Latin dances are one of the most famous dances in the world and
everyone wants to engage in them. If you have wanted to learn the
dancing styles, here are some of the most common.
Bachata
This
style is named after Bachata guitar music and it comes from the
Dominican Republic. The dancers move side by side in a four-beat pattern
that involves making three steps to the side followed by a pause. The
most unique things about this style are the pronounced hip movements.
Mambo
It
originated in Cuba and its signature move is a three-beat step moving
forward and then backward while you shift your weight from one foot to
the other. One member of the dancing pair performs the backward motion
while the other moves forward.
The most unique thing about the
style is the hip-swaying action that the weight shift creates. Here you
engage in a three-beat step that you engage in alone or as part of a
group.
Cha Cha Cha
Also known as
Cha Cha, Cha Cha Cha is a Cuba-born dance that is similar to Mambo. It
derives its name from the quick set of three steps that signify the
dance.
To dance you have to step forward and backward while shifting your weight between your feet.
Merengue
This
is a Dominican dance that is recognized as the official dance of the
country and it's one of the most preferred dances. This is because it's
very easy to learn. To dance you need to step onto the inside edge of
the foot, roll the foot to transfer your weight, and then drag the other
foot to meet the first foot.
You can learn how to dance from your instructor or you can watch other dancers dancing.
Rumba
This
style has its roots in Cuba and it consists of two quick steps and then
a third slower step that usually takes two beats to execute. To guide
their movements, dancers use a box-like pattern when dancing.
Although,
dancers used to originally dance Rumba with quick steps, there is a new
ballroom Rumba style that emphasizes on slow and romantic steps that
focuses on hip movements.
Salsa
It
originated in the Caribbean although it has a strong African influence.
The style is usually best done by couples and it centers on a four beat
combination of two quick steps and a slow step with a pause or tap.
By
P K Martin
