Visions of strong rhythms, and hips moving to each beat probably come to mind when you think of salsa dancing. An umbrella style incorporating a fusion of jazz and Afro-Cuban pulse, salsa dancing has been around since the 1960s. Puerto Rico’s signature dance and sound, it includes sequences resembling other Latin dance styles. Our professional instructors are waiting to teach you in the time-tested Arthur Murray fashion. Here are some salsa steps and styles you could learn.
Fundamental Salsa Steps
Learn how to do salsa solo, or with a partner. Your counting is imperative when learning this dance style. You should be able to feel the rhythm after a while. This is where counting becomes natural. With salsa dancing, you will use two measures of the music for a cycle in the basic steps. Traditionally salsa uses a 4/4 time signature. It’s often played in groups of eight beats. Of the two measures, you will use one for each side of your body. Females would commence a cycle with their right foot, and males with their left.
The male takes a step forward. His next step would be a step in place with his right leg. Next, is a step backwards with the left leg. There are no steps with the fourth beat. He takes a step backwards with the right leg, and a step in place with the left leg. Following, is a step backwards with the right leg on beat seven. There are no steps with the eighth beat. The cycle may be replayed afterwards.
The Different Types of Salsa Dancing
Cuban-Style salsa can be executed “On One” or “On Two.” The Cuban step forms a fundamental part here. This is where the leader performs a backward basic step on 1-2-3, followed by a basic forward step on 5-6-7. The follower then copies the leader. You and your partner may circle each other here.
Colombian salsa (or Cumbia) is synonymous with side to side dancing in a circular motion, with limited back to forward steps. Other dances incorporating salsa sequences include the samba, zouk, the merengue, cha-cha and bachata.
Book your dance lessons with us today, and learn to salsa with confidence.