Dance styles explained

Salsa Cubana (Casino) is not danced in a line but in circles: partners move around each other, and figures like "Dile que no" and "Enchufla" define the style. Less show, more body feel and musicality, often to timba. The foundation for Rueda de Casino.

LA-style salsa is danced along an imaginary line (the "slot"), and the basic step starts with the forward step on beat 1. Show-oriented with plenty of turns and patterns — the standard beginner course in most of Europe. Learn On1 and you will get by on almost any party floor.

Linear like LA style, but the change of direction (the "break") falls on beat 2 (Eddie Torres style, also called mambo). It feels more flowing and "inside the music" because the movement follows the conga. Popular with experienced dancers; coming from On1 you mostly relearn the timing — the figures are nearly identical.

Several couples dance in a circle at the same time while a caller announces figures that everyone performs in sync — often with partner changes. Requires the Casino basics, is huge fun in a group and trains timing, leading and reaction.

The style of Cali, the "world capital of salsa": extremely fast, precise footwork and kicks, the upper body stays calm, turns and arm patterns play a smaller role. Usually danced to faster music and physically demanding.

The traditional form from the Dominican Republic: playful footwork, syncopations, hip movement and improvisation instead of fixed figure sequences. Danced to original bachata with guitar and bongos. Very musical and social — ideal for learning the true bachata feel.

Bachata Fusion is not a basic step of its own but the free mix: sensual body waves, modern turn patterns, urban footwork and hip-hop elements, and depending on the teacher borrowings from salsa or zouk. The style of many party-oriented courses today — anyone who knows Sensual or Moderna feels at home immediately.

Bachata Influence emerged in the 2010s in the Spanish bachata scene as a school of its own within modern bachata: the close connection and waves of Sensual combined with precise technique, clean lines, isolations and elements from contemporary, urban and kizomba. Spread through its own trainings and festivals — the natural next step for dancers with a Sensual foundation.

BachaZouk combines the bachata basic with elements of Brazilian zouk — flowing body waves, head and hair movements, tilts (cambrés) and soft transitions — danced to slow bachata remixes. Requires solid bachata basics; zouk experience helps but is not a must. Taught through its own level and certification system.

An umbrella term for the modern fusion styles: the basic step is combined with turns, salsa patterns, tango elements or urban moves (Urban Bachata). Less intimate than Sensual, richer in figures than Dominicana — the entry point in many beginner courses.

Born in Spain, Bachata Sensual combines the basic step with body waves, isolations and led upper-body and head movements. Lots of closeness and connection, danced to slower remixes and bachata ballads. Today the most widely taught style in the world.

Traditional kizomba as danced in Angola: close embrace, relaxed and grounded walking, soft hip movement and lots of musicality. Danced to classic kizomba music. The base for every other style — and the best place to start.

Semba is the traditional Angolan dance kizomba grew out of: faster, more open and playful, with kicks, tricks and jumps to lively music. Dancers who know semba dance kizomba with far more expression.

Tarraxinha (also tarraxo or tarraxa) comes from Angola and is danced almost on the spot to slow, bass-heavy beats: minimal steps, but precise hip and pelvis isolations led by the leader. Very close and intimate — usually taught as a class of its own next to kizomba.

Created in Paris in the 2010s: Urban Kiz is danced more linear and upright, with distinct changes of direction, stops and figures, often to remixes and ghetto-zouk beats. Looks "sharper" than Classic; purists consider it a dance of its own. Popular with younger dancers.

Born from lambada and today the most widely danced zouk worldwide: soft, circular movement, waves, tilts and the follower's characteristic head movements, in close and open hold alike. Regional schools (Rio style, neo-zouk, zouk fusion) differ in music and expression; courses start with the basic step, the frame and safe head leading.

The zouk of Guadeloupe and Martinique is danced close and simply — more a shared sway to the music than a figure dance. Its music later gave rise to kizomba. "Urban Zouk", by contrast, is the modern Brazilian variant danced to hip-hop and R&B remixes.

Lambada came out of Porto Seguro in the late 80s: fast, hip-driven movement, plenty of turns and the typical swing. Brazilian zouk developed from it — slower, more fluid, with head movements. Zouk-lambada courses usually teach both.

The umbrella term for the dance born in Buenos Aires: leading and following in the embrace, improvised to the music, danced at milongas. Not to be confused with standardised ballroom tango. Courses usually start with walking, the embrace and basics such as ocho and cruce.

Tango de Salón is the style of the milongas: a closer to closed embrace, elegant walking in the flow of the floor, compact and considerate figures. Its counterpart is Tango Escenario (stage tango) with big, choreographed movements.