Salsa is the Spanish word for “sauce” denoting a “spicy” and “hot” flavor to this popular dance style to a complex mix of many different rhythms. Many of the patterns are closely related to those of the Mambo and Cha-cha.
There are indications the term Salsa was coined by radio jockeys in Puerto Rico as early as the 1960s Later associated with a New York sound developed by Puerto Rican musicians, Salsa is considered the national music and dance of Puerto Rico. The fusion of an Afro-Caribbean beat with enhanced jazz textures results in an aggressive high energy pulse which has become popular everywhere.
FOR SALSA DANCE CLASSES
Basic
• Stationary
• Progressive
• Guapeo
Side Breaks (Cucarachas)
Underarm Right Turn
• Follow’s
• Lead’s
• w/Hand change behind the back
• w/Off the shoulder
• Alternating
Back Breaks
• Regular
• w/Folllow’s Left Turn
• w/Lead’s Left Turn
• Alternating (Lady then Man)
• w/Follow’s Right Turn
Cumbia Steps (5th Position Breaks)
• In Closed
• In Open
Cross-body Lead (Dile Que No)
• In Closed
• w/Follow’’s Inside 1.5 (Coca-Cola)
Catch the Back (2-Way Underarm)
• Regular
• w/Right Turn Ending
• w/Left Turn Ending
• w/Hand-change & Arm Styling
Basic
• Stationary
• Progressive
• Rotating
Underarm (Broken) Left Turn
• Follow’s
• Lead’s
– w/Hand change behind the back
– w/Off the shoulder
– w/Styling (Free Spin w/Snake)
Crossover Breaks
• Regular
• w/Follow’s Right Turn
• w/Walk-around Turn
Cross-body Lead (Dile Que No)
• In Open (Two Hand Hold)
– Regular
– w/Follow’s Inside 1.5
• Handshake Hold
– Regular
– w/Follow’s Inside 1.5
• In Closed
– Shoulder Lead
– Waist Hold
Enchufa w/Check Step End into Cross-body Lead
Siete
Setenta
– Cuban Hook
– Tuck Turn Exit
– Lead’s Head Loop
– Tuck Turn Exit
– Follow’s Left Turn Exit
– Follow’s Head Loop
– Tuck Turn Exit
– Follow’s Left Turn Exit
– Follow’s Head Roll Exit
Basic Wrap Around
Setenta Complicado
Advanced Setenta
Exhibela
Enchufa w/Check Step End into Throwout & Follow’s Rolling Turn
Alternating Enchufa
Cross-body Lead w/Open Break to Shoulder Turn
Numero Dos
Dedo
Sombrero (Butterfly)
Alternative Basic
Vacilala
Casilense
Advanced Wrap-Around
Enchufa w/Check Step End into Follow’s 1.5 Right Turck Turn
Double Enchufa
Conversation Step
– Without Lead’s Foot Change
– With Lead’s Foot Change
Back Pass
Spiral
Crossover Breaks Into Cumbia Steps (5th Position Breaks)
Reverse Top
Reverse Top & Swivels
Back Spot Turn
– 1 Measure
– Natural Top
– Adios
– Open
Back Spot Turn w/Check Ending
– Into Cross-body Lead
– Into CBL w/follow’s 1.5 L Rolling Turn
– Into CBL w/follow’s 2.5 L Rolling Turn
– Into CBL w/follow’s 1.5 R Tuck Turn
Cross-body Lead w/Follows’ L Turn & Lead’s R Turn
– Optional follow’s right turn ending
Follow’s Back Roll
Drop Hand Catch (Off Shoulder)
Lady’s Continuous Right Turn
Social Step
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