Happy Valentine's Day
Let's learn to love each other with all your heart ^^
There following are 12 ballroom dances that are most popular. It's famous because you can see it many times on television:
- The Single: This step is simply stepping forward with either the left or right foot, usually with the body weight shifted onto the foot that is forward.
- The Double: As you might guess from the "single", the "double" is two steps, one foot after another.
- The Step-Touch: Usually done to the side, this is a single with the other foot drawn in to "touch" the floor next to the foot that is carrying most of the body weight.
- The Ball Change: A step common to both ballroom dance steps and jazz dance, the ball change is like a single where the weight is shifted forward slightly, then shifted back to the stationary foot. A related common step to ballroom is the "kick ball-change", which adds a slight kicking motion before the ball change occurs behind the stationary foot.
- Triple-step: A step particular to swing dance (though similar to the basic step of the waltz), this is three steps with weight changes (left-right-left or right-left-right) done within two beats of music. This is usually counted either as "quick-quick-slow" or "one-and-two, three-and-four."
- The Grapevine: This is one of the most common ballroom steps, from swing dance to the Viennese Waltz. Its most common form is steps to the side with the traveling foot crossing alternately in front of and behind the stationary foot. There are also variations forward and backward, and even a step called the "climbing grapevine" that involves jumping into the air.
- The Chassé: This is also known as a "shuffle step" and consists of stepping forward, "chasing" your lead foot by bringing the back foot right up to it (but not past), and then repeating. Variations of this step are done by alternating the lead foot or doing it sideways.
- Under-Arm Twirl: While this isn't technically a "step" as much as a "move", the foot pattern is as important as the rest of the body to execute it. Basically the lead lifts the left hand (usually still holding the follow's right) and lets their partner spin underneath the arm. The footwork involves very close steps and pivoting as the body turns, and can be done either quickly or slowly depending on the tenor of the dance.
Cha Cha *~A "Cuban motion" that is flirtatious and full of passion~ 
* Fostrot *~A simple, fun and easy to learn with smooth and flowing dance movements~* 
Jive *~A livelier form of Swing and Jitterbug which originated in US from African-Americans~* 
Lindy Hop *~A father of all Swing dances - a unique, atheltic dance with fun aerial jumps, twists and flips~* 
Mambo *~A sensual, emotional Latin American dance with swaying hip movements and unique facial expression~* 
Paso Doble*~A lively dance which originated in southern France - It is modeled after the sound, drama, and movement of the Spanish bullfight~* 
Quickstep*~A quick and exciting version of the Foxtrot but most difficult of all the ballroom dances- quick stepping, syncopated feet rhythms, and runs of quick steps are all part of the dance~* 
Rumba*~A romantic and sensual dance of all Latin ballroom dances - "Grandfather of the Latin dances"~* 
Samba*~A Brazilian ballroom popular hit with the younger crowd - it can be performed either solo or with a partner~* 
Tango*~ A fasinating and sensual ballroom dance that originated in South America~* 
Viennese Waltz*~A simple and elegant rotational movement with a quick rotating ballroom dance with subtle rise and fall~*
Types of Ballroom Dance Steps
Many type of ballroom dance steps are learned, debated, and created all over the world. From amateurs to professionals, ballroom dancing is a pastime that thrills millions, but you may wonder where all the different types of ballroom moves come from.
Who Makes Up the Steps?
It can be difficult to trace the exact origins of various kinds of dance. For example, the Argentine tango has roots in the courts of Spain and the docks of Buenos Aires. At the same time, it is also a competition dance form, so the "official" dance steps have to be not only thoroughly documented but also able to be graded by judges in areas of technique and expression. The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, founded in 1904 and based in England, is the primary body for certification of dance teachers and trainers throughout the world.
Types of Ballroom Dance Steps
While there are many different types of ballroom dance steps (such as the rhythm dances, the Latin dances, and more) many are similar and can be used to teach several different types of dance. One of the first things you have to do in order to learn ballroom dance steps is learn the position from which to execute them. This is called the "dance frame" and usually consists of the Lead holding their right hand under the Follow's left arm, palm against the scapula, and the Lead's left hand extended to the side (elbow bent) providing a place for the follow to rest their right hand.
In general, the Lead determines the direction of movement and the variations of steps done in a dance. However, this doesn't mean that the Follow just gets dragged along. Being able to sense the Lead's intention and perform the dance steps both accurately and with style takes an enormous amount of skill, which is why both members of a dance partnership learn the steps best by practicing together.
Once you are in the dance frame, here are a few of the steps you might learn, forwards and backwards as either lead or follow:
These are only general descriptions of some basic steps. The only way to really learn them is to do them, whether in front of a mirror, a teacher, or out there on the dance floor.
