Latin Dance Steps

Latin dance is classified in two main styles viz. the social and the formal type. The former includes dances like the Cha-Cha, Samba, Rumba, Jive and Paso Doble, where as the latter includes the elegant ballroom dance. Latin dance also includes the dances like Salsa, Mambo, Tumba, Danza, Merengue and Bolero which originated in Latin America and Cuba. The social dances are majorly considered as Latin dances while the ballroom dance has gained an individual identity for itself. Latin dance steps are fast, rhythmic and more sensual in nature. Read more on history of Latin dance.

Given below are some Latin dance steps of different Latin dance styles, which not only look beautiful when performed but are endlessly breathtaking. Read more on how to learn Latin dance and Latin dance: salsa, jive, and cha-cha-cha.

Cha-Cha
The Cha Cha is a very famous ball dance style but is considered as a social Latin dance.

* The lead male dancer faces his female partner and places his right hand slightly below her left shoulder and holds her right hand in his left hand. The female holds his hand and lifts it high up.
* The man doesn't move to the first beat of the cha cha music, he steps forward with his left foot on the second beat. His partner moves backward on this beat.
* On the third beat the man lifts his right foot and places it down in the same place and the woman does the same with her right foot coordinating with him.
* Now the man steps backward with his left foot to his left side and brings his right foot to its side simultaneously. The woman does the same step but with her right foot to her right side.
* In the next step, the male steps to his right and his partner steps to her left and both of them raise their opposite feet and set them down in the same place.
* In the final step the man moves forward with his right foot to his right side and brings the left foot beside it, to move to the left side. The woman does the same but with her right foot. These were some basic Latin dance moves of the cha cha dance.

Samba
This dance is also a partner dance and is fast with the samba music beats. It involves quick footwork and flexible movements.

* The position in which the two partners stand is generally known as the promenade dance position. This position also involves the woman's right hand held in the man's left hand and lifted to a certain height. The man's right hand is placed a little below the woman's shoulder blade on the left side. The partners are facing each other with their feet and bodies towards each other.
* The man extends his left foot to the left side. The woman repeats this step to her right with her right foot.
* The man then shifts his weight to the left side and then moves to the right, which is followed by the woman with her opposite side.
* Now the man brings his left foot close to his right to finish this step, which is imitated by the woman with her right foot.
* Both the partners come face to face and repeat this step. This step is known as the Congo which is done by the partners in a moving position.
* They can even move backward and forward facing each other which is called the Samba walk.

Rumba
The Rumba is the easiest of the Latin dances, yet the most sensuous of them all. These Latin dance steps involve a basic box step which both the partners follow.

* The position is the same as the Samba, with the partners facing each other.
* The man starts with stepping his left foot forward and the woman stepping her right foot backward.
* The man then sidesteps to his right with his right foot and the woman sidesteps to her left with her left foot.
* Now the man moves his left foot to his right and the woman does the same with her right foot.
* In this step, the man steps back with his right foot and the woman steps forward with her left foot.
* They both sidestep to their left and right sides, respectively and bring their opposite feet together.

Steps of Latin dance are very easy to follow. You can learn Latin dance steps as and when you want, as it is a great way of staying healthy and keeping your body fit. So put on those Latin dance shoes and go swinging to a lively Latin number.