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