How to Do Merengue Dance Turns

The merengue includes many dance turns, including one-handed turns, two-handed turns, handshake turns and combinations of two or more turns. Although most turns are executed by the woman, there are turns that the man can do.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

One-Handed Turns

1. Begin in the closed dance position and with the basic merengue dance pattern. At any point, raise the woman's right arm up to indicate that you want her to perform a turn.

2. Indicate that you want the woman to turn to the right by raising her right arm above her head. Gently apply pressure with your right hand to her back to ensure that she turns to her right. She will turn under your left arm and return to the closed position unless you lead her into another turn.

3. Turn the woman to the left by moving her right arm across her body and removing your right hand from her back. She will turn to the left under your left arm and return to the closed position.

4. Use your left hand to lead the woman into a second or third turn before returning to the closed position if you wish.

5. Perform a left turn yourself after turning the woman to the left by moving her right arm over your head. This is sometimes called "around the world" because you remain in place while she walks around you.

Two-Handed Turns

6. Begin in the closed position and with the basic merengue dance pattern. Gently push the woman away while moving your right hand from her shoulder to clasp her left hand by the end of count 8 (open position).

7. Raise the woman's arms over her head, keeping her hands close together.

8. Keep both the woman's hands in yours and move her arms across her body to indicate which direction you want her to turn. Raise her arms so she can turn under them. Remember to grip her hands lightly so she can remain comfortable.

9. Perform you own turn if you wish by keeping the woman's arms above her head while you turn under the raised arms.

10. Return to the closed position or transition into a chase position, such as the hammerlock or sweetheart.

Handshake Turns

11. Begin in the closed position and with the basic merengue dance pattern.

12. Release the woman's left hand and lead her into a one-handed turn.

13. Change hands while the woman is facing away from you so that when she completes the turn, you are holding her right hand in your right hand. Take the woman's left hand in your left hand.

14. Lead the woman into a two-hand turn. Perform a turn yourself if you wish, then lead the woman into another turn.

15. Bring the woman into a close open position while still "shaking" her hands.

16. Perform a hairbrush move. Move your right hand over your head as if using the woman's hand to brush your hair. Release her hand and clasp it again in front of yours. Then move your left hand over her head as if brushing her hair, release her hand and clasp it again. "Brush" your own hair again, this time releasing both hands.

17. Return to the closed position.

Tips & Warnings

• Grip the woman's hand lightly so she can turn her hand in yours instead of twisting her arm as she turns. Move your hand around her head so she doesn't hit her own face with her arm.
• Employ Cuban motion in the merengue. Bend your knees as you transfer your weight and allow your hips to sway.
• Take care that if you want to do a turn yourself, lead the woman into a right turn, then turn to the left yourself to keep your arms from getting tangled up.

Resources

• See these turns demonstrated on Expert Village.