Your Favorite Salsa Moves

[peachexploration]

Okay, some people like spins, some like dips, flips and splits. (ouch!) :D But we all have our favorites moves. What are yours? Share with us please! :D Of course, without giving away your secrets. :wink: I happened to love when the guy does hand tosses and I can add a little extra styling in the wrist. What about you?

[borikensalsero]

I'm such a goof... It doesn't matter how many turns, spins, shines I learn, I keep going back to the basic.

There isn't one move that yields as much beauty and sexiness as a well done basic. The body to body connection, the eye to eye connection, the chase and be chased feeling, the energy running from my body down my arms down her body and up her arms back to me again. My aura, her aura engulfing each other making one seamlessly intertwined essence that we appear to be the whole instead of pieces of the total. Ahhhhhh…. Now, sabrosona, baila sabroson is all I can say… The basic its it to me.

There is just no feeling like a gently smooth basic caress of having each other in each other’s arms. Sorry, but my favorite move is still the first I learned, even when many claim it boring :D

[ShyDancer]

Thats an easy one :wink:

SPINS! I could spin all day....doesnt matter what dance Im doing either! I love the free feeling it gives you.
When a guy spins you its awesome, I remember one guy asking if I minded if he spun me....he was very good at the lead too, never making it too slow or too fast. I could have married him , well if I wasnt happiy engaged to my non dancin' darlin' :? :wink:

I just need to properly learn focus so I dont get too dizzy...but only time will improve that I think!

[peachexploration]

I'm such a goof... It doesn't matter how many turns, spins, shines I learn, I keep going back to the basic....

........... Sorry, but my favorite move is still the first I learned, even when many claim it boring :D

Ahhhh....the basic.....Yes, agree with you there. There is nothing boring about the basic. That's definitely where the love starts.

[nobodaddy]

As usual borikensalsero has hit the nail on the head. When you have that "connection" between leader and follower, anything is possible and can be lead. Without it, you're doing aerobics. There's one follower I dance with who can't do spins, but dancing with her is bliss! Because we connect.

[salsachinita]

I'm such a goof... It doesn't matter how many turns, spins, shines I learn, I keep going back to the basic.

Call me a goof, too! I feel the same. 8)

My aura, her aura engulfing each other making one seamlessly intertwined essence that we appear to be the whole instead of pieces of the total.

:notworth: As usual :notworth: !

Aside from that, I love well-excuted dips :P ! Not over-done....just enough to highlight the music....when it is called for :wink: !

[youngsta]

Any move where I can showcase my lady and make her look elegant. I have a few in the bag, but I wouldn't know what to call them. I also love sending my partner into free spins and collecting her cooly.

[dancing_moogle]

Yep, even I keep going back to the basic step. Spins? Well... mine needs a lot of work. But I like adding a kick after a guy dips me at the end of the song *woohoo!!*. :)

[Vin]

Oh wow, another great topic. I agree the basic can be great, although I should add that prefer doing the basic as a shine rather than coupled. There is something so incredible about breaking into a long basic shine with just a couple of turns and staying perfectly in sycnh with each other.
I guess my favorite move when coupled is actually a bit of a simple move, a cross body lead where the woman gets rotated around in a little bit of a fancy way. So on the 5(or 6) I push her out a little more with my left hand and on the 6(or 7) I pull her back in a bit more, creating a sort of rotation. It is simple but in order to do this correctly you have to have a better than average connection.

[ShyDancer]

Any move where I can showcase my lady and make her look elegant. I have a few in the bag, but I wouldn't know what to call them. I also love sending my partner into free spins and collecting her cooly.

I would LOVE to dance with you! You are definantly the sort of guy a lady loves to dance with. IMO theres nothing worse than a guy who tries to outdo his partner, makes them both look silly!

[youngsta]

Thank you :D The way I see it...if she looks good, I look good! :wink: That's the highest compliment my lead can get.

