login
Enter your email and password to access your account and member-only features.
Welcome to Beginner-level Bachata!
Bachata is one of the most fun and rhythmic Latin dances to learn. It’s a slower, partner dance style that originated in the Dominican Republic. Initially, it was danced locally in the Caribbean area, but now has taken North America by storm. The Bachata can be a very romantic and sensual dance, often performed in very close position. Typically, one’s lower body performs more as compared to the upper body. Dancers will sometimes bend their knees while moving as this allows them to better showcase the swaying action of their hips.
The Bachata first began as a closed dance style, however, has now evolved to using both open and closed dance frames. This dance is characterized by a “side to side step”, followed by a “tap step.” This tap step can be accompanied by an exaggerated “pop” of the hips. These basic steps can sometimes be counted as, “one, two, three, hip.” The hip action of the Bachata, specifically the female partner’s action, is the most notable characteristic of this dance. Partners are encouraged to maintain a visual contact with each other as this can help focus on the sensual and intimate aspect of the dance.
Today Bachata music is still pre-dominantly created and performed in Central and South America. People usually recognize its tune by the sound of a guitar with a synthesizer. The dance is designed to express the particular rhythm of this style of music. More commonly, the fourth count of music is accented. Often, this is when dancers will perform their tap-step accompanied by an exaggerated pop of their hips. From wedding dance instruction, to a new hobby or a way to connect with your partner, this is a dance you will not regret learning! In addition to it being a fun dance to learn, the Bachata will enchant you with it’s beautiful and “catchy” music!
Lessons
Back hand passes and double hand turn
Beginner Bachata – Week 2 (Backhand pass, Left side double hand turn) In this second week of our beginner level Bachata classes, Boun begins by building on last week’s lessons. He teaches the ladies how to do the outside and inside turns back- to- back with no basic in between. This makes the leaders and […]
Wrap & Cuddle
Beginner Bachata – Week 3 (Wrap & Cuddle) In this lesson we will be introduced to a figure called a “wrap” or a “cuddle.” We could do a basic in wrap position or lead an outside turn from a wrap. In the first pattern the leader leads the follower into a wrap position. Leaders […]
Wrap & Cuddle Variations
https://vimeo.com/529808602/1a9539f350 Complete Lesson Next Lesson Reset Lesson Beginner Bachata – Week 4 (Wrap & Cuddle Variations) Lesson number four of our beginner Bachata series utilizes the figures we have already learned previously and adds variations to them. Some of the variations will teach us different ways of getting in and out of the previously […]
Wrap & Cuddle Variations
Complete Lesson Next Lesson Reset Lesson Beginner Bachata – Week 5 – Hammerlock Step Boun begins lesson 5 by talking about the importance of keeping a good frame while dancing. He uses the analogy of the leader pretending that he/she is pushing a shopping cart. This will need some measure of energy, however, like […]