Beginner Latin Dance Guides and Free Lessons

Learn reggaeton at home from absolute zero — no partner, no experience, no studio. The dembow beat, body isolations, and what you actually need to start.

A new University of Oxford randomised controlled trial found that eight weeks of salsa classes significantly reduced depressive symptoms in young adults. Here's what the study means for absolute beginners — and how to start dancing at home.

Think you can't dance? You were never taught right. Here's why adults believe the "no rhythm" myth — and how anyone can learn to dance at home.

Looking for the best online dance classes in 2026? An honest, no-hype comparison of YouTube, dance apps, live classes, and self-paced courses — plus how to pick the right one for you.

What is reggaeton dance? Learn what it is, where it came from, and exactly how to start — hips, rhythm, and attitude, no partner needed. Free video lesson inside.

Learn how to dance reggaetón from zero — 6 beginner moves explained step by step, with a free video lesson from Colombian instructors Mau & Pao. No partner needed.

If you’ve ever wanted to learn Latin dance but felt intimidated before you even started, we have a secret for you: Start with Merengue. 🇩🇴 It’s not the flashiest dance in the movies, but it is hands-down the most approachable style for absolute beginners. Why? Because the rhythm is as simple as walking: ONE, two, ONE, two. Left, right, left, right. Learning Merengue doesn't just give you an instant win—it actually builds the exact foundation, hip movement, and confidence you need for Salsa, Bachata, and Reggaetón. No partner, no fancy shoes, and zero experience required. 🔗 Tap the link in our bio to read why Merengue is your secret weapon to unlocking Latin dance, and check out our self-paced beginner course at Zero to Dance Studio! 💃✨

I grew up in Bogotá, Colombia. And if you know anything about Colombia, you already know — dance is not optional. It's not a hobby you pick up. It's just part of life. The music is always on. Someone is always moving. You learn to feel a rhythm before you ever learn to explain it. I remember my mom dancing around the house, or catching herself trying a new look in front of the mirror — always moving, always with music. I also remember her taking me to dance lessons. That was just how it was. I've been dancing for as long as I can remember — not professionally, but genuinely. Lessons, practice, social dancing, all of it. Dance was always part of who I was. And then I left. What happens to dance when you move to the other side of the world At 22, I packed up and moved to Hong Kong. Then São Paulo. Then Rome, where I worked in executive education. Over almost two decades, I lived on four different continents, building a career that took me from import-export trade to entrepreneurship to business school in Italy. Each place was different. The food, the language, the pace, the people. But the one thing that stayed constant — the thing I carried with me everywhere — was music. And the body's need to move to it. Being away from Colombia changes your relationship with Latin dance. When you're home, you take it for granted. It's just there. But when you're living in Hong Kong or Rome, surrounded by people who've never heard cumbia in their lives, you start to hold on to it more consciously. You start teaching your friends a basic step at a dinner party. You realize that what you grew up with is actually something special — and something most people in the world have never had access to. That realization planted a seed. The question I couldn't stop asking Over the years, I met so many people who wanted to dance. Smart, confident, accomplished people who would say, almost apologetically: "I wish I could dance, but I just don't have rhythm." And every single time, I thought: that is not a talent problem. That is a teaching problem. I've seen what good dance instruction looks like. I've also seen what bad instruction looks like — an instructor demonstrating steps at full speed, counting to eight, and moving on, while half the class quietly decides they're just not cut out for this. That's not teaching. That's performing and hoping someone keeps up. The truth is that every Latin dance style has a logic to it. Salsa has a pulse. Bachata has a feeling. Reggaeton has an attitude. Merengue is so accessible that almost anyone can feel it within the first five minutes. None of that is mystical. None of it requires a Latin upbringing or special genes. It just requires someone who knows how to explain it — clearly, patiently, step by step — without rushing. I knew what that looked like. And I couldn't find it anywhere online for complete beginners. So I built it Zero to Dance Studio was born from that gap. Four courses — Salsa, Bachata, Reggaeton, and Merengue — built from the ground up for people who have never danced before. No partner needed. No studio. No prior experience. Just short lessons (6–7 minutes each) that you can fit into a real life, wherever in the world you are. Rhythm is not something you're born with or without. It's something you develop — with the right guidance, at the right pace, with someone who actually breaks it down instead of assuming you'll just "feel it." In most classes, beginners are thrown into the deep end and left to figure it out. The problem was never the student. The problem was how dance was being taught. That's what I wanted to change. Together with Mau and Derian — two exceptional instructors who truly understand how to teach beginners — I set out to recreate the feeling of a real Latin dance lesson, as if you were right there in the room with us. Not a performance. A lesson. I know what it takes to build something from zero. And I know that the hardest part is never the idea. It's caring enough about the problem to actually solve it. Dance gave me joy my entire life. I want to give that to as many people as possible. Why this matters (beyond the steps) Dancing is not just exercise, though it absolutely is that. It is also good for your mind — the focus it takes to learn something new, the small victories when something clicks. It is good for your soul in ways that are hard to put into words but that anyone who has truly danced understands immediately. I genuinely believe that everyone can learn to dance. Not everyone will become a professional. But everyone can find that feeling — that moment when the music and your body finally agree — if someone just teaches them the right way. That is all Zero to Dance Studio is trying to do. Where to start If you've been telling yourself you "don't have rhythm" — I'd like to challenge that. Pick one style that appeals to you, give it six short lessons, and see what happens. 👉 Explore the courses at zerotodance.com The dance floor is for everyone. I grew up knowing that. Now I'm spending my time making sure more people find out.

Let’s be honest: How many times have you resolved to "go to the gym 5 days a week" starting January 1st, only to quit by mid-February? You aren’t alone. Most fitness resolutions fail because they feel like a chore. Running on a treadmill for 45 minutes can feel like an eternity. But dancing to a Bad Bunny beat or a classic Salsa track? That feels like a celebration. If you are looking for a resolution that improves your physical health, boosts your mental happiness, and actually sticks, here is why you should trade the dumbbells for dance shoes in 2026. 1. It Doesn’t Feel Like a Workout When you are learning to dance, your focus shifts from "how many reps do I have left?" to "did I get that step right?" You are so focused on the rhythm and the movement that you forget you are burning calories. Whether it’s the fast footwork of Merengue or the body isolations of Reggaetón, you are engaging your core, legs, and glutes without the dread of a "leg day." 2. It’s a Brain Booster Dance is unique because it combines physical movement with mental coordination. Learning a new combination in Salsa or Bachata forces your brain to create new neural pathways. It improves memory, coordination, and spatial awareness. It’s essentially a crossword puzzle for your body! 3. You Don't Need a Partner (Or a Public Studio) One of the biggest barriers to learning Latin dance is the fear of looking silly in front of others. "I have two left feet." "I don't have a partner." "I'm too shy." At Zero to Dance Studio, we solved this. Our courses are designed for the absolute beginner to do at home, solo. No judgment, no partners required, just you and the music in your living room. You can rewind the video as many times as you need until you nail it. 4. It Connects You to a Global Culture Learning to dance isn't just about steps; it's about feeling the music. When you learn the basics of Latin dance, you unlock a new way to enjoy music, culture, and travel. Next time you are at a party, a wedding, or on vacation, you won’t be the person holding up the wall—you’ll be the one enjoying the rhythm. Start Your 2026 on the Right Foot This year, don't pick a resolution that makes you miserable. Pick one that makes you smile. Whether you want the romantic flow of Bachata or the energy of Salsa, you can start today. All you need is a little space and a willingness to move.