Dance for Health and Wellness 

Semba

Semba is a rhythmic form of African music and dance from Angola. Its characteristic rhythm is one of the main contributors to kizomba music. It is frequently confused with Brazilian samba, since their names are so similar. Semba has a range of tempos, from relaxed to blisteringly fast, but it has an undeniable energy. The dance can be linear or move around the leader. The hold is like a ballroom hold. It is also very playful, sometimes incorporating comedic expressions or mimed grabs for an escaping partner.

Bachata

Bachata is a Latin dance style that originated in the Dominican Republic. Bachata is commonly known by many as a very sensual dance. Bachata dance is known for its love stories, and its syncopated rhythm. Unfortunately, a Dominican dictatorship that found Bachata to be an art form of low standing held the music and the dance back for decades. Recent years, Bachata has grown into a worldwide sensation.

Bhangra/Bollywood

Bhangra (also known as Bollywood dance) is beautiful, expressive dance, infectiously energetic, full of exuberant joy. Bhangra is a folk dance, and music of India. The newer bhangra blends various Western popular music’s with the original Punjabi tradition. The dance evolves from harvest festival to a fixed part of wedding receptions, birthday parties, local fairs, and other celebrations. The original dance movements refer to the work on the land: plowing, sowing, and harvesting. Several dancers perform powerful kicks, jumps and twists, sharp movements of shoulders and hips, stamping feet, waving their arms, and clapping the hands. The circle dancers make regularly spectacular and acrobatic solos.

Belly Dance

Belly dance is a traditionally solo form of dance and focuses on torso isolations.  When your hips are moving, you have a natural shimmy to your midsection. The dance has boomed in the 2000s and has grown to global portions of popularity for fitness and as an art. Many experts say belly dancing is the oldest form of dance, having roots in all ancient cultures from the orient to India to the mid-East. Probably the greatest misconception about belly dancing is that it is intended to entertain men.

The dance often focuses upon isolating different parts of the body, moving them independently in sensuous patterns, weaving together the entire feminine form. Belly dancing is generally performed barefoot, thought by many to emphasize the intimate physical connection between the dancer, her expression, and Mother Earth.

Modern Dance

Modern dance is a free, expressive style of dancing. Modern dance came along in part as a rebellion against the traditional, more highly technical forms of dance such as ballet, and has since become one of the dominant genres for formally trained dancers throughout the world. Modern dancers strive to connect the mind and the body through fluid dance movements while focusing on spontaneity and self-expression. Modern dance is a term that describes many types of dance techniques. Contemporary dance usually means that it has been created recently and is performed to contemporary music. This style of dance is all about versatility and improvisation while focusing on emotional and physical expression. This style of dance is a fusion of jazz, ballet, and modern styles.

Merengue

Merengue is a vibrant and energetic Latin dance which origins from the Dominican Republic. Merengue is a fantastic dance for new dancers because it is very easy to learn. Dancers typically use hip motions with this dance, the amount of hip movement varies with personal preference.

Hip-Hop

Hip-hop is a very energetic form of dancing, which refers to street dance styles primarily performed to hip-hop music or that have evolved as part of hip-hop culture. Hip Hop Dance is a style of movement characterized by bounces and rocks executed to Hip Hop music. Hip Hop dance is part of a whole culture of Hip Hop, that includes Deejaying, Graffiti, Emceeing, and several sub-styles of dance, including Breaking. The first dance associated with hip-hop was break dancing. It is unique in that it allows its dancers to perform with freedom of movement, adding in their own personalities. Hip-hop dance steps require skill and experience to perfect. Hip-hop dancers practice a lot to master basic steps and movements that appear simple when performed. Dancers with a good sense of rhythm find it easier to learn hip-hop steps.