SALSA
(See Salsa Basic Step Video)

Salsa is a spicy, passionate dance with lots of hip action. It's upbeat Latin tempo make Salsa one of the most popular ballroom and club dances today.

Basic Salsa Dance Step -- Gentleman
Keeping your feet shoulder width apart, pretend you are standing on plate. As the gentleman, you would take one step forward with your left foot, then move the same foot back to standing on the plate. Then take a step back with your right foot and then move that same foot right back to standing on the plate.

The count for the basic salsa dance step for the man would be "1" -- with your left foot off the plate, "2" replacing your weight back to the right foot and "3" your left foot is back on the plate, and you hold for the 4 count.

Basic Salsa Dance Step - Lady
For the lady, the basic Salsa dance step is the natural opposite of the man's. She begins with a backward step with her right foot, then back to the plate, then a forward step with the left foot and back to the plate. For the lady, the count is "1" -- with your right foot off the plate, "2" replacing your weight back to the left foot and "3" your right foot is back on the plate. And, again, the lady is holding for the 4 count.

Dance Frame - Salsa uses the Latin ballroom dance frame, which means in dance position, your arms are out in front of you, as though you were reaching for a hug, or holding a beach ball.

Salsa Timing -- The most common mistake people make in the basic Salsa step is the timing. They tend to go too fast, and not "hold" after stepping on the 3 count. You must hold for the 4 count. To remember this, often the basic Salsa step is counted "1, 2, hold." The "hold" being the 3 and 4 counts. Technically, you are stepping on the 3 and holding for the 4.

Style - Salsa, like all Latin dances, owes it's uniquely sensual style to what's called "Cuban motion", the rhythmic swaying of the hips and body. The Cuban motion in Salsa is faster than it is in, say, Rumba. In Salsa you only have 3 beats to complete the basic step, whereas in Rumba you have 4 beats. Salsa is the ballroom dance enjoying the fastest increase in popularity today. (See Salsa Video)