Although I am very familiar with the style of music, I haven't ever seen Bossa Nova taught as a dance. It may very well be taught in Brazil... I don't really know.
When I'm out dancing and the band or DJ plays a Bossa, I usually dance a very relaxed version of ballroom Samba with minimal bounce, using Whisks as the basic movement (Another way to approach it is to think of nightclub two-step with a slight Latin flair... it ends up being the same). In my opinion, Samba figures (as outlined by ISTD) do not lend themselves well to Bossa. In fact, I tend to use more movements from the NC 2-step repertoire than from the Samba syllabus. The reason should be obvious: Samba figures are based on a flamboyant, competitive dance, whereas NC 2-step figures tend to be more appropriate for a crowded social floor and a slower more mellow style of music.
On the other hand, where technique or style of body movement is concerned, I tend to lean more towards Samba. Bossa is, after all, a Latin dance. When I see NC 2-step danced to Bossa music, it strikes me as too bouncy and sort of goofy over all. I prefer a slick, smooth Latin look with a bit of hip movement and just a very very slight bounce. Most importantly, the "1a2" rhythm of Samba is much more compatible with true Bossa music than is the "QQS" used by NC 2-step dancers.
All of the above is based entirely on my own personal preferences. I have never taken a lesson or even so much as had a discussion with anybody regarding Bossa Nova as a dance. But do try it out and feel free to let us know what you think!
Regards,
Jonathan Atkinson
