Top 10 Hardest Dance Styles to Learn

Do you have the moves to master these dance styles? For this list, we’ll be looking at some of the dances from around the world that require a lot of skill but look awesome when you nail them. Our countdown includes Irish dance, swing dance, breakdancing, and more! What's the hardest dance style YOU know? Let us know in the comments!
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#Dance #Choreography #Dancing #Music #Ballet

[@mlww5746]

Thirty five years of ballet and I'm still learning new combinations and techniques. The mind is willing, the body less so - I started way to late in life, but I still love it.

[@thecommenterr]

35 years! Nice, that’s a long time 😁

[@diliangeshev8509]

when did you start?

[@emilyarbic8768]

We hat your favourite style ?

[@ewenchan1239]

That's amazing!!! I started when I was 4, technically, but only for one lesson, and then quit immediately afterwards and didn't get back into it until I was 18, and then 19, on a more regular basis. After training off-and-on for 5 years, I was then allowed to start pointe, being the only guy in my entire dance school to do so, and then studied ballet and pointe for 5 more years. Ballet is like the pursuit of perfection, where you know you will seldom achieve it, but it's the pursuit that's the thrill of it.

[@morgans3936]

it's too bad they didn't show clips of competitive Irish dancing (and not with the little kids haha), the level at the Irish dance world championships is way more intense than what was shown here. The performance world of irish dance versus the competitive world is quite different

[@vpolite1]

Umm...There is not a lot of little kids in River Dance.

[@morgans3936]

@@vpolite1 Riverdance is a show that tours and performs the world, and the performers are adults. Competitive Irish dancing, which is what the clips of the children shown were referring to, encompasses all ages. The clips they showed of competitive Irish dancing were not of a very high level.

[@gwenjoy2538]

Yess. Worlds vs a feis!

[@elizagrogan9454]

@@morgans3936 Pure Irish dancing is what is taught in Ireland. I find it annoying that Americans have not stayed true to its form. They also neglect the correct dance costumes required.

[@morgans3936]

@@elizagrogan9454 while it’s true that the style has evolved from its roots, the competitive Irish dancers living in Ireland also wear the elaborate costumes, do an evolved style of dance, and tend to place higher at competitions like the World Championships. It wasn’t like American changed the sport, the change happened all over the world. Source- a former, non-American Irish dancer

[@PoniesandPaintOfficial]

Irish dancer of 10 years here. Just want to clarify that the competitive Irish dance world is completely different from the performance/recreational world. But yes, Irish dance ain't as easy as it looks. It takes years of practice and training(for most, some will move up faster than others), and working your arse off to get anywhere in the competitive world.

[@kimwoodbury3885]

From what I've seen, it looks really cool. I just don't get the whole "don't move your upper body, even though moving it too would look great with those steps" thing

[@lotuselansteve]

@@kimwoodbury3885 Then it would be a different dance 🙂

[@harpirishdance]

@@kimwoodbury3885 that’s cultural dance for you. There’s a wealth of history behind each element.

[@AmmyWoodbury]

But also, you can get started with ceili or set dancing, and if you can walk, you can do that dance. I've seen small kids and 80+ year olds enjoying Irish sets.

[@sallyrickerson9139]

It's always exciting to see a post from a Irish dancer! I am not, but I am a 'wannabe' for sure! I fell in love with it with Michael Flatley's performance at Eurovision. I was hooked and still am!The work and dedication is brutal, and each dancer knows this, as you do. Some dancers feel Irish dance should be in the Olympics, as a sport, and I agree wholeheartedly. If you are into 10 years of Irish Dancing, I can only imagine how good you are! Wow!~ I wish you the very best with your Irish dancing! 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

[@kianim8344]

The grace needed for Indian traditional dances are rarely seen anywhere in the world. With the expressions and graceful poise angelic hand and feet gestures and body curves might seem easy but to master it perfectly and PROPERLY you need a generation’s practice

[@lucywoodhouse7571]

as a ballet/contemporary professional dancer i have so much respect for indian classical dancers (the style a friend of mine does) I know I couldn't possibly do what you do

[@kavitapiter]

So true

[@christinefromtenkeli1297]

Wanted to mentıon it, but then found your comment. I studied Kathak myself, and there are 6 others, and all of them are literally difficult to mucter, to count, to understand. And routine is only a small part of it.

