📕 Shae's Journal

about jaime aroxa

7 min read

note by jaime: ⁠

I am delighted with this research about my work.

It is fully aligned with my philosophy. At some point, I can also mention all the choreographic works that brought ballroom dance to the stage, as well as my experience in cinema, theater, and TV. That’s it — just a few more factual details. This summary is fantastic.

Regarding the Lambada: I brought Lambada to Rio, and at my school, my teachers combined all their knowledge from other dances, such as Bolero, and by reinventing the performance, Brazilian Zouk emerged.

​ Jaime Arôxa is a renowned Brazilian dancer, choreographer, and educator, celebrated for his significant contributions to ballroom and partner dances in Brazil. Born on April 15, 1961, in Recife, Pernambuco, he has been instrumental in shaping the Brazilian dance scene.​Instagram+9Wikipédia, a enciclopédia livre+9alexdecarvalho.com.br+9

Jaime Arôxa is often considered one of the founding fathers of Brazilian Zouk, and his legacy in dance—especially partner dancing in Brazil—is monumental.

His work didn’t just shape styles of dance, but transformed how dance is taught, felt, and lived.

🌀 How Jaime Arôxa Started in Dance

Jaime was born in Recife, a city rich in culture and rhythm, and later moved to Rio de Janeiro in the early 1980s. He started dancing Bolero, a popular partner dance in Brazil, and began blending it with other styles like Tango, Samba de Gafieira, and Lambada. His curiosity and innovative spirit pushed him beyond traditional forms.

In 1986, he founded the Centro de Dança Jaime Arôxa in Rio, which became a pivotal hub for partner dance education in Brazil. His school is where many now-famous instructors and performers got their start.

Dance Philosophy and Teaching

Arôxa’s approach to dance education focuses on simplifying movements to make dance accessible to everyone. He believes in creating a “ritual” between partners, emphasizing unpredictability and musicality to enhance the dance experience. ​LinkedIn+12Instagram+12alexdecarvalho.com.br+12 Zoukology

He has conducted numerous workshops and teacher training programs, such as the “Curso de Férias para Professores,” held biannually in Rio de Janeiro, attracting participants from across Brazil. ​jaimearoxaipanema.com.br+2Wikipédia, a enciclopédia livre+2LinkedIn+2

💃🏽 His Role in the Birth and Evolution of Zouk

🪘 From Lambada to Zouk

  • In the late 1980s, Lambada was fading, and dancers were searching for new music with a similar feel.
  • Jaime and others began dancing Lambada techniques to Caribbean Zouk music, especially from Kassav’, a band from the French Antilles.
  • This led to what we now know as Brazilian Zouk: Lambada technique + Zouk music + deep body flow and connection.

Jaime coined foundational movements, helped standardize teaching methods, and innovated the aesthetic.

He was one of the first to slow down the dance, give it emotional depth, and introduce the idea of the “ritual” of dance—a moment of shared presence, vulnerability, and connection.

🧠 His Contributions to Zouk (and Partner Dance in General)

1. Emotional Connection as Foundation

He emphasized that dance isn’t just about steps—it’s about presence, emotion, and conversation. He taught that in Zouk, the partners are in a kind of poetic, improvised dialogue.

2. Teaching as Healing

His pedagogy was about transforming people, not just training dancers. He invited students to face their fears, build confidence, and open their hearts.

3. “Ritual” Over Routine

He often said, “If it’s predictable, it’s boring.”

Jaime brought in the concept of ritual, improvisation, and surprise. He wanted dances to feel like spontaneous encounters—intimate, emotional, and alive.

4. Inclusivity & Accessibility

He designed his teaching method to deconstruct complex movements, making dance more accessible to everyone, not just professionals.

🌿 Influences on His Teaching

Jaime ArĂ´xa was deeply influenced by:

  • Tango and Samba de Gafieira for their musicality and groundedness.
  • Lambada for its flowing body movements and elasticity.
  • Ballet and modern dance for body awareness and lines.
  • Theater and psychology—his background in acting gave him a strong sense of drama, vulnerability, and presence.

He would often merge philosophy and movement, asking students to reflect on what they’re feeling, what they’re communicating, and what dance reveals about the self.

✨ Legacy

  • Thousands of dancers and teachers have emerged from his school and teachings.
  • He helped pioneer a global movement—today, Brazilian Zouk is danced in over 90 countries.
  • His influence shows up in stylistic variations like Traditional Zouk, LambaZouk, SoulZouk, and NeoZouk.
  • He left a legacy of authenticity, emotional truth, and soulful movement.

