Relationships in Relation to Dancing

I believe living is equal to ‘dancing to the rhythm of love’. Our relationships, whether platonic or romantic, comparing with a specific dance, may give us an idea of their significance in our lives.

There are many International Ballroom dances, including standard, Latin and American Rhythm. But for this hub I’ve chosen only a few.

Let’s determine the character of relationships according to the following social dances –

Rock ’n Roll, the Twist, Jive, Cha-Cha-Cha, Rumba, Samba, Tango, Foxtrot, Quickstep, and the Waltz.

Resembles an energetic, platonic friendship. People in groups, including companions, enjoy all kinds of physical activities such as sport, making music, and (of cause) dancing. Light-hearted flirting may be the order of the day, but no intimate encounters.

Rock and roll originated in America in the late 1940’s to go with the music emerged from swing and Lidy Hop. Kicks in thin air, lifts, throws, flips and jumps are general characteristics of this dance.

Represent the close friendships of companions, whether of the same gender or the opposite. They enjoy doing things together in pairs. Sharing secrets and supporting each other emotionally are the order of the day, but no intimate escapades.

The twist, inspired by rock and role and the African American ‘wringing’, originated in the 1960’s in America. Characteristics are the pelvic movements and foot shuffling which are attributes of West Africa (Congo) dances.

Physical attraction inspires the desire to bond. Flirting expands its boundaries and becomes seducing. Fantasizing is the order of the day.

The jive, originally known as swing, originated in the 1930’3 in the USA in the African-American communities. The lifting of knees and bending and rocking of the hips are obvious characteristics.

Couples are obviously falling in love and battle with the urge to claim each other. The need for intimacy becomes dominant and even obsessive.

The Cha-cha-cha has its origin in Cuba and developed in England into the ballroom dance we know today. Shuffling of feet, suggestive hip movements while holding the upper body relatively still, bending and straightening of the knees, are obvious movements.

Love is in the air. Romantic and exotic interaction are now the order of the day.

The rumba was originally an Afro-Cuba dance and develops during the 1930’s into a western social dancing in America and Europe. Hip swaying without rises and falls and compact steps are obvious characteristics.

Sometimes a woman has to seduce her partner blatantly to lure him into intimacy.

The samba originated in Brazil at the beginning of the 20^th century. It is a lively dance with different rhythmic patterns, slight downward dropping actions through the bending and straightening of the knees and a specific hip action are common movements.

Intimacy can be passionate, intense, exotic, fiery and unpredictable.

The tango originated in the 1850’s in the area of Rio de la Plata between Argentina and Uruguay. It soon spread to other countries where it was influenced by European and African cultures and developed into various styles. Sharing of one axis, open embracing alternating close embracing through chest-to-chest and upper-thigh connecting, leading-and-following, small as well as long, elegant steps, and complicated footwork, gymnastic lifts, kicks and drops, walking, and head snaps are obvious movements. The rhythm is incisive, provocative and exciting. It relaxes people and makes them feel sexier and less depressed. It increases testosterone levels.

Intimacy may be spontaneous, tender, amorous and sensual.

The foxtrot, inspired by the song ‘The Memphis Blues’ was invented by Henry Fox in 1914 in the United States. Smooth, long continuous flowing, progressive, elegant and sophisticated movements.

Intimacy can be adventurous, carefree and light-hearted.

Quickstep was first danced by Caribbean and African dancers and developed in the 1920’2 in New York. It is a combination of the foxtrot and the Charleston. Swinging, fast and powerful flowing, the closing of feet and syncopated steps are obvious movements.

True love - deep, romantic, harmonious and contented, with all the qualities to last until the end of times.

The waltz originated in Austria and Southern Germany as far back as 1580. By the 1780’s it has been developed into a fashionable dance in Vienna and spreading to many other countries. It was, however, considered "riotous and indecent" until the 1820’s. Because of the closed dance position it was banned in California until after 1843. Sliding and gliding, closed contact, wide and wild steps, rotating all the time, halting on one foot and dragging the other closer, exaggerated hand and arm gestures, the man's right hip and the lady's left hip in contact and the man's left side and the lady's right side slightly open, the lady's feet positioned slightly behind the man's.