[@drashtikhemka2413]

The high speed feet tapping while wearing 200 ghungroos around your ankles and the high speed turns, all while keeping it graceful... 👏👏👏

[@susieQcumber]

I remember back in the 70's they took a college football team and made them train in ballet. They said their game improved dramatically and it was harder than anything they had ever physically done.

[@Author.Noelle.Alexandria]

Happened in the 1980’s as well. I think it was the Eagles. Pro footballers have a hard time with the stamina and strength ballet takes.

[@johnemerson1363]

My two daughters were competitive ice skaters. (Not Olympic though) They took ballet and their ice skating performance improved greatly in the artistic area.

[@emilyarbic8768]

I’ve heard of that

[@adriennemcgowan5956]

Even after 26 years of doing Irish, I will never once think it’s easy lol

[@ariel_33]

ikr 😭

[@michelslaura]

I agree!

[@sallyrickerson9139]

I watch every single video I can find of behind the scenes training for Irish dance. Why? Because I LOVE it! Irish dance is athletic, and the Pro's for sure classify themselves as being athletic. Irish dance is extreme cardiovascular and strength. That is so cool you have 26 years! God bless!

[@whitequeenofficial3498]

As someone who's been doing Eastern European folkdance since I was a kid the urge to learn and master all of these is so strong

[@fuzzykoshka]

I started ballet at 6…. Found I had the skills for Ukrainian Dance!!

[@katarinakt9521]

Ooh, i've been doing (mostly) Balkan folkdance for years now, so I feel that

[@esmeralda3858]

I don't think it's possible to rank dance styles in any order of difficulty. Most dance styles are really hard if you want to do them well. I've been learning flamenco for 30 years and I still feel like a beginner.

[@fuzzykoshka]

No! There’s lots of easy dance styles. I’d list: Chinese New Year dance, west coast swing (no lifts or throws allowed), blues dance, jive…. Uh, square dance. Lots

[@sayurimei]

I agree with you as a former ballet student (I only studied for 6 years), and someone who used to enjoyed dancing a lot (I busted my knee, so no more dancing) each dance has its own complexity, art form, beauty. I remember talking with some friends of what kind of dance represented more their country and they all offered a degree of difficulty just for a beginner, for example here in Costa Rica we dance something call swing criollo (is a mix of swing, salsa and cumbia moves) is fast and you need to be on cue with your partner our is gonna luck horrible. And my friend who trained Malaysia and Chinese dances, some of their moves were completely slow, but the move had to align perfectly with certain body part in a limited amount of time and it has to look graceful at the same time because all eyes are on you. She mentioned me that she still has chills when she see a performance hehehe

[@rubenluna7865]

I agree with you 100%. Beside the fact that every single form of dance has masters that are admire by other master dancers.

[@kindlydude]

It was nice to see all the dances included from around the world. But a huge gap, in my estimation, in your list would be Indian, Thai and Balinese/Javanese Classical dance which in my studied opinion is every bit as challenging as Classical Ballet. Even facial expressions are part of the dance in all of these. Also Ballet Folklorica ...or Mexican Traditional Dance is high on my list for joy of movement and enjoyment of watching. It's a cornucopia out there. And traditional dances or folk-dancing must be DANCED and LEARNED by the young people of every country to be preserved and appreciated into the future!

[@claudiamiller7730]

Well said!

[@loragray8524]

Yes! I took a few workshops in classical Balinese and Indian dance as a dance major in college and they were EXTREMELY challenging.

