Ballroom Dancing Steps: Learn Ballroom Dancing

Ballroom dancing originated in the early 19th century in England. It was initially meant only for the upper class and elite group and was a source of recreation for the same. In modern times ballroom dance has become a dance-cum-sport. With a number of ballroom dance competitions being held worldwide, this form of dance has become very famous. In the U.S, the two main types of ballroom dancing are as follows:

American smooth style: It consists of Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz
American rhythmic style: It consists of Cha Cha, Rumba, East Coast Swing, Bolero and Mambo

It requires a couple to perform the ballroom dance; the leader and the follower. The man is usually the lead. The most important posture is the closed posture. In closed posture, the man puts his right arm on the girl's left upper arm. With his left hand, he holds the girl's right hand. The girl's left hand is on the the man's right arm.

American Smooth Style: Foxtrot Dance

Forward Basic
This basic step is straight without any turn. Take a closed position. The first two steps are slow, while the third and the fourth are fast.
Step 1:The man slowly puts his left foot forward, while the woman slowly puts her right foot back.
Step 2: Then the man slowly puts his right foot forward and his partner slowly puts her left foot back.
Step 3: The man then quickly places his left foot at the side and moves it a bit forward. At the same time, his partner places her right foot at the side and moves it a bit backwards.
Step 4: The man's right foot closes to his left foot, while the lady's left foot closes to her right foot.

Backward Basic
This is simply the reverse of the forward step.
Step 1: The man puts his left foot back, while the woman puts her right foot forward.
Step 2: Now the man puts his right foot back and the woman puts her left foot forward.
Step 3: The man puts his left foot slightly at the side and the woman puts her right foot at the side.
Step 4: The lead's left foot closes to the right foot, while the follower's right foot closes to the left.

American Rhythmic Style: Bolero

Step 1: The man will put his left foot at the side and his partner will put her right foot at the side.
Step 2: This is a quick step. The man will take a small step and place his right foot, back. The girl does the same and places her left foot forward.
Step 3: Then the man will quickly place his left foot forward and the girl will place her right foot back.
Step 4: This is a slow step. The man turns to the left and places his right foot at the side and his partner also turns to left and places her left foot aside.
Step 5: The lead takes a small step and places his left foot forward. The follower places her right foot backward.
Step 6: The man turns towards the left and places his right foot back, while the woman turns to left and places her left foot forward.

Remember, in ballroom dancing the most important part is your grace and the ease with which you carry yourself. Your apparel should compliment your personal style. What has been listed above are the very basic steps for the respective dances. For further learning, it is always advisable that you join ballroom dancing classes.