About Dance Steps

The popularity of dancing that requires a set of standardized steps is coming back into style after a brief respite since rock and roll put distance between the partners. Most of the dances that require standardized steps and movements evolved in the elaborate European courts of the Renaissance period. The current renaissance of ballroom dancing actually still bears a strong resemblance to those 16th century movements.

Identification

The only kind of rigidly formulated dancing that had still been in style for massive groups of dancers until reality shows brought the classic dances back in style was country line dancing. Line dance steps always begin with the feet placed together and everyone facing the same direction. The correct position of hands in country style line dancing is to have thumbs hooked into the waistband of your jeans. Beginners should be aware that seeking out the end of the line to avoid being the center of attention will eventually result in exactly the opposite as they find themselves at the front of the line.

Types

The tango is the single sexiest dance that any two people can do in public without getting arrested. The single most important thing to keep in mind while dancing the tango is that the dramatic appeal of the tango, and the drama is what this dance is all about. It is significantly enhanced if you keep the foot as still as impossible when moving the body moves from placing its stability from one foot to the other.

Considerations

The prime element to keep in mind while learning the dance steps involved in the mambo is that this dance really comes alive the less space exists between the man and the woman. The two partners should remain in close proximity to each other throughout the dance with the man grasping his partner tightly around the waist with her right arm. This tight enclosure facilitates a need to master the dance steps associated with the mambo to avoid the very real danger of tripping over each other.

Misconceptions

Believe it or not, but even professional dancers occasionally bump into each while grandly sweeping across the ballroom in an elegant waltz. The dance steps involved in the waltz are admittedly elegant, but the movement of a waltz can be surprisingly fast for newcomers. While professional dancers can make a waltz almost look as thought the dance steps involved floating above the floor, footwork involved is actually far more intricate that it might appear. For this reason, professionals are usually instructed to give away to newbies to avoid collisions.

Geography

The paso doble has become one of the most popular of all ballroom dances. While the name means nothing more interesting than "two step" the paso doble is actually intended to be a dance that recreates in dance form a Spanish bullfight. The key to learning the steps associated with the paso doble is realizing that every single paso doble is a symbolic dance in which the man is a matador and the woman is the bull against which he fights and, eventually, conquers. The movements of hands, feet and body should be utilized accordingly.

Features

Anyone looking for a ballroom dance with a slightly slower tempo, yet one that still burns with a passion, need look no further than the rumba. The dance steps for the rumba are relatively easy to learn, if not necessarily master, because a very compact area on the dance floor is all that is needed. In fact, one can very well learn the steps involved in dancing the rumba inside even a small apartment. At the same time, the movements are highly charged with nearly the same romanticism as the mambo or tango.

Potential

The different dances associated with what is known as jive dancing--the jitterbug, boogie-woogie, or the lindy hop--are among the easiest to customize and stylize to make them your own. For the jitterbug or lindy hop, dance steps can be amended by leaning the body forward just a touch and shifting your weight backward. A great way to add a little oomph to these dances is to slide your feet just a little bit more than normal. While dancing the boogie-woogie, the same effect can be used but flex the knees a little more jauntily to add some real style.

Resources

• The History of Ballroom Dances