Brazilian Zouk grew out of the vibrant Lambada scene in Brazil, a fast and dynamic partner dance that became a global sensation in the late 1980s and early 1990s. However over time, DJs began to play slower, smoother rhythms, especially Zouk music from the French-speaking Caribbean with its melodic, French Creole lyrics. This new music, less dynamic and more lyrical, made the original Lambada footwork easier to dance and opened space for more fluidity, connection, and expressive movement.

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The dance that emerged from this musical adaptation kept the basic structure from Lambada, but transformed it, slowing the timing, expanding body isolations and head movements; creating a more fluid and melodic style. Because dancers were now dancing to Zouk music in Brazil, the new style became known as Brazilian Zouk.

Over the 1990s and 2000s, teachers and dancers in Brazil refined and spread this new form, adding influences from other styles and solidifying its identity as a distinct social dance celebrated worldwide today. At the House of Zoukies we teach many of the original steps and structures from Lambada and the first adaptations of Brazilian Zouk.

Furthermore, and specifically at the Embodiment Centre, these steps, along with 20 years of experience and evolution have been organised and refined into logical building blocks for effective learning and creativity.

Our classes are therefore divided into: a) structure & technique, b) upper body (or Neo-zouk) flow and c) a fusion of solo embodiment dance and partner connection. You can download our Levels System and teaching road-map on the link below.