Jonas Vezia believes that “every time you freestyle you're creating a new version of yourself.”

The professional dancer, choreographer, and former member of acclaimed hip-hop group IMMA Beast is not only a master freestyler but also an advocate of its benefits — regardless of your background.

“Whether you are a teacher, choreographer, or whatever, [freestyling] makes you a better dancer because how can you pick up someone else’s choreography and make it your own if you don’t know your own strengths and weaknesses?" Vezia said.

That ability to release oneself into the music and allow freedom to take over is the essence of freestyling, and believe it or not, anyone with the desire to learn and the strength to let go of fear is capable of achieving that same ecstasy.

Watch as Jonas Vezia lets the music take over him in this beautiful freestyle number:

If you are already an accomplished dancer with a hesitation toward freestyling or just starting dance as a novice, embracing and practicing freestyling will only help you improve and teach you things about yourself that you can't learn in a class.

Vezia describes a truly good freestyler as one who is “present and honest.” His advice is to “take your time… don’t rush and be super crazy. It’s about being true to yourself and enjoying dancing.”

So how can dancers improve their freestyle skills?

Well, the first key is to not shy away from the opportunity to freestyle when it presents itself. If you are taking a class, move your body and dance anytime the music is on — don’t just dance when the choreography starts.

Vezia’s second piece of advice is to practice, practice, practice. That’s right: Go home and stand in front of a mirror, play some music, and watch yourself. See what comes out of your body and how it looks on you. Get to know your style and what feels good to you specifically. Watch other people and try to imitate them, but make it your own. If it feels weird, watch yourself in the mirror. You might be surprised to find that you look great even though you feel awkward.

Last but not least, listen to music. The more you can improve your ability to hear music the faster you improve your musicality and your ability to hit the beats that others remain oblivious to with a lesser-tuned ear.

“Start freestyling right away,” Vezia said. “It’s never too early or late to start.”

Many of us think that we need some kind of training in order to start dancing freely on our own, but nothing could be further from the truth. When you realize you already possess everything you need to be great, you’ve already mastered the hardest part.

So let go of fear and freestyle every time the opportunity presents itself. Learn by watching others and then watch yourself. If you do all these things, you are guaranteed to be a better freestyler than you ever thought possible.

“When you feel awkward, that's the moment you know you’ve done something you’ve never done before,” Vezia said.

And isn’t what life is about — breaking out of our comfort zones and embracing new experiences? So the next time you feel hesitant to dance, just remember to embrace the moment and let yourself break free.  

Notice how each dancer makes this routine his or her own: