| Learning how to dance salsa is a fun and enjoyable | | | | moving forward or backward, you move sideways. |
| endeavor. It is a lively dance with fairly easy | | | | This means you step to your left and right using the |
| fundamental steps. Basically, it involves stepping | | | | basic salsa steps. |
| forward and backward. It is also a partner dance | | | | Backwards Basic or Back Break |
| wherein one can throw in different "shines." | | | | Backwards basic makes use of the basic movements |
| The salsa dance makes use of informal mixed dance | | | | except that you and your partner move backwards |
| styles that originate from Latin America, Caribbean and | | | | simultaneously on both times that you do the 1-2-3 |
| North America. The music used for the dance is salsa | | | | Hold move. This step is done using the Single Hold |
| music. Here are the basic steps involve in Salsa: | | | | which means you hold with one hand only and drop |
| Basic Salsa Steps | | | | the other hand every time you step back. You drop |
| Hold your partner. The leader is usually the male. The | | | | the hand that corresponds to the foot that steps back. |
| female is the follower. You can use either Closed or | | | | More Salsa Moves |
| Double Open Hold. Closed Hand position is when the | | | | The basic steps are the fundamental movements of |
| leader places his right hand below the partner's left | | | | salsa. You can add more movements as you master |
| shoulder blade. The follower places her left arm on the | | | | the basic on how to dance salsa. You can do turns, |
| partner's right arm. | | | | drops, combinations and solos in salsa. There are all |
| Double Open Hold or hand in hand position is when the | | | | kinds of dance floor moves including fancy ones which |
| partners will hold hands. The leader places his left hand | | | | you can add later to the dance. |
| in the follower's right hand and the right hand in the left. | | | | Hip Movement |
| Salsa Steps | | | | Salsa dancers sometimes appear to do the "Cuban |
| Salsa steps are basically made up of eight counts - | | | | motion" or hip movement. This is something that |
| two of four beats. It usually consist of three steps on | | | | comes naturally. The movement will depend largely on |
| each measure on a single count hold which can be | | | | the footwork. That is why it is critical that you do the |
| done on the first, second, third or fourth beat. | | | | foot moves properly. The hip movement will follow in |
| Leader is expected to stand in closed hand facing the | | | | the process. |
| partner. On count one, leader will step forward using | | | | Also, remember that salsa is a spot dance. Therefore, |
| his left foot. On count two, transfer weight on right | | | | you are not supposed to stride across the floor. You |
| foot. Third and Fourth counts are when the left foot | | | | and your partner should stay in one spot. |
| moves right next to the right foot then hold. Count Five | | | | Additional Tips |
| requires that he steps back using the right foot. Count | | | | When you step backwards, use the ball of your foot |
| Six is when the weight is transferred to the left foot. | | | | before the heel. If the salsa music goes faster, your |
| Count Seven and Eight, the right foot is moved next to | | | | steps should get smaller. Do not hold your partner too |
| the left foot and then hold. The follower does the | | | | tight. Always look at your partner's face when you are |
| opposite of the leader's moves. | | | | doing a turn. Do not look away or look down. |
| Sideways Basic Salsa | | | | Knowing all these tips will make your learning how to |
| The movements are the same except that instead of | | | | dance salsa a cinch. |
