What is Latin and ballroom dance?

If you’ve ever watched Dancing With the Stars or been mesmerized by those gliding couples in elegant outfits, you’ve already had a taste of Latin and Ballroom dance. These dance styles are timeless, expressive, and surprisingly accessible even if you’ve never set foot in a studio. Let’s break them down in a way that feels simple, human, and helpful.

What Is Ballroom Dance?

Ballroom dance is the more classical sibling in the world of partner dancing. Think smooth, flowing movements, long lines, and a posture that seems effortless. Ballroom falls into two main categories:

International Standard: This includes Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, and Quickstep. These dances are performed in a closed hold, which creates that iconic gliding look.

American Smooth: Here, dancers can break hold, add open movements, spins, and more expressive shapes. The Waltz and Foxtrot also appear here, but with more freedom.

Ballroom dance emphasizes elegance, technique, posture, footwork, and musicality. The feel is classic, romantic, and polished.

What Is Latin Dance?

Latin dance brings the fire. These styles are faster, sharper, and more rhythmic, with a spotlight on hip action, body movement, and expression.

In competitive dance, Latin includes:

• Cha Cha

• Rumba

• Samba

• Jive

• Paso Doble
  

You’ll also find related social Latin styles like Salsa, Bachata, and Merengue, but those belong to a different category outside competitive ballroom.

Latin dance is all about rhythm, emotional storytelling, and sharper movement patterns. It feels bold, energetic, and incredibly fun.

Ballroom vs Latin: What’s the Difference?

Here’s the thing: both are partner dance styles, but they couldn’t feel more different once you step onto the floor.

Music: Ballroom uses smooth, flowing music; Latin uses rhythm-heavy, upbeat tracks.

Technique: Ballroom emphasizes posture, glide, and frame. Latin focuses on grounded movement, isolation, and hip action.

Aesthetic: The ballroom looks elegant. Latin looks fiery.

Costumes: Ballroom gowns float; Latin costumes sparkle and emphasize speed and movement.

Both have their own personality, but learning them together gives dancers the best of both worlds.

Why Are Latin and Ballroom Taught Together?

Most studios combine them because competitive dance categories require dancers to know all ten dances, five Latin, five Ballroom. Even socially, learning both gives you versatility and a stronger foundation.

You’ll see:

• Shared technique (posture, footwork, partnering)

• Similar learning structure

• A mix of expression and discipline

For beginners, this combined approach is ideal because it builds confidence and musical awareness quickly.

Benefits of Learning Latin and Ballroom Dance

Dance isn’t just about performance, it improves your entire lifestyle.

• Better fitness (coordination, stamina, flexibility)

• Improved posture and body awareness

• Stress relief thanks to rhythmic movement

• Confidence boost through partner work

• Social connection, because dance is naturally communal

• Suitable for all ages

It’s one of the few hobbies that challenge your mind and body at the same time.

Final Thoughts

Latin and Ballroom dance offer two different energies, smooth elegance and fiery rhythm, but both have the power to shape you into a more confident, expressive, and coordinated version of yourself. If these dance styles have been on your mind for a while, consider this your sign to finally try a class. You might just find a new passion waiting on that dance floor.

Ready to take the first step into the world of rhythm and elegance? Join our Latin and Ballroom dance programs here.