Just like human evolution, Bachata also evolved with time. At first, Bachata was introduced as a slow-paced passionate dance style performed to communicate the emotions. Due to its origin in the Dominican Republic, it is known as Original or Dominican Bachata. However, with its dominant thoughts, Bachata came in as a fusion dance form incorporated with various other dance forms. And it became famous as Modern Bachata. By the time, we also grew familiar with Bachatango, an elegant fusion of Bachata and Tango. As a fusion dance form, one can infuse Bachata with theatre, known as Bachata Sensual, and with Ballroom dance, called Ballroom Bachata.

Basically, there are varied types of Bachata, as it depends on the other dance style mixed with it. Here, at Star Dance Company we work with Bachata Sensual, Dominican Bachata, and Modern Bachata. Bachata Sensual is a graceful blend of dance and theatre with stringent follow and lead principles. It involves mostly circular movements and body waves, except when the music has a stronger beat. At high-end beats, the dance uses isolations and dips. Bachata Sensual was made famous in Spain. Meanwhile, in Dominican Bachata, the traditional roots are incorporated. The slow form of Bachata possesses Bolero style features along with some variations. It is danced with syncopations (steps in between the beats). Also, it entirely depends on the dancer’s mood and the character of the music. The hand placement will differ with the dancers’ position, which can be very close to semi-close to open.

However, as time passed, Traditional Bachata faced various changes as it moved around the world. Dancers incorporated Bachata with various other dance forms and came up with a fusion Modern Bachata. The fundamentals are the same as Traditional Style Bachata, but with added dance ingredients and styling from Salsa, Tango, Ballroom, and more. In Modern style, the performers more their upper torso more, along with some hip-hop motions. Also, women emphasize a little more on their hip-moves.

Originated from a small part of the world, The Dominican Republic, the Bachata Dance style spread like a fire worldwide. People get to know about the dance along with the music form it brought. Although developed mostly in the last forty years, it has just gained international popularity lately. Bachata has become more and more popular dance form in many countries. In the early period of its advancement, the dance form dealt with varied criticism as it came out as a vulgar and unsociable dance style. However, it eventually gained its name and fame among the performers and personalities worldwide.

In general, most of the performer’s movement is in the lower body up to the hips, and the upper body moves much less. The knees are usually bent slightly, so the performer can sway the hips easier. This dance style helps to develop lower body strength along with hips, thighs, and core. Though the upper body movement is less, keeping the body posture intact helps maintain the upper body strength, including shoulders, back, and arms. Moreover, Bachata helps in bringing the flexibility and agility to the body. Meanwhile, like other social dance forms, Bachata dance also helps socialize among people all around the world.