Read About The History of Ballroom Dancing

Ballroom dancing is often referred to grand evenings where a swarm of beautiful women danced gracefully in the company of handsome men in formal suits. They are composed of different forms of steps such as the slow motion waltz, the lively fox trot or the passion of Tango.

Webster defines ballroom dancing as simply “Any of various, usually social dances in which couples perform set moves”. The term ballroom dancing has its root in the Latin word “ballare” which literally means to dance. Interestingly, this is also the base word for ballerina and ballet.

This is a form of dance common to the members of the English upper class in the late 18th and 19th century. This is not a common practice of the working class until late 20th century. In the early 1920’s competitive ballroom dancing was gaining popularity so the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (formerly known as The Imperial Society of Dance Teachers) formed a Ballroom Branch whose function was to standardize the ballroom dances.

Modern dancing revolves around five dances, the Modern Waltz, the Viennese Waltz, the Slow Foxtrot, Tango and the Quickstep. Here are some Latin American ballroom dances if you are inclined to know Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, Cha-Cha and the Jive. Make it a point to note that the word Latin America actually refers to the Latin and American styles, not just the South American countries.

Modern day ballroom dances do vary considerably in tempo, and rhythm and still they all consists of couples dancing closely together. Normally, there are five points of contact. Three points involve the hand, where his left hand holds her right and her left hand will be on the top of his right upper arm, and the Tango would need her hand to go hand his arm while other right hand will rest on her left shoulder blade. The other points come in contact through elbows and chests which rests comfortably on each other as they glide through the dance floor. This dance posture goes all the way back to the dancing in the European royal courts and makes for a very elegant look as the couples float around the dance floor.

This right side-to-right side contact of the closed hold may have originated from a time when men danced while wearing their swords, which were hung on their left sides. The sword can accidentally hit any of the dancers to, so they overcome this issue by a counter clockwise motion. In Latin American dances, he postures varies from dance to dance. The Latin American version of ballroom dance has been very much standardized for the purposes of teaching.