[@grown.ass.nerd.]

Folklorico dancer here. Let me tell you, it is VERY hard, especially because the dresses and trajes (suits) are HEAVY.

[@lynpepler]

Odissi, as well. It always blows my mind. So precise, and the facial expressions are an important part of the story they are telling.

[@martavdz4972]

Agreed! South Indian classical dances are extremely hard. IMHO kathakali is the hardest dance to learn in the world. I´ve been learning North Indian classical dance for 10 years and it´s very complicated, but it´s nothing compared with South Indian dances.

[@heatherlewis4477]

I've done Irish dancing for 6 years, and it's definitely not easy.

[@bentme7067]

I do Irish dance been doing it for 13 years and still am learning things every day and as much as I've got the core of keeping uperbody still and keeping on toes and feet turned out sometimes if i relax too much i will start to have my arms go or anything like that really

[@ariel_33]

yeah it’s hard as hell but fun

[@Lokitty-vk6xj]

Agreed. I was in my dance school's Irish Step Team and I remember I fell so behind in gym class because my feet just constantly hurt from all the practice. Good news though, even after not doing it for a few years at this point due to Covid I still remember all my dances and I still always walk on my toes without thinking so I sneak up on people easy 😂

[@sallyrickerson9139]

Hi Heather! That is so cool you do Irish Dance!! It is so hard! I have a horrible memory and I would never be able to remember the routine.

[@mollyhowieson9969]

Highland dancing is another challenging type of dance. As with any type of dance, there are a lot of precise, difficult movements that require a lot of stamina and coordination. Specifically the sword dance. Most highland dancers, that I know, will say that with even with years and years of experience, the sword dance never gets easier. But we dance through it, in our wool kilts, with smiles on our faces.

[@meganmackenzie9030]

Yes we do!

[@unicornfrenchbulldogs1063]

Yes indeed, especially with the extended hicuts!

[@Naisavrein]

The stamina and being on the balls of your feet most of the time - don't know what that's called in Highland, "demi-pointe"! - are definitely quite something. Do you stick to only the traditional dances, or do you sometimes choreograph your own things? I watched part of a Highland competition recently - I'm Scottish living in Scotland, but Highland never caught my imagination - and got rather bored rather quickly. I could see the stamina and strength required, but the creativity and ability to express yourself was missing for me.

[@unicornfrenchbulldogs1063]

@@Naisavrein Yes there is a lot of choreography used in presentations. Once you learn the basics, you are off to the races! :)

[@kavitapiter]

Agry, caucasian dance as an example

[@tiredmummy7512]

The thing that amazes me is that in dance, in 9 out of 10 styles, the women have more intricate/difficult moves and they do it in high heels!!!!

[@veiledzorba]

"Ginger Rodgers did everything Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in heels!" With that said, its easier to dance in heels than it is to walk in them, or at least that's what I've found (as a male). Either way, its painful and non-trivial!

[@TheLuthkica]

They didn't mention the most challenging thing about Irish dance, especially competitive one, is you are always high on your toes! And those leaps - like you are trying for a gold medal at the Olympic high jump! Just like with ballet dancing, you have to start early (4-6) if you want to be professional one day, and I had a few friends who switched from ballet to Irish dance say how hard it is to leap and jump in Irish - you can't bend your knees like in ballet, can't use your arms for balance, etc. I don't say it is harder than ballet but is somewhere there - more a sport than dance!

[@gwenjoy2538]

Hop step step vs going world's ..the amount of strength in those shoes

[@rosemorris7912]

I love to watch Irish dancing, but I cringe every time I see the women roll their ankles. It hurts just thinking about it!

[@gwenjoy2538]

@Rose Morris it hurts. I've watched my sister in hard shoe do it

[@annehale3204]

no but being a competitive irish dancer, i was so happy that people actually recognized it though i think that it could of been dank a bit higher

[@ansleyhendrix3381]

I’m in total agreement. Ballet is my favoorite dance because it is so challenging… But rewarding! I was shook when I finally learned to pirouette!

