Core Rhythm Dance Exercises

Core Rhythms is an aerobic dance program that shows you how to perform sexy Latin dance moves for a high-energy cardiovascular and core strengthening workout. Jaana Kunitz and Julia Powers, creators of the Core Rhythms and world champion Latin dancers, combine their knowledge of dance movement to isolate the core with routines to keep you motivated and moving. There are many different moves in this style of dance workout. Kunitz and Powers suggest you do what you can and most of all have fun while you are moving.

Samba

The samba is a high-energy Latin dance that originated in Brazil. Samba is now an international dance with many varying steps, used in solo and pair dancing. The samba is basically a shift, or light step of the feet. Core Rhythms breaks the samba down and adds a fitness flair to it by repeating the steps and adding a bounce and core movement.

Cha-Cha

Core Rhythms uses the basic cha-cha step in a fast segment of the workout. The cha-cha is a triple step that moves the third step on the half count. Basic cha-cha timing is one, two, three, cha-cha cha. In Core Rhythms you move in multiple directions using variations of the cha-cha.

Core Flexion

The core flexion move in Core Rhythms is the primary move, and you will use it throughout the entire workout. Core flexion is achieved by engaging your entire core. Pulling your belly button in toward your tailbone while maintaining correct posture will help keep your core engaged. You are instructed to "add the core" to various dance moves, which increases the level of intensity of the move and creates more core work.

Swing

The swing section of Core Rhythms adds higher-impact moves that have you jumping in swing style. Keeping with the Latin flavor, Core Rhythms incorporates Latin hip moves into this section, making it Latin swing. This section of the workout is high-energy for burning fat with less emphasis on core isolation but still keeps the core tight.

Hip Pushes

The warm-up and cool-down blend hip pushes with other steps to help isolate the core. Hip pushes and isolations are executed to the front, sides, back and circular to the rhythm of the music. The basic hip push is first done in the warm-up while marching in place. You do the marching hip push by pushing your hips out to the side as you step. You step right and push your hip right, step left and push your hip left.