May I Have This Dance?

During ABC’s season finale of “The Bachelor,” they announced the lineup of celebrities for the long-anticipated new season of “Dancing with the Stars.”  With this eclectic group of celebrities, this should be an interesting season, which begins Monday, March 22, 2010:

Evan Lysacek, 24, Olympic gold medalist, & Anna Trebunskaya

Erin Andrews, 31, ESPN reporter, & Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Nicole Scherzinger, 31, singer/songwriter, & Derek Hough

Aiden Turner, 32, soap star, & Edyta Sliwinska

Chad Ochocinco, 32, NFL star, & Cheryl Burke

Jake Pavelka, 32, ‘The Bachelor’, & Chelsie Hightower

Kate Gosselin, 35, reality TV personality, & Tony Dovolani

Shannen Doherty, 37, actress, & Mark Ballas

Niecy Nash, 40, actress, & Louis Van Amstel

Pamela Anderson, 42, actress/model, & Damian Whitewood

Buzz Aldrin, 80, astronaut, & Ashley Costa

While the “Dancing with the Stars” series maintains its success, local dance studios around the country remain popular.  It seems, at least to me, that everyone has caught the “dance fever,” sort of speak.  I definitely have caught it, too, as I am in the midst of my third dance class.  I have just finished the third lesson in Salsa.

Photo credit: ABC

Since we have previously posted a lesson in the Rumba, http://www.12vspotlight.com/blog/2009/11/02/73/put-your-dancing-shoes-on/, I am now going to teach you the basic Salsa.

Salsa Dance Steps

Salsa is one of the most popular Latin dances, and it is definitely hot and spicy.  At first glance, it seems that this dance is very difficult, but it is actually very easy to learn.  In only ten minutes, you will learn this fun, energetic dance!

Salsa is danced in a closed position, partners facing each other.  The gentleman holds the lady’s right hand with his left hand.  His right hand is placed around her waist.  Her left hand is placed on his right shoulder.

The basic Salsa rhythm is very easy – quick, quick, slow; quick, quick, slow.  The slow step consumes 2 beats of music and the quick steps only one.

Salsa Basic Steps

There are various styles and variations of Salsa, but as a beginner, you should start at a beginning.  Here are the basic salsa steps for beginners:

Basic Salsa Steps for Men

The gentleman starts with his left foot stepping forward.  The man’s steps are as follows:

You need to start with both feet together. Remember, practice makes perfect.

  1. Step forward with your left foot (first beat)
  2. Right foot in place, weight shifts to it (second beat)
  3. Step backward with your left foot (third beat + pause on fourth beat)
  4. Step backward with your right foot (first beat)
  5. Left foot in place, weight shifts to it (second beat)
  6. Step forward with your right foot (third beat + pause on fourth beat)

Basic Salsa Steps for Women

The lady starts with her right foot stepping backward. (My male dance teachers always joke, “The woman is always right.”)  The woman’s steps are as follows:

You need to start with both feet together. Practice makes perfect for you, too.

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