Choose a style of dance that suits you. For some people, dancing is awkward at first but after some practice, dance steps will become as natural as walking. By choosing a style that you already enjoy, the phase of "feeling foolish," if you have one, will pass quickly. Remember that dancing is a skill. You probably don't remember learning to walk, but it's a safe bet it took some time to get it right, and it was not pretty right away. Be patient with yourself and practice!
The best way to learn to dance is to have somebody show you the steps. When you were an infant, you watched older people walking. After carefully observing the movements of sitting and standing, you began to try it yourself. It was not as easy as it looked! Babies spend hours figuring out how to align their balance, get onto their feet and take the first step. Their first inspiration, however, was seeing walking in action, already perfected. Now you have a new inspiration; the desire to dance. You will need to spend time observing dancers you admire in action and then take the time to break their fluid movements into smaller parts that are easy to learn. Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly era movie's, MTV video archives and cultural arts documentaries offer a wide range of both entertaining and educational augmentation to your study of basic dance steps and are all available for free through sources on-line or at your local library. You-tube is a great place to find examples of all styles of dance, The more you watch, especially in combination with the study of basic techniques, the faster you will learn.
There are pros and cons to taking on acquiring the skill of dancing completely for free. Dancing is an art form and the masters we admire have invested both money and time to perfect their craft. It is unrealistic to expect to become "great," free of charge. You can become accomplished however, if you take the process seriously, and the information available at no cost through the media we enjoy today is exceptional for private learning. If you don't have access to the Internet in your home, the public library is the place to find instructional media and archive footage and dance movies that may only be available to rent or buy on-line. The primary down side to learning on your own is maintaining motivation, inspiration and encouragement to keep working. Without paying a coach or teacher, that part is up to you.
Eventually, you will be ready to go out and dance! Of course there will be some cost involved for travel and entertainment amenities but there are some free venues that will support your learning. Contra dance is available in many cities and towns. Often there is no cover charge for these events and listings will let you know if beginners are welcome. No matter what style of dance you are learning, contra dances are a great place to move with others, memorize steps and develop timing.
For more classically oriented styles, your local dance companies may offer workshops or technical instruction at a reasonable fee. With dance steps already learned on your own, these experiences can catapult you to a new level very quickly and you'll meet other aspiring dancers. With a boost from a workshop and new friends to dance with, you can create a group to practice with of your own, at no charge.
Learning to dance takes practice. Set aside a time each day and stick to it. During that time, follow a routine that includes observation, basic technique and flow. Remember, all movement ultimately comes from stillness so before you get started, stand quietly for a moment. Listen to your own breathing. Feel your feet, your hands, your head and the trunk of your body all as one. Focus your mind on your mid-point, just below your navel and relax. A few moments of peaceful silence will prepare your mind for new information and your body for exercise. When you are ready, put on some music, study your steps, and rehearse. Enjoy yourself. You'll be dancing in no time.