Georgiana
I am so in love with this place. We have been learning the basics of Latin dancing and they welcome beginners with open arms. The teachers are all so great and knowledgeable no matter how much skill (or lack of!) you arrive with.
Nigel Rablin
Rio rhythmics is the oldest Latin Dance school is Brisbane and has taught tens of thousands of beginners. They love beginners and encourage beginners more than anywhere. This is a safe and inclusive community which is the heart and soul of Latin dance in Brisbane
Course curriculum
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01
Welcome to Rio Rhythmics Latin Dance Starter Home Study Course
Show Content- How to Use Latin Dance Starter Home Study for best results.
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02
Welcome to the course!
Show Content- How to use this course
- Before we begin...
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03
Lesson 1: Getting comfortable moving with a partner and the basics of Bachata and Forró.
Show Content- Lesson 1: Introduction
- Lesson 1: A little bit of history about the culture - why we dance the way we do.
- Lesson 1: Warm Up Exercises (IMPORTANT - Don't skip these, they'll give you more swing over time!)
- Lesson 1: Let's find the 1, 2 timing together.
- Lesson 1: Turning individually.
- Lesson 1: Timing option #2 - 1, 2, 3, pause individually and with a partner.
- Lesson 1: Turning and stepping 1, 2 timing with a partner.
- Lesson 1: Dois pra la, dois pra ca - basic step pattern for Bachata and Forró.
- Recommended music list.
- Lesson 1: 1, 2, 3, pause timing with a partner - with music.
- Lesson 1: Bachata Basics, individually and with a partner.
- Lesson 1: Forró basics, individually and with a partner.
- Lesson 1: A re-cap of the main takeaways and what to expect next lesson.
- Lesson 1: Comments and questions. Please ask your questions here and let us know your wins and 'aha' moments. Remember the more you participate the more you're get out of it!
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04
Lesson 2: Diving into Merengue and Zouk Lambada.
Show Content- Lesson 2: Introduction - Lesson 1 re-cap + what to expect in Lesson 2.
- Lesson 2: Warm Up (This is the same each lesson, make sure you don't skip it!)
- Lesson 2: Stepping with your weight in the bent knee (basic mechanics for Merengue and Zouk Lambada).
- Lesson 2: Merengue and Zouk Lambada basic step patterns individually.
- Lesson 2: Merengue with a partner.
- Lesson 2: Re-cap plus more on weight placement and Bachata.
- Recommended music list.
- Lesson 2: Comments and questions. Please ask your questions here and let us know your wins and 'aha' moments. Remember the more you participate the more you're get out of it!
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05
Lesson 3: Introducing Salsa.
Show Content- Lesson 3: Re-cap of Lesson's 1 & 2
- Lesson 3: Introduction and Warm up
- Weekly Warm Up exercises.
- Lesson 3: Pivoting and Forró
- Lesson 3: Merengue & Zouk Lambada Exercise
- Lesson 3: Merengue & Zouk Lambada step individually - stepping into a bent knee.
- Lesson 3: Merengue & Zouk Lambada demonstration with music.
- Lesson 3 - Your first Salsa basic steps, individually.
- Lesson 3: Salsa with a partner and more on leading and following.
- Lesson 3: Key takeaways & what to expect next Lesson. Then it's time for music on and practice!
- Lesson 3: Please leave your comments & questions here. Let us know what you've found easiest and what you've found most challenging.
- Lesson 2: Comments and questions. Please ask your questions here and let us know your wins and 'aha' moments. Remember the more you participate the more you're get out of it!
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06
Lesson 4: Your first turns!
Show Content- Lesson 4: Introduction and what to expect this lesson.
- Lesson 4: Revision plus the importance of the warm up.
- Warm Up Exercises.
- Lesson 4: Merengue and Zouk Lambada exercise for moving backwards.
- Lesson 4: Merengue and your first turn!
- Lesson 4: Salsa, cross behind basic with a partner.
- Lesson 4: Bachata, turn of the follower.
- Lesson 4: Re-cap and what to expect in Lesson 5.
- Questions and comments. Remember to let us know how you're going, what's feeling good, if you're feeling any challenges and any questions you might have!
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07
Lesson 5: Introducing Samba no Pé and working on your floor craft.
