Salsa

Basic Movements

The basic step of all styles of salsa involves 3 weight changes (or steps) in each 4 beat measure. The beat without a weight change might contain a tap, kick, or pause. One of the steps is a "break step" a little bit longer than the other two. Different styles of Salsa are often differentiated by the direction and timing of the break step ("on 1" or "on 2" for example). After 6 weight changes in 8 beats, the basic step cycle is complete. While dancing, the basic step can be modified significantly as part of the improvisation and styling’s of the dancers.

As a salsa dancer changes weight the upper body remains level and nearly unaffected by the weight changes. Caught in the middle are the hips which end up moving quite a bit--the famous "Cuban hip movement."

The arms are used to communicate the lead in either open or closed position. In open position the two dancers hold one or both hands, especially for moves that involve turns, or putting arms behind the back, or moving around each other. In closed position, the leader puts the right hand on the follower's back, while the follower puts the left hand on the leader's shoulder.

In some styles, the dancers remain in a slot (switching places), while in others the dancers circle around each other.

Here are the few steps that I had learned:

Basic salsa x2
Change body x2

Basic salsa x1
Shoulder to shoulder x3
Under arm turn x1

Basic salsa x1
Sweetheart salsa x2
Basic salsa x1

New York salsa x3
Under arm turn x1

Basic salsa x1
Side step salsa x1
Gradvide salsa x1
Side turn salsa x1

Basic salsa x1
Single vide salsa x1
Single vide salsa (alone) x1
Double vide salsa x1

Basic salsa x1
Vide salsa x1
Unvide salsa x1
Vide salsa x1
Unvide salsa (partner) x1

Basic salsa x1
Windmills salsa x2