After Bianchini’s first dance lesson in 2005, he practiced for 50 hours a week and was a certified professional in just three months.

Bianchini said being a dance instructor was a great job for him because it was an extension of his roots in theater.

“Theater is number one in my life and dance is a nice outlet to theater to satisfy the need to perform and to improve myself,” Bianchini said. “Male dance instructors for this industry are very hard to come by, especially in Sacramento, so it’s been a great opportunity to make a living.”

Bianchini said the impacts of dancing varies from raising one’s confidence to helping a couple mend their marriage.

“I’ve had a couple save their marriage through dancing [and] a student who has dropped 95 pounds since she began, Bianchini said. “It makes me feel great that I can open the door and help them get there.”

Bianchini said there are limitless reasons why people should come out and dance.

“Dancing is good for your health. A 45 minute lesson can burn some calories and put in a good sweat,” Bianchini said.

There are so many different avenues dancing can fulfill. For men, it’s a great opportunity to work on their craft to be a gentleman, for couples to find a night out and for women to find an outlet where they can feel beautiful.

Sammie Moreno can be reached at [email protected]