Many dances require a partner, but some styles are more romantic than others. Whether you’re looking to turn up the heat for your wedding day first dance, or you and your significant other want to start taking dance lessons, consider learning one of these five styles. You just might find that dancing together reignites the flame in your relationship!
Rumba
It might be the music. Or maybe it’s the slow, smooth hip movements and heavy walking steps. Either way, there’s no denying that Rumba—also called the “dance of love”—is a highly romantic dance style.
Rumba is derived from a Cuban rhythm and dance style called the Bolero-Son. The tantalizing dance found its way to the United States in the early 1930s and has remained one of the most popular social dances ever since.
Mambo
To garner attention on the dance floor, try the Mambo. You must be bold, confident, and flirtatious to master the Mambo’s long, exaggerated hip movements. Once you do, you and your romantic partner may discover renewed passion in your relationship.
The Mambo and other Latin-style dances increased in popularity in the 1930s. Then, when Cuban bandleader Perez Prado recorded “Mambo Jambo” in the 1950s, the fun was on!
Cha Cha
It’s hard not to feel passionate when dancing the Cha Cha. The small steps combined with plenty of hip action make Cha Cha a sensual yet playful dance you and your romantic partner will love.
As another dance of Cuban origin, Cha Cha borrows its flavor, rhythm, and charm from a combination of the Mambo, Rumba, and Lindy, all of which feature the same “one, two, three” triple step. Cha Cha became hugely popular in the US in the 1950s thanks to music by artists such as Tito Puente and Tito Rodriguez. The tempo can range from slow and staccato to lively and upbeat. No matter the pace, it’s natural to inject your own feelings into this energetic dance.
Salsa
Characterized by passion, energy, and the joy it instills, Salsa is one of the world’s most popular social dances. It continuously evolves based on the current popular music style and the geographical area in which it develops.
Salsa is a broad term that refers to numerous styles danced across the globe. In the 1970s, dance studios began offering a standardized curriculum to teach Salsa to an eager public. The style taught at Fred Astaire Dance Studios is based on Mambo patterns but is danced on beats one and three instead of two and four.
Tango
Tango is a little like a hot-tempered romance. Sometimes it gets angry and makes a big display of its feelings. Then, it gets affectionate, dimming the lights and instantly changing the mood. It’s no surprise, then, that taking Tango dance classes will add drama and flair to your romance.
It takes two to tango, as they say. This staccato dance style is characterized by fast-moving feet and flexed knees. The four-beat Tango rhythm has endured for over 60 years and remains one of the most popular partner dances in the world.
Start Dancing at Fred Astaire Dance Studios
No matter which style you choose, remember that dancing is a chance to boost your confidence and strengthen your romantic relationship. If you and your partner want to learn how to move with grace, rhythm, and better posture, come to Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Carmel, IN! We offer the best in ballroom dance instruction, with private lessons and group classes offered online and in-person to meet your needs. Our welcoming, non-judgmental community is the perfect place to take your first dance lesson or further the skills you have already learned.
Sign up for dance classes—with or without a partner—by calling our Carmel studio at 317-846-3237.