How to Salsa
Listen to the rhythm of the music as you learn this popular Latin dance. You can learn the basic salsa steps in less than an hour and sashay all over the dance floor before you know it.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Dance Floors
- Dancing Skirts
- Men's Baggy Pants
- Men's Dancing Shoes
- Women's Dancing Shoes
- Cuban Salsa CDs
- Salsa Videos
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1
Get in position by facing your partner. If you are the leader, place your right hand on your partner's waist, slightly around the back. Extend your left arm diagonally to chest height with your elbow bent at a right angle and your palm raised. Grasp your partner's right hand in a loose grip; your partner's left hand should be on your right shoulder.
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2
On the first beat, step forward with your left foot. Your partner will mirror each of your movements throughout the dance; for example, on the first beat she will step backward with her right foot.
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3
Step in place with your right foot on the second beat.
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4
Step back with your left foot on the third beat so that you are back in the starting position, and hold in place for the fourth beat.
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5
Step back with your right foot on the fifth beat.
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6
Step in place with your left foot on the sixth beat.
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7
Step forward with your right foot on the seventh beat so that you are back in the starting position, and hold for the eighth beat.
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8
Repeat, starting at step 2.
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1
Tips & Warnings
You can add more complicated moves once you've got the basic salsa step down.
Act sassy while dancing, but don't use exaggerated hip movement. That sexy swing will come naturally as you let yourself feel the rhythm.
Some salsa clubs offer free or inexpensive introductory classes or specials on certain nights of the week.
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Comments
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stayinrhythm
Oct 14, 2007
Practice stepping freely in all directions. If you stick to left forward, right back (for leaders) then you will be restricted in your dance movements, angles, and direction. Free it up by stepping out to the side, or both left and right back. Flip it around and step left back, right forward. Heck, just step in place the whole time and sway that body. Don't step at all! Just feel the beat with your hips, then your shoulders. At the end of the day the best looking salsa is the one with the least rules. -
stayinrhythm
Oct 14, 2007
Practice stepping freely in all directions. If you stick to left forward, right back (for leaders) then you will be restricted in your dance movements, angles, and direction. Free it up by stepping out to the side, or both left and right back. Flip it around and step left back, right forward. Heck, just step in place the whole time and sway that body. Don't step at all! Just feel the beat with your hips, then your shoulders. At the end of the day the best looking salsa is the one with the least rules.
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Aug 08, 2006
This is a bit complicated, but be patient. (Start with the basics already posted and then mix it up with some of these moves) 1. Lady steps forward on left forward (sway hips), steps back and the leader leads her to his left. 2. As lady is brought over to her right, lady is to hook her left leg around his left, the leader holding her waist and moving his left (Which is holding her right) up over her head as she leans back into a dip. Got that? Now for the finish. 3. Lady unhooks her left leg and steps back as she comes up from the dip. The leader can spin her a few times and then go back to the basic steps.
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Aug 08, 2006
This is a bit complicated, but be patient. (Start with the basics already posted and then mix it up with some of these moves) 1. Lady steps forward on left forward (sway hips), steps back and the leader leads her to his left. 2. As lady is brought over to her right, lady is to hook her left leg around his left, the leader holding her waist and moving his left (Which is holding her right) up over her head as she leans back into a dip. Got that? Now for the finish. 3. Lady unhooks her left leg and steps back as she comes up from the dip. The leader can spin her a few times and then go back to the basic steps.
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Mar 06, 2006
There is actually what they call a "triple step" in place between the movements with your left and right legs, but with most fast salsa you sort of leave it out. Once you get the basics, it may help you feel the music. For the lead it is: Left forward, Left back Right, Left, Right in place (3 steps in 2 beats) Right back, Right forward
