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Question: How to dance salsa and other styles!?
I don't really know how to dance!.!. Yesterday I went to a little dance party and I accepted to dance so I can learn, otherwise how will I learn, it seems that everyone likes dancing and is also a good way to meet new people, women in my case!. So the music was different, from salsa to bachata to some duranguense music i think thats how you spell it!.!. I was wondering if theres any site where I can watch lessons for beginners so I can have an idea of how to dance!. I know that I won't learn until I actually dance but I'd like to know at least the basic steps etc!.!. Please help!.Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Hi Jay D, Dancing is definitely a great way to meet people and women do appreciate a man who knows how to lead!. There are so few of them that once you learn you become the alpha male in your group!.

YouTube does offer a lot of glimpses of salsa of different types!. There are also lessons but I think it's very hard to learn that way!. Better to have an instructional video and best to find local dance classes!.
Nothing beats live training!. When you reach a certian level you can learn a lot from videos!. But I would recommend looking on the internet to find salsa clubs in your area and salsa teachers!.

Supplement with salsa videos later!.

There are different types of salsa!. Find what is most common in your area!.

New York Style - Danced "On2" and in a straight forward/backward motion!. Lots of spot turns and spins, lots of arm styling and hip mkotion is "planned"!. The couple sometimes separates to do "shines" which are step combinations!.
http://youtube!.com/watch!?v=BTIhekjRE1E

http://youtube!.com/watch!?v=r9aWRkVR-j4

L!.A!. Style - Invented in the 80s or 90s by three Mexican brothers who moved to LA!. Like NY salsa it is dancd back and forth in a straight line, but it is daned " On1" and is very flashy with acrobatics and even more spinning dips drops etc than New York style!.
Here is some video of the Vasquez brothers who invented LA style!.
http://youtube!.com/watch!?v=9vbYn9iJ7GM


Cuban Style - based on rotational motion like moving around a circle!. More emphasis on tangly moves and natural motion of the hips and upper body as opposed to "stylized" movement!.
http://youtube!.com/watch!?v=-30RzT2wn64

http://youtube!.com/watch!?v=8rQk3Grj3kY

Colombian Style - This style is actually specific to Cali, Colombia!. Most Colombians dance like Cubans but with fewre turn patterns and no upper body motion!. they think it is more elegant to move only the hips and keep the upper body still!.

This video is Cali style salsa!. It is now being marketed worldwide as "Colombian salsa" because it is a unique style and helps the dance teachers to create a new niche among all the competion from teachers in the US!.

In Cali style salsa there is a lot of footwork from boogaloo!. This couple has obvioulsy added acrobatic moves from LA style as well!.
http://youtube!.com/watch!?v=IEuhOR_Arh8

Here is more the way people dance in the rest of Colombia, although these guys are obviously not the greatest dancers!. This is how the "average guys" dance!.
http://youtube!.com/watch!?v=uhcUUcI21bsWww@QuestionHome@Com

Youtube, dude, Youtube

p!.s!. good luck!Www@QuestionHome@Com

You are 100% right my friend!. Salsa is not only fun it's a fantastic way to socialize!

Actually yesterday I was also at a salsa event, the Canadian Salsa Congress and it was fantastic! You should check it out next year!.

Personally I would recommend going to a studio!.!. I'm sure you'll be able to pick up salsa no problem by watching videos, but it's just so much easier with an instructor and you'll also have the opportunity to practice with a partner more often!.

Anyways, here's a site I usually recommend to people who are starting off with salsa, http://videos!.addicted2salsa!.com/ It's a great site that will show you many things, ranging from basic turns to extremely advanced turns!. Youtube will also provide you with several instructional salsa videos if you snoop around!.

Here's an example of a very very basic video from the addicted2salsa site, which was put on youtbue!. http://www!.youtube!.com/watch!?v=y64Ynur-v!.!.!.

Good luck with your salsa buddy, you'll have ladies lining up to dance with you in no time!.Www@QuestionHome@Com