Unleash your inner dance duo with our couples Ballroom dance lessons in Leeds
Ballroom Dancing Guide
Exploring the enchanting world of Ballroom Dancing on popular shows like Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing With The Stars. You've likely been captivated by the grace and finesse showcased on these hit programs, but have you ever wondered about the dance styles behind those mesmerising routines? Enter the world of Ballroom Dancing - an exhilarating and ever-evolving dance form that has taken the nation by storm and continues to gain momentum.
Are you ready to embark on an extraordinary journey into the world of ballroom dancing? Look no further! Within this comprehensive guide, we will provide you with all the essential information you need to dive into the captivating realm of ballroom. Let RISE Dance be your trusted companion as we equip you with the knowledge, techniques, and support to pave your way towards becoming a skilled ballroom dancer. Get ready to unleash your inner dancer and embrace the elegance and excitement of ballroom at RISE Dance.
What is Ballroom Dancing?
As the name suggests, Ballroom Dancing is the name given to dancing that is usually performed in a ballroom. It is a partner dance style that is well known in competitive dancing but can also be enjoyed socially. As you can imagine, this can be quite wide ranging and somewhat vague description. So we will try to narrow it down to the more traditional ballroom dancing styles and also talk about some of the more modern evolutions of the dance.
Some of the more traditional forms of ballroom dancing include the popular Waltz, Tango and Fox-trot as well as the latin influenced form of ballroom dancing including Samba, Cha Cha and Jive. Of course there are so many more that we could list and Ballroom Dancing is constantly evolving new techniques and styles which always keeps it fresh and interesting. With so many dance styles available in ballroom dancing, we’re sure you will find something to take you and your partners interest as we step into the world of the ballroom. At RISE Dance we can take you on a journey to find a dance you will love and perfect it with our courses and lessons.
Waltz
What better place to start talking about Ballroom Dancing styles than the Waltz which is often the first dance performed in both competitions and at social dancing events. This is a slow dance sometimes referred to as slow Waltz or English Waltz.
We find it a great way to warm up into the ballroom dancing mood as you glide along the dance line around the ballroom floor. As it uses the entire ballroom floor in graceful sweeps it is a great chance for couples to show off their beautiful dresses and suits in poses and slow steps throughout the dance.
It is equally mesmerising in a social setting as everybody flows together in harmony. We encourage you to listen to “The Blue Danube” by Strausis as one of the most popular Waltz accompaniments to get an idea of the pace and energy of this ballroom style. The slow rhythm and simple moves make this a great place for a beginner and at RISE dance we can get you up to speed to move on to more advanced moves in the Waltz and beyond.
Tango
For a higher intensity and more passionate dance, look no further than the Tango. With its Argentinian heritage this feisty dance style will get you moving to the music. It is a great social dancing style and great exercise for you and your partner. This dance style involves fast movements whilst in an embrace with your partner. The dancers must stay level while moving which gives a very elegant flow to their performance and makes things easier to follow for beginners. You can quickly move up to more advanced Tango movements to bring extra flare to the routine.
Samba
Moving on to the more latin based origins, we come to some of the more advanced Ballroom styles which you are sure to enjoy as you progress in your dancing teaching at RISE Dance. To start with, you’ve got the Samba which has Brazilian roots and is accompanied by the vibrant Samba music. The dance involves steps with a bounce to it which we think makes it often a more lively and active dance than some of the more traditional ballroom dances. The bouncing moves make it an exercise both to perform and watch and and the music will make you eager to jump into the action.
Cha-Cha
The Cha-Cha is another Latin origin dance with a more intimate flair. Like the samba, this dance involves a bouncing motion of the knees and also includes a lot of motion in the hips. You’ll need to keep in tune with your partner as you synchronise your movements across the Ballroom floor. This makes it a very enjoyable dance for you and your partner as you communicate and practice the precise and delicate movements together.
With our couples classes at RISE Dance, we can show you the best techniques and advise on the synchronisation required to perfect your Cha Cha routine.
Jive
The last dance we will talk about is the playful and energetic Jive which again has African American origins but with a latin style. It combines techniques from a few other ballroom dancing styles so it is the perfect dance to incorporate all of the ballroom dancing moves you are learning. The playful and fun nature of the dance is great to just let your hair down and have some fun with the dance rather than being traditional and more serious about ballroom dancing. You can jive along to the swing music giving a boost of energy and liveliness to your dancing which our dancers always love to do.
How can I get started?
Now that we have gone over the basics of what Ballroom Dancing entails, how can you get involved yourself?
For the best start in Ballroom Dancing, you will want to join in with a beginners class. The best classes out there will take you through each step of the dance at a pace that suits you and without judgement of your dancing level or proficiency. With a beginners class you will be on the Ballroom floor in no time performing all of the Ballroom styles you can think of. You’ll be able to learn a little bit of each style to find your favourites with fun, energetic and variety of the music and styles of each dance.
At RISE Dance we offer Beginners Ballroom and Latin classes which are perfect for starting out on your Ballroom journey. In these classes we will take you through all of the exciting and fun dances that you’ve seen on Strictly and always wanted to perform! From Cha Cha to Tango and Waltz to quick steps, We will go through it all in easily manageable stages at a pace that suits you.
As you advance in your ballroom skill, or if you are already proficient in Ballroom dancing, we have the Improver, Intermediate and advanced Ballroom and latin classes. Here we will go through more advanced techniques for the various Ballroom dance styles that you have learned. We will take you from a Ballroom novice to a pro through our amazing instructors and well laid out classes. As you progress even further, you may want to specialise in a specific style of dance. You can join one of our more specialised classes based on specific Ballroom style or sign up for private tuition to really boost your dancing proficiency and ability.
What else do i need to know
Once you’re signed up to a class, what do you need to know to prepare for the first session?
First of all, you'll need to wear appropriate clothing and footwear for dancing. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes like trainers to start with. There is no need for formal ballroom shoes at this stage. The same goes for clothing as something breathable and suitable for exercise is best. You won’t need to go out and buy a Ballroom gown or dress just yet, just regular gym equipment is best for now.
The dancing sessions will be quite active so it might be good to bring a drink too. Do not worry about over exerting yourself as you can take it easy and go at your own pace, especially to begin with as you find your Ballroom feet!