Which salsa dance steps you perform depends on which type of salsa you prefer. Latin America offers many different types of salsa dancing. The salsa ballroom dancing that you might see today on television or performed at ballroom dancing competitions tends to have many different influences from Cuba, Puerto Rico and New York City.
The Two Basic Steps
There are two basic steps of the salsa that you can learn and build on from there. In the first one, you start with your left foot. Rock it forward, and rock back onto the right foot to close your feet together. This is done on the first beat and is known as the forward basic movement.
The second step is the back basic movement where you step back and rock on that foot. Then rock forward on the left side and close the feet together. The whole point of these steps is for the man and woman to mirror each other's movements. If the man is going forward, the woman is going back, and vice versa.
Start these steps slowly, and then try speeding up until you are comfortable and ready to match it to music. As you get better, try to keep your movements as fluid as possible, and let your weight move onto each leg so your hips start to loosen up and move. Once you feel comfortable with moving the lower half of your body, work on keeping your upper half steady, with an upright posture.
Salsa Tempo
The key to the salsa is the timing. Many teachers have different styles for teaching it. Often times, the couple likes to break or start on the first beat. There are four dance steps to each bar of music. A simple way of looking at the basic movements is rock, rock, close, tap. If you're a beginner, it's easier to hear it in your head that way.
Salsa Lessons
Learning the art of salsa dancing is easy. Many dance studios offer salsa lessons in both group and private settings. You can bring a partner along with you, or you can ask your teacher to partner you with someone in a group session. If you're looking to really master salsa, try taking private sessions with an instructor. You'll be given one-on-one attention and can dance with a professional who'll be able to lead you and show you the steps, as opposed to learning with a beginner. You can also find out if your local college has a ballroom dancing team or gives free lessons. Some colleges give free lessons to people who are looking to join the team and compete at local tournaments.
 | Salsa dance history represents a blend of Latin American and Afro-Caribbean dances. Salsa is most closely related to another Latin dance, the Mambo. They are similar in terms of steps and the beats, but Mambo tends to have more front-to-back motions, with salsa going side-to-side. |
 | Find out who invented salsa and then cut a rug on the dance floor to impress your fellow partygoers. |
The history of salsa dance is rich and complex. This style developed with the mingling of several cultural influences, culminating in the Cuban dance style that has now swept the world. |
The definition of Salsa music is hard to pin down. It is basically a mixture of different Spanish influences, but it is most similar to the Cuban big-band music you will find in nightclubs and in concert halls. |
Find articles about salsa dance steps, history of salsa dance, salsa dance history, definition of salsa music and salsa steps. |