[Estella]

My favourite move is a simple CBL! :lol:
It´s so easyyyy.... and could be so elegant.... or sexy... or funny... or....
:wink:

[volleybgrl]

My favorites are any that incorporate a lot of hips, flared legs, and small kicks/hops. I like to focus on the little things. :wink:

[youngsta]

Funny you'd say that! I've developed this 'odd/bad habit' of flicking my left foot when starting back on the 3 (or the 8 on2). It's something that just developed while I was learning. Now it's one of the most distinctive things about my style :lol:

[Giselle]

Is flicking your foot really a bad habit? I do it all the time.... :roll:

My favorite move that I've yet gotten to do is a very basic natural turn for the lady- the guy touches the bottom of the girls chin and uses that as his only point of contact for turning the girl.... It seems so intimate and playful!

[SDsalsaguy]

My favourite move is a simple CBL! :lol:
It´s so easyyyy.... and could be so elegant.... or sexy... or funny... or....

The CBL is really my litmus test move... it lets me know about frame, compression, elasticity, partnering, etc. (especially because I rarely stay in a slot).

[Spitfire]

The one where the leader takes the follow into a cross body lead and then does a cross right foot over left step ending with both partners facing the same direction - leaders left hand holding followers right and both kick to the inside for two measures and complete with either a turn or spin. 8)

[peachexploration]

The one where the leader takes the follow into a cross body lead and then does a cross right foot over left step ending with both partners facing the same direction - leaders left hand holding followers right and both kick to the inside for two measures and complete with either a turn or spin. 8)
Nice! I just practiced this one. Cool! :P

[danceguy]

Hmm, a very sensual and smooth basic is nice, especially since its about all that I really know! :shock:

Seriously though, my favorite move is the CBL. I'd say its mainly because the only thing I'm good at doing while dancing is avoiding on floor collisions, thanks to my martial arts training. I always use the CBL to keep my partner safe and several times I've pulled a lady out of the way and taken an ankle stomp as a good leader should. :P

I love doing variations with different hand placement and holds, and as SD mentioned it gives you a good idea how your partner will respond to you. It opens up so many possibilities (most as yet unknown to me) and its a great way to show someone that you know more than the basic! :wink:

[salsachinita]

:oops: Excuse my ignorance, guys.........

What does "CBL" stand for :? .........?

[peachexploration]

:oops: Excuse my ignorance, guys.........

What does "CBL" stand for :? .........?

Cross Body Lead. :)

[MacMoto]

I'm another one who's partial to the good old CBL.
I love doing variations with different hand placement and holds, and as SD mentioned it gives you a good idea how your partner will respond to you.
And it can tell us the follower a lot about the lead too... :wink:

I also like simple turn patterns where you can play with your eye contact (somehow going in and out of eye contact feels, to me at least, more sensual than gazing into the partner's eyes throughout a song) without getting flung around. I hate getting flung around (I know I should keep working on my balance and spinning technique, but... :( ).

Oh, and I love being dipped if the leader's good at it. With the right lead a simple dip can make you feel like a princess.

[Neil]

My favorite patterns from the standard syllabus are Registrala and even just a simple La Media.

As far as variations, when I danced West Coast Swing, I put together a few of my favorite patterns into a nice combination that turns out to be great for Salsa too.

[DanceMentor]

I like the move where you turn the lady to the right with the right hand (567), loop her head with the hand you just turned her with (1), change hands and open for a reverse cross body lead (23), spin the lady 1.5 times as you execute the reverse cross body lead.

I like this move because it is a little different because of the turn with the right hand and the loop is also quite different than most (right hand to right hand), yet it is leadable.

[Neil]

Maybe we should be posting videos of our favorite moves, because I have know idea what he just said. ;) Also, nobody would have understood me if I tried to explain the combination I put together.

[DanceMentor]

I know what you mean...
It's like...
You know that move where the lady turns and then he loops her head?

