How To Dance the Salsa

So you're in desperate need of learning Salsa - problem is, you don't know when or how to start. Don't worry this article will provide a comprehensive crash course in Salsa that'll get you on the dance floor in no time!

Whether you're looking forward to learning just Salsa or all the other basic dances, you'll be delighted to find out that they're all loosely related-that is aside from the music and grace they exude. Put in simple terms, when you begin learning one dance, you actually learn a thing or two about other dances, whether you are conscious about it or not.

Now for a little background about the dance:

Up until now, it has always been debated whether Salsa originated from Puerto Rico or Cuba but both countries have developed their own version of the dance that is now known world-wide.

The word "Salsa" is literally the Spanish word for "sauce"- based on its history it could suggest "a mixture of things or ingredients" since modern-day Salsa traces its roots to a variation of dances from Rumba, Boogaloo, Plena and the like.

Today, there are a number of variations with Salsa, each one infusing into the dance a bit of a certain place's culture so as to distinguish it from other forms of Salsa. You will also learn that you only need to be skilled with the basic steps and from then you have the freedom of choosing different styles you will apply to your routine.

That's about it for the history, Let's Salsa!

1. Prepare your music. Yes, it might be difficult to follow the music but listening to the beats will help you get the idea as to how to do the counting i.e. 1, 2, 3&4 or quick-quick-slow (this means, you execute a certain step either at a slow or quicker pace). For salsa, the counting would a little something like 1,2,3,1,2,3... or quick-quick-slow...The usual Salsa music is usually in 4/4 time and ranges from 116-220 BPM (beats per minute).

2. The basic steps. In salsa your beginning position is a relaxed standing position. On the dance floor, you may Salsa with a partner or in a line.

a. STEP 1. THE BASIC FORWARD STEP. On the first beat tap your left foot in place, then step that same foot forward. Rock your right foot to a beat then step your left foot back into starting position.

b. STEP 2. THE BASIC BACK STEP. In simple terms, an inverted version of the basic forward step but with the other foot. To do this, tap your right foot, step that same foot backward. Rock your left foot and close the step by bringing your right foot back into starting position

When dancing with a partner, women mirror the men's movements. Put simply, if the men do the basic forward step, the women execute the basic back step. When you've become accustomed to these two basic movements, you can now add additional hand gestures, side steps and when you have come to master the basics, you may now adapt it to different styles that suit your taste. And that is how you do the Salsa!

Source: Tematco.com