[@bellaknightR597]

Same

[@shanematerkowski]

You should have also mentioned Chinese Lion Dancing! It’s literally a competitive sport around the world! We dance on poles 20+ feet off the ground while in a lion costume that obscures our vision! We also have to be perfectly on time with the drumming and create the illusion of being a real live animal! I think it should be an olympic sport!

[@Gieeska88]

I've seen a video, it looks amazing. Do you mean you can dance it?

[@christophertipton2318]

I used to live next door to a lady who taught ballet. She said if it doesn't hurt, you're not doing it right.

[@hollied5807]

You know what shocked me at how hard it was to learn? Hula!! I took hula for 2 months, it was so hard! You’ve gotta dance, sing and sign at the same time. It looks so beautiful and effortless when done well.

[@gdbriot1162]

Thank you, ballet is life.

[@Ripplesinthewaters]

I am an Irish dancer in a community company. It really is difficult, but so, so rewarding!!!! :)

[@MissSirenita]

I dropped out of ballet cause it was so exhausting as a kid. I 100% expect it to be number one because of how much muscle, brute strength, yet femininity and elegance it requires. That balance you have as you lift the back of your foot to balance on your toes is not easy. It looks easy but it’s not. I know people who don’t consider it a sport because it’s just too “easy” but it should be because of how risky and challenging it is. I can never pull it off.

[@robynzelickson6164]

And they don't mention learning pointe shoes and what it does to your feet, especially your toes! My mum danced from 3 to 18 and they trained pointe till their feet bled. Her toes are totally destroyed and have been since I can remember.

[@choytangkad]

Well you can include another dance in the philippines, the Tinikling, which involves two bamboo poles rhythmically banging each other on the floor and the purpose is to dance while crossing in the middle of open bamboo poles before closing..

[@lillaalexander8707]

I agree. Thought this would make the list.

[@mystiicmel]

I saw that at a Thai show it looked fun but hard

[@vladjuryrigging]

We have a dance where we squat jump while jugling axes between legs, that didnt make the list either.

[@laurenmontera9516]

"Best dance moves" in high school, I was in a club for belly dancing in college, learned 4 moves of breakdancing from my dad, did an Irish dance course in high school, a ballet recital as a kid while also in tap dance class and when I met my husband, we went to a swing dance hall.

[@taylergentry1083]

As someone who has taken part in my college's theater productions, I have learned three of these dance styles. I know swing (East coast), tap, and I learned Irish this past semester. All three of these styles are so fun.

[@shanematerkowski]

Irish Dancer here. You missed the fact that in Irish Dance, we also have to go en pointe just like in Ballet, only our shoes do not have the same toe support as pointe shoes. Its just a leather shoe with a carbon fiber tap and a flat front. Also, we do odd number group dances (ceilis) as well, not just even. Overall, I like the video, I just wish you would have shown competitive Irish Dance versus just kids. Our jumps, clicks, slices, and everything is WAY more intense that what the video portrays.

[@minihappysewing]

I think Georgian dances are also worth a mention - especially men's parts!

[@booksnbeaches7075]

I concur. I still can't figure out how the guys can land on their knees and not hurt themselves.

[@NoraGuy]

I’m in my 40s and began taking lessons at Arthur Murray last year after a break (I’ve been taking various styles, including swing, salsa, zydeco, hip hop, and belly dancing since my 20s). They talked me into performing a solo. I invited my mom and boyfriend, neither of whom had seen me do partner dancing before. I learned an Argentine tango routine and actually won a mirrorball trophy! My own personal Dancing With the Stars moment. Students perform solos at various events as others cheer them on. It’s SUCH a great feeling. Cannot recommend taking lessons highly enough!