[youngsta]

I'm pretty sure I understood DM's description, but those syllabus names you dropped mean nothing to me! :lol:

[SDsalsaguy]

It's funny you mention that move DM. I remember when I was first shown it I was so blown away and thought it was so complicated and dificult. Now I consider it just one step over basic... and worry that my partner will get bored if I catch myself using it more than a couple of time per dance! :shock: :oops:

[Neil]

I'm pretty sure I understood DM's description, but those syllabus names you dropped mean nothing to me! :lol:

Didn't you say that you learned in a Salsa studio? I know that some people learned from dancing at parties and family gatherings, but I think the step names are pretty standard at the studios. At least, they are standard in the Salsa studios here in Miami. I've gone to parties at many different studios and heard the same names called in the rueda.

[youngsta]

I started at a studio, but was only there a few months. Never encountered those names.

[salsachinita]

I'm pretty sure I understood DM's description, but those syllabus names you dropped mean nothing to me! :lol:

Didn't you say that you learned in a Salsa studio? I know that some people learned from dancing at parties and family gatherings, but I think the step names are pretty standard at the studios. At least, they are standard in the Salsa studios here in Miami. I've gone to parties at many different studios and heard the same names called in the rueda.

those name mean nothing to me either, but most likely I will know them when I'm being lead into them.

Appearantly some of the 'standard syllabus' moves from Miami are somehow different to the moves from Cuba (which havn't been put into 'syllabus'). The basics would be the same but the rest do vary (while I am keeping in mind that there are 400+ moves :shock: ) eventhough they all share the same origin.

I've experienced this first hand.....(it's easier for me, as I am a follower; but I do feel sorry for the guys sometimes :roll: )

[DanceMentor]

Is there any sort of listing for the syllabus you refer to that you use in Miami?

[brujo]

Is there any sort of listing for the syllabus you refer to that you use in Miami?

I've seen a few.

For example http://www.salsaracing.com/syllabus.asp

A lot of these moves are standard for casino rueda. But then, you can see different variations of these used in social dancing in an one on one situation. The naming might be different. For instance, in cuba you might call 'al cielo', which in Miami is 'Levantala'. La 'prima' becomes 'Adios con la hermana'. And the studios make up some of their own moves as well.

[MapleLeaf Salsero]

My favourite move is a simple CBL! :lol:
It´s so easyyyy.... and could be so elegant.... or sexy... or funny... or....
:wink:

I´m a CBL fan also! There are so many different flavours and variations. :D It´s great.

When I was a beginner I did it to give me enough time to remember other moves. Now, I do it because I love it. It comes from the heart. I can´t imagine a salsa without at least one CBL. :wink: As some famous guy once said:

"All progress, all success springs from the cross-body lead."
- Thomas Edison

[borikensalsero]

I'm pretty sure I understood DM's description, but those syllabus names you dropped mean nothing to me! :lol:

Didn't you say that you learned in a Salsa studio? I know that some people learned from dancing at parties and family gatherings, but I think the step names are pretty standard at the studios. At least, they are standard in the Salsa studios here in Miami. I've gone to parties at many different studios and heard the same names called in the rueda.

The naming convention is a bit wired. In NY City it seems that different schools have different names for the same moves. At times one school will pass a move as such then another school will use the same name for a completely different move. Despite a lot of moves having different names a lot of moves use the same names through different schools as well.

The funny thing is that, at least in my opinion, not many social dancers worry about what a move is called. We just learn it how to do it. That is, if we aren't teaching in a school where we need to follow teaching standards.

Welcome aboard Neil... :D :D :D

[DaniGurl]

For Me, I would have to say dips. I think dips are just so fun to do and they look really good! I like watching guys dance, it's so fun to see how they really get into a dance just like the woman :)

[peachexploration]

Hi DaniGurl! Welcome to the DF!

