How Do You Dance The Los Angeles Salsa?
Los Angeles salsa combines the best elements of Cuban salsa, mambo and swing. This style focuses on intricate footwork and is the most popular outside of Cuba. When you see salsa dance exhibitions, you are likely to see this style. Don’t let the fancy work of the pros make you feel like you can’t master it. “Break” (or step forward or back) on beats one and five. In Los Angeles-style salsa, the lead begins dancing on the first beat, moving his left foot forward. By breaking forward, you step forward quickly, and then rock back. On the five, you break back, stepping back with the right foot. The woman’s step is the exact opposite, breaking back on the one and forward on the five. Dance a quick-quick-slow on the first three beats, and pause on the fourth. This means stepping, rocking weight to other foot and then replacing your foot, so that both feet end up together. Practice the cross-body lead, which is the basis for Los Angeles Salsa. The leader must pull his partner across his body
