The American Lambada Organization Lambada Curriculum

All dance forms are dynamic; they change over time. While this is expectable – and even desirable – some dance forms that arose in earlier times were unable to withstand the metamorphoses. Lambada has survived many adversarial events over the years – censorship, attempts to stop it, and even the burning of lambada dance spaces. We do not want to see Lambada deteriorate or die, because we believe it is beautiful and vital, and deserves an important place among the dances of the world. We are committed to see Lambada grow in the USA and in the world.

To this end, we are posting a syllabus to help Teachers and Students understand the foundational pathways to mastering the dance.  Below you will find our suggested curriculum and syllabus for Instructors and Students. Following this will give the student a solid grounding in Lambada. Note that we have not included all possible variations, styles, or contemporary adaptations.

This is the Foundation, from our Patron, Master Braz. Note that each level should ideally be split into two sections, for example: Beginner 1 and Beginner 2. Combinations should be given frequently, to solidify what has previously been taught.  We encourage all students to learn to both lead and follow, right from the novice stage. 

THE AMERICAN LAMBADA ORGANIZATION STRONGLY URGES WOULD-BE TEACHERS TO SEEK AUTHENTIC AND CORRECT TRAINING BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO TEACH LAMBADA. AND WE URGE WOULD-BE STUDENTS TO TRAIN ONLY WITH QUALIFIED TEACHERS RECOMMENDED IN THE ‘TEACHERS’ SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE.

 

American Lambada Organization
Foundational Curriculum

Beginner syllabus

  1. History and philosophy and culture of Lambada

  2. Dance floor etiquette

  3. Preparing to dance – warm-up and injury prevention

  4. Basic Lambada rhythm

  5. Basic weight distribution and mode of stepping

  6. Basic Steps 1-6 (link to demos)

  7. Beginner partner hold

  8. Basic steps in hold

  9. Introduction to Diagonal preparation for turns.

  10. Basic turns inside and outside using Diagonal

  11. ‘Bundinho’ / twist ending to turns

  12. ‘Question and Answer’ turns with partner

  13. Soltinho with diagonal preparation

  14. Three-step turns around leader. Spotting

  15. Cambré preparation (knee-sit)

  16. Cambré with held back

  17. Simple pião

  18. Boneca simple (just shoulders)

  19. Boneca simple, in hold

  20. Chicote – using Basic 2

  21. Beginner Wi Fi – Question and Answer turns, boneca and chicote

  22. Cambré in high diagonal

  23. Cambré with weight on back foot for stability.

  24. Elastico

  25. Cross-arm turns

  26. Cross-stepping with back to partner

  27. Cross stepping, raising knee

  28. Vovó

  29. Body rolls with and without partner

  30. Master Braz jump

  31. Beginner combos

  32. Beginner musicality

  33. Beginner creativity

  34. Beginner musical intros

  35. Beginner roda

  36. Beginner birthday dance technique

 

intermediate syllabus 

  1. Intermediate philosophy, ethics, culture and history

  2. Preparing to dance for Intermediate students – warm-up and injury prevention

  3. Revise Basic Steps 1-6 and all beginner steps from the Beginner Syllabus

  4. Intermediate partner hold

  5. Two-step turns around leader

  6. Pião with head movements (with and without exit)

  7. Chicote

  8. Chicote / open to diagonal and inside turn

  9. Chicote, open, single turn

  10. Turning Boneca

  11. Intermediate Wi Fi

  12. Roasted Chicken (frango asado)

  13. Single and double turns without partner

  14. Cambre with final step in front and behind

  15. Cambre with hips together

  16. Chicote/Cambre combination

  17. Elastico

  18. Intermediate roda

  19. Underarm turn

  20. Intermediate combos

  21. Intermediate musicality

  22. Intermediate creativity

  23. Intermediate stealing and swapping

  24. Intermediate musical intros

  25. Intermediate birthday dance technique

 

advanced syllabus

  1. Advanced philosophy, history, culture and ethics

  2. Professional Conduct and Attitude

  3. Advanced preparation to dance – warm-up and injury prevention

  4. Advanced partner connections

  5. Revisit all Beginner and Intermediate steps and technique

  6. Advanced Boneca

  7. Boneca with bump and turn

  8. Boneca with led turns – single, double, triple

  9. Boneca Desprezada

  10. Mergulho

  11. Pião with head movements – reverse direction

  12. Helicopter turns

  13. Triple turns with partner

  14. Triple turns without partner

  15. Advanced Cambres

  16. Advanced Stealing and Swapping. Resisting a Steal.

  17. Lamba Tres, Quatro etc.

  18. Advanced Wi Fi

  19. Wi Fi spins

  20. Bent Knee spins

  21. Change-Arm spins (1 and 2)

  22. Turns behind head

  23. Advanced combos

  24. Advanced styling

  25. Advanced musicality and creativity