Rumba

According to centralhome.com, it was the African slaves imported to America in the 16^th century who brought Rumba to the continent. The name Rumba comes from a word that meant dancing, partying and enjoying one’s self. Originally, the dance was very fast and incorporated aggressive sexual message. It acted out the story of a strong man who was about to seduce the woman. However, the speed and the meaning of the performance changed over the years as well. What we can learn and see from ballroom dancers is a slower version of Rumba called ‘Son’. Although the paces are slower, the overheated sexuality is still present, but now it is the woman who gets into the spotlight and wants to tease the man.

Rumba is considered to be the most passionate of ballroom dances that is why it is also called ‘The Dance of Romance’ or ‘The Dance of Love’. Rumba may have gained this label by the permanent movement of the hip from one side to the other so as the figure of the lady is eye-catching and the attention is drawn to her hips. The performance is also sensual due to the graceful poise and journey of the arms. The arms seem to be flexible and move like the waves of the ocean while every gesture is precise and tight. The same rule applies to the legs. They have to be always perfectly straight whenever possible. You bend your knees just to be able to make one more step, but your legs are entirely straight much before your toes land on the floor.

The difficulty of Rumba lies in the sudden changes of speed. One movement is slow so you have to hold a pose or transfer from one position to another, but the next moment it speed up and you have to arrive on time for example to the turn and then immediately step forward. If you ask me, you don’t have to go to the gym to lift weight, a few sessions of Rumba with correct, tight exercises and your beach body is on the way.