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How many ballrom dances are there?

There are 10 official ballroom dances, as recognized by the World Dance Council (WDC) and the International DanceSport Federation (IDSF). These dances can be divided into two categories: Standard and Latin.

Standard Dances:

1. Waltz: Slow, graceful dance characterized by smooth continuous movement.

2. Tango: Dramatic and passionate dance with characteristic sharp movements and pauses.

3. Viennese Waltz: Lively and fast-paced waltz with more rotation than the standard waltz.

4. Foxtrot: Smooth, elegant dance characterized by long, flowing movements.

5. Quickstep: Fast-paced and lively dance with complex footwork.

Latin Dances:

1. Cha-cha-cha: Energetic and fun dance with Cuban roots, characterized by syncopated rhythms and hip movements.

2. Samba: Lively and energetic Brazilian dance with complex footwork and body movements.

3. Rumba: Slow, romantic dance with Cuban origins characterized by Cuban motion hip movements.

4. Paso Doble: Dramatic and stylized Spanish dance inspired by bullfighting with sharp movements and strong poses.

5. Jive: Fast-paced and upbeat dance with African-American roots characterized by kicks, flicks, and jumps.

These ten dances are the foundation of competitive ballroom dancing, and they are commonly taught in dance schools around the world.

Dancing Basics

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