[@AtarahDerek]

When I was in high school, part of gym class was dedicated to learning various dances. The best swing partner I ever had was a deaf kid. He tore up that floor like it was rice paper. Let it never ever EVER be said that not being able to hear music means one cannot possibly have exceptional rhythm.

[@liloanddaisy2020]

2:41 as an Irish woman, I happen to have a fun fact on Irish dancing! The Riverdance was first performed in 1994, as the interval act in the Eurovision song contest that year.

[@gred_and_forge]

8:51 "just look at those feet go!" proceeds to show clips where the dancer is prepping/starting, and not yet moving their feet😆

[@kavitapiter]

Very disappointed that you didn't mention indian classical dance, which requires stamina, perfect coordination and balance, heavy footwork, sofisticated hand gestures, mental concentration and high acting skills.

[@awibs57]

Yes! this. As someone who grew up doing Thai Classical, south and southeast Asian forms are VERY difficult!

[@vladjuryrigging]

It is still a very limited list. Completely ignoring Gorgian or Kossak dances too. I mean even in my culture, we have fast dance that is basically jumping squatting while you juggle axes.Basically like can can with jumping, juggling axes and jumping over other people. Also half headstands on the handle sometimes. Caucasian dances (Georgia as in in Kaukaz not the american word Caucasian) are literally sabre spinning while jumping on your tipcotes. I mean, to that these dances here look almost easy. So yeah, very limited list.

[@kittyowlblu]

I always wanted to learn Irish Dancing

[@jenniferk9242]

I love tap dancing. When I was a kid in dance school, you did tap, jazz and ballet. 40 years later when my daughter went, I was disappointed that tap had fallen out of favor and wasn't one of the basics taught. You rarely see it performed.

[@HackieP]

If it makes you feel better it was one of the main ones featured at the dance school I went to for years. I took it for a while but then I dropped it because I couldn’t keep up with the others when the moves started getting faster.

[@ChronicallyCassidy]

Love swing, I dont like Irish dance but I totallg understand and appreciate how difficult it is and the talent they have. Argentine tango is amazing, LOVE IT. the chemistry is amazing. I see the athleticism in break dancing and certainly cannot do it, but it’s I dont care for it at all. Never heard of this specific type of salsa but love fast footwork and Latin. Sharp and dynamic. I love tap, depends on the style of tap though. BALLET. my favorite style. What I did for as long as I could in my life. I love so many different styles of dance, but ballet will always hold a special place.

[@amandaredd3057]

I like it when Morticia and Gomez do the tango! Or at least I think it's the tango...

[@arfriedman4577]

Yes. That dance was awesome. Love that movie.

[@DinGrogu16]

Capoeira looks absolutely amazing! That definitely takes talent, hard work & dedication. 😍

[@erictaylor5462]

When I was in Jr High school (so around 1982 or 83) there was a kid who was an amazing break dancer. He was really incredible.

[@AndrewBrown-fq6vp]

I only have two words for you, Melbourne Shuffle! When performed by experts it almost appears to break the laws of physics. Truly magical 🙂

[@labtechsuperstar]

The one you showed about swing looked more like Lindy Hop. There are so many "Swing" varieties: East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Jive, Lindy...and I probably forgot some.

[@ttlinart]

Balboa, Charleston, Carolina Shag, St Louis Shag etc :) Also the one they showed was Lindy Hop.

[@sophroniel]

I did Irish dance for years and do not under estimate how hard pinning your arms to your sides is

[@mariafernandamendoza2328]

I have been dancing for almost 20 years, mostly ballet, but also flamenco, salsa, swing, lyrical, aerial, and belly dance, I had instructors compare professional ballet dancers to high endurance athletes, and they truly are. I may not entirely agree with the order in this ranking but I do believe ballet totally deserves the Number one. Also Shakira is not the most representative of belly dance, just the most popular.

