| Dance has been an important part of
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| | If you do take yourself on a Cuban
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| rituals, celebrations and entertainment
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| | holiday, you'll have the unique
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| since before the birth of human
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| | experience of watching Cubans Salsa
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| civilization. In the beginning, before we
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| | dancing. It sometimes appears that by
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| had written language to record things,
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| | some genetic aberration they have been
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| the purpose of dance was often to tell
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| | born with super flexible joints, defying
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| stories and to pass them down to future
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| | physics to carry out all the complex
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| generations.
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| | manoeuvres they have integrated into the
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| The story of dancing in Cuba
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| | dancing. Their remarkable twisting body
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| In Cuba, as in ancient times, dance tells
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| | movements and natural sense of rhythm
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| its own story. The passion and energy of
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| | will dazzle you.
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| Cuban dance reveals the strength and
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| | If you have the right technique, Cuban
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| conviction of the Cuban people,
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| | Salsa is easier to learn than many other
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| determined to enjoy life despite 'la
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| | forms of dance. The basic footwork is a
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| lucha' (the struggle) of living in a
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| | fairly simple walking motion, pausing
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| strictly regulated country where the
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| | every fourth beat, and there are some six
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| average monthly wage comes in at around
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| | basic steps you can follow to make sure
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| 400 pesos - less than £10.
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| | you're on the right tracks.
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| The richness of Cuban music and dancing
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| | 1 Relax
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| also tells the story of Cuba's melting
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| | To dance Cuban Salsa well it is important
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| pot of cultures. From the high-stepping
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| | not to rush, but to relax into the steps.
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| flamenco brought by the Spanish settlers
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| | Movements should be precise and
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| in the 15th century to the frenzied
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| | deliberate in addition to being flowing
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| tribal dances of the West African slaves,
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| | and smooth.
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| dancing is in the blood of the Cuban
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| | 2 Walk with purpose
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| people.
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| | Salsa dancing involves a continual
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| From the teenage girl in denim shorts to
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| | circular motion. Couples walk around each
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| the cigar-seller on the street corner,
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| | other with an imaginary axis between
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| Cubans are given to break into
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| | them. This makes turns look smooth and
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| spontaneous dance steps. Furthermore, the
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| | effortless. Walking gives time to
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| people dancing on the streets of Havana
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| | untangle your arms after each turn.
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| are likely to be just as good as the
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| | 3 Have confidence in your lead
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| professionals, because in Cuba dancing is
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| | The leader (usually the man) should have
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| simply a way of life.
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| | constant tension in his arms, while his
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| The variety of Cuban dances
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| | hands guide his Salsa dancing partner
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| Cuba boasts a huge range of dances
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| | around the floor. There is no need to
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| including classical ballet, contemporary,
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| | clamp onto each other's hands, only to
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| flamenco and folk dancing. But it is the
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| | use the right amount of tension to
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| partnered routines that appeared in
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| | provide a leading signal.
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| Havana dancehalls between the 1920s and
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| | 4 Be flexible when following
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| the 1950s - Salsa, rumba, mambo and
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| | In order to follow well, ladies should
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| cha-cha-cha - that can be seen in every
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| | try to match the tension of their
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| Cuban bar, club and street. Of these,
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| | partner. The exception to this is when
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| Salsa is the most popular dance
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| | arms need to be relaxed and flexible to
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| internationally.
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| | complete arm-twisting Salsa moves without
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| Since the name 'Salsa' (it's Spanish for
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| | injury!
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| 'sauce') was coined, Salsa dancing has
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| | 5 Keep balanced when you spin
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| exploded in popularity in Latin America
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| | The key to all the spectacular spins in
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| and across the world. Salsa dancing
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| | Salsa is not to lose your balance. One
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| classes are now hugely popular but to
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| | way to do it is by spotting while you
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| really get into the swing of it a Salsa
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| | spin - focusing on one spot at each turn
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| holiday in Cuba itself is a must.
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| | - an age-old dance technique.
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| Tips for Cuban Salsa dancing
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