Dancing Basics

Crossing in the Four-Step is something you can add to the basic steps of the Charleston. This will give the dance more pizazz as well as make the dance all the more fun to perform.

The line dance is a fun dance that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Throughout the years as the popularity of country music grew, so did the popularity of the country line dance. The basic...

Polyester suits, platform shoes and John Travolta come to mind when someone mentions disco. A style of dancing that became extremely popular in the 70s and spawned the hit movie "Saturday Night...

Dancing at parties can be an ideal way to let off steam and have fun with family and friends. For those who do not feel comfortable dancing in front of others, it can be scary and intimidating. ...

Dee Dee Sharp was a female American R&B singer born in 1945. At age 13, she got a job as a background singer while living with her family in Philadelphia. Her vocals were added to a Chubby...

The Cotton Eye Joe is a fast energetic dance with several variations. Traditionally, the Cotton Eyed Joe is danced by a man and woman, side by side, holding crossed hands and moving in a...

Mambo is a fairly new invention. It was created when a man named Oresta Lopez composed a new dance or danzón which he named "Mambo". This new dance form has its roots in African music that...

Dancing is a wonderful way to stay in shape. Dance is exciting and motivating whether it's done with a group or by yourself. When you don't have time to visit your local fitness center, these...

This hand jive dance can be done by everyone, even the rhythmically challenged. The hand jive dance was made popular by the movie "Grease" in 1978 in the memorable dance competition scene. The...

Boogie Woogie began as a musical style in the 1900s. It was characterized by quick piano rolls and repeated notes. Songs that epitomize Boogie Woogie are "Shake, Rattle and Roll" played by Big Joe...

The Caballo Dorado is a type of Mexican Hustle danced to the Spanish version of "My Achy Breaky Heart." It's a real easy dance to learn, especially once you see people doing it. It mixes a little...

A cute guy walks up to you and asks you to dance. You really want to, but you are scared because you don’t know how. Don’t worry; it’s not as hard as you think. The key things to remember are to...

You see a beautiful girl you would like to ask to slow dance with you—but you don’t know how to slow dance! Don’t worry; it’s not as hard as you think. The key things to remember are to be a...

The Scooter Dance is taken from a popular European dance style called Jumpstyle. The dance originated in Belgium in 1997 and involves steps, kicks, jumps and arm swinging. It is usually performed...

From weddings to birthdays to proms, the cha cha slide dance has become a favorite for getting even the most timid person on his feet. An updated version of the electric slide, the cha cha slide...

The Cha-Cha Slide is a line dance created by Mr. C, also known as Casper, a Chicago DJ. The dance was originally designed as a workout for Bally's Total Fitness. The steps are called out during...

The chassé step is one the the most basic moves in dance. Upon mastering this step, one can use it to perform more difficult dance steps.

The cross body lead in Cha Cha is a fantastic step to add to your repertoire early on. It will be an "evergreen" pattern that you can utilize for the rest of your dancing career,...

Hip action is a very important part of the Cha Cha, or any Latin Ballroom dance, for that matter. A mastery of the hips will not only allow you to move correctly and display the patterns, but you...

Ever wished you and your friends could jump up and dance to those Irish tunes you hear, and actually know what you were doing? Here's your chance! Ceili dancing is a fun, laid-back, social form...

This pattern is one of those "evergreen" basics that will always be part of any routine. That's true whether it's social or competitive. It can be done to the left or to the right, and it can also...

The twist lock to the right, like it's sister the twist lock to the left, is a great technique you can utilize in your Cha Cha back locks to enhance the overall look and feel of the pattern. It is...

Footwork is always the first thing you learn in any dance and lays the foundation for the movement you are about to do. The American Cha Cha, although not nearly as complex as her foreign sister...

The 3 step turn to the right is slightly rarer than its sister to the left. However, it is still a necessary basic to practice so that you are a well rounded dancer. It can be an exciting pattern...

The three step turn can be a fun turn for both male and female dancers above the Bronze level. It is a simple and effective method to add some speed and directional change in your routine. Yes,...

The three-step turn to the left is the more popular out of the two three-step turns that are possible to perform, and can be accomplished at many different levels. Once you have mastered the...

The twist lock is a relatively new and very exciting technique that can be applied to your Cha Cha dancing to really give it some attitude. The traditional back lock, once mastered, is not as...

Arm styling is crucial to any routine once you have the feet figured out, and nowhere is it more important than the lady's part. Below is a description of arm styling for the lady in the following...

The alemana is one of the most popular techniques ever utilized in Latin dancing, and can be seen with its full power in the slow dance of Rumba. Although it can also be done in Salsa and Cha Cha,...

The right underarm turn is a great turn you can use to spice up your portfolio of patterns anytime you go social dancing or if you are writing a routine with a partner. It is a fun turn that is...

The right underarm turn, or reverse turn, is a rarer pattern than its sister the underarm turn, or alemana. Although it is not seen as much in traditional choreography or social dancing routines,...

The American Cha Cha is a great social dance you can expect to be doing quite often, and a Basic Bronze level routine will take you far in any venue. Below is a description of the specific...

The spiral turn is a popular technique and a necessary basic action in Latin dancing. There are two ways to perform the spiral - from a forward walk position and from a delayed walk, or CBMP...

Spiral turns are a beautiful technique utilized mostly in competitive-level dancing. They are most popular in the Rumba, as the slowed rhythm allows ample time for demonstrating the technique and...

The lock step is a crucial component of dancing the Cha Cha regardless of whether your interest is social or competitive. Because it allows forward and back movement on the chasse rhythm of the...

A grapevine is a combination of steps performed in both ballroom and jazz dance. In ballroom, the grapevine is often seen in the quickstep and the lindy hop, both fast dances. It is also slowed...

Argentine Tango is made up of styles from different regions and time periods, originating from Argentina and Uruguay. It is danced in an embrace that can be open, closed or at arms length. Feet...

The two-step is a popular dance combination in Country-Western partner dancing and group line dancing. The two-step combination is used in many traditional dances like the foxtrot and polka, while...

Whether you are just starting out in ballet, or you've been dancing ballet or jazz for years, performing a pirouette properly is a necessity. It is possible to achieve an absolutely beautiful...

Hot-blooded, Latin music and graceful, sweeping steps across the dance floor equal the tango. Here's how to learn a move or two in the tango, the dance of love.

Dance the rumba for fun and a great workout!

Perform some great partner routines by incorporating the broken left dance step. Try using some tips for executing this dance step from a professional dance instructor in this free video.

The broken left turn dance step is a fun move to enjoy with your dancing partner. Learn more about the broken left turn from a professional dance instructor in this free video.

Learning a new dance can be intimidating--especially something that sounds as exotic as the Rumba. There's no need to be afraid. If you can walk forward and back--if you can take slow steps and...

Learn how to dance the 7 steps with left foot in Irish step dancing in these free online video dance lessons.

The polka is a dance step that can be used in a variety of ways. You could dance the polka with a partner in standard dance position, or you could use it in a line dance or even aerobics. Once you...

When you do lyrical or modern dance you need to stretch to warm up, cool down and increase flexibility. Stretching is as important as perfecting the dance moves, because without that flexibility...

Reggaeton dance is one of the fastest growing movements here in the US. Latino and Caribbean grooves inspired its loose moves and funky beats and give it a unique style and signature. Practice...

Mambo is a form of Cuban dance that has become popular in the United States among young and old people alike. Instructors often teach the mambo at dance clubs and weddings because the dance starts...

The tango is a dance of subtle pursuit. It must be danced with perfect balance and relaxation to convey this attitude. Professional lessons are best if you want to truly learn to tango, but you...