Our instinct tells us to express rhythm. Just as children bob their heads to music and senior citizens tap their canes to the beat, dancing comes naturally to both young and old alike. Some form of social dancing has probably existed since the beginning of time, moving from ritualistic dancing to social interaction for pure enjoyment. Modern ballroom dancing has withstood the test of time and is now more popular than ever. Both American and International style ballroom dances are divided into the following categories:


Rhythm:
Bolero . Cha-Cha . E Coast Swing . W Coast Swing . Hustle . Lindy Hop . Mambo
Merengue . Polka . Rumba . Salsa . Samba . Two Step

The Polka, coming from Bohemia in the 1800s, has an unforgettable rhythm - da-da-dum, da-da-dum. The name is Czech for "half-step," much used in the dance. The Polka is danced in pairs either face-to-face or standing side-by-side. Polka music has a 2/4 beat and is notable for its happy sound. The Polka has consistently remained a very popular dance worldwide.


Smooth:
Foxtrot . Tango . Viennese Waltz . Waltz

© Fred Astaire Dance Studios, Inc 2005