Common Types Of Latin Dances

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