Learn How To Dance
Take Ballroom Dancing Lessons with Louis Van Amstel, Star of US Reality TV Series Dancing With the Stars
Dance fever has broken out on our television screens with a dramatic resurgence in the popularity of ballroom dancing that is spreading faster than a jitterbug champion on fire. Television is keeping in step with the current boom in ballroom dancing as prestigious transatlantic channels take to the floor with star-studded peak-time spectaculars.
Don’t be a wallflower. Join the thousands who have already decided to Take ballroom dancing lessons courtesy of the ever popular Louis Van Amstel’s dance course. With partner Kelly Osbourne, he may have lost out to Donny Osmond in the 2009 final of US TV reality series Dancing With the Stars, but Louis is making all the right moves with his stunning ballroom dancing lessons set of DVDs. Its universal appeal means that anyone, male or female and of every age, can step out to master ballroom in the comfort and privacy of their own home. Ballroom Dancing Lessons
WALTZ – A dance that became popular in the UK in 1912, it was one of the first where the male dancer held his partner close with his arm around her. Now one of ballroom’s most popular and romantic dances, usually the first dance for a newly married couple. An ideal dance to learn for beginners because of its slow tempo and basic steps. Once they have mastered it, a couple will be able to add those little extra moves that turn this dance into something special. Always has been, and always will be the dance to hold the one you love at the end of a night.
FOXTROT – Because of the amount of room originally needed for the foxtrot, orchestras were reluctantly forced to develop other versions. Thanks to the likes of orchestra leader Victor Sylvester in the UK, the tempo was changed and the slow foxtrot was born. Although one of the more complex dances to learn, it is still among the most loved. The foxtrot should have a feeling of lightness and smooth flowing. The difference in tempo requires the fast and slower movements to blend into one long flowing movement.
TANGO – Originating from the back streets of Argentina, the tango is a dramatic, sensuous and atmospheric dance. Beginners might feel more comfortable attempting this dance after learning basic ballroom steps as the complex foot kicks and flicks, and leg twists may prove a little difficult. That said, once this one is mastered, you may feel able to attempt anything. All ballroom dancing beginners have a favourite dance they cannot wait to learn, and this is one of those dancers that everyone wants to master. A fabulously exciting dance to learn. Anyone trying to master this for the first time are advised to do some warm up exercises first
Kendra Wilkinson & Louis van Amstel – Dancing With The Stars 2011
Kelly and Louis Osbourne dance Argentine Tango – DWTS Season 9 Week 10
Kirstie Alley – Dancing with the Stars 2011 Season 12 week 1 3/21
CHA-CHA – The seeds of this dance were born in the dance clubs in Cuba and is based on the Latin American dance, the rumba. The cha cha cha beat came about because originally, the cuban dancers used to dance outside on dusty floors, with their feet making a slight shuffling sound. Picked up by the percussion players, they produced a syncopation which turned into the cha cha beat. A very sensuous dance, but not as intimate as the samba or rumba. When practising this dance, you may find it better to concentrate on learning the left and right “chasse” movements as, once mastered, the rest will feel far easier.
SAMBA – It is without doubt the dance of Brazil and its natives, and it is that South American country which hosts the best carnival in the world in February every year. For the beginner, it’s a great dance to learn with its basic steps. Written in 2/4 time, the steps are disco-related: quite simply – side-close, side-close. The dancers will incorporate these movements while moving forwards, backwards and turning to the right and left. A perfect dance for any beginner and a must at any party playing the right music. Another popular favourite with everyone.
The Stunning Nicole Scherzinger & Derek Hough – Argentine Tango – Week 9 3/21
Nicole Scherzinger & Derek Hough – Dancing With The Stars – Paso Doble Week 8
JIVE – A fun, lively and very energetic dance introduced to Britain in the 1950s. Starting out with the girls in huge flared circular skirts, speed and fast spins were the emphasis. Now there is more focus on controlled dancing, more underarm turns and the change of hands behind the back. No matter where you go for your night out, if there is live music being played you can be sure the ladies will be up having the last jive together. Certainly no party or dance evening would be complete without a good ol’ jive session.
RUMBA – One of my favourite dances. It is romantic, sensual, loving and among the most rhythmic of dances, hailed by many as the queen of Latin American dances. Rumba music is written in 4/4 time, allowing the dancer to phrase the movements with either a quick quick slow or slow quick quick feel. Although made up of basic steps with few underarm turns, the true feel of the dance requires correct hip and leg movements with clever, elaborate choreography. Although cherie was the guest artist, her rumba was simply stunning and deserves to be featured (below).
Dancing With The Stars 2009 Winner Donny Osmond – 1st Dance
Louis van Amstel & Cheryl Burke – SAMBA – Season 2
Get the heart rate up, the blood pumping, get social, have fun and bring laughter into your life! Drop the pounds, get fit and, in 6 months’ time, see the difference to your body!! AND you will have learnt a new skill.
Get up close and personal, bring the romance back into your life, let Louis Van Amstel work the magic of dance in your living room!