Show Content- Lesson 5: Introduction and what to expect this lesson.
- Warm Up Exercises
- Lesson 5: Re-cap of Lesson 4.
- Lesson 5: Merengue exercise & step pattern.
- Lesson 5: Merengue with a partner.
- Lesson 5: Zouk Lambada.
- Lesson 5: Introducing Samba no Pé from Brazil.
- Lesson 5: Merengue with a partner.
- Lesson 5: Salsa - a new variation to lead cross back basic.
- Lesson 5: Re-cap and what to expect next lesson.
- Questions and comments. Remember to let us know how you're going, what's feeling good, if you're feeling any challenges and any questions you might have!
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08
Lesson 6: Let's travel! It's time to move around the dance floor some more in Merengue & Zouk Lambada.
Show Content- Lesson 6: Introduction & what to expect this lesson.
- Warm Up Exercises.
- Lesson 6: Re-cap of Lesson 5.
- Lesson 6: Merengue.
- Lesson 6: Zouk Lambada.
- Lesson 6: Salsa individually - technique, style, transitions & a new variation.
- Lesson 6: Salsa with a partner.
- Lesson 6: Bachata.
- Lesson 6: Re-cap plus what's coming in Lesson 7.
- Congratulations, you're well into the second half of the course! We'd love to hear how you're going. Please take this QUICK Survey (it will only take a couple of minutes!)
- Questions and comments. Remember to let us know how you're going, what's feeling good, if you're feeling any challenges and any questions you might have!
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09
Lesson 7: Expanding your repertoire.
Show Content- Lesson 7: Introduction
- Warm Up Exercises
- Lesson 7: Salsa
- Lesson 7: Merengue
- Lesson 7: Zouk Lambada
- Lesson 7: Forró
- Lesson 7: Re-cap and what to expect next lesson.
- Questions and comments. Remember to let us know how you're going, what's feeling good, if you're feeling any challenges and any questions you might have!
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10
Lesson 8: Bringing it all together plus new moves. You're now dancing 6 Latin dance styles, congratulations!
Show Content- Lesson 8: Introduction & what to expect this lesson - time to bring it all together!
- Warm Up
- Lesson 8: Merengue
- Lesson 8: Salsa
- Lesson 8: Bachata
- Lesson 8: Zouk Lambada
- Lesson 8: Samba no Pé
- Lesson 8: Forró
- Lesson 8: Wrap up & congratulations!
- Course completion Survey
- Questions and comments. Remember to let us know how you're going, what's feeling good, if you're feeling any challenges and any questions you might have!
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11
Next steps
Show Content- Congrats! Here's what's next...
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12
BONUSES
Show Content- BONUS Lesson: Exercises for improved dance frame, lead & follow BONUS Lesson. (Highly recommended)
- BONUS Lesson: How to get more agility & flexibility for improved swing & style.
Jeanine
The dance teachers at Rio Rhythmics have a passion for Latin American dancing that is matched only by their desire to share this passion and dance culture with the wider community. New skills developed, new friends made, so much fun!
FAQs
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Do I need a partner? Can I do the course on my own?
No & yes! You absolutely can follow along with this beginner course on your own. We cover the leaders parts and followers parts both individually and with a partner. As this is partner dance, it is ideal to then put your new found skills into practice with a partner either teaching a friend or heading out social dancing if you can. We encourage you to follow along with a family member or friend to get the most out of the course.
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Do I need prior dance experience? What if I have two left feet?
This course is designed for complete beginners, people with absolutely no dance background. And yes, even those who feel they have two left feet and no rhythm. Before you learn your first Latin dance step you'll learn how to find the rhythm, embrace a dance partner & move with the music. If you have prior dance experience please get in touch as we can recommend other courses for you.
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How much time will the course take? How is it delivered?
Two lessons will be delivered per week over four weeks, on Monday and Thursday. Each will take you around 40min to complete, depending on how much practice you do. You can choose to do them separately or in one go each week. The Live Bonus weekly lesson will take place on Saturdays, and we will record it so you can watch it back at a time that suits or as revision. These Live lessons are a great time to ask questions, get feedback on any moves you'd like help with and generally connect with your classmates and instructors.