The paso doble is an impressive dance form popular among the natives that anyone can learn so easily. This is a Latin dance that is far easier than the Lumba. When you visit Europe, you can see that many forms of simple dance forms are taught with the combination of others.
Dance is a form that everyone can do to express their happiness as well as sorrow. But if you want to become an expert dancer, then you should have good ideas about it.
There are various kinds of dance styles that you can learn, but if you want to gain expertise in Paso Doble, then this article is for you. Here in this content, we are going to learn about the overall facts. We talk about the history of this dance form, dance sons, style and benefits.
In Greece, a lot of Dance is on this style socially because it is one of the easiest forms of Dance. But still, many don’t even know about this dance form. You can try this dance style and double up the fun on weekends no matter where you belong. But before that, let’s check how it all was started!
Table of Contents
Origin of Paso Doble
There is no recorded history of paso doble, but people believe that the Spanish bullfight influenced this dance form. In this Dance form, the leader resembles the character of the Spanish Matador while the follower resembles the Cape of Matador.
If we go back to the 18th century, then it is also known as “ElSoleo.” So, overall, people add this dance form somewhere with the Spanish bullfight that may sound funny to you.
Some people also believe that the name Paso Doble is given influenced by the French Military march. That Military March name was Paso Redoble. Even this dance form is characterized as the immediate marching-like steps. This is the fastest Latin ballroom dance, and people are so much crazy about this. The English meaning of this Dance is Double step.
So, overall this dance form belongs to French and Spanish roots. These dance forms were specially performed in 1910. The dance style is completely bold and beaming pride, also termed the Dance of the master. Sometimes this dance form is also known as the flamingo dance, reflecting confidence, elegance, and strength.
The current state of the art form
Paso Doble dancing gained popularity in the United States in the 1930s. Today this is widely popular in the dance function and social ballroom. Because it reflects the French origins, most of the steps of this Dance are popular by French names. This is a solid progressive step where you see the footwork and dramatic effects.
During this dance step, your body action reflects a sharp & quick movement. The dancer’s chest should be high, and their eyes should be filled with confidence and pride. This is a sharp movement dance that is choreographed with lots of effort. Here the dancer puts strong movements.
A few years back, this style completely disappeared, but it gained so many popularities through dance reality shows as per the current scenario. There are many dance reality shows where the people appreciated this dance form, like “Dancing with the stars.”
While most of the dances are choreographed for modern pop songs, this Dance is still famous for its traditional song. This dance style is most popular with the traditional music of Spanish named “Espana Cani.” The song was written in the year of 1921.
In 2021 this Dance is considered as the Dance that teaches people discipline. The dancing form is widely popular due to its strong and sharp structure with little freedom. To do this Dance, you have to put in so much effort. It would help if you had a lot of practice because this Dance is all about expressing things.
This dance form was also performed in the World dance program in the year of 1963. But as the days went by, the choreographers started choreographing this Dance by blending it with the traditional music. They combined this dance form with Cha-Cha, Sambha, and many other international styles.
Technique of Paso Doble
This is the most dramatic dancing style where the dancers should give a feeling of progression. In this, the dancer has to take the forward & backward steps with confidence by wearing heels. Not only the hand but you have to give your hand movements too. The steps should be clean, sober, strong, and proud.
The man who dances this form makes a move to stamp his foot on the floor firmly. This step reflects the bullfight scene where the matador strikes on the ground strongly to grab the bull’s attention. This dance style is widely famous because it signifies dignity and arrogance.
If you want to try this dance style by portraying yourself as a leader, you have to start standing on your left foot. At the same time, your follower or partner would be stand on the right foot. The Dance leader should always step off with the right foot where the follower will be on the left foot.
After that, both the follower and leader have to take the small steps with the ball of their feet, which are just the basic steps, and you can memorize this. This is very simple, like chase the left, chase the right, forward, backward, and that’s it. You can also check the YouTube dance videos, or you can hire a trainer for yourself.
Music of Paso Doble
The Flamenco ultimately influences the music of Paso Doble. The theme of this Dance is bold, inspiring, and sounds like the rhythm of the march. The universal anthem of this dance style is the Spanish Gypsy Dance. Here are some of the most famous music for this dance style:
- “Bring me to life.”
