Learn how to Salsa Dance.

If you want to learn how to Salsa, then this page will help you to get your basic salsa step going.

We are going to breakdown the Salsa basic step one count at a time so you can learn in the comfort of your own home.

Follow the instructions down to every single detail.  

Make sure you have some unobstructed space around.  

Let's start with standing upright and your feet together.  

Salsa has 8 counts. We step on 6 of those counts.  

On count 1 step forward with your left leg.  

On count 2 step on the same spot in the center with your right leg.  

On count 3 bring back your left leg, and step in the center, feet together, exactly where you started before. 

On count 4, we pause, there is no step.  

On count 5, step back with your right leg.  

On count 6, step on the same spot in the center with your left leg.  

On count 7, bring back you right leg, and step in the center, feet together, exactly where you started again. 

On count 8, we pause, there is no step.  

The tempo of these steps goes like this: Quick, Quick, Slow - Quick, Quick, Slow. The count goes 1, 2, 3 - 5, 6, 7. We skip count 4 and count 8 because they are silent counts and there are no steps on those beats.  

Things to look out for:

Don't look at your feet, look forward. Keep your hands at waist level and elbows bent. Do small steps and smile. Relax and remember to have fun, enjoy it, if you are too serious, you will tense up and look rigid and robotic. Make sure you are stepping and lifting your feet on each 6 counts instead of tapping. If you tap you will not be able to move your hips naturally to the movement of Salsa dancing.  

An entire count of 8 is called 1 Bar. Try the basic step forward and back for about 50 bars or a full slow Salsa song.   Repetition is key as it will give you muscle memory,and your body will remember what to do without having to think about it too much. Keep practicing and repeating over and over. You can only get better, so keep going.  

Male salsa dancers (leader), always start with their left leg forward on count 1.

Female Salsa dancers (follower), always start with their right leg back on count 1, which is opposite to men.  

We hope this helps you in learning how to salsa dance, and gives you a better understanding on your footwork. We do encourage you to take some salsa lessons in Sydney as the practice and an Instructor letting you know what details are missing can always speed up the process of your salsa learning. And it is much more fun dancing salsa with other people.  

Now go and practice some salsa dancing.