The Spanish term we use today to define this form of dancing, salsa, was first adopted in the 1970s and together with this name the cultural and linguistic barriers to adoption of this Latin dance were reduced. Salsa music first appeared in the 1960s as a rhythmic fusion, birthed in the cultural melting pot of New York City. In the beginning, before we had written language to record things, the purpose of dance was often to tell stories and to pass them down to future generations. Salsa developed as an independent genre in the 70s although the music was already played and danced to for a few decades

One of the most widely recognized Cha Chas in Latin and American pop music is "Oye Como Va" ("Listen How It Goes," written by Tito Puente, further popularized by Carlos Santana). If youre not looking to expand your social circle, the benefits to couples, married or not, is equally as impressive. Salsa is a street and social dance. The average attendance at a Salsa dance classes is 99% female; look I am not complaining as often I am the only guy there.

Some Benefits From Dancing Salsa:

1. From a strictly athletic point of view, a night of dancing is a superb workout.
2. Salsa dancing lessons will take you from the clumsy to the graceful and it's almost painless.
3. That is why you should definitely consider salsa dancing as a way to lose those extra pounds but at the same time have fun while doing it.
4. Salsa dancing is one of the best ways to enjoy yourself while also getting in shape.
5. The Salsa lessons are FUN! Yes this is possibly the most important part of your dancing it must be fun to do.
6. Its high intensity and works the muscles quickly and rigorously.
7. After a few turns on the dance floor, it will become second nature and you'll be a salsa sensation.
8. Salsa dancing is emerging as a refreshing replacement for conventional aerobic exercises.

Some Tips In Learning Salsa:

1. Top salsa dancers in the business usually have a dance background from an early age.
2. You will have heard to phrase practise makes perfect while this is partly true what practise actually dose is make the actions practised permanent.
3. Learning with a salsa video is certainly convenient, and if you have a tight schedule it may be your only option.
4. Bobbing or bouncing is not really the idea here - keep your back straight, your arms tight, and make your hips do all the work.
5. Consider salsa dance as a profession.

Basic Steps:

1. By the 8 count the leader and follower are in opposite positions.
2. Forward Break - You start from either foot and step forward; then you replace the weight to your previous support foot, keeping it in place.
3. According to beats step forward starting with left foot, with your partner mirroring your steps backward.

Cuban Salsa

Most of the moves are based off the Cuban style with the main difference being lack of space involved. With the Cuban Salsa, on counts 1, 2, and 3 a backward basic occurs while on counts 5, 6, and 7 a forward basic happens. If you have the right technique, Cuban Salsa is easier to learn than many other forms of dance.

Attire Tips:

1. Cotton fabrics are always a good choice.
2. Much like shoes, the outfits made for dancing are greatly different than outfits made for regular wear and tear.

Written by Bercle George