ballroom

• Ballroom dance


  A variety of social dances performed by couples in which there is a conventional pattern of steps
• Ballroom dancing


  Also known as social dance because it encourages social interaction between dance partners
• Ballroom


  A large room specially designed for such dances
• Ballare


  Latin word meaning 'to dance'
• In times past, ballroom dancing was social dancing for the privileged, leaving folk dancing for the lower classes
• Benefits of ballroom dancing

  • Great workout
  • Physical health
  • Mental health
  • Confidence
  • Self-expression and creativity
  • Stress and depression
  • Social fun and friendship
• Ballroom dance as a workout

  • Burn fat/lose weight/increase metabolism
  • Increase flexibility
  • Increase muscle strength and endurance
  • Great for all ages
• Physical health benefits of ballroom dancing


  • Decrease blood pressure and cholesterol
  • Improve cardiovascular health
  • Strengthen weight-bearing bones
  • Help prevent or slow bone loss related to osteoporosis
  • Lower the risks of obesity and Type 2 Diabetes
  • Promote increased lung capacity
  • Help speed up recovery after orthopedic surgery
  • Enhance balance and stability
• Mental health benefits of ballroom dancing


  • Improve memory, alertness, awareness, focus, and concentration
  • Prevent the onset of dementia
  • Improve spatial memory in elderly patients
  • Create more intricate neural pathways
  • Decrease anxiety and stress levels
  • Improve mental health and happiness
  • Decrease loneliness
• Other benefits of ballroom dancing


  • Improve confidence, comfort level, and communication skills
  • Provide an emotional outlet for self-expression and creativity
  • Relieve stress and depression
  • Expand social connections and build lasting friendships
• Ballroom dance styles

  • Standard (Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot, Tango, Viennese Waltz)
  • Latin (Cha-cha-cha, Mambo, Rumba, Samba, Jive, Paso Doble)
  • Club (Swing, Line dance, Salsa, Merengue)
• Standard dances


  • Elegant with strong emphasis on posture, more formal than Latin dances, generally danced in a closed position
• Latin dances


  • Prepared for hot, flashy movements, sexy poses and fire-consuming passion, generally faster-paced, more sensual and have more rhythmic expression
• Characteristics of each ballroom dance style


  • Waltz: Smooth, flowing movements, continuous turns, "rise and fall"
  • Tango: Sensual, originated in South America
  • Quickstep: Quick stepping, syncopated feet rhythms, runs of quick steps
  • Foxtrot: Smooth, long, flowing movements across the floor
  • Cha-cha-cha: Lively, flirtatious, "Cuban motion"
  • Jive: Bouncy, energetic, lots of kicks
  • Rumba: Romantic, sensual, "Dance of Love"
  • Samba: Popular, can be performed solo or with a partner
  • Paso Doble: Lively, modelled after the Spanish bullfight
  • Swing: Lively, lifts, spins, and flips
  • Salsa: Energetic, spins, sharp movements, crisp turns
  • Merengue: Fast, "marching with style"
• Shah Asad Rizvi: 'Dance to inspire, dance to freedom, life is about experiences so dance and let yourself become free.'