The Lambada is a fast and sensual dance that can be performed alone, with a couple, or in a group. The name refers to the rhythm of the music: A flowing wave type motion. It reached worldwide popularity in the late 80s with the group Kaoma. Although the music has its origins in Brazil, the Kaoma Band was French. Their number one worldwide summer hit "Lambada" sold 5 million singles in 1989.

I do still remember the 1989 summer and the Lambada fever. At school, we all wanted to be Roberta -the blonde girl dancing with the little boy, Chico!. Somehow I got my dream to come true and during our summer holidays in the north of Peru on a hot summer night I had my first sensual dance with ‘my' Chico. I will never forget dancing all night by the swimming pool... with the sea so close that you could almost wet your toes in it. Ever since, the Lambada brings to my mind sensuality, and the heat of the summer.

Unlike other dances, the Lambada is better danced on bare feet, as you do most of the dancing on your tip toes. You must listen to the music, feel the rhythm filling you, and your body will start moving on its own. Bend your knees a little, as if you were skiing. Find your rhythm, your cadence. Hold on tight to your partner as if to make just one body. Slide one of your knees between his thighs and let yourself go!

At first do not worry about fancy steps, just let your hips move as if changing weight from one foot to the other. Keep on the balls of your feet and twist them as if stubbing a cigarette first one, then the other. Try to keep your upper body steady. This will emphasise the movement of your hips. Do not separate from your partner, do not try to concentrate but instead enjoy the music and the way your body starts moving and feeling!

Remember that the Lambada is a sensual dance: A dance of pleasure and seduction. Forget about correctness of set steps. Enjoy the music, feel it and just have fun!

Once you are confident with the basic steps, you can try the more elaborate moves. It is always easier for the girl to follow the boy.

For the advanced steps you can incorporate a third person in the dance. Another man or another woman, it doesn't matter. Lambada is also a social dance. You can dance in groups, make trains and so on, always following the rhythm.

In Europe, the Lambada become a more acrobatic dance with fancy steps and swings. I still prefer the Kaoma style of dancing because it is easier, being smoother and less acrobatic. Also, it is more sensual as the couple's contact is more intimate. But most important, the Kaoma style is more enjoyable.

Over time, other music styles have been adapted to the Lambada. You can see people dancing Soca, Merengue, Zouk and even Salsa to the Lambada steps.

Apart from being a "hot" dance and the obvious benefit of the cardiovascular workout of dancing, there are other benefits.

• Any one can do it regardless of age and physical condition.

• The trick is in adapting the dance to your capabilities.
• Develops coordination of mind and muscles

• Encourages correct posture, regardless of your age.

• Helps to keep you happy and youthful

• Improves self-confidence.

• You can even practice it on your own as a routine exercise.

• Relieves stress.

Dancing burns an awful lot of calories in a very enjoyable way. A woman dancing Lambada for an hour burns between 180 to 360 calories, depending on her body weight and effort in the dance.

In addition, dancing gets your metabolism working, kicking your body into an accelerated rate which allows more calorie burning even after you finished your dancing session.

Other benefits of dancing as a workout are an even firming of your body without too much effort. Also, the exercise is said to help prevent Osteoporosis as it strengthens your bones without over using them. I found that dancing also helps with PMS, not only on the physical level, but on the psychological level too. When you dance a sensual dance, you feel sexy and it makes you feel good with yourself!