Ballroom Dancing - The Elegant Fitness Option
Both my kids learn Ballroom Dancing and just love it. Enjoy the videos of their dancing - I am always blown away by how great they are!
For me Ballroom Dancing is a great method of artistic expression and requires a reasonable level of fitness.
This lens is dedicated to Ballroom Dancing and everything related to it.
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Milestone: On January 6 2009, this lens was ranked in the Top 100 Squidoo Lenses!!! Thank you to my fans and visitors.
On This Lens
- Modern Ballroom Dancing Angel Blessings
- Morgan - Modern Ballroom Dancing Dance Bronze Bar Latin
- Rhiannon - Bronze Bar Modern Ballroom Dancing Medals Dec 2008
- Wonderful Dresses For Dancing
- Morgans Medal Exams - July 2008
- Morgan Ballroom Dancing Medal Bronze Bar Modern
- Rhiannon - Elegant Ballroom Dancing
- Rhiannon - Bronze New Vogue - Medal Exams
- Dancing Memorabillia
- The Foxtrot
- Ballroom Dancing At Any Age
- Modern Ballroom Dancing Posters
- Ballroom Dancing At Amazon
- Ballroom Dancing: The Waltz
- BallRoom Dancing on Amazon
- Ballroom Dancing - A Brief History
- Famous Dancing Stars
- Ballroom Dancing Stars Immortalized
- Ballroom on YouTube
- Ballroom Dancing - Jive and Samba
- Other Great Dance Lenses
- This Lens Is Featured On:
Modern Ballroom Dancing Angel Blessings
When my lenses are blessed, I like to thank the Squid Angel. It is a big honor to receive a SquidBlessing. The Squid Angels are a group of volunteers on Squidoo. More information can be found on this Squid Angel lens.This Lens has been blessed by
Angel Graphic courtesy of GransGrans Animations
Morgan - Modern Ballroom Dancing Dance Bronze Bar Latin
In these medals, Morgan thrilled us thoroughly with his performance. From a young man who looked like he was just going through the motions in July to this confident young man doing a pretty neat Cha Cha. Enjoy.
Rhiannon - Bronze Bar Modern Ballroom Dancing Medals Dec 2008
Wonderful Dresses For Dancing
Morgans Medal Exams - July 2008
Awarded Highly Commended
We asked Morgan if he would like to go, it was entirely his decision. He went to his first lesson and decided to keep going.
All through the dancing term, he would go each week but never really showed any 'passion'. Not that he hated it, but there was never appeared to be any real interest...
His Dad and I thought that maybe he was 'suffering' to keep us happy. Until we went and saw him dance at his first medal exams.
The kids undertake medal exams every six months. During the medal exams they are accessed on a series of dances at the level they are studying.
All I can say is that we were amazed! He danced beautifully and achieved an amazing result.
He continues to dance today, just as beautifully. His result for his July 2008 Bronze Bar Modern levels was a Highly Commended!
I hope you enjoy the video I've prepared of his ballroom dancing this time round.
Morgan Ballroom Dancing Medal Bronze Bar Modern
Rhiannon - Elegant Ballroom Dancing
The first time I saw her dance, I thought she looked like a 'Pixie'. She was so cute.
Now, I think she looks very elegant and real young lady when she dances. Any partner would be pleased to dance with her.
She practices regularly at home and plans her medal wardrobe months in advance...
In her last exams, Bronze New Vogue, she did exceptionally well. Her result was a Highly Commended and she was well pleased with the result.
Enjoy this video of her latest medal exam.
Rhiannon - Bronze New Vogue - Medal Exams
Dancing Memorabillia
The Foxtrot
The Foxtrot takes its name from its inventor, the vaudeville actor Harry Fox. According to Wikipedia, legend says that Fox couldn't find a female dancer who could perform the two-step, so he added stagger steps (two trots) and created the basic Foxtrot rhythm of slow-slow-quick-quick.
It is believed that the Foxtrot was first danced in 1914 when it was introduced as the Castle Walk into the nightclub performances of Vernon and Irene Castle.
It is thought that the Foxtrot was the most significant development in all of
ballroom dancing as is provided a greater combination of quick and slow steps. This combination allows more flexibility and gives much greater dancing pleasure than the one-step and two-step which it has replaced.
Since it's inception, the Foxtrot has evolved into two forms, the Quickstep and the Slow Foxtrot. The Slow Foxtrot is performed to a 4/4 beat and to a tempo of approximatley 120 beats/minute.
Ballroom Dancing At Any Age
Modern Ballroom Dancing Posters
Ballroom Dancing At Amazon
Ballroom Dancing: The Waltz
The Waltz is generally thought to have originated in Germany in the late 1700's and there is thought be some obscure connection between it and the Volta.
The Waltz was one of the first "closed hold" dances and attracted a lot of moral criticism when first introduced. It first became popular in Vienna in the early 1800's and was introduced to England in approximately 1812 as the German Waltz.
