Weve all been in situations when we need to dance. There were our school dances when we were just kids with girls on one side of the room and boys on the other. There are proms and formals. Bars and clubs are filled with people who only came to dance. Then there is the place where only those who truly enjoy dancing will step foot - the competitive ballroom dance floor.
While many people view dance as a recreational activity, it isnt the same for the professionals. For them and their passion for dance, it is viewed more as a sport. Like other athletes, they are in good physical condition with strength, stamina, and flexibility. After all, competition requires these attributes to an even higher extent. These are the people that competitive ballroom dancing was made for.
That doesnt mean you cant learn these ballroom dances. To the contrary, they are quite easy to learn and you will pick up the steps in no time. Here is a list of the most popular ballroom dances:
Waltz The waltz is a smooth progressive dance distinguished by long, flowing movements, continuous turns, and rise & fall. It is best described as graceful and elegant. Its dancers glide around the floor seemingly effortlessly. The American style of waltz is punctuated with lavish open movements, underarm turns, and solo spins. At 28-30 measures per minute, the tempo is kind of slow, but the expressive quality of the music often provokes very powerful and dynamic movement from its dancers.
Tango What else can be said about the tango? It is simple and yet dramatic. Even though walking movements dominate, the almost stalking-like Tango walks are unlike any of the walks of other ballroom dances. Its movements are sometimes slow and slithery, and other times sharp and staccato, like a quick foot flick or a sharp head snap. It has the same counter clockwise flow of movement around the dance floor, but with a lesser sense of urgency in comparison to the smoother and more continuous movement of other ballroom dances.
Foxtrot The foxtrot is a smooth progressive dance characterized by its long, continuous flowing movements across the dance floor. The Bronze level Foxtrot is a simple combination of walks and chasses great for social style dancing. While the Silver American Foxtrot adds continuity. The Gold level Foxtrot with its open, apart, and side by side movements, closely resembles the signature styles of a Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly movie.
Rumba - A true Rumba is by and large considered to be a medium-tempo 4/4 Latin ballad, even though the American style Rumba is likely to be slightly more upbeat and rhythmical, with a tempo of 32-36 measures per minute. The Latin percussion section punctuates the music with syncopated accents, while the bass, guitar and piano keep a balanced beat and fill in the harmony. The American style of Rumba is danced along to a variety of musical genre from the most traditional of Latin sounds to modern day pop hits.
Salsa This dance is hot, spicy, and full of exotic Latin flavor all at once. The Salsa lives true to its translation in Spanish of sauce because it truly is a mixture. People from all walks of life gather at dance clubs to take part in the music of this fiery dance. There is no dance other experience like the Salsa one.
Cha Cha The Cha Cha is another rhythmical, Latin dance. It first originated in the 1940's as a modified form of the Mambo. The Cha Cha is fun, energetic, sexy and flirtatious. It can be easily distinguished from other dances by its addictive "Step, Step, Cha Cha Cha" rhythm.
By: B Healey
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