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SALSA TIPS
 1. HAVE FUN! Relax and enjoy the dance, atmosphere and latin music.
2. SPEND TIME ON THE BASICS - Technique is so important.
This will take your dancing to the next level because you can apply great technique to all of your movement patterns.
3. PRIVATE LESSONS - Taking private lessons will fine tune your leading or following, timing, body rhythm & movement, creativity, style and over-all dance ability.
4. MAKE NOTES - after lessons and look at them regularly - especially before lessons and parties.
5. PRACTICE AT HOME - you dont need a partner to do shines which are so important and arrange to meet up with fellow salseros who are keen to practice. (Guernsey Salsa DVD available)
4. LISTEN TO SALSA MUSIC - outside classes. Play salsa music in your car, when working out and at home. This will increase your knowledge of salsa rhythms, timing and creativity.
5. COMPLETELY IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE SALSA SCENE - Go to Salsa Parties & Weekenders as often as possible to dance with many partners of all levels and watch others dance. Watch instructional DVDs (ask Heidi for recommendations to suit you), and learn about the history of the dance.
6. ATTEND CLASSES AT LEVEL BELOW YOU AS WELL - you will improve your technique, style, body movement, feel the music - and make even more friends, aswell as enjoying helping others!
Salsa's not just about knowing moves -
"Your body is an orchestra and your feet are only one of the instruments!"
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BEGINNER SALSA MOVES
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New Beginners concentrate on first few lines only please!
Basic - Starts with Men forward on left, Ladies back on right foot.
Steps should be small with weight on the balls of your feet, knees slightly bent & head up, smiling at your partner!
Open hold - Ladies hook fingers over leaders at waist/hip height.
Never hold on with thumbs or a tight grip!
Closed hold - Mans right hand on her shoulder blade (not waist), ladies left hand on his shoulder (not arm) with 3 points of contact 1.shoulder, 2 elbows, 3.shoulder blade.
Basic right turns for Lady & Man + Man pass right hand behind back right hand shake turns. Always turn as you are stepping 'forward' with left foot.
Ladies should have right arm at a right angle in front of them (elbow level with shoulder) as turn & not too high.
Men let go right hand & put behind your back, relax left hand down on 1 & up on 3 so lady will turn clockwise on 5 (not before) as you circle around her 'Halo' making sure you miss her horns!
Men turn clockwise starting on 1 passing her hand behind your back or keeping your hand quite close to your head - you dont need a lead as you know what they are doing!
Ladies remember your wiggles & smiles - men smile back please!
Leads should be very gentle but clear. Ladies need to look out for the leads.
CBL (Cross body lead) with mans left hand down low (open or closed hold).
Men need to swivel right foot virtually on the spot then step left foot to the 'side' on 3 - making a pathway for the lady to dance across.
Right foot doesnt leave the spot until 7.
C B Inside Turn (anti-clockwise) Left hand shoulder height, right hand down to her hip.
C B Outside Turn (clockwise) Lead on 1 with left hand forward, On 2 with right arm forward to get momentum - left hand eye height as she turns.
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IMPROVER SALSA MOVES
To jog your memory as a leader...
Wrap - start right hand shake on top
Sailors Knot - Left arm straight out right hand point her knuckles down
Cuddles - Both go back on '1' Left arm up to roll her into your right hip first
(Keep arms at waist height as she moves side to side)
Titanic - Both go back on '1' Right hand shake on top into Sombrero
(Keep hands close together as turn her alongside you, Half Titanic then for full Titanic start with Left Hand shake on top)
Walk Around - Both go back on '1' Lead her to walk around you with your left hand
Windmill - Starting setenta style with hammer lock
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CASINO DE RUEDA
Cuban Style Salsa danced in a circle with a caller shouting names of moves which everyone does at the same time.
Involes rotating partners and lots of laughs!
Reminder of names & leads start to some of the moves...
