Major Types Of Dance

These days dancing has become far more than a mere hobby for many people, although it's still a great way to spend a night out and get a little bit of much needed exercise. It's also great fun! Dancing can actually be a very worthwhile and lucrative profession, and the popularity of TV shows such as "Dancing With The Stars" has brought some dances previously thought to be "old fashioned" firmly back into the forefront of the public gaze.

There are lots of different types of dance, generally to go with the various different types of music.

BALLROOM DANCING - previously for only the privileged few, it is now becoming increasingly popular, but there are lots of different types of ballroom dancing:

• Tango
• Waltz
• Quickstep
• Foxtrot
• Samba
• Cha Cha Cha
• Jive
• Rumba
• Salsa
• Mambo (and probably a whole lot more).

SWING DANCING - originating way back in the 1920s and 1930s, swing also has plenty of different versions:

• Jitterbug
• Boogie Woogie
• Lindy Hop
• Rock n Roll (yes, that's a type of swing too)

BALLET DANCING - very formal yet very beautiful, Ballet dancing has its roots in France and Russia, and there are tons of ballet schools all around the world teaching the strict disciplines required for this beautiful form of dance. There are three main types of ballet:

• Classical Ballet
• Neoclassical Ballet
• Contemporary Ballet

BREAKDANCING - we've got Michael Jackson to thank for this one, to a large extent. It's a kind of street dance which originated with hip hop.

HIP HOP DANCING - this isn't just a dance, it's a style, it's an attitude, it's a culture. You've got to wear the right clothes too, to get the overall hip hop vibe right.

TAP DANCING - became a little old fashioned music hallish, until Michael Flatley brought us Riverdance. Ok, that's a kind of Irish jigging about and tap dancing, but it's roots are the same. The tapping sounds come from metal plates fixed to the bottom of the shoes and when it's done right, it's very entertaining and difficult, although the top of the body moves so little it can look quite effortless.

COUNTRY & WESTERN/LINE DANCING - there's nothing like a good old hoe down of an evening to get those cow pokes smiling. Line dancing has also had a recent surge in interest, even though many people will scowl at the very idea I'm even suggesting that it lost any of its popularity in the first place.

BELLY DANCING - not to be confused with ballet dancing, this is a bit of a confusing one. Nobody really knows where it originates from although Egypt, Uzbekistan and India are all in the frame. Belly dancing has emerged as a great way for ladies to keep fit and have a load of fun at the same time. Wiggle those hips and jingle those bells girls!