Social and Recreational Ballroom Dancing

Social Dances

• A fusion of movement, music, space, and communication.
• Provides benefits to individuals, communities, and organizations.
• Contributes to a healthy lifestyle, increasing stamina, relieving stress, and improving mental and emotional health.
• Encourages self-discovery and exceeding expectations.
• Involves individuals or couples, typically with music.
• Originated in the United States during World War I, with new forms of ballroom dancing emerging and evolving.

Recreational Ballroom Dancing

• A form of dance that is considered a good exercise and enjoyable activity.
• Serves as an outlet for suppressed emotions.
• A means of connecting with the world.

Examples of Ballroom Dances

• Cha-Cha-Cha: A lively, flirtatious dance with African influences, popular in Cuba post-WWII. Energetic and appealing to both professional and amateur dancers.
• Jive: Features knee-lifts, bending, rocking of hips, kicks, and twirling, a happy and energetic dance.
• Rumba: A sassy, smooth, and sensual dance, emphasizing connection and awareness of the partner. Slowest of the competitive International Latin styles.
• Samba: A fun, upbeat, and lively dance that moves counterclockwise around the floor, characterized by syncopated timing, hip action, and pelvic tilt.
• Waltz: Often called the "mother of present-day dances," the Waltz is a romantic dance characterized by soft, round, flowing movements and a "rise and fall" action.
• Tango: A close hold dance, characterized by low gravity and emphasis on Contra Body movement.

Ballroom Dance Terminology

• Body Lines: Alignment and form of body segments in dance movements.
• Cha Cha Chasse: Linked step pattern.
• Cuban Motion: Expressive hip movements, involving bending and straightening of the knees.
• Draw: Pulling one foot along the floor.
• Floor Design: Pattern followed by the feet.
• Figure: Set number of dance steps.
• Footwork: Manner of using feet in performance.
• Open Break: Movement in which the man moves the lady away.
• Place: Placement of feet with weight on it.
• Step: Complete body weight transfer to one foot.
• Swirl: Pivoting on the foot.

Dance Styles

• Quick Step: A dynamic, energetic dance with a staccato feel, characterized by up-and-down rise-and-fall swinging motion performed at a fast pace.
• Foxtrot: A dance composed of simple walking steps and side steps, characterized by slow-quick-quick or slow-slow-quick-quick footwork.
• Line Dance: A country and Western dance where dancers line up in a row and follow a choreographed sequence of steps to music.

Benefits of Dancing

• Physical: Improves physical conditioning by toning muscles and developing cardiovascular health, stimulating senses.
• Mental and Emotional: Boosts self-confidence, sense of well-being, and self-esteem, promotes a positive and optimistic outlook. Releases endorphins - natural feel-good chemicals.