Salsa
Salsa dance: feel the rhythm
Whenever you think of dance Salsa would surely come to your mind. It is also an excellent option when you want have your partner too, as the form is generally a fusion is different forms. It is generally a dance type for couples; you also get the chance of frequent changes of partner! If you know what salsa dance is or you have ever seen salsa dance then you must be aware its characteristic hotness. The name ‘Salsa’ comes from a Spanish word which refers to sauce with a spicy flavor.
Salsa is believed to have originated from the Caribbean with influences from Latin and North America and is was developed with a mixture of excellent dance forms like Mambo, Danzon, Cuban son and many other Cuban dance forms. The dance as well as the music shows represents strong African influence. Salsa has a definite pattern step style of encompassing six steps, which are generally danced over eight counts in a musical beat. Salsa is actually a partner dance and is very sensuous and flirtatious.
Normally salsa is a partner dance using handhold movements but salsa dancers have innovated a solo salsa dance form called shines which are actually show-offs and displays fancy footwork and body actions danced separately. A salsa style displays a lot of leg movements, movements of the arms, movements of the body, spins, and rolls.
However, the basic movement common on salsa styles is to step quick-quick-slow 2 times over two 4-beat measures. normally with Salsa quick steps take place to the one-two beat with the slow steps to the three beat and then a pause comes next on the fourth; that is you have step like left-right-left-pause or tap and then right-left-right-pause or tap. Notable expectations to this timing are Mambo, Colombian styles and Power On2 which begin the three step sequence on beat 2. Cuban styles may start the sequence on any count whereas the New York Mambo starts on one and breaks on two that is instead of stepping forward on the first beat with your left, stepping in place with your right and then returning left to where it started, then step in place with the left on the first beat and step back with your right and then return your weight to your left.
The New York style emphasizes on the efficiency of the movement, elegance and body isolations. This style is also referred to as mambo as it breaks on beat 2 of the measure. This style is danced very compactly and is strict about remaining in the slot. New York style puts more emphasis on shines that is solo dancing.
Moreover, Colombian style of salsa dance is followed mostly in South America and Central America. In this style partners dance side to side and mirror each others movements. In this form the break is on three and spare beat is always used for a tap and other embellishment. The Colombian style is not bound to only salsa music but can also be danced on cumbia music and is frequently played in Latin night clubs. In the advanced Colombian style the upper body is still while endless intricacies are in the feet. It is believed that the Colombian salsa dance evolved during the big band swing era that is when the swing dance steps were danced to the cumbia music.
Furthermore, the dance form which has become a trend in most of the discos in modern days is the salsa disco, which basically is a modified form of salsa dance. Salsa disco can be called a style which is a mixture of Puerto-Rico style, Los Angeles style and casino style and is seen in 80-90% of the discos. Of this style 10-20% is only the real salsa dance and the rest taken from different forms. It often involves the expressed tap which is normally characteristic move of the Venezuela style and also tricks and acrobatic elements of rock and roll. This style is much easier to learn than the original salsa.
Los Angeles style is danced on 1 in a slot. It is influenced by mambo and swing style of dancing. This style emphasizes aerobics, sensuousness, theatricality and most important musicality. The most essential elements on this style are the forward and backward basics and also the cross-body lead. Salsa is very famous in Los Angeles style and is performed everyday of the week in that area. Though the Mambo style is very much similar to the Los Angeles style but the difference is that it begins on the second beat of the measure rather than the first. 2-3-4 and 6-7-8 are the basic step timings with the breaks on 2 and 6.
Other than this, the Puerto Rican style is also well admired and is danced as “On 1” and “On 2”. The leader is required steps forward with the left foot on count 2. The basics are very much similar to the New York style. A Salsa Congress is located on the island of Puerto Rico and many salsa performers worldwide go there to perform.
There are numerous teachers and professionals who have contributed a lot and can be called the stanchion in the success of this dance forms all round the globe. The most famous and well known amongst them are Albert Torres, Joe Cassini, and Alex Da Silva. Apart from these Eddie Torres,and Amanda Estillo also deserves mention.
Without any doubt, salsa dancing opened a new vista in the world of dancing and in the modern world it holds a special position. The niche that it has made for itself is really prodigious and we can expect a better form of this dancing in coming future.
If you really plan to impress anybody by your dancing skills, then Salsa dance seems to be the best form. Learning it is extremely beneficial too, as people improve on their fitness too, it requires some serious practice to master the form but on regular practice you can easily master Salsa.