So what exactly is ballroom dancing? One thing that can be said of ballroom dance is that no one can really agree on a specific definition. Yes, there are those who try to confine it to several specific steps and patterns, but for the true ballroom conasseur , the beauty of ballroom lies in its constant change and development. New dances and variations continue to be added. The Waltz came about in the early nineteenth century. The Fox Trot, Tango and Two-Step were introduced in the early twentieth century. The 50's saw new variations of the Swing with the birth of rock-n-roll. The 70's hustled in an era of disco. And the 90's have seen a renewed interest in country line and couple dancing. Debate arises concerning these latter social dances as to whether they are legitimately ballroom or not. But this is something for you to decide!

Ballroom dance is also known as social dance because it encourages social interaction between dance partners. While it is a beautiful form of art, it has also at times been an integral part of people's daily lives for hundreds of years, providing an atmosphere for men and women to gather together, develop friendships and have a good time.

Lately, ballroom dancing is making an unprecedented comeback. Social dance classes are taught on virtually all college campuses throughout the United States and draw hundreds of students each semester. Ballroom dancing continues to be a main social event for seniors and is growing as a fashionable pastime for middle-aged and younger men and women as well.

The principles learned in ballroom dancing can be applied to any type of music, whether you listen to classical waltzes, disco, or rock. This is because ballroom dancing follows strict tempo. For the beginning dancer, this means that the music follows an even pattern of beats. The two main types of music you will be dancing to will either be in 3/4 or 4/4. More on that later! Suffice it to say, you'll be amazed at how many of your favorite songs are perfect for dancing to a Waltz, Fox Trot or Swing.

The Romance of Dance Dancing and romancing is once again being viewed in a more positive light. For a while, it seemed as though a quest for independence was driving couples apart on the dance floor, especially among younger crowds. The 1970's saw a renewed interest in partner dancing when Saturday Night Fever exploded and a wave of disco clubs sprang up across the country. Since then, there seems to be a growing fervor among younger people for couples' dancing. The hype for country line and partner dancing that hit in the 1980's followed by an increased interest in the Latin rhythm dances is proving that people enjoy getting to know one another in romantic and safe social contexts. Ballroom dancing provides just such an atmosphere.

In Search of Mr. Right? Ever walked into a night club and felt the weight of the smoke around you? The gawking eyes of scavengers on the prowl as you walked by? Well leave these negative experiences behind. You'll never have to search for Mr. or Mrs. Right in the wrong place again. Today, people seem to be getting tired of the night club scene - women are sick of getting hit on by sleazy guys and men are growing tired of having to come up with creative one-liners. So what is the solution? Ballroom dancing!

Learning how to ballroom dance may prove not only to be an excellent form of entertainment and exercise, but you may even meet your mate. Countless people have lived to tell just such wonderful stories. Ballroom dancing provides an ideal social climate. Couples and singles can enjoy listening to great music at a decibel level that promotes communication. Have you ever been to a concert where the music was so loud that you could barely think, let alone talk to the person standing next to you? Well, you will find no such thing on a ballroom dance floor. Ballroom dance can safely be called a "social dance."

The Three Rhythms of Social Dance   There are three main rhythms in ballroom dancing that we will be focusing on in the Ballroom Dance Kit. These are: slows, quicks and triples.

Some Dance Jargons:

Slow
The first rhythm is known as a slow. A slow is equivalent to two beats. A slow is danced by stepping on the first beat and killing time for the second beat. When you are dancing, count it as "slow, slow", or "one-two, one-two". Let’s practice a slow. Stand with your feet together. First, we’re going to step side to side. Starting to your left, it’s "side - touch" "side - touch". On the "touch," you merely bring your free leg alongside of your supporting leg. A touch is done without transferring weight. You should be able to fluidly go from left to right like this: "left - touch - right - touch - left - touch - right - touch." Next, we’re going to walk around the room starting on the left foot. Step forward "one" and draw your feet together "two." You just did a slow! Now step forward with your right foot "one" and draw your feet together "two." Another slow!

Quick
The second rhythm is called a quick. A quick is equivalent to one beat. A quick is danced as one step for each beat. When you are dancing, count it as “quick, quick, quick, quick,” or “walk, two, three, four.” Quicks are generally done in sets of two. Let's practice quicks . Beginning with a simple march in place, it's “ march , 2, march, 2” or “quick, quick, quick, quick.” That's not too hard, is it? Do you notice a relationship between slows and quicks ? There are two quicks for every slow. Now, let's combine some quicks with the slows we just learned about. Stand with your feet together. Again, we will walk forward starting on the left foot. For the first slow, step forward “one,” and draw your feet together “two.” Your weight should still be on your left foot. Now step forward with your right foot “one,” and draw your feet together “two.” Your weight should still be on your right foot. This completes two slows. Now for some quicks . You will step to the side on your left foot “one,” to complete the first quick, and draw your feet together “two” for the second quick, with a transfer of weight to the right foot. So for the entire pattern beginning on the left foot we have “slow,” “slow,” “quick, “quick” or “ SSqq .”

Triple
The third and final rhythm we will discuss is called a triple. Triples are used in patterns as part of basic dancing. For example, in the Swing, you might see this pattern: “triple step, triple step, rock step.” Triples consist of three steps taken in quick succession, “one-n-two...stomp-your- feet.” Stand with your feet together. Imagine you are having a temper tantrum. Starting with your right foot, you will “stomp-in-place...right-left-right.” Now try it starting on your left foot. It's “stomp-in-place...left-right-left. These “triples” can be performed in any direction. One triple step movement occupies two beats (the same as a slow). The extra step is crammed in between the beats so it still equals two: “one-and-two.” Let's practice some more triples. Starting on the left foot, it's “left - right - left” and now to the right, it's “right - left - right.” You might enjoy triple-stepping around the room alternating between left and right triples. It's fun