[youngsta]

The funny thing is that, at least in my opinion, not many social dancers worry about what a move is called. We just learn it how to do it. That is, if we aren't teaching in a school where we need to follow teaching standards.
DINGDINGDINGDING!!!!

[brujo]

The funny thing is that, at least in my opinion, not many social dancers worry about what a move is called. We just learn it how to do it. That is, if we aren't teaching in a school where we need to follow teaching standards.

The difference is that in Casino Rueda, the moves need to at least follow a template because they involve different displacements within the circle and variations where everyone needs to collaborate to make the dance succesful. But even in rueda, different people have different hand calls, different names for stuff and even moves that you just make up. My cuban rueda partners will call a move differently than a miami rueda partner, and even the same moves will have styling variations in hand claps and spins.

New York and LA style dance is more partner focused. In a sense, only the lead needs to know what is coming next, and he is free to even make up moves on the spot, so the individual moves don't matter. You never see a person in the social dancefloor go 'wow, I've never seen the XBL with a twisting grapevine basic with a side shimmy done in a close position before'. After all, this is not pro-wrestling.

[ShyDancer]

I like the move where you turn the lady to the right with the right hand (567), loop her head with the hand you just turned her with (1), change hands and open for a reverse cross body lead (23), spin the lady 1.5 times as you execute the reverse cross body lead..

I know what you are describing..no idea on the name though! I learnt that just this week and pretty much perfected it last night... I think its the best move I have learnt yet :D :D
I just kept doing it over and over with my teacher last night...the faster he got the more fun it became!

Oh I really love dancing!

[peachexploration]

Maybe we should be posting videos of our favorite moves, because I have know idea what he just said. ;) Also, nobody would have understood me if I tried to explain the combination I put together.

http://www.salsastudent.com/DancePatternsInt.html
My favorite is the Fling. :D

[Spitfire]

www.bustamove.com has some good Salsa clips.

[youngsta]

Is flicking your foot really a bad habit? I do it all the time.... :roll:
I just meant it's not the 'desired' way to do the steps. It's me so I of course I don't think it's bad! :D

[Pacion]

The naming convention is a bit wired. In NY City it seems that different schools have different names for the same moves. At times one school will pass a move as such then another school will use the same name for a completely different move. Despite a lot of moves having different names a lot of moves use the same names through different schools as well.


Yes, my thoughts exactly! One of my favourite moves, which I don't get to do very often :oops: is a very simple walk or promonade (the guys want to do their spins/combinations :( ). Somehow the guys wraps the girl in his arms :D :D :D then they walk forward for either one or two 8 counts, "checks her" (not sure if that is the correct terminology) and then they either walk backwards again, or he goes into another move.

I think the walk/promonade might have been copied from the rumba?

Where if these guys I have danced it with picked it up, if it is to a slow/medium paced song, it is "very romantic" :D

[Vin]

I have a new favorite move, yeah,
(timing is on1)
It starts on an open break with our right hands holding, and then I pull on her as if leading a half-turn and back out. But instead of letting her step back on the three I grab hold of her shoulders and then from behind give her momentum to freespin around, she should go around twice and when she gets out of the freespin we should be on the one again and ready to continue.
Also I like to do pretzels in salsa because if you actually get the timing right it looks cool.

[tj]

I started at a studio, but was only there a few months. Never encountered those names.

Both George and Jason know (and teach) Registrala, so they could show you if you're dying to know. (It really is a nice move, something that is totally non-existent/unique in an LA Style dominated scene.)

And IMHO, it's not really all that important for non-Casino dancers to know names of moves, being as it should be all non-verbal anyway.

Funny story: back in Denver, one of my friends (who was an excellent follow) used to complain to me me about how this one guy would constantly tell her what move he wanted her to do. Apparently cuz follows couldn't understand his lead!



About my fav move:

There's this semi-leadable body wave thing where you bring her in close on a CBL, and then bodywave apart from each other. Gotten rather addicted to this move (although it still needs work!).

