Brazilian / Latin Zouk is a dance which orginates from Lambada, a Latin dance that comes from Brazil. Lambada itself emerged as a fusion of Carimbó (a dance from the north of Brazil which over time got influenced by Caribbean music) and Merengue, also incorporating elements of Forró, Samba and Maxixe of which it up to today still incorporates certain elements or figures such as the ‘Boneca’ or ‘Doll’ move. One of the notable things of this dance is the flowing wave motion which is reproduced by the dancers' bodies and is one of the main elements distinguishing Lambada and many Zouk Lambada or Brazilian/ Latin Zouk styles from other Latin dances.

Over the past years (mainly since the late 90s) a 'new dance' had started to evolve from Lambada, frequently referred to as 'Zouk Lambada or Lambada Zouk' (a modern and very different form of what once used to be Lambada,  including many step combinations and turns, usually danced to quicker rythms), 'Rio Zouk' (from Rio de Janeiro with the basic step used stemming from Gafieira – usually danced to slower music), 'Neo Zouk', 'Latin Zouk' (created by TaniaOnca&MarceloEstilo), Zouk Revolution,…, the difference of name used for the dance mainly depending on the style of dance emphasized, stepping technique, the pace of music used, as well as the dance background of the teacher (Lambada, Gafieira, Jazz, Contemporary, Latin, etc). Like, for example, in Salsa, the styles can vary quite significantly. Please note that the word 'Zouk' got included in part of the name of this Brazilian dance due to the music used, however, there is also a carribbean dance called Zouk which is not related to Brazilian Zouk/Latin Zouk/Zouk Lambada.

The Brazilian Zouk style we  (@ LatinZouk) created, perform and teach, influenced by our dance background with Latin Dances such as Argentine Tango, Gafieira, Lambada, Salsa, Flamenco, Latin,... and therefore also including selected elements of those dances is called (Brazilian)/ Latin Zouk.

Brazilian / Latin Zouk often referred to as 'the dance of the 21st century' has become a popular 'fashion dance' to learn and is nowadays very popular in Brazil, Argentina, Australia and all over Europe thanks to its exponents, such as Tania Onca, who together with her dance partner Marcelo Estilo has helped make this dance grow in places where it existed as well as introducing it to new countries by teaching there and showing the dance thereby inspiring people to learn it and keep it growing and evolving, by often also giving 'master classes' to the local teachers.