[@freyasslain2203]

Nothing is harder than classical ballet. You try doing Swan Lake or Don Quixote or Giselle . That shit will kill you . Especially That Grand Pas De Deux or Kitri in Don Quixote . That shit is murder .

[@amandaredd3057]

I got to see flamenco dancers when I went to Madrid 25 or so years ago. It was really cool

[@rebeccawraight4055]

Highland dance is as intricate and high impact as Irish but we also use our arms above our head and navigate swords :)

[@peggywoods4327]

I was glad to see zaouli made the list! I am always mesmerized watching it. But this list needed to be longer or have more honorable mentions, as I feel the Malambo should be mentioned.

[@campbell1446]

Zaouli reminded me a bit of Irish dance in that the upper body remains still while only the feet move.

[@arctrooperfives7278]

Riverdance

[@acth1319]

As a popper, glad they highlighted animation. It’s damn hard.

[@benjaminledford3325]

I am an Irish Dancer. I danced for Walsh-Kelley for six years.

[@erictaylor5462]

9:00 Just the costumes are amazing.

[@Lucarius1]

I hate the music usually played to Breakdance, but I admire the dancers and love watching them. To watch and admire their dance moves I'll even put up with and endure their music 😉🥰

[@amandarogers1646]

After 12 years of ballet, I agree. Ballet is the hardest.

[@cocoaorange1]

I really enjoyed this, some I never heard of . The Filipino dance looks intriguing.

[@lochlanhowardd]

Yes for Irish dancing haha

[@dama2545]

I wasn’t expecting aerial dance to be an honorable mention, but I can see why it’s considered difficult to learn.

[@pokemontigerbear976]

I wanna learn capoeira dance

[@Leoniqua]

Zaouli Ms Mojo: "...just look at those feet go" *Shows clip* Me: *but nothing's happening..*

[@JoseRivera-te9hw]

???????????????????????????

[@OwlcityloveBooboo]

I love this dance list I did dance I did ballet,acro,jazz,and hip hop I love dance I wish i stayed in dance but with my dance studio closing and money problem I haven’t danced since I was a kid but I miss it so so so much

[@tolnac]

This is a very nice list. I would have included the Berezka (Russian Floating Dance). Done correctly, the illusion of floating is astounding. At least an honorable mention.

[@BlazeDupree1525]

I used to watch riverdance and feet of flames with my grandma when I was little and was obsessed with Irish dance.

[@annawhistles]

Irish dancer of 12-13 years of dancing here 👋... The competitive Irish dance world looks very different to what was shown in this video (it's way more intense that what those little kids were doing) and is also very different to the performance style that I think a lot more of the general public are familiar with. Competitive or performance - both are very difficult but definitely go watch some videos of the championship dancers. This video also didn't mention another key thing that makes Irish dance difficult; the fact that you have to be on releve the whole time (with a few exceptions for some moves). This includes when landing jumps and leaps.

[@tracyrain4941]

I'm off for a lie down... that was exhausting!!! 🤭😊

[@Bargle5]

I've always been drawn to swing dancing. Unfortunately, my legs refuse to move in a coordinated, rhythmic manner. I usually look like I'm having horrible leg cramps.

[@supakrithpunyaratabandhu2895]

I think Thailand’s “Khon” Masked Dance at least deserves an honorable mention. To tell the story of the Ramakien (Thailand’s version of the Ramayana), not only do the dancers have to be graceful, they need to use specific movements to fully embody their character types (such as humans, monkeys, and ogres). This dance is all done in elaborate costumes as well.

[@desireea.thomas2419]

Irish Folk dancing is Incredible and so fast. I Love the Tango & the Flamenco. They’re both so Seductive, Beautiful and a timeless. One of my older cousins was a Professional Flamenco dancer 💃🏼 she was Breathtaking at it. She would always tell me how my Dad was her Practice dance partner 🥳🎉👏🏼🥳🎉👏🏼 He always said, that she was so Great at it.