- “Uprising”
- “Thriller”
- “Espana Cani”
- “Temperature”
- “Don’t stop the music.”
- “Spanish bull”
- “Bad Romance”
- “Paparazzi”
- “Bring me to life.”
There are many more popular songs that you can try with your instructor. You can also try some unique music and mix and match it with other dance styles.
Does it offer some health benefits?
As you know, dancing is a key to happiness, and it has been there for centuries. If we talk about this particular dance form, then yes, it has many health benefits. Thanks to the excellent TV show “Dancing with the stars” that brings this Dance back after centuries.
This dancing form is a beautiful way to get in shape. It not only helps your body but also helps to uplift your mood. It improves your state of mind and strengthens your social connections. If you are going through depression and stress, it can get back to you in your everyday life. Here we pick some significant health effects of Paso Doble:
Health benefits of Paso Doble
Muscle toning
Dancing can help you to develop more strength in your muscle. When you dance in this style, you have to move your body fast and spin, making your muscles flexible. In this dance form, men have to pick their lady partner who needs much strength between them. So, if any men are preparing to start this dance style, then focus on your legs.
Stress-free
When you start dancing on this form, you have to release all the negativities, sadness, low energy to the dustbin. There is no space for negativities and gloominess here; This dance form only needs joy and happiness. It reflects confidence, hope, and pride.
When you spin your body to the song’s beat, your mind will automatically release all the stress. It brings you to the world of positivity and confidence. If you are a newcomer to this, then you should give some extra time to this Dance. So, overall it works like a stress buster dance form!
Stronger bones and joints
When you dance, then it directly affects your joints and bones. It helps to protect your bone density and also speeds up the recovery. This is one kind of low exercise similar to walking and jogging. If you are suffering from any knee issue and have recently undergone surgery, this is the right way to improve your muscles. It can recover you with a higher speed over injuries.
Flexibility
No matter which form of Dance you do, you will get a flexible body for sure. However, women are more flexible than males. But males can also make their bodies flexible by practicing this dance style regularly. Most of the dance classes start giving training to their students after performing stretching and warm-up exercises. It helps you to bend in any direction without any aches. So, if you want to become flexible like a spring, then start this from today.
Fat burner
This is similar to aerobic activity, and regular practicing can burn some calories for sure. It boosts up your metabolism as well as burns 100 to 200 calories within a day. These are the same calories you lose while cycling and jogging. If you feel you have put some calories in this lockdown period, then this is the high time when you should start this!
Healthy brain
As per the research conducted in 2016, it is proved that dancing can recover you from cognitive disease. Dance can improve your mental health by improving blood circulation. It decreases your loneliness and improves your overall health.
Creativity
No doubt, Dance improves your creativity. When you move your body with the beta of music, your body releases so many emotions and thoughts with artistic moves. The art of dancing has something that changes your overall personality and makes you more creative. You may feel it tough to catch the steps in the initial days, but you will become lost with the music as the days pass. So, what are you waiting for? Start joining a dance class and learn this style to unlock the hidden rhythm of your body & mind!
Aerobic activity
As we said earlier, this is similar to aerobic activity, and it can help you recover from cardiovascular disease. You can improve your blood sugar level, balance your heartbeat, and improve your heart rate through this. It improves your lungs & makes you active and confident at every step of your life.
Endurance power
Dancing is a way to improve your endurance level. When you join a longer & longer dance session, then your muscle becomes harder. In this way, the inner joints of your body get strong and keep you away from muscle aches and cramps.
Social connectivity
Joining a ballroom dance helps you to become active and improve your communication. Through this, you can share most of your time with the instructors and your colleague’s dancers. It helps you to forget all the worries and tension and makes you joyful all day long.
Final thoughts
If you feel alone at your home or want to perform different dance steps, then why not try this. There are thousands of resources available on the internet to learn the basic styles of Paso Doble and then join a class to hire an instructor. Most of the dancing folks love to know about this. This style is so easy that even a kid can do it perfectly.
If you are a beginner, then regular practice can make you an expert. But in case if you are already a dancer and have an idea of so many dance forms, then you need some hours to catch the steps. If you want to give a gift to your partner on the next date night, then learn the steps & break the floor!
