Sandip Soparrkar gives you the basics of the Salsa

Musical Count: Salsa music generally has one music bar that's equal to four beats.

Dance movements: One tap and three steps corresponding to four beats. However, as one progresses from the more basic moves, the rhythm of four beats may be interpreted in the dance by only three steps per bar of music. Count Salsa as 'Tap, 2, 3, 4'

Dance Hold: There are two general holds in Salsa:
Close Contact Hold: The woman is held around her waist with the man's right hand. She places her left hand on his upper right arm/shoulder/back/neck. Her right hand is in the man's left hand at eye level. The woman stands slightly to the man's right, so that her left foot is outside his right foot and her right foot is between his feet.
Open Hold: The couple stands apart at an arms length. They may hold hands left to right, right to left.

Step 1
Backward and Forward Basic - This step can be danced with any of the two holds. The woman stands with her body weight on her left foot and the man on his right and feet are close.
Count 1:
Woman - Tap with the right foot
Man - Tap with the left foot
Count 2:
Woman - Move back onto the right foot, leaving the left foot in place.
Man - Move forward onto the left foot, leaving the right foot in place.
Count 3:
Woman - Transfer your body weight forward onto the left foot, leaving the right foot in place.
Man - Transfer your body weight back onto the right foot, leaving the left foot in place.
Count 4:
Woman - Move the right foot forward to the left foot, though not necessary too close.
Man - Move the left foot back to the right foot, though not necessary too close.
Now to complete the remaining part of the basic step as a woman, dance the count 1, 2, 3, 4 of the man's step and vice versa. Counting it as 5, 6, 7, 8.

Style Tips: This step looks a lot more interesting and complicated by dancing it with a slight turning movement (to the left for a woman, right for a man) and completing a full circle over six counts.

When moving backward or forward, try rolling your body weight around the edge of your foot, starting from the inside edge of your ball of the foot and ending with the leg pressing against the outside edge of the foot and then straighten the knee a little. This is also called 'Looping the hip' around the foot.

Step 2
La Cucuracha - In Latin American Spanish, cucuracha means 'Cockroach.'
It is a compact move and is mostly used on crowded dance floors or while deciding what step to do next. Start in a closed hold. The lady is standing with weight on her left foot (man- weight on his right foot)
Count 1:
Woman - Tap with the right foot
Man - Tap with the left foot
Count 2:
Woman - Move sideways onto the right foot, leaving the left in place.
Man - Move sideways onto the left foot, leaving the right in place.
Count 3:
Woman - Transfer your body weight sideways onto the left foot.
Man - Transfer your body weight back onto the right foot.
Count 4:
Woman - Close the right foot to the left foot.
Man - Close the left foot to the right foot.
Now to complete the remaining part of la Cucuracha as a lady, dance the count 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the man's step and vice versa. Counting it as 5, 6, 7, 8.

Style Tip: On the count of 2 when you move to the side, try to keep the upper body relatively still, so the sideways movement is achieved more from the hips rather than the legs. If you find it tricky at first try taking a smaller step.

Step 3
La vuelta sobacal, el derecho (Underarm Turn, Right). This moves gives great finish to a variety of moves and makes the whole dance look very attractive. Start in an open hold. The woman stands with her weight on her right foot (man's weight on his left foot).
Count 1:
Woman - Tap with the left foot.
Man - Tap with the right foot, raising your left hand
Count 2:
Woman - Place your left foot forward starting to turn to your right under the man's raised left hand (Swivel a 90 0 turn).
Man - Move back onto the right foot, leaving the left foot in place, turning the lady under your left underarm.
Count 3:
Woman - Transfer your body weight forward onto the right foot, starting to turn to the right (Swivel a 180 0 degree turn) starting turning to face the man.
Man - Transfer your body weight forward onto the left foot, leaving the right foot in place.
Count 4:
Woman - Move onto the left foot, though not necessary too close (swivel a 90 0 degree turn) now you are completely facing the man.
Man - Move the right foot forward to the left foot, though not necessary too close and close the turn by bringing the left hand down.

Go for it and 'Echale Salsita!'

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