[@rebagoldin4077]

I'm surprised pole dancing didn't make the list. Some of the athleticism required for that is mind boggling.

[@ELisa-qf2mw]

I'm shook. I thought the history of Capoeira was the other way round: that slaves were forbidden to fight and practice fighting techniques because this would help them becoming more ready to rebel or run away, so they invented Capoeira to disguise fighting practice as a dance.

[@randomkid4783]

Im surprised tutting wasn't mentioned. When choreographed, it's super hard because of how easily you can mess up, like if you're one degree off it's wrong and with how fast is can go. I would honestly have put it at number 2... because I don't think it causes the mental strain that ballet does

[@timiyawalker8951]

Majorette Dancing I have tried and I love it . but swing dancing is something I always wanted to try and Aerial dance , breakdancing and ofc Sayaw sa Bangko

[@ElSalonDeMissLily]

I think tahitian dance should definetly be in this list, it takes years to be good at it

[@wmden1]

It was a nice surprise to see Zaouli dancing on this list, and at Number 3. I didn't know it existed until just over a year ago, but it is really something else, when done right.

[@kenqiao3946]

First time heard/seen cancan dance from shop-rite commercial when I was a kid. River dance is still the coolest.

[@CutieRingoJoy]

6:00 look like someone created this more of a game of survival lol 7:23 OMG! They make it look so graceful and smooth

[@nneichan9353]

my mom loved dance. She did Flamenco, belly dance and ballet. I studied ballet as a youth for about 10 years. it is incredibly challenging.

[@prffandever884]

I think doing the Irish dance would be amazing as I have Irish in my family history on my dad’s side.

[@emilydaniels787]

I did Irish Dance for 7 years and went to competitions

[@duanebrodnick5212]

For those who didn't know, the can-can is originally performed with the female dancers NOT WEARING under garments. As for the Argentine Tango being performed by two men, I didn't know that until I watched this video. Maybe people didn't want it performed by two men who had to dance close and hold hands. Could be people might've thought it would be considered "too gay?"

[@anne12876]

Argentine tango in the second half of the XIXe century and until 1920 was a very low class dance. It was mostly danced by freed Black slaves, sailors, gangsters, escorts and their clients. Tango wasn’t a dance for a proper young lady. Therefore, men had to trained together in order to get the favour of the few women dancing tango (less than 30% of dancers were women in 1910). Also, it was seen as scandalous for the Catholic Church for a man and a woman to dance like this. It’s only by gaining the favours of Parisians during the 1920’s that tango gained popularity with the Argentinian upper and middle classes and became known as a woman/man couple dance. For sur, there were men very much happy to be able to dance between them.

[@fuzzykoshka]

Wrong wrong wrong…. Fashion historian for theatre here. All women wore split underdrawers. Hence “pair of pants”. I’d did mean during high kicks n when they bend over & moon the audience by flipping up skirts there was a chance of glimpsing women’s privates.

[@URaggedybetch]

#1 should be Bharatnatyam

[@fufi96]

I wouldn't say that Colombia is the Salsa capital of the world. "Salsa dancing - as a dance to accompany salsa music - was popularized in the 1960s.[3] It was primarily developed by Puerto Ricans and Cubans living in New York in the late 1960s and early 1970s.[4] Different regions of Latin America and the United States (including countries in the Caribbean) have distinct salsa styles, such as Cuban, Puerto Rican, Colombian, and New York styles." Also, check out the Puerto Rican folk dance called "bomba" - Bomba is both a traditional dance and musical style of Puerto Rico.[1] Its origins are rooted in the island's history of African slavery but today has evolved into a community expression of Puerto Rican culture. While Bomba can be used as the generic name for a number of rhythms, it is truly about a creative, interactive relationship between dancers, percussionists and singers. Today it's practiced as a communal activity in its centers of origin in Loíza, Santurce, Mayagüez and Ponce.

