These are the hardest Latin dances to pull off. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most intricate and difficult social and ballroom Latin dances.
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00:00 I've got to learn the rumba.
00:02 Oh!
00:02 And I say, you know, well today's the day.
00:06 Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most intricate and difficult
00:12 social and ballroom Latin dances. These demand exceptional coordination, precise footwork,
00:18 and a deep connection with the music.
00:20 Told you I never did any of these dances before.
00:22 That's one, two, three, four. One, two, three, four.
00:24 Number 10. Bolero.
00:28 See, somehow I can't forget you.
00:30 After all that we've been through.
00:36 This gorgeous Cuban dance emanates sensuality and romance with every step.
00:41 Picture dancers swaying gracefully to a gentle melody,
00:44 their movements synchronized to a unique slow, quick, quick rhythm.
00:48 While it bears some resemblance to the rumba,
00:51 bolero can be differentiated by its unique count, rise and fall, and contra body action.
00:57 Some might even argue that it's the more passionate of the two styles.
01:00 Mastering bolero requires more than just technical prowess.
01:14 It demands a perfect partnership, an intuitive response to rhythm changes,
01:18 and a skillful alteration of melodies, all infused with intense, raw emotion.
01:24 A well-performed routine can leave spectators breathless,
01:27 entranced by the tale of love and fervor unfolding before them.
01:31 Number 9. Lambada.
01:46 You want to see the lambada? I'll show you the lambada.
01:50 Originating in Brazil, the lambada emerged from the fusion of the traditional carimbo dance
01:55 with various other Latin dance influences. It gained widespread popularity in the 80s and 90s,
02:00 partly due to the song of the same name by the band Calma.
02:03 Lambada is characterized by its intricate and rapid hip movements,
02:13 fast footwork, lively rhythm, and close partner connection.
02:17 Dancers must isolate movements of their upper and lower bodies while moving in harmony with
02:22 their partners. This improvised dance style requires effective communication and anticipation
02:27 of each other's steps to maintain a seamless flow. With its passionate allure, lambada requires
02:33 confidence and enthusiasm on the dance floor, leaving no room for shyness.
02:38 A erotic, exotic roller coaster. You would want to ride that over and over and over
02:46 and over again. Feel your left exhausted.
02:50 Number 8. Salsa.
02:52 Salsa is an animated and diverse dance style originating in Cuba.
02:55 Africans were brought to the Caribbean as slaves, so they had to devise a smarter way of communication,
03:01 which were these rhythms, and they were used to convey messages among themselves.
03:05 It continued evolving as it spread across the Americas, with various communities adding their
03:09 own distinct spice to the mix. Mastering its rhythms requires more than just basic steps.
03:15 "Takes a lot of hard work to make it look that easy."
03:18 Will you embrace the rapid footwork of salsa calenya, the elegance of New York style,
03:22 or the playful flair of Puerto Rican salsa? No matter your style, you'll find precision,
03:28 coordination, complexity, and syncopated beats at the core of most variations.
03:32 As a social dance, the choreography is often improvised, so being sharp, agile,
03:37 and quick on your feet, both literally and figuratively, is essential to burn up the dance floor.
03:43 "The next subject, we get the next one. The next subject, we interject some.
03:48 The way you sweat, the way you flex on the floor, it makes me want you more."
03:53 Number 7. Paso Doble.
03:55 When you see the expressions on the faces of dancers during a paso doble,
03:59 you know they mean business. This style is all about strength,
04:03 drama, and intensity, mimicking a bullfight in a musical interpretation.
04:07 Picture one partner as the matador and the other as the cape. Attention to posture is vital. Hips
04:24 forward over the balls of your feet and arch your back. Picture a banana's curve, if you will.
04:29 "Both the man and woman in this particular dance have to have a really strong posture,
04:33 with the center being right up between the ribcage. It's really important that the hips
04:38 are moved forward and the leg feels like it goes right up to underneath the armpit."
04:42 A slight tilt to the left of your partner is also common. On top of that, you have to stay
04:47 perfectly connected while moving as one. Mastered skillfully, paso doble radiates
04:52 confidence and expressiveness, captivating every eye in the room.
04:56 Number 6. Cha-Cha-Cha.
05:14 "Front step, cha-cha-cha. Back step, cha-cha-cha. Side step, front step, back, and to- oh,
05:21 Amber, look at this motley crew."
05:23 One-two, cha-cha-cha. That's all there is to it, right? Think again. Sure, it's one of the freer
05:29 Latin dance styles, but there's still a lot to wrap your head around. Let's start with the rhythm.
05:33 It's not just a one-two, but three full beats and two half ones you need to count.
05:38 And when it comes to footwork, it's quite specific.
05:41 "We're gonna add a little bit of a Cuban action to this and place more emphasis
05:45 on putting our weight on the balls of our feet."
05:47 You're supposed to keep your feet pointed outward and land on the inside of your foot
05:51 quickly before shifting your weight back to the middle. No heel leads allowed here.
05:55 "You wanna keep the movement underneath your body, so you don't wanna think of stepping
06:00 back and forward, you wanna keep it very small."
06:03 Feeling frazzled yet? Us too. But wait, there's more. Get those hips moving.
06:09 This is a Latin dance, after all. Still up for the cha-cha challenge now?