When introduced into England, the Waltz caused somewhat of an uproar amongst society due to the fact that the dancers were required to touch! Many single young ladies were not permitted to dance a Waltz at all. In some circles it is thought that when a young lady danced a Waltz with a Gentlemen, that a notice of engagement would soon follow!
Thankfully, this is not the case today and we are able to enjoy the Waltz to its full potential.
Looking at the technicalities of The Waltz, it is danced to a 3/4 beat with the accent being placed on the first beat. Each series of movements consist of a turning step and a close. Done properly, the Waltz is extremely elegant.
BallRoom Dancing on Amazon
Ballroom Dancing - A Brief History
It wasn't until the early 1920's that competitive ballroom dancing began gaining popularity. As a result, the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (formerly known as The Imperial Society of Dance Teachers) formed a Ballroom Branch whose function was to standardize the ballroom dances. Both Modern Ballroom and Latin American Ballroom has been standardized for teaching purposes and has a set, internationally recognized vocabulary, technique, rhythm and tempo.Technially, ballroom dancing is defined as "Any of various, usually social dances in which couples perform set moves". However, the word "ball" (not a childs toy) comes from the Latin "ballare" meaning to dance and forms the base for the word ballroom (a room for dancing), ballet (a dance), and ballerina (a dancer).
From the elegant and stately waltz, a hot, sultry and sexy Tango or Paso Doble, or a good bit of lively fun like the Fox Trot, Jive or Quick Step, ballroom dancing is all of these.
Today, modern ballroom dancing revolves around five dances comprising: the Modern Waltz; the Viennese Waltz; the Slow Foxtrot; Tango; and the Quickstep. Latin American ballroom is short for Latin and American - not a reference to Latin countries and its dances are the Samba; Rumba; Paso Doble; Cha-Cha; and the Jive.
The modern ballroom dance hold is a closed hold that requires the right side of the females chest to touch the right side of the males chest. It is thought that this hold evolved from a time when men danced while wearing their swords, which were hung on their left sides. Additionally, this could explain the counter clockwise movement around the dance floor as the man would've stood on the inside of the circle so he wouldn't inadvertently hit any of the people watching the dancers with his sword as he danced past.
The dancing posture for Latin American ballroom varies from dance to dance with some dances using the closed hold and others where the partners hold each other with only one hand.
So when you think of Ballroom dancing and picture the flowing gowns, dark tuxedos, beautiful, willowy, women and tall, dark, handsome men waltzing their way around the dance floor remember that it is a lot more than just the Waltz, it is a lot more.
What's Your Favorite BallRoom Dancing Stuff?
Dance Lessons 101: The Ultimate Couples Dancing Instruction Video for Beginners (Shawn Trautman's Dance Collection)
Dance Lessons 101 is the best starting point for B more...0 points
Intro to Ballroom Dancing / Margot Scholz
If you have always wanted to feel more confident o more...0 points
Strictly Ballroom
From Baz Lurhrmann -- the director of the award-wi more...0 points
Ballroom Dancing Intermediate with Teresa Mason
By popular demand this series continues with the I more...0 points
Dancing Like the Pros
Learn the art of Ballroom dancing taught by Champi more...0 points
Famous Dancing Stars
More recently, I really enjoyed Nicole Kidman and Ewen MacGregor in Moulin Rogue, but I don't think there are many who really stack up against the dancers previously mentioned.
Let's look at my favourite three....
Fred Astaire (May 10, 1899 - June 22, 1987) was a dancer, choreographer, signer and actor. Often Astaire was closely linked Ginger Rogers (with whom he made 10 films). Fred Astaires film career spanned seventy-six years, during which he made thirty-one musical films. He would have to be one of the few male dancers that stand out as an icon.
Ginger Rogers (July 16, 1911 - April 25, 1995) starred opposite Fred Astaire in 10 movies that changed the dancing movie genre. It is not uncommon for women to use Ginger Rogers as an icon with the saying, "Whatever Fred Astair did, Ginger Rogers did backwards and in heels....".
Gene Kelly (August 23, 1912 - February 2, 1996) was a dominant force in Hollywood musical films from the mid 1940s until the late 1950s. Gene Kelly is perhaps best known for his role in Singin' In The Rain, but also much later in Xanadu across from Olivia Newton John.
So who are / were your favourite dancer / actors?
Ballroom Dancing Stars Immortalized
Ballroom Dancing - Jive and Samba
Of all the modern ballroom and latin american ballroom dances, I love the Jive and the Samba the best. They manage to capture my imagination exceptionally well.The Jive would be the fastest of the Latin dances, and some believe that it originated in New York's Harlem area although some believe it orginates in the southeast United States.
A face paced, rhythmical dance which has been influenced by other styles including Boogie, Rock, African American Swing and the Lindyhop.
The Jive is also known as the Cake Walk, because in the late 1800's the Negroes in the south held competitions where the prize for the best Jive was a cake.
