Ballroom: Latin
Ballroom Latin is a programme of five partner dances: the samba, the cha-cha-cha, the rumba, the paso doble and the jive. Their roots are in Latin America, Spain and the United States, and their ballroom versions have a fixed technique for teaching and competition. In Ukraine it is also called the Latin American programme, and it is taught both as a social dance and as a competitive sport.
What it is for
Section titled “What it is for”- Five dances, each with its own character: the lively, bouncing samba from Brazil; the playful cha-cha-cha from Cuba, with its quick triple step; the slow, sensual rumba; the proud paso doble, inspired by the Spanish bullfight; and the fast, kicking jive, which comes from swing and rock ‘n’ roll.
- Rhythm, musicality and hip action.
- Leg strength, flexibility and plenty of cardio — especially in the samba and the jive.
- Confidence and expression: Latin is danced for a partner and for an audience.
Equipment
Section titled “Equipment”- For the first classes: close-fitting, comfortable clothes, so the teacher can see how the legs and hips move, and shoes with a smooth sole.
- Latin shoes when you continue: for women, open sandals with a higher, slimmer heel than Standard shoes; for men, shoes with a slightly raised heel. Suede soles let you turn on the ball of the foot.
- Competitive couples later need costumes; social dancers do not.
How a class goes
Section titled “How a class goes”- 60–90 minutes. Group classes and individual lessons for one couple are both common.
- A warm-up, then technique: posture, footwork on the ball of the foot, straight knees and the hip action that comes from them.
- Basic figures of one or two dances, first alone, then as a couple in closed and open holds. The rumba, the cha-cha-cha and the jive stay mostly in one place; the samba and the paso doble travel round the floor. The class ends with the figures danced to music.
- Social classes: you learn enough figures to dance for pleasure, often alongside the Standard dances. Partners usually rotate, so you can come alone.
- Competitive (sport) ballroom: a fixed couple trains several times a week, with individual lessons. Couples compete by age group and level under the rules of a dance sport federation; judges score technique, rhythm and presentation.
Who it suits best
Section titled “Who it suits best”- People who love rhythm, energy and performing.
- Couples, and children and teenagers looking for a competitive sport.
- Beginners of any age: social classes start from the very first step. For the other ballroom programme, see Ballroom: Standard.
- Ballroom Latin is not the same as the club dances Salsa and Bachata, which are danced socially at parties. To dance Latin figures without a partner, see Latina solo.
- It suits less anybody with knee, hip or back problems, because of the hip action, the kicks and the speed of the jive — ask your doctor and tell the teacher.