Move · Videos · Dance · 10 min

Colombian Cumbia: Basic Step, Arms and Skirt Play

Colombian Cumbia: Basic Step, Arms and Skirt Play — video by Jennifer Cabana Play · 10:05

Video by Jennifer Cabana on YouTube · Open on YouTube

Barranquilla cumbia instructor Jennifer Cabana, in a project backed by the city's culture office, teaches the women's part: the elegant sliding basic step, arm shapes, skirt holds and flowing skirt movements, then a spin. Graceful and gentle, to cumbia music.

  • 10 min
  • Beginner
  • Low impact (no jumping)
  • No equipment
  • Latin

Good forDancing for fun

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Step by step 9

Tap a time to watch that step in the video.

  1. Knees: bend them slightly so the hips move softly by themselves, never exaggerated. 2:14
  2. Basic step: lead with the left, sliding the foot straight across the floor with the right following, feet flat. 2:52
  3. Clap on the drum beat to keep time, then fists on the hips, arms at 45 degrees, shoulders relaxed, chin up. 3:30
  4. Holding the skirt: grip each side near the hem, the fingers making a scissor shape. 4:13
  5. Lift the skirt: lower the arms, bring them up round as if holding a big ball, then open them like wings. 5:20
  6. Skirt play: one hand on the hip, the other sweeps the skirt across at face height, switching on the drum beat. 6:02
  7. Front and behind: one hand holds the skirt at face height, the other behind the head, palm up. 6:52
  8. Full spin: turn to your left in time with the music, or a double spin if you feel like it. 7:32
  9. Feel the music: smile, hold your partner's gaze and let out happy calls as you dance. 8:08

The steps are a summary in our words, checked against the video — the coach shows every move.

Form cues from the coach

  • Bend the knees slightly so the hips move softly, never exaggerated
  • Slide the left foot across the floor and let the right follow, feet flat
  • Clap on the drum beat to keep the rhythm

What it works Whole body

Tap an area for more videos that work it.

Joints it uses light on the joints

  • Shoulders movesarms held in shapes, skirt lifts and crosses
  • Hips movessubtle hip movement, sliding basic step
  • Knees movessoft bent knees, sliding steps, full spin
  • Ankles & feet movesflat sliding feet, spin

A guide to the joints this video’s moves load, from what the coach does — not medical advice. Some ache is normal; stop if a joint hurts sharply. How joints are rated

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Video by Jennifer Cabana; the summary, steps, cues, body areas and joint notes are Notbroken’s, written from what the coach actually does in the video and checked a second time. Warm up first, take the easier options until a move feels easy, and stop if you feel sharp pain, chest pain or dizziness. General instruction, not advice for your body. About & safety