What is Salsa?

Salsa is an upbeat partner dance that can be found in Latin-themed night clubs and social events.

You can find all ages and ethnicities dancing salsa all over the United States, and in countries as diverse as South Korea, China, Mexico, the UK, South America, Spain, Italy, Canada, Hungary, Japan, France, and Australia. All have thriving salsa scenes.

Salsa music and dancing comes in many forms and from many places, each with its own unique style and flavor. From salsa dura and timba to pop salsa, salsa music reflects many cultures and influences.

Salsa is at heart a social dance. One of the great things about salsa is that once you start learning it, you are instantly plugged into a worldwide social network of fellow salsa music lovers and dancers.

Since it’s fun, it is a excellent way to meet a lot of great people that you will form an almost instant bond with, simply because you both know how to salsa! Moreover it’s challenging, great exercise, and constantly keeps you engaged with other people who like to move, express themselves, and have fun.

So what does salsa look like? Below are a few sample videos. At first you might think that there is one style of salsa, but as you start to learn salsa, more and more you will see that one form of salsa can be vastly different from another; each with their own fun and exciting flavor.

Sampling of Salsa Styles

Watch the videos below for a sampling on the various styles of salsa dance

The Basic Step

The basic step to salsa is pretty simple and easy for anyone to pick up. Click the video below is an example of how it works. It all starts here!

Cuban Style

Known for its circular motion and complicated interlocking arms of the dance partners, Cuban style salsa is also known for the Rueda. While cuban style salsa can be danced to any style of salsa music, it looks and feels best when danced to Timba music.

LA Style

LA Style Salsa home of the neck drop – is known for its high energy and gratuitous use of big showy dips and tricks. Watch the video below and you will see what I’m talkin’ about!

New York Style

Where ‘On2′ is a Religion in NY Style salsa, it is best known for it’s smooth sexy style and for being danced ‘On2′. What it lacks in showiness, it makes up for in it very hip style and control.

As complex as salsa looks, salsa can be learned by people of all ages, body types and abilities. Salsa is about moving to the music and most everyone who starts to listen to salsa music and the infectious beats, rhythms, and melodies wants to move to it.