Standard Dances
English Waltz
Developed in the 1920s by slowing down the Viennese Waltz – its original name was Slow Waltz. This graceful yet somewhat reserved dance was created because the Viennese Waltz was considered too intimate and erotic.
The dance's rhythmically swinging, gliding movements combined with sentimental 3/4-time music made it the most harmonious of all standard dances. It can lull both the audience and the dancers into a world infused with tranquility and wonder, which is why it is such a visually captivating, almost angelic dance.
Tango
The tango is an internationally widespread ballroom dance. Today, two types of tango appear in competitions: the English-style tango seen at standard dance competitions, and the Argentine tango, which is a very popular program at fashion dance competitions.
The natural form of the dance is walking to the beat, stepping to the pulse of the music. Its characteristic feature manifests in fast, sudden, forceful progressive movements that alternate abruptly between passionate dynamics and tense pauses.
Viennese Waltz
The Viennese Waltz is one of the oldest ballroom dances with a long tradition, which developed in the Habsburg Empire. The name "Waltz" derives from the German word "Walzer".
The waltz first appeared in an opera in 1787: four ladies danced it, and the audience liked it so much that it quickly entered the dance repertoire of higher social circles. Its music is also in 3/4 time, like the English Waltz, but its tempo is significantly faster.
Slow Foxtrot
The Slow Foxtrot evolved from the foxtrot dance, similarly to the Quickstep, in 1920s America. The Slow Foxtrot is based on long, gliding walking movements that follow linear step patterns.
The body is in constant motion, thanks to the fact that almost every step is of the same length. The leg movement is continuous, giving the dance a walking effect. Due to its technical demands, dance schools usually start teaching it to advanced couples.
Quickstep
The Quickstep evolved from the crossbreeding of the foxtrot and the charleston. After World War II, it underwent a style change, as a result of which it was enriched with small, bouncing steps.
The airy dancers moving to fast music always make the atmosphere of the dance hall more pleasant. This effect is due, among other things, to the tempo, the running movement, and the constant alternation of "quick" and "slow" steps.
Latin-American Dances
Samba
The word "samba" comes from the African word "semba", which refers to the characteristic hip movement. Originally, it was the dance of slaves; its short, choppy movements imitate the motion of shackled slaves.
Today, instead of the folk version of the samba, we encounter the sporty samba. The samba is performed in a large circle, with the dancers moving across the floor in a wave motion. It can be easily danced to many well-known contemporary songs!
Cha-Cha-Cha
The cha-cha-cha is an artificially created dance, a combination of the rumba and the mambo. The captivating Cuban music and dance first became popular in North America, and by 1954 it was already present as the most popular fashion dance.
With its clean, clear rhythm and variation-rich, cheerful figures, the cha-cha-cha remains one of the most beloved Latin dances to this day – the pulsating rhythm of many contemporary songs is also that of the staccato, bouncy cha-cha-cha!
Rumba
The rumba is basically of Cuban origin and is commonly called the dance of love. It is significantly slower in tempo than the other Latin dances, characterized by sensual, soft, erotic hip movements.
The eternal game between man and woman, a burning love rivalry: the woman wavers between devotion and rejection, the man between attraction and independence. By now, various jazz elements have also been incorporated into the dance.
Paso Doble
The paso doble is a Spanish dance. The paso doble symbolizes a bullfight, where the man takes on the role of the matador and the woman represents the red cape. The man and woman move together around an imaginary bull.
The man, as a matador, is expected to show almost arrogant pride, bold determination, and elegance, while the woman shows self-assured reserve. Its passionate rhythms are sure to captivate you!
Jive
The jive was born in 1930s America, together with several similar dances of the African Americans' swing culture. The jive is danced to fast music and is the most spinning of the five Latin dances.
The most cheerful and liberated dance at Latin competitions, thanks to the captivating effect of the enormous amount of energy, kicks, and spins characteristic of it. 🤗