History of ballroom dance is filled with important moments and dances where new styles totally transformed the fashion of dancing, and enabled total transformation of the popular culture of dance. Ballroom dance is enjoyed and practised in almost every country in the world. You may hear about two styles of ballroom dance, termed International and American, where the techniques used are not the same. International style requires the partners to be in close proximity at all times, which allows for a three-dimensional body action in unison which does not quite work for American style, which features under-arm turns, open extended lines etc.
Dance Moves in Modern Ballroom Dancing
Dance moves have now been standardized in modern ballroom dancing and a dancer is presently required to pass several levels to be considered a master of ballroom dance. The reason for this is that ballroom dances are intricate, containing specific tempos, rhythms, techniques and vocabularies, which take time to learn. What is called the ‘closed hold’ was finally added at the beginning of the 18th century. The unique element of all International Ballroom dances is that partners do not break their frame, and remain connected.
The Closed Hold
Your dance position and the connection between you and your partner are very important. This is the most basic and common position that is used where the gentleman and lady face each other, moving as one. The gentleman’s lead is clear and unambiguous which is followed responsively and precisely by the lady. Even though every dance style in ballroom has its own particular rhythms and aesthetics, they are all performed by a pair of dancers and are danced in a closed position where couples are required to maintain certain areas of contact with each other.
Valentina Bowling
