CUBAN MOTION See Video

Cuban Motion is the body movement that gives that unique sexy style to dances like Cha Cha, Rumba, Merengue and Salsa. The key to learning Cuban Motion is to remember it is all about the bending and straightening of your knees, not about trying to "shake your hips." As your right knee bends, your right hip drops, as your left knee bends your weight shifts to your right leg and your left hip drops. This alternate bending and straightening of your knees results in the rolling hip movement we call Cuban Motion.

Do It as Your Perform the Dance Steps - Step on the inside part of your toe on a bent knee, then lower the heel (this is called a ball flat action). Follow through by straightening the knee and finishing the motion out into your hip, which will raise the hip up. As you step on your other foot, do the same thing, stepping with the toe on a bent knee (ball to flat). As you straighten the one knee, you bend the other as you step and transfer weight to your other foot. Cuban Motion is created with the hips alternately moving up and down.

Take Distinct Ball-Flat Steps - It is a mistake to "shuffle" your feet. Instead you want to "place" your feet. The inside ball of your foot should hit the floor first, then lower your heel to a flat foot. Make a complete weight change with each dance step.

Contra-Body Action - Good "Cuban Motion" involves the whole body. Think of how you walk naturally. As you step forward on your right leg, it is natural for your left arm and shoulder to move forward slightly. And conversely, as you step on your left leg, your right arm should move forward. This is called contra-body action. Adding this natural arm and shoulder movement as you step, bend and straighten your knees in Latin dances, involves your whole body in "Cuban Motion".

Isolating the Rib Cage - A step to the side in Latin dancing - as for example in a Cha Cha or Merengue basic step, should involve a natural lead to the side with the rib cage. As the left foot steps to the left (ball-flat action, going from a bent to a straight knee,) the rib cage should slide over to the left. Conversely, in a step to the right, the rib cage should slide to the right. Be careful not to tilt your shoulders or upper body.

Practice - The key to great "Cuban Motion" is practice. And it is something you can practice by yourself. It may feel awkward at first, because you are having to think about the steps, and bending and straightening your knees, but with repetition it will feel natural. Review our Video on Cuban Motion as you practice.

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