06:13 "No matter what you say, it won't hurt me. These wings are made to fly."
06:19 Number 5. Mambo.
06:22 Mambo, a vibrant dance, traces its roots back to 1940s Cuba, gaining popularity across Latin
06:28 America and beyond due to the energetic music now synonymous with the style.
06:33 "Mambo! Mambo! Go!"
06:35 "Go! Go! Go!"
06:43 Initially, it was all about feeling the rhythm and moving freely, but over time,
06:47 it became more structured, incorporating specific rhythms and steps. What makes Mambo special is
06:53 its unique timing. There's a break step on the first or second beat depending on the Mambo,
06:58 followed by a quick, quick, slow rhythm.
07:00 "You don't step on the one. You gotta start on the two. Find the two, you understand?"
07:06 The dance demands detailed footwork, speed, and precise timing. Mastering the technique requires
07:12 impeccable coordination and a great musical ear. Once you nail the steps, the next challenge is
07:18 making onlookers believe you're effortlessly expressing the music through your body movements.
07:22 "It's a feeling, a heartbeat. Go, go. Go, go. Go, go."
07:31 Number four, Jive. The Jive, hailing from the early 20th century U.S. by African Americans,
07:38 is often considered a Latin dance despite originating in swing. Defined by its high
07:43 energy triple step, it requires exceptional athleticism and stamina.
07:47 "You usually dance last in competition because of how tiring it can be."
07:54 Amid a dizzying tempo, there's still plenty of technique to remember.
07:57 Kicks originate from the hip, flicks come from your knees, sharp retraction is crucial,
08:03 and staying on your toes in every sense of the phrase is key. And don't forget that
08:08 continuous peppy bounce or executing sharp, fluid movements throughout.
08:12 "Most importantly, to dance the Jive well, the dancer's feet need to be well controlled
08:18 and under the body."
08:20 One misstep could spell disaster, but it looks effortlessly cool when done right.
08:25 Just trying to piece it all together makes our head spin.
08:28 Number three, Rumba. While the Rumba's tempo might not match the Jive's energy,
08:39 don't be fooled, it's far from easy. In fact, its slower pace amplifies every move,
08:44 from the careful placement of the feet to the extension of the fingertips.
08:48 "I'm going to make sure that my arms are extending and finishing every line to make everything look
08:54 effortless and beautiful."
08:57 Rumba demands precise techniques, including controlled hip isolations and graceful footwork.
09:02 Heck, it will even make you rethink the way you walk.
09:05 "Bring under your right foot, strike it back, lower your heel, and continue over your foot."
09:16 Perfect posture, balance, and well-timed weight shifts are also important for seamless flow,
09:21 especially when every move is so controlled. A perfect Rumba oozes elegance, sensuality,
09:27 and romance, creating a visually stunning experience. But the real challenge is feeling
09:32 sensual while your mind juggles choreography, technique, and staying on beat.
09:36 "Now this is the dance of love, lots of romantic connections,
09:39 so we're going to need that from you too."
09:41 Number two, Argentine Tango. Ah, the Argentine Tango. A dance of intense passion and fiery
09:48 energy. Originating from the working-class neighborhoods of 19th century South America,
09:52 it's a dance that speaks volumes without words.
09:55 [Music]
10:04 The captivating social dance is known for its intricate moves and deep cultural roots.
10:08 While it has a specific rhythm and basic footwork, its true magic lies in the unspoken dialogue
10:14 between partners. Picture a silent yet heated conversation conveyed through
10:18 subtle movements and shared emotions.
10:20 "When love is for the highest bidder, there can be no trust. Without trust, there is no love!"
10:26 Being in tune with your partner is crucial. A misplaced gancho can be pretty painful.
10:31 When performed at its best, the Argentine Tango radiates such passion and intensity
10:36 that it will undoubtedly leave you utterly entranced.
10:39 [Music]
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11:09 Number 1. Samba
11:11 "When you're watching the samba, you should feel like you're transported to the streets of Rio
11:15 during carnival time. It's cheeky, it's bouncy, but above all, very sexy."
11:22 Samba's more of a freestyle dance where you can let loose and enjoy yourself.
11:26 So it must be a breeze, right? Ha!
11:28 [Music]
11:38 Where do we even begin? It's a whirlwind of energy and rhythm,
11:41 from the lively tempo to the quick quick slow footwork to those sassy hipsways.
11:46 Staying light on your toes is essential for nailing that emblematic bounce and keeping
11:51 up with tempo shifts. "Whilst that percussion must be vibrating down below, it's smooth as silk on top."
11:57 Every part of your body is engaged, from your arms to the balls of your feet.
12:01 Without precision, you might resemble one of those flailing sky dancers.
12:05 And trust us, it's lightning fast. But once you master it, the carnival will be calling.
12:11 [Music]
12:18 Is there a Latin dance you've always wanted to learn but found a bit intimidating?
12:22 Let us know in the comments. "Let's review the foxtrot."
12:25 "Yo, I thought we were gonna tango." "Oh, no no no. The tango must be earned.
12:29 You, Mr. Ramos, cannot handle the tango. Yet."
12:32 Do you agree with our picks? Check out this other recent clip from Ms. Mojo.
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