[@jonnarobinson7541]

I agree. I associate salsa with Cuba. However, there are some many different styles, like swing. I did not like the "fast" salsa. Too choppy and boring for me. I have never heard of "bomba' , I will check it out.

[@claudiamiller7730]

There had better be some reference to Carolina shag dancing on this list!!

[@kadsplayz9435]

Ballet i tried it myself at home bc i loved it and did the African dance when i was in school and also love Argentine tango

[@yaraviera4444]

Love number 4..

[@theSUICIDEfox]

8:51 "Just look at those feet GO!" _proceeds to show them just standing there_

[@maddie1818]

I am disappointed that ballet wasn't showcased, I speak from experience. Dancing en pointe, in my country's most precious academy. It is one of the hardest if not the hardest type of dance on the planet.

[@irondragonmaiden]

Actually, it's the opposite. Capoeira is a martial art that was disguised as a dance. It was conceived by West African slaves who were former warriors and who wanted to keep their skills sharp on the off chance that they could use their skills to escape and/or fight back. The dance part is still a very important part of the fighting style since deception and keeping up the appearance that it was merely a dance style is an integral part of Capoeira, but it's still a martial art.

[@pigeondance]

very interesting!!! thanks!

[@collectorofcats294]

Ballet Mom here, I’m partial to ballet.

[@frugallentigo6768]

In what way does that comment contribute to the discussion?

[@emilyarbic8768]

I would say that Tap ,Acro would make the list as they are special skills in dance. I also think that lyrical , Pointe and classical ballet would also make the main list

[@antewaso8876]

Chicago footwork should definitely be included it's fast intense and beautiful

[@Hamiltonfan1780]

I was looking for this comment

[@barbarafagan5240]

I love swing dancing

[@jonnarobinson7541]

I agree with ballet being #1. However, it can be limiting. You do not learn very much about isolation. The dance form is based on turn out and length. And, it is the foundation of most Western types of dances. I was not too enthused with the "fast" salsa. (Dance teacher for over 40 years, ballet, tap, jazz) Too choppy for me.

[@veiledzorba]

Ballet is very rigid, regimented, and artificial. That's not to say it isn't beautiful - it is - love me some Swan Lake!

[@pmclaughlin4111]

My sister used to do Capoeira. She was teaching someone and got kicked in the face...Quite a shiner ...It was a Saturday morning class-She started her new job on Monday.

[@jeffreylindahl5895]

Ah dance. How I love thee.

[@aromedesepices]

Just to tell you that tango argentino is also in UNESCO list since 2009 :) There are 2 tango types: tango de pista that is completely improvised and danced in tango balls and tango escenario that is choreography. Inside these types you have a lot of different styles. It's better to have a look on world championship in order to have an idea of this dance as in the video it's not represented very good.

[@elements2775]

A very happy new year everyone ✨

[@rajnandiniT]

ms mojo just ignored the existence of half a dozen indian dances that will rip your body apart

[@aryagia8082]

Right!??...could have said hard dance styles not the hardest...our dances are like 2000years old and just as rigorous as ballet. Regardless of the 2 non western dances included this list is very Eurocentric/western centric

[@saaya8964]

i did ballett for a five years as a kid, then a few years later my indian friend convinced me come to some of her bharatanatyam lessons and it was (for me at least) more difficult than ballett, i was dead afterwards 😂

[@richabisht7309]

these dance styles are really lit i just loved them really keep on sharing such videos more and more so that one can practice such impressive steps thank you so much and a lot of love from planet ayurveda

[@julianameneses2223]

Honorable mention to Mapalé from Colombia 🇨🇴

[@bethaniekayes]

i have tapped since i was 2 and a half im 18 now i can say there have been times where its hard but now for me its a walk in the park

[@sinceslicedbread7422]

Bravo I'm glad you included global, non-European dances.

[@freddiemolinajr.8397]

great video

[@mariefrancemanibal2954]

Hula should have been mentioned also.