When dancing The Jive, the dancers feet appear to be flying every which way but you'll find that the feet are directly under the body with the knees always close together. The woman is twirled a lot and there are a lot of kicks.
The music that dancers Jive to is typically called Ragtime and this may be because the dancers dressed up in their finest clothes ("rags") although it may also be that the syncopation of the music giving it a ragged feel.
The Samba is true Latin dance, originating from Brazil's Rio Carnival, and is a composition of several different South American dances.
The main moves of The Samba are walking and side steps, utlising a heavy hitting rhythm and incorporating lots of hip action. This combination makes The Samba a perfect party dance.
It is thought that The Samba originated from slaves bought into Portugal in the 16th century. The Europeans thought that the dances that these people practiced (like the Catarete, Embolada and the Batuque), were quite sinful as the dancers were close enough to have their navels touching.
The Samba is a combination of all these dances (and probably others).
One of the dances practiced, The Batuque, was an incredibly popular dance - so much so that it was outlawed. The Batuque was done in a circle with dance steps resembling those of a Charleston with a solo dancer in the center of the circle. Eventually, carnival steps were added and the dance was modified to use the closed ballroom position. Once these changes occured, Europeans deemed The Batuque to be a proper dance.
Popular moves in The Samba, and things that Ballroom Dancing Judges prefer, include the Volta (crossing in front of the body), the Samba Roll (moving the upper body in a circular motion while going through a six step turn) and the Botafogo (traveling walk that includes a direction change). Ballroom Dancing Judges always look for outstretched arms and the distinctive climax of the Samba where the dancers throw their heads back and their arms are splayed out to the side.
If you're looking for great enjoyment and a wonderful balance of movement and skill, watch for The Jive and The Samba.
"Have your say! Would you encourage kids to learn Ballroom Dancing?"
My Comments.....
mukunda22 wrote...
I wanted to land on this lens to give you something extra to what I was able to give before--
####blessings####
Posted October 28, 2009
C-Joy wrote...
Absolutely I would encourage my daughter to learn ballroom dance! She's made a great start by boppin' to KC & the Sunshine band:)
Posted April 26, 2009
ottoblotto wrote...
Great lens! I lensrolled it to my waltz and Samba music and dance lenses.
Posted April 17, 2009
Jill wrote
I am so impressed with Morgan and Rhiannon. So elegant and poised! Most of us are afraid of how we look on a dance floor. these kiddos will be confidens forever! Nice lense too! Lots of info!
Posted April 01, 2009
lwhitelaw wrote...
I love ballroom dancing - something I've always wanted to learn too!
Posted March 31, 2009
praise wrote...
I love ballroom too, especially jive! Great lens, visit my lens here too!
Debra
Posted March 02, 2009
xtnshun wrote...
A lovely lens! I have a plexo for ballroom dancing links on my Dancing with the Stars page if you'd like to add this page to it.
Posted February 16, 2009
my_boyfriend_does_ballroom wrote...
Dont worry about it ! take the classes , because practise makes perfect .. trust me i know ! you dont want to be sitting in a wheelchair in 60 years time thinking 'man i should of learnt to dance when i had the oppertunity!'[in reply to henzy]
Posted February 11, 2009
my_boyfriend_does_ballroom wrote...
Dont worry about it ! take the classes , because practise makes perfect .. trust me i know ! you dont want to be sitting in a wheelchair in 60 years time thinking 'man i should of learnt to dance when i had the oppertunity!'[in reply to henzy]
Posted February 11, 2009
Charisma-Jane wrote
My boyfriend does ballroom dancing :) he`s in junior level 3 and competed in worlds in melbourne .
He came 5th in the world for his division and i`m very proud :):) the only problem is he wants to quit the standard and just do the latin . he`s very good at both but i think he should stay just in case he wants to teach someday. Knowing how to do both gives you a better variety of jobs and competitions in the future . he also wants to go on so you think you can dance in a few years . how can i convince him that practising both is the right choice ?
Posted February 11, 2009
Charisma-Jane wrote
My boyfriend does ballroom dancing :) he`s in junior level 3 and competed in worlds in melbourne .
He came 5th in the world for his division and i`m very proud :):) the only problem is he wants to quit the standard and just do the latin . he`s very good at both but i think he should stay just in case he wants to teach someday. Knowing how to do both gives you a better variety of jobs and competitions in the future . he also wants to go on so you think you can dance in a few years . how can i convince him that practising both is the right choice ?
Posted February 11, 2009
henzy wrote...
me and husband have always wanted to take dancing classes.. this lens reminds me of just how beautiful an artform this is. if only the both of us didn't have two left feet.
Posted January 27, 2009
nightbear wrote...
Wonderful lens, I love watching ballroom dancing, I watch all the dance shows on tv and movies. Great explanations. thank you..
Posted January 25, 2009
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This Lens Is Featured On:
by Charlyjl
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