In a 2010s interview, he said:

“Dance is a way of healing. It is a sacred space where people meet, feel, and see each other. You don’t just teach movement—you teach presence.”

🕊️ Teachings of Jaime Arôxa –

Printable Quote Sheet for Journal or Studio

1. “Dance is a sacred space where people meet, feel, and see each other.”

2. “You don’t just teach movement—you teach presence.”

3. “If it’s predictable, it’s boring.”

4. “We don’t dance steps—we dance emotions.”

5. “A good dance is like a ritual: it transforms both partners.”

6. “The body doesn’t lie. Dance reveals the truth of how we relate to the world.”

7. “Technique should serve expression, not the other way around.”

8. “Connection in dance is about listening, not leading.”

9. “Your embrace is your signature. Learn to speak without words.”

10. “To dance is to offer someone a moment of your presence—fully, honestly, and with love.”

Set up vertical timeline data

timeline_data =

(1980, "Jaime moves to Rio de Janeiro and explores Bolero, Samba, Tango"),
(1986, "Founds Centro de Dança Jaime Arôxa in Rio"),
(1989, "Zouk music from the Caribbean gains popularity"),
(1990, "Lambada techniques merge with Zouk music—birth of Brazilian Zouk"),
(1995, "Brazilian Zouk becomes recognized as a unique partner dance"),
(2000, "School produces stars: Renata, Adilio, Alex de Carvalho"),
(2010, "Zouk goes global—festivals, workshops, and fusion styles emerge"),
(2020, "New generation (Brenda, William, Gui) trace lineage to Jaime"),

🌟 Dancers & Instructors Who Emerged from Jaime Arôxa’s School

Jaime Arôxa’s school became a breeding ground for talent—many of today’s most respected dancers and teachers in Brazilian Zouk and partner dance studied under him or were influenced by his pedagogy. Here are some notable examples:

Renata Peçanha

  • Often referred to as the “Queen of Zouk.”
  • One of the pioneers of Brazilian Zouk and co-creator of the Renata & Adilio style
  • Started her journey with Jaime and later went on to open her own school and develop her own style.
  • Known for blending feminine power, precise technique, and fluid elegance.

Adilio Porto

  • A legendary figure in Zouk worldwide.
  • Partnered with Renata Peçanha during the early years of Zouk’s global spread.
  • Trained at Jaime ArĂ´xa’s school and later developed a unique teaching method that still reflects Jaime’s foundations.

Alex de Carvalho

  • One of the first to bring Brazilian Zouk to international festivals.
  • Studied under Jaime ArĂ´xa and was inspired by his structure and passion.
  • Helped define the technical language of Zouk while spreading it globally, especially in Europe.

Rafael Machado

  • Known for his smooth, musical, and expressive Zouk style.
  • Was part of the Jaime ArĂ´xa dance family and carried forward the emotional philosophy of dance.

Leo Neves & Catherine

  • Influential Zouk dancers and instructors in Brazil and Europe.
  • Deeply inspired by Jaime’s emotional and relational approach to dance.

🌀 Why This Matters

These dancers didn’t just pass through his school—they absorbed and transmitted his philosophy of dance as connection, ritual, and healing. Even as they developed their own styles, Jaime’s fingerprints are unmistakable in their teachings.

Career and Contributions

In 1986, Arôxa founded the Centro de Dança Jaime Arôxa in Rio de Janeiro, which has trained over 30,000 students and more than 100 dance instructors. His teaching methodology emphasizes emotional expression and deep connection between dance partners. ​alexdecarvalho.com.br+1Zoukology+1

Arôxa has choreographed for various mediums, including theater, television, and film. Notably, he worked on the opening of the telenovela “Kananga do Japão” in 1989/1990, which brought him national recognition.

His film credits include “Policarpo Quaresma, Herói do Brasil” (1997) and “Gonzaga: From Father to Son” (2012). ​jaimearoxaipanema.com.br+10alexdecarvalho.com.br+10danceplace.com+10 Wikipédia, a enciclopédia livre IMDb+1Wikipédia, a enciclopédia livre+1

He has also been involved in choreographing for samba schools’ “comissão de frente” (front commission) during Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival, working with schools like Mangueira and Unidos de Vila Isabel. ​alexdecarvalho.com.br+1Wikipédia, a enciclopédia livre+1

Words by Jaime:

by surrendering to dance, you discover that truth is not fixed

Graph View