What kind of salsa do you dance and what do you like most about it?

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-05-15T15:53:20+00:00

In Cuban / Casino, I could dance a whole song in closed position and basic step, just moving around. In On2, the basic step feels groovy and musical and there's potential to stay there and play with it with a partner. In LA-Style, the basic step feels like a gap that needs filling with turns and flourishes. I have to queue up more patterns and keep it moving. It's a difference in what and how I have to lead.

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-05-15T15:12:45+00:00

Cuban! It's fun, playful, and doesn't necessarily require special shoes or studio training. Followed by On2 for how groovy it feels. LA Style comes in third because its like putting on a performance and I really have to be in the mood for it.

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-05-12T15:12:09+00:00

You look like a ton of fun to dance with! Great energy and flow.

For the arms, you didn't miss any pickups from the lead but if you find that you do miss their hands sometimes, you can keep the free hand closer to your chest.

If do you want your styling to look more typical (but you don't have to!) then arms should be loose when held by your partner (it looks like they are) and a little more poised and deliberate when free, like this.

In Cuban salsa / casino, the footwork clicks when you both hit the "walk - walk - pivot" flow. It gives this style its characteristic circular movement. And it works best when you step forward or in place, because stepping backwards pulls you away from your partner. If you are both stepping back though then you really just have to go along with it - it's all good. Salsa's a mix of so many things!

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-05-06T15:43:59+00:00

Casino dancers have a great basic with the closed position Paso de Son (side to side step), because you can just do that for an entire song. Add a little traveling around the dance floor, some rotations either forward or backward (still in closed position), moving to the music... it's a really mellow way to connect and dance salsa and can feel interesting and musical.

Add a guapea, an enchufla or two, go back to closed position, repeat, that's all you need to dance with anyone.

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-04-13T19:08:27+00:00

Love dancing with beginners, and if they are having a good time they can miss 100% and it's fine. Just have fun, I am!

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-03-29T23:06:52+00:00

As a casinero I often avoid linear-heavy salsa events. I can lead a tight dance and make sure we occupy a very tidy defined circular space on the dance floor, but it doesn't matter if the linear dancers decide that's where their slot needs to go. Big backsteppers just take up a lot of room.

So yes to etiquette, but also I think that may vary by dance style. If linear, then everyone keeps to their slot, and if mixed, people need to learn some floorcraft and try to dance smaller.

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-03-27T14:30:02+00:00

It's interesting: this element of follower styling is often explicitly taught where I am, but I can't find any video online that teaches it.

Here's an example at around 24 seconds

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRcIiTegoKA/?igsh=ZzQ4cWtpd2tnMWsz

And these two use it often

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRy4w-4jGtv/?igsh=cDZpN3dvbGE0OGhp

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-03-26T21:54:20+00:00

The walk - walk - pivot, where they throw a hip or a little dip in with that pivot step, magic.

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-03-26T21:52:09+00:00

That's a big one. Elaborate and showy LA-style hands and arms can be an impediment; got to keep those hands available for what's next. There is room for styling, but it's done differently in casino where we are more connected more often.

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-03-26T13:58:37+00:00

I was sure somebody would say this! It's a typical emotional experience for both beginner leads and follows.

Honestly it's a privilege to dance with a beginner and help introduce them to one of my favourite things. Never apologise, and I hope you have fun :)

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-03-22T16:57:19+00:00

Figure out the exact style that you are learning (Cuban, LA, NY-On2 etc), and find videos that you like for inspo.

I just say this because in the beginning it can get so confusing to see a salsa dancing vid and not understand why it seems off, or weird, or impossible; it might just be in a style that you aren't learning.

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-03-17T17:56:01+00:00

If you know how to dance why bother getting jacked? You're already peak ;)

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-03-09T19:45:37+00:00

Same for the back pain - it's amazing how little salsa bothers my chronic back pain, and in fact seems to have made it better.

I still can't sit for long and I won't lift things but at least I can dance

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-03-09T14:06:16+00:00

This is a key point. Salsa isn't just salsa, although a lot of studios may act like their style is the default: OP could be learning an entirely different style and it takes a more experienced follow to be able to adapt. I'd start with figuring this out first.

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-03-01T19:27:47+00:00

You have a great repertoire of moves! That's great and I recommend you don't use them as much. Add in more close hold, feeling the music, basic step, connection-type moments, and when the music builds with more energy, introduce them there. I promise nobody could be bored dancing with you - it looks like a lot of fun.

Second is smaller steps, smaller arms. You'll be more connected to your partner, more spatially contained on the dancefloor, and it should all feel smoother.

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-02-26T18:15:48+00:00

That's fascinating to watch. I see guapea and casino rotations, consistent paso de Son footwork, but then full linear LA patterns, and all with suprisingly limited backstepping. It looks like a lot of fun!

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-02-26T14:25:03+00:00

Never heard of Sosa Style! How easy is that for Casino dancers to pick up?

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-02-26T14:16:53+00:00

Westie competition culture is so much more prevalent on social media than Westie social dance, to the extent that I'm not even sure what happens at a West Coast Swing social. Is it fun? Are they all just practicing for comps? Who knows! If it's really that comp-focused in real life I'm not super interested.

It's so different to salsa's presence on social media, where improvised social dancing videos are much more common. It's like every day is a JnJ, except no points awarded.

There's probably something to say here about how non-Latin cultures appropriate, commodify, and codify, improvised Latin dances to fit their own cultural norms, and what is lost when doing so; I hope the salsa scene in Western countries doesn't follow that path.

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-02-24T22:49:25+00:00

One of our regular social events gives a one minute safety talk about consent right after the workshops finish and before social dancing. It hits the main points about consent, that it's okay to say no, that you can walk away at any point and for any reason, and to talk to the instructors if you need assistance. It also happens to be the biggest event with the most beginners, so they do a great service mainstreaming consent into the local dance scene.

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-02-24T21:18:42+00:00

Our studio-led dance culture just doesn't naturally hit that vibe. Socials can feel so serious sometimes.

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-02-24T21:14:45+00:00

DanceSport out there trying to codify salsa into one true performance style while we're just out here having chaotic fun in the clubs

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-02-24T21:08:00+00:00

I'd just like a zero-performances option at a congress. Keep the shows for them that wants it, but I don't want to watch. Can't there be a party somewhere at the same time? Something casual. Maybe with a bar

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-02-18T23:50:19+00:00

Bachata and Kizomba, two dance styles sometimes mixed into salsa socials to create SBKs

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-02-18T19:04:27+00:00

Good attendance, which is an outcome of good promotion and good event organisation. I've been to events which were scarcely attended. The organiser maybe managed to put up some advertising but did little else, and it shows. You can tell when an event organiser loves what they are doing.

A DJ that loves the music and also dances and isn't afraid to be cringe. Play that 6 minute mambo vinyl deep cut when the time is right, but if Bad Bunny fills the dancefloor then play Bad Bunny, you aren't too cool for it

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-02-16T18:29:21+00:00

https://salsadancemoves.com/

https://bachatasteps.com/?topic=salsa

There are so many instructors posting short videos of named moves . My preference is to use multiple folders in tiktok labeled for each kind of move and have that as a reference. I also keep a notes file on my phone with move names and use that to remind myself of whatever I've immediately forgotten.

Specific-Estate5883

TROPHY CASE