Another fav is from a lady's hammerlock, RH to her LH, spin her out of it during a CBL, and finish it with you doing a Basic side-by-side (you doing reverse footwork), her forearm tucked under your arm/elbow. Simple, but fun!

A little more complicated: double hammerlock, rotating CBL. It feels so good when it flows smoothly.

There are too many fun moves!!!

[dragon3085]

I like having the girl face loops, or hair combs, or whatever you call them where you are. For some reason when I first started I had the hardest time leading those things so I guess I 'm partial to them now. Also a lot of girls can work in an immense about of styling with such a simple tech. They also mix well with a cross body lead. Hand flicks are a favorite of mine as well. Form much the same reasons.

[Sagitta]

Thanks for the name, Vin. Yesterday night i was trying to think of it and it was bothering me. The pretzel, the pretzel....

I thought of veils...dragon...to go along with your face loops, hair combs.,.,

[dragon3085]

Another favorite of mine would be of Juan and Diana's advanced NY salsa type called the S&M standing for Super Mario. I'd like to get a chance to take a workshop with that guy sometime.

[Haz]

Another favorite of mine would be of Juan and Diana's advanced NY salsa type called the S&M standing for Super Mario. I'd like to get a chance to take a workshop with that guy sometime.
Is there a video/picture/description/etc of this move anywhere online?

[peachexploration]

Another favorite of mine would be of Juan and Diana's advanced NY salsa type called the S&M standing for Super Mario. I'd like to get a chance to take a workshop with that guy sometime.
I like that one too. :D I have their DVD's. They explain their moves very clearly which makes them very easy to catch onto. Very nice!

[dragon3085]

Also I don't know if you have the 1st 2 other tapes or dvd, but have you notice that almost all the advance moves build from moves they taught on earlier tapes? Its a shame Diana's with Salsa Brava now. There are if I recall 2 more tapes in the series that I had a chance to buy when those to were still together, but when they split they also quit offering the 2 and 3rd volume of the advanced series. So close...

[tj]

Its a shame Diana's with Salsa Brava now.

Really! How long has she been with them?


There are if I recall 2 more tapes in the series that I had a chance to buy when those to were still together, but when they split they also quit offering the 2 and 3rd volume of the advanced series. So close...
Quite silly considering their letting their differences get in the way of making some $$.

I did get a chance to watch Super Mario when he was in Hawaii. Since I was only there for the opening night of the Congress, I never did get the chance to take his workshop(s).

[dragon3085]

Well remember the guy from Brava she met in Cancun? She married him about a year or so later. As far as I know They are still together I'll have to ask Jami the latest. Last Jami was telling, as we were talking about bring her and Diana back to austin again, was that Diana was having to sign some contracts with Salsa Brava that prevented her from teaching with anybody but Salsa Brava- Don't really remember everything it was 1 am and Jami was still giving me a Tour of Times Square. Juan actually had those tapes with him in Cancun when we were there Tim. Seeing as how they were vol 2 and 3 of the advanced series, I didn't think I was really ready or needed them at the time. D'Oh!!

[peachexploration]

Hmm, that seems quite odd to me. If there is an association problem, why sell Volume I and not Volumes 2 & 3? The first Volume still sells very well. :? If you hadn't said anything, I would not have known they weren't still collaborating...Oh well, at least we have the first volume. :D It's a shame though, they work really well together but such is the salsa life. :)

Back to the topic: Love their Setenta move. Love it in Rueda as well. :D

[dragon3085]

Well vol. one was on sell well before the split, Vol 2 and 3 were being announced the week the split happened basically. I'm sure someday somehow the other tapes will come out.

Another favorite move of mine, is off of Shaka Brown's tape, where basically after doing a cbl with hand crossed, left on top, the guy spins under and then uses his right elbow to flick the girls arm up. Hard to explain but looks really cool when done. :-)

[peachexploration]

Yeah, I like that one too. Very playful. I like to add hiprolls to that one.