How to Do Women's Basic Steps in Merengue Dancing

The Merengue is known by the signature hip action or Cuban motion that comes from the bending and straightening of the legs. The Merengue steps happen on the down beat of the music. The steps are small and counted in fours. There are three basic steps in Merengue dancing: side basic, forward basic and back basic.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Connect with your partner with your left hand and arm resting on the man's right shoulder and arm. Hold the man's left hand in your right hand. Place his right arm around your waist. All three basic steps begin with an embrace.

2. Keep your upper body still and upright. The side basic variation begins by stepping on the inside of the right foot and bend your knee. Roll to a flat foot and straighten your leg.

3. Change to the forward basic with a forward step on the inside of the right foot and bend your knee. However, roll to a flat foot and straighten your leg.

4. Flow into the back basic step by moving back on the inside of the right foot and bend your knee.

5. Finish each basic step by putting your weight on the right foot and drag the left foot to close. Bend your left knee as your foot closes to your right foot. Straighten your leg as you put weight on the left foot.

Tips & Warnings

• Rehearse the merengue at least a couple times per week until the moves are perfected. Listen to the music and count the beats before adding the steps.