Fundamentals
The building blocks of Brazilian Zouk - weight transfer, stepping mechanics, connection, and the core principles that everything else is built on.
13 concepts · 9 moves
Concepts
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Lead/Follow Connection
The foundational connection between leader and follower.
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Contra-Body Movement
The natural opposition between upper and lower body - how twisting through the torso creates fluidity in movement.
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Music & Rhythm
The timing structure of zouk and how steps align with the music's beat and phrasing.
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Hand Holds
The different kinds of ways we can hold each other's hands.
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Different Holds & Embraces
The various hand and body positions used to connect with your partner - close embrace, open hold, and more.
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Elasticity
The stretch and recoil in the connection, creating and releasing tension to generate movement.
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Levels
Varying the height of the dance - going low, rising up, or shifting between levels to facilitate communication of intent.
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Premovement
Extending your foot out to a spot before shifting your weight to it.
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Stepping
The basics of weight transfer and foot placement — how to step with intention and control.
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Torsion
How the twist of the body communicates movement in Zouk.
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Compass Step
The fundamental footwork mechanic of stepping and pivoting on the ball of the foot to change direction.
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Lines
The structure of a particular dancer's path used as a reference
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Communicating Intention
Using body structure and energy to transmit movement information.
Moves
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Basic on the Spot
The foundational step pattern danced in place.
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Basic Back and Forth
Adding forward-and-back to the basic step pattern.
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Free Basic
The basic step while traveling across the floor — navigating the dance space with your partner.
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Viradinha
The 'little turn' that allows you to enter into a side-by-side step with your partner
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Lateral
A side-stepping movement that creates a lateral travelling pattern across the floor.
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Lunge
A preparatory step used as an entry to other movements.
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Simple Turn
A simple turn, normally from lunge, where the follow steps back and completes a 360 degree turn.
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Travelling Turn
A turn that moves through space — the couple rotates together while travelling across the floor.
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Bonus
A weight transfer that creates a pause in the basic, used as a foundation for many exits and variations.