Things You'll Need:
- Comfortable shoes that won't slip on your feet
- Loose, comfortable clothing
- A smooth dance floor on which to practice
- Rumba music
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Step 1
Stand up straight, take a deep breath, and face your partner. If you are a woman, hold up your right hand, and put your left hand lightly on the man's right shoulder.If you are a man, grasp the woman's hand lightly in your left hand, and put your right hand at the small of her back, above the waist.
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Step 2
Dance quickly. Rumba is danced in quick, light steps with movement across the dance floor and tight turns. Its basic step is in the shape of a box, done half at a time, and counted slow-quick-quick, slow-quick-quick. If you are a woman, start your basic rumba box step by picking up your right foot and moving it back only about four inches. Put your weight on your right foot. This is your first slow step.Pick up your left foot, pull it back to meet your right foot and then move it to your left about four inches. Put it down on the dance floor and shift your weight to it. Bring your right foot to meet your left foot. Those were your next quick-quick steps.
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Step 3
Start your basic rumba box step by picking up your left foot and moving it forward about four inches if you are the man. Put your weight on your left foot. This is your first slow step.Pick up your right foot, and push it forward to meet your left foot and then move it to your right about four inches. Put it down on the dance floor and and shift your weight to it. Bring your left foot to meet your right foot. Those were your quick-quick steps.
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Step 4
Start to complete your first box step in rumba by stepping forward about four inches with your left foot if you are the woman. This is your first slow step.Pick up your right foot, push it forward to meet your left foot and then move it to your right about four inches. Put it down on the dance floor and shift your weight to it. Bring your left foot to meet your right foot. Those were the second set of quick-quick steps to complete your rumba box.If you are a man, pick up your right foot and move it back about four inches. Put your weight on your right foot. This is your slow step to complete your basic rumba box. Pick up your left foot, pull it back to meet your right foot and then move it to your left about four inches. Put it down on the dance floor and shift your weight to it. Bring your right foot to your left foot. Those were the second set of quick-quick steps to complete your basic rumba box.
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Step 5
Sway those hips! Remember, each time you take a sideways step, sway your hips just like a very fast pendulum. The more you can put your weight forward on your toes, and dance in a light, choppy fashion, the easier the hip movement will be, and the more expressive the dance will be to onlookers.
