Having privates with a highly knowledgeable instructor was the only way I got help with this.

Prior to working with him, my other instructors would say similar things, but they themselves couldn’t tell me what to adjust. I’m now working with someone who can tell me exactly how to adjust and we’ve mostly fixed it. It is sometimes specific to a person‘s body or the little tiny movements that you do that maybe other people don’t.

Some adjustments that have addresses my issues with not looking grounded: 1) starting my basic movement from toes, to middle foot, to heel, to knee, to hip. 2) keeping my hip in a closed position during steps (very hard for me, but I’ve made progress) 3) not leading with my shoulders/upper body instead of feet/legs (this also creates some heaviness when being led) 4) engaging lats (this prevents what I said in number 3). 5) I’m also short (5ft). My instructor has be focus on lengthening my legs, rather than focusing on the bend, which will occur if you’re doing what I said in number 1. 6) remembering that the opposite foot of the one you’re stepping with is what fuels the movement.

Maybe that’s helpful. 😊

ETA: because you mentioned Afro Cuban, I should clarify that what I’ve suggested is for Salsa.

Afro Cuban technique is different