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How to Do the Merengue

Merengue hails from the Dominican Republic. It is characterized by a dragging of the feet, which is said to derive from the fact that its inventors were shackled slaves.

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    Difficulty:
    Easy

    Instructions

    Things You'll Need

    • Dance Floors
    • Dancing Shoes
    • Breath Fresheners
    • Hot Street Salsa & Merengue Video
    • Dance Instruction Videos
    • Cha Cha, Merengue, Salsa Hits CD
    1. The Leader

      • 1

        Stand opposite your partner.

      • 2

        Place your right hand high on your partner's waist.

      • 3

        Extend your left hand to chest height with your elbow bent and your palm raised.

      • 4

        Grasp your partner's hand in a loose grip.

      • 5

        Place your feet shoulder width apart.

      • 6

        Bend your legs slightly.

      • 7

        Lift your feet to the beat of the music. Drag or shuffle your feet slightly.

      • 8

        Move your hips to the beat of the music.

      The Follower

      • 1

        Follow the leader.

      • 2

        Place your left hand on your partner's shoulder.

      • 3

        Place your right hand in your partner's outstretched hand.

      • 4

        Step forward when your partner steps back.

      • 5

        Step back when your partner steps forward.

      • 6

        Mirror your partner's moves as he makes his steps.

    Tips & Warnings

    • Merengue is easy to learn. The movements are small.

    • Merengue is not considered a formal ballroom dance.

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    Comments

    • Nov 22, 2005
      With the hand on your partner's waist, move your hand against her back in the same way your feet are moving. That way, your partner knows what you're doing without having to look at your feet. Control your partner by twisting her moving, etc.
    • Nov 22, 2005
      Escape to a position where you can do a lot more small moves. Lift up your hand (the one holding your partner's hand), spin around and come to a position where you both hold hands and are at arm's length away from eachother. From this position you can do some pretty amazing and sexy stuff, which is what makes merengue pretty hot.
    • Nov 22, 2005
      When moving your hips, bend your knees slightly and rotate your hips in a figure 8 direction - as if your hips are two pencils drawing the figure 8.
    • Nov 22, 2005
      While dancing merengue, the "follower"/lady has to try and move her hips in contrast with the rhythm. Oh, and the "follower" should try to move her shoulders as little as possible.
    • Nov 22, 2005
      While dancing merengue, the "follower"/lady has to try and move her hips in contrast with the rhythm. Oh, and the "follower" should try to move her shoulders as little as possible.

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