MERENGUE

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The Merengue is one of the simplest dances beginners can learn. It is based on “Marching” as both partners switch weight from foot to foot This dance has less structure than some of the other dances.

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SALSA On 1 – LA Style

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Salsa on 1 is one of the most favorite social dances and is danced all over the world. 

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Salsa on 1 is danced in a “slot” and has a lot of turns, spins and crossbody lead moves. 

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It gets a lot of power from other Ballroom dances, as well as other styles of dancing. 

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In this style both partners start dancing on count 1 – hence the name “Salsa on 1”. Overall this style of Salsa has a sharper, more direct feel to it – which makes it perfect for beginners.

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SALSA On2 - New York Style

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Salsa on 2 is almost selfsame to the moves danced in the “on 1” style, anyway, the biggest unlikeliness is that dancers start dancing on count 2. 

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Especially, Salsa on 2 dancers say that by dancing “on 2” they connect better with the different musical instruments of Latin songs including: Bajo (bass), Conga and Clave. Overall the “On 2” style has a smoother and slower feeling to it than the “on 1” style.

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BACHATA

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In the Bachata dance, both partners move from side to side, incorporating body action and hip action. 

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A key feature of Bachata dance is that for every 4 count, there are 3 full side steps (weight changes) and 1 step with no weight change (“tap” the foot). 

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Bachata music tends to be very sensual with strong, distinct beats – which helps characterize the styling of this dance.

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KIZOMBA

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The Kizomba dance originated in Angola. The character of the dance is slow, sensual movement, with facile basic steps done in a close embrace position – similar to Argentine Tango. 

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There are a lot of walking type of movements, Swivels, and hip movements in Kizomba dance, accent the music. This dance is gaining reputation in recent years.

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CHA-CHA (Club Style)

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The Cha-Cha dance originated in Cuba.    

The dance needs to use very quick, sharp steps in order to keep up with the fast rhythm of the music. 

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A key feature of the Cha Cha basic steps is that they normally include Chasse steps (Series of three steps) to the side, forward and back.

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RUMBA (American Style)

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The American style Rumba music fits many widespread songs. This dance is characterized by the smooth body and hip movement – while accentuating the Slow, Quick, Quick, timing with the feet. The main basic step consists of a box step pattern.

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CHA-CHA (American Style)

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The Cha-Cha dance is different from the Club style Cha Cha (mentioned above). 

In the Cha-Cha dance, the partners accent the strong beats of the music by pushing off their feet and showing a strong hip action. 

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In the Cha Cha style, the movements are big and defined – Furthermore, accenting count “1” – which is the strongest beat in the music.

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SWING (American Style)

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The East Coast Swing style is descended from the Lindy hop. It is a very comedy and playful dance where the main basic steps include triple steps from side to side. 

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The Swing dance includes lots of underarm turns, loops, and spins. The music is not too fast, and not too slow – allowing for plenty of shaping and arm styling.

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MAMBO (American Style)

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The Mambo originated in Cuba and later had a lot of influence from New York. 

The moves in this Mambo dance are very cognate to what is done in Salsa, but it has a Ballroom flare to it – where the moves and turns are more exaggerated/pronounced. This dance is danced on “2”.

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BOLERO (American Style)

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The Bolero is the slowest of the American Rhythm Latin dances. 

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In the Bolero dance, the partners push off their feet firmly in order to make huge steps and there is a rise and fall used throughout. 

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Finally, this dance has a lot of upper body shaping (similar to Waltz and other smooth dances).

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CHA-CHA (International Style)

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This Cha-Cha dance is similar to the above Cha Cha styles, however the main difference is that in this style the dancers step on a “straight leg” as they convert weight from foot to foot. 

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The moves in this style are more “rectilinear” with a robust emphasize on accenting the timing which is: 1,2,3, Cha Cha.

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SAMBA (International Style)

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The International style Samba originated from the Brazilian Samba carnivals. 

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In the Zamba Dance there is a “bounce” technique used, where the partners are constantly bending and straightening their knees as they move from foot to foot. Due to the “bouncing action” this dance allows for a lot of body and hip movement.

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RUMBA (International Style)

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This dance is quite different from the American style Rumba (mentioned above). 

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In Rumba Dance,  the dancers arrive mostly on a straight leg, and the figures are “linear”. 

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There is a very harsh emphasize on doing “sensual” hip movement (figure 8) and arm extensions to express the slow tempo Rumba music.

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PASO DOBLE (International Style)

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The Paso Doble dance originated from Spain and is mostly done in International Style competitions, as opposed to social dance events. 

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In the dance, the couples use a solid “marching” walk technique to cover the floor, and there are a lot of big shaping movements and “Apels” used. 

“Apel" is when the dancer stomps their foot strongly on the floor (At times creating a loud stomping noise).

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JIVE (international Style)

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The Jive has a very selfsame character to the Swing, but this dance is much faster. 

There are a lot of turns, spins and kicks in Jive. The couples must keep their poises more forward than normal, in order to keep up with the fast-paced music. The technique used in this dance includes “hopping/jumping” on almost every single step.