| Ballroom Dancing is when a couple | | | | all forms of dance, are expressions of |
| performs any of the various social | | | | feelings, thoughts and emotions. These |
| dances that follow a pattern of | | | | dances may be stricter than other forms |
| predictable steps. Examples of these | | | | of dance and may limit the range of |
| dances are the tango, waltz, fox trot | | | | steps and body movement involved, but it |
| and quick step. It has an immensely | | | | is still one of the best expressions of |
| amplified popularity spreading across | | | | love, joy and pain between two |
| Europe, the Americas and Asia. Ballroom | | | | people.Also, all ballroom dances are |
| dancing has had a relatively short but | | | | performed by only two people, usually a |
| interesting history and has evolved from | | | | man and a woman. These dances are |
| a recreational activity to a worldwide | | | | performed in a certain position termed |
| sporting event.Ballroom dancing | | | | as the "Closed Hold". In this position, |
| originated in England in the late 18th | | | | the couple strictly remains in contact |
| and early 19th centuries in which these | | | | in five different points or places. |
| dances, such as the waltz, were | | | | These five points consists of three hand |
| performed by the upper and elite classes | | | | contacts, one elbow contact and one |
| of society in balls and parties. During | | | | chest contact.The first hand contact |
| the late 19th to the early 20th | | | | occurs when the man's left hand holds |
| centuries, it became a trend among the | | | | the lady's right hand. Second is when |
| working and middle class where they | | | | the lady's left hand is placed at the |
| would go to gatherings and events in | | | | top of the man's right upper arm. In |
| public dance halls. In the early | | | | the tango, the lady's left hand is |
| 1920s, ballroom dancing competitions | | | | placed behind the man's arm, not on top |
| started to boom that in 1924, an | | | | of it. The third contact is when the |
| organization was formed called the | | | | man's right hand is placed under the |
| Ballroom Branch of the Imperial Society | | | | left shoulder blade on the lady's back. |
| of Teachers of Dancing. The objective | | | | The fourth contact is when the lady's |
| of this organization was to standardize | | | | left elbow rests on the man's right |
| and formalize ballroom dancing | | | | elbow and both arms are kept in a |
| techniques, sets of steps and music to | | | | horizontal line. The lady's arms are |
| which it was danced to.In legitimate | | | | held comfortably by the man's and permit |
| Dance Sport competitions and in social | | | | her to follow the man's lead with ease. |
| events, there are five standard dances. | | | | This also gives the couple the |
| These are the Modern and the Viennese | | | | appearance of having a bearing of |
| Waltz, the Tango, the Slow Foxtrot and | | | | royalty. This is an important |
| the Quickstep. These dances are | | | | characteristic in the ballroom dances |
| standardized and categorized into | | | | that came from Western Europe because |
| segregated teaching levels and utilize | | | | these dances were performed in the royal |
| vocabulary, rhythm and tempo and | | | | courts. The last point of contact is |
| techniques which are accepted | | | | where the right area of the chest of one |
| internationally.Although these dances | | | | touches the right area of his partner. |
| come from very different backgrounds and | | | | This closeness allows very little room |
| have special techniques, aesthetics, | | | | between the partners' faces thus |
| rhythms and tempos, they do share common | | | | contributing to the dance's romantic |
| qualities. All ballroom dances, as with | | | | appeal. |