When you learn how to dance the Lambada, you will find it is a very sensual dance that is traditionally a couples dance. The Lambada can be danced alone or even as a group dance.

While a lot of attention is focused on the hips when dancing the Lambada, the upper body work is very important. The fluid wave like motions should roll all the way up the upper body and be accentuated by a pronounced head roll. Professional Lambada dancers often exaggerate the head roll to the point where they are doubled over and their heads almost touch the floor.

The Lambada is generally danced with arched legs, with the steps being from side to side or turning, and in its original form never front to back, with a pronounced movement of the hips. At the time when the dance became popular, short skirts for girls were in fashion and men wore long trousers, and the dance has become associated with such clothing, especially for girls wearing short skirts that swirl up when the girl spins around.

Both the man and the woman should display the flowing wave like upper body movements, but the most dramatic moves are performed by the woman. The dance is very free flowing, but it is easier to dance Lambada if the man maintains a strong hold throughout the dance. Lambada is a close and sensuous dance, so the partners should stay very close together. In fact, the dance is so sultry that it used to be called the forbidden dance.

Lambada is one of the few dances that is easier to dance barefoot. The characteristic hip movements of the dance are a lot easier to get right without shoes. http://hubpages.com/hub/Lambada-dancing

The first basic step is to get up on your toes. Lambada is danced on the balls of your feet. You should stay on your toes through the entire dance. This is a big reason why Lambada is best danced barefoot.

Grab your partner and get very close. The man holds the woman firmly and has the lead. A firm hold makes it easier to stay as close together as possible. Even if the hold is firm, the dance should be soft and sensual. A common hold is for the man to put the right hand on the woman's lower back. The left hand grabs the partners hand. The woman puts her right hand on the man's shoulder. Keep your hips as close together as possible and put one knee between your partners legs. Bend the knees slightly. This close position should be maintained throughout the dance.

Start twisting to the rhythm of the music by twisting your feet. Remember to stay on your toes and twist your foot as if your stumping out a cigarette. Alternate this twisting motion from one foot to the other.

Lambada is a loose dance, so don't worry about making the right steps or proper form. Try to get into the rhythm of the music and stay close to your partner. For now, keep your upper body still and focus on the swaying hip movements.

When you feel comfortable with the basic twist movements you can make the dance more elaborate by adding the upper body movements that complete the whip like movements that gives the dance its name.

To prolong the twisting motion, move your shoulders from side to side in the opposite direction of your hips. When your hips twist to the left, move your shoulders to the right and continue alternating the movements. this movement will create the wave like moves the dance calls for.

To make the wave even more defined you can also raise your elbow up as you shift your shoulders over. This means that as you shift your shoulders to the right, raise your right elbow slightly. As the shoulders shift back to the left, lower your right elbow and raise the left.

The final step is to continue the wave motion with your head. Don't exaggerate the head movements too much, especially while you are still learning the Lambada. A slight movement in the same direction as your hips will be enough to give a very fluid impression.

While Lambada is really a step dance, don't worry about the foot work too much. Lambada can be danced without lifting your feet. It is more important to focus on the hip and shoulder movements.

If you feel you have mastered the basics of Lambada there are several more advanced moves that can easily be added to the dance.

Adding turns is an easy way to break up the lambada routine. While maintaining the hip twisting motion, the couple hold hands and raise their arms in the air. The woman spins while still holding hand before returning to the basic Lambada position. Alternatively, she can spin back in the opposite direction to end up back in the starting position.

Another easy and dramatic move is to introduce a dip. The woman rests on her partners leg and leans backwards. The man supports her back with his left hand and keeps her from falling backwards with his right hand.

There are many other variations that can be added to these moves. Lambada is so loose that you can introduce kicks, or separate and dance side by side.

Another variation is to separate and the pair both do a half turn before rejoining each other and dancing back to back. Make sure you keep mirroring each others moves. Even if you are now back to back your bodies should still move as one.

Finally, Lambada can be expanded the include three people or even a whole train of people. A common way to dance the Lambada for three people is for an additional woman to stand directly behind the first woman. The man grabs on to this third woman and all three people dance mirroring each others hip movements.