dance styles

Swing dance is a lively style of social dancing in which a dancer often lifts spins and flips his or her partner. Swing dancing is a favourite among social dancers of all ages. It is mostly performed in one spot; it is a popular dance for a crowded dance floor. Couples hold hands as opposed to placing hands on the shoulders or around the waist, as ballroom dancers do. Swing dancing takes a little practice, but once you learn the steps, you may never want to stop swinging.

Known for its sensual hip action and sexy flair, Latin dance is gaining popularity on dance floors everywhere. Learning Latin dances is fairly easy, as most of the dances are made up of the same basic footsteps. 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 Dance Sport competitions, as well as being danced socially.

Samba is considered the dance of celebration and joy at Carnival celebrations. Lively and rhythmical, Samba has a quick beat that requires fast footwork. Over the years, the Samba has incorporated elaborate tricks, turns, and acrobatic feats into its basic set of figures. The main characteristics of the Samba are rapid steps taken on quarter beats and a rocking, swaying motion of the dancers.

Jive is a very happy and energetic dance, with plenty of knee-lifting, bending, and rocking of the hips. The fastest of the Latin dances, Jive incorporates lots of kicks and flicks, even twirling of the woman, and doesn't move around the dance floor like other dances. Although Jive dancers may appear to be moving their feet haphazardly in every direction, the feet are actually well-controlled under the body with the knees close together.

The Cha Cha is a vibrant, flamboyant and playful dance. The light and bubbly feel of the Cha Cha gives it a unique sense of fun for dancers throughout the world. The Cha Cha requires small steps and lots of hip motion, as it is danced in 4/4 time. The fourth beat is split into two, giving it the characteristic 2,3,4 & 1 rhythm. Therefore, five steps are danced to four beats as in the "One, two, cha cha cha" rhythm.

The Stroll is a group dance and comes under the category of formal line dances. Dancers stand in two lines facing each other. The pathway between them is used to stroll down with the music beat by either an individual or a couple. The other dancers clap and encourage the ones performing.

The Salsa is a Cuban dance form which is very lively and rhythmic. It can be done in two positions- either hand in hand or closed position. This dance form stresses on having a good posture with your spine straight. The partners should always look up while swaying his/her hips and arms bent at 90 degree angle from the elbows

The Waltz is a slow, close dance and is performed in partners. It involves the right hand of the male partner being placed on the female partner's shoulder blade and the woman's left hand is on the man's shoulder. The dance is done in long flowing movements while turning and rising. The man moves his left foot forward, then places the other foot parallel to it. Then he steps back with the right foot and brings the feet together. The woman mirrors the same steps

It is a combination of slow and fast ballroom dance which has tricky footwork. It is a fast paced and springy style where both the partners need to be light on their feet and quick. The beats are generally slow and then quick-quick. Dancing on slow beat is done on heels whereas the quicker beat is taken on toes.

The Foxtrot is also a form of ballroom dancing. It is an extremely smooth dance form with absolutely no jerk movements. The timing of the partners is very important while continuously moving forward or backward in straight and well aligned patterns. The partners perform steps like 'weave', 'feather step' and 'reverse turns