Dame Uno (take lady on your right)
Dame Dos (skip a lady on your right, then take the next one)
Dos con Dos (add clap on 1 & 2)
Fly (clap high away from partner on 1)
Fly Doble (double clap on 1 & 2)
Setenta (left hand up, right down. Keeping close to your partner as change places go back on alternative feet, starting left hand up as back on left foot, right hand up Waiter hold as back on right etc. Keep tension in arms, a 'w' shape - dont straighten arms or you will be too far away to get back in time)
Cubanita (Enchufla then man in front)
Enchufla (left hand out of circle, men must hook right behind on 5, then go to next partner)
Enchufla Doble (double, brake lady so ladys put left arm up on 5, then enchufla to next partner)
Enchufla en Media (in the middle, then repeat following moves or until next new call)
Dos (2 claps)
Vuelto (Turn)
Mata la Cucaracha (Kill the cocroache)
Rosa (Arms up - like a rose)
Manos (Take hold of hands)
Pasa (Pass lady from right to left until call 'Dame')
Dame uno to end
Palma (Clap palms away from partner)
Adios (Starts ballroom hold, men must hook right behind on 5, then go to next partner)
Adios con Hermana (Adios, Enchufla, cross body-staying with partner)
La Familia (Adios, Enchufla, link arms, new partner)
Ochentyuno (Move No 81! - Enchufla/Sacala/Over ladys head/CB)
Move + Festival (i.e. Adios or Enchufla)
(Move 3 times clapping 1, after 1st, twice after 2nd and thrice after 3rd)
A Step-by-Step Guide to Cuban Salsa
Dance has long been an important part of rituals, celebrations and entertainment.
In Cuba, as in ancient times, dance tells its own story. The passion and energy of Cuban dance reveals the strength and conviction of the Cuban people, determined to enjoy life despite the struggle of survival.
The richness of Cuban music and dancing also tells the story of Cuba's melting pot of cultures, dancing is in the blood of the Cuban people - as it can be in yours!
From the teenage girl in denim shorts to the cigar-seller on the street corner, Cubans are given to break into spontaneous dance steps. Furthermore, the people dancing on the streets of Havana are likely to be just as good as the professionals, because in Cuba dancing is simply a way of life from a very young age.
The variety of Cuban dances...
Since the name Salsa (Spanish for sauce as the dance runs in and out of the music like a sauce runs in and out of its food/is a melting pot of flavours) was used, Salsa dancing has now exploded in popularity all around the globe.
Tips for 'Cuban Salsa' dancing...
It sometimes appears that by some genetic aberration cubans have been born with super flexible joints, defying physics to carry out all the complex manoeuvres they have integrated into the dancing - but once you learn the technique you can do it too!
Cuban Salsa is easier to learn than many other forms of dance. The basic footwork is a fairly simple circular walking motion, pausing every fourth beat, and there are some six basic steps you can follow to make sure you're on the right tracks.
1 Relax
To dance Cuban Salsa well it is important not to rush, but to relax into the steps. Movements should be precise and deliberate in addition to being flowing and smooth.
2 Walk with purpose
Couples walk around each other with an imaginary axis between them. This makes turns look smooth and effortless. Walking gives time to untangle your arms after each turn.
3 Have confidence in your lead
The leader (usually the man) should have constant tension in his arms, while his hands guide his Salsa dancing partner around the floor. There is no need to clamp onto each others hands, only to use the right amount of tension to provide a leading signal.
4 Be flexible when following
In order to follow well, ladies should try to match the tension of their partner. The exception to this is when arms need to be relaxed and flexible to complete arm-twisting Salsa moves without injury!
5 Keep balanced when you spin
The key to all the spectacular spins in Salsa is not to lose your balance. One way to do it is by spotting while you spin, focusing on one spot at each turn.
6 Use your whole body
Ladies should make use of their body and be sensual, playful and creative. This can involve some creative arm movements, going with what feels right and basically showing off a bit. Enjoy!
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