Competition Ballroom Dancing, also named Sports Dancing, is an art which combines skill and beauty on the dance floor. Both fun and healthy, it is similar to other forms of dance, except that time and patience are required to master its more complicated steps. In Taiwan, it is a group-oriented social activity which has been on the upswing only recently, after encountering a certain amount of social prejudice.

Eight years ago, a man named Chou Bing-jun saw a demonstration of ballroom dancing. Already in his late forties, overweight, and without any particular hobbies, he became fascinated. He hired a dance instructor and, soon, he looked marvellous on the dance floor--slim, full of composure, and graceful. Teng Ching-mei is Chou's dancing partner. After only two years of lessons, she managed to take fourth place in a contest in Australia.

Dancers like these form a small minority in Taiwan, for Chinese society is still quite conservative, and society's elders tend to frown on social dancing. When asked about this, Teng responded, "Ballroom dancing is an art which is also a form of self-expression. I've successfully raised two children, am a dedicated housewife, and now I'm devoting time to cultivating this new interest. I see nothing wrong with this."

Chou Chin-kun is also a devoted student of dance. His hope is to change people's old-fashioned attitudes about dancing. He lectures and performs, everywhere he is given the chance, about competition dancing. He explains that from the clothing worn to the different movements, form, and style, ballroom dancing is a fascinating activity for participant and observer. Chou points out the many advantages of dancing: a vigorous form of exercise, it can help you relax, develop your powers of concentration, give your confidence a lift, and even make your everyday movements more graceful. With a smile, he says that his wife used to be bow-legged before she started dancing. Now she looks wonderful. Even more importantly, he adds, "Having my wife as a constant dancing companion has allowed me to understand her better. Talking over our dance routines and having to work as a team has brought us closer together, and we've each witnessed a certain growth in the other, as we gain the confidence to experiment with different forms of self-expression."

We found others who at one time had one problem in common--little self-confidence, especially in social situations. But after studying dance for a while, they had all became out-going, didn't feel awkward anymore, and their posture had improved greatly.

What exactly is competition dancing? Competition dancing can be traced to folk dances from all over the world. In the 19th century, the British Royal Ballroom Dance Company made a study of international folk-dances and subsequently developed standards governing the form and steps of each dance. Gradually, other countries began to follow England's lead, and competitions were soon held.

Ballroom dancing can be divided into three categories: Classical (La Mascotte, Boston Two-step, etc.), Latin (Samba, Rumba, Cha Cha Cha, etc.), Modern (Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, etc.). Each has its own unique rhythm, tempo, mood, and dance step. There are fast and slow steps. All are different. For example, the Tango has very excited movements; the steps are quick, and give the appearance of flying or skating. In the foxtrot, named because of its resemblance to that animal's gait, the movements are smooth and, therefore, look simple. However, it's not an easy dance to master at all. This is because the movements of the body must be restricted--the body may not bob up and down.

Ballroom dance has been in Taiwan for a while, but it has not yet been widely accepted. The Chinese Sports Dance Association came into being in 1970, and a similar club was organized in Taipei in 1972. In addition, the YWCA also sponsors dances. Under such guidance, more and more young people have been attracted to ballroom dance as an acceptable art form. Some enthusiastic dance students feel that, given time and the proper training, Taiwan dancers will soon be able to step out onto international dance floors.

[Picture Caption]

1.3.4.5. Demonstration of different ballroom dance steps. 2. Ballroom dancing--both fun and healthy.

1.2. Two kinds of modern dance. 3. Ballroom dance contests presently flourish in Taiwan. 4-10. The grace and energy of Latin dances.

1-3. Three different movements employed in Latin dances. 4. First-rate instruction in ballroom dancing is available at the YWCA.

Ballroom dancing--both fun and healthy.

Demonstration of different ballroom dance steps.

Demonstration of different ballroom dance steps.

Demonstration of different ballroom dance steps.

Two kinds of modern dance.

Two kinds of modern dance.

Ballroom dance contests presently flourish in Taiwan.

The grace and energy of Latin dances.

The grace and energy of Latin dances.

The grace and energy of Latin dances.

The grace and energy of Latin dances.

The grace and energy of Latin dances.

The grace and energy of Latin dances.

The grace and energy of Latin dances.

1-3. Three different movements employed in Latin dances.

1-3. Three different movements employed in Latin dances.

4. First-rate instruction in ballroom dancing is available at the YWCA.

Three different movements employed in Latin dances.