Types Of Partner Dances

This Latin dance origintating in the 1880's was considered a very sexual dance when it emerged into the Western world during the 1900's. It is the first partner facing dance to implement and encourage improvisation.

This dance style originated in clubs in London in the 1980's. It is danced to music in 4/4 timing and is highly flexible due to having no syncopation or chassé's. It is predominantly danced in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

This lively dance, of Bohemian origin, is danced by couples, usually in a large circle moving clockwise. It originated in the middle of the 19th century and is danced in moderately fast 2/4 time.

Frequently described as a jazz dance, and a member of the swing dance family - This partner dance is the grandfather of all swing dances

Named after a harbor in South Carolina, the rhythm to this dance was popularized by a song of the same name from the Broadway show "Runnin' Wild". This dance has both a solo and partner variation to it, and achieved peak popularity in 1926-1927.

This Brazilian dance originated in the 1990's and is defined by it's usage of body isolation, the followers upper body movements which are led out of axis, tilted turns and counter-balance techniques.

This was the first dance performed in a 'closed' hold and is one of the foundation from which almost all partner dances stem from. It is danced in a circular pattern and is danced to 6/8 time.

A very simple dance, in which the couple sway back and forth. It is often danced by high school and university students at balls and proms.

This Latin dance associated with the music genre of the same name, is defined by its rolling shoulders, hands and hips. The basic rhythm consists of taking 3 steps and resting on the fourth beat.

This Cuban dance gets its origins from the Mambo and it's name is an onamatopeia derived from the shuffling sound of the dancers feet as they dance two consecutive steps that characterise the dance.

Possibly one of the smoothest dances in the swing family, this slotted dance originated in the west coast of America and is the state dance of California.

In this unique Spanish dance, the leader plays the part of a matador in a bullfight, while the follow plays the part of the matador's cape.

Danced in 4/4 timing, this dance makes more use of side-to-side movement than many other partner dances. Movement of the hips is a defining feature and it can be danced in closed or open position.

A smooth, progressive dance characterized by long, continuous flowing movements across the dance floor, danced in 4/4 time.