Known
for its sensual hip action and sexy flair, Latin dance is gaining
popularity on dance floors everywhere. Movies about Latin dancing,
ones that portray the beauty of the art of Latin dancing, seem to
be favorites among dancers and non-dancers alike. Besides being
a staple in the ballroom, many Latin dances are also being taken
to country-western dance floors. Learning Latin dances is fairly
easy, as most of the dances are made up of the same basic foot steps.
Latin
Dance Basics :
The term "Latin dance" may be used in two different ways:
to denote dances that originated in Latin America and to name a
category of International style ballroom dances.
Many popular dances originated
in Latin America, and so are referred to as Latin dances. International
Latin is the name of a category of International style ballroom
dances. International Latin consists of the following five dances:
Cha-Cha, Rumba, Samba, Paso Doble and Jive. These dances are now
performed all over the world as Latin-American dances in international
DanceSport competitions, as well as being danced socially.
International
Latin Dances:
- Cha-Cha:
Energetic and sassy, the Cha-Cha is danced to authentic Latin
music or Latin Pop. It is an offshoot of the Mambo.
- Rumba:
The Rumba is known as the "dance of love." Danced to
romantic, Latin love songs, it is fun and quite easy to learn.
- Samba:
Often difficult to master, the Samba is a lively Brazilian dance
consisting of many jumps
and turns. The Samba is an extremely fast dance.
- Paso Doble:
Meaning "two step" in Spanish, Pasa Doble is a lively,
march-like dance with significantly less hip movement.
- Jive
A variation of the Jitterbug, the Jive consists of dance steps
derived from country dancing
Latin
Style:
Compared to other ballroom dances, Latin dances are generally faster-paced,
more sensual, and have more rhythmic expression. The latin dances
are for couples, typically a man and a woman. Partners sometimes
dance in a closed, tight position, and sometimes hold only one hand.
Latin dancing, as Latin music, is sultry and physical. Quick paced
rhythms and playful movements make the various Latin dances endlessly
entertaining, sometimes even breathtaking.
The
Latin dances are derived from the music to which they are danced.
The component of the music that most differentiates the dances is
their fast or slow tempo.
Latin American can be danced
with a partner, or we can find you a partner, either way we can
accommodate you in learning this exciting dance style. This has
become popular recently from Tv programmes such as Strictly Come
Dancing and Dancing with Stars making Latin and Ballroom dancing
trendy again.
Maybe a link to Strictly Come
dancing and Dancing with the stars
Latin American shoes are required
for this form of dance and come in a huge variety of styles and
colours including different heel heights.
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