Dancing Latin Dances

Some of the most popular ballroom dances are those which originated in Latin countries, and require some training and particular skills to properly perform them. Ballroom dancing in Latin style can be great fun and bring a lot of enjoyment, but couples or individuals may need to take lessons to properly execute the Latin dances and include them in their social dancing activities.

Latin dancing includes the rhumba, cha cha, tango (also Argentine tango) salsa and others. In most Latin dances, body movements and more pronounced and specific than in many of the traditional ballroom dances such as fox trot and waltz. Of course correct body posture and body “language” are tremendously important in all ballroom dancing, but often in the Latin dances such body language is more exaggerated and pronounced.

In dancing the rhumba, for instance, specific hip movements are very important, and all body movements are quite sensuous. When dancing the rhumba, the male lead works to present or “show off” the female partner. When dancing the cha cha, however, a very lively Latin dance, both partners are equally active, each mirroring the other’s movements.

Dancing the tango requires quick responsiveness on the part of the female partner…again with many movements being sensuous in nature. The Argentine tango is particularly demanding in terms of technique, with many fast foot movements back and forth between partners. Dancing the Argentine tango demands a particularly close relationship between dancing partners, as the movements which lead or direct the female partner are very subtle dancing movements. Sometimes simply the angle of a shoulder, or direction of a foot movement direct the dance partner to the next move.

The salsa, a fast stepping dance, more closely resembles the cha cha in terms of partner responses and mutual step execution. Dancing is energetic with rapid movements and quick switches. Dancing the salsa is popular currently among young dancers particularly.

One of the more unusual and dramatic of Latin dances is the paso doble…and dancing this dance requires considerable space. It is not conducive to social dancing in limited space, and is often thought of as exhibition dancing or competition dancing.

If you like dancing and include it in your social activities, consider taking some studio lessons in Latin dancing. It will add spice to your regular dancing experiences and open new avenues of dancing experience. Latin dances might well become your favorite when you’re enjoying your evenings of ballroom dancing, and will at the very least add variety to your regular dancing ventures.

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