How to do the Rumba

Learning a new dance can be intimidating--especially something that sounds as exotic as the Rumba. There's no need to be afraid. If you can walk forward and back--if you can take slow steps and quick steps--then you can easily learn how to dance the Rumba.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Stand relaxed, with your weight evenly distributed between your feet. Hold your head up, chin tucked, spine erect--also known as good posture.

2. Imagine that you're standing on the lower left corner of a square.

3. Step your left foot forward to the upper left corner of the square. Shift your weight onto that foot. Take this step slowly.

4. Bring your right foot to the upper right corner of the square and shift your weight onto it. Now your left foot comes across to join the right. Make these two steps quickly.

5. Move your right foot straight back to the lower right corner of the square. This is another slow step.

6. Finish the basic Rumba pattern by sliding your left foot back to the lower left corner of the imaginary square--where you began. Your right foot then joins it, and these two steps happen quickly--just like Step 4. Now you're ready to start over again at Step 3.

Tips & Warnings

• The sequence given in Steps 3 through 6 are for the leader, usually the man. The follower--usually the woman--does everything in the opposite direction with the opposite foot. When the man steps forward with his left foot, she steps back with her right; he steps back with his right, she steps forward on the left, and so on.
• Depending on where you're dancing and what sort of music you're dancing to, there may be minor differences in the steps--but the basic pattern will remain the same. Don't worry about this as you're starting; just enjoy letting your body move to the music.

Resources

• Basic Rumba Videos