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Learn the Salsa Basic Step (On1) for Absolute Beginners

Learn the Salsa Basic Step (On1) for Absolute Beginners — video by Salsaventura Play · 4:00

Video by Salsaventura on YouTube · Open on YouTube

Two teachers from the Dutch salsa school Salsaventura teach the forward-and-back salsa basic one half at a time, join it up slowly, add three form tips and dance it to music. A short first lesson for complete beginners; no partner needed.

  • 4 min
  • Beginner
  • Low impact (no jumping)
  • No equipment
  • Salsa

Good forDancing for fun

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Step by step 5

Tap a time to watch that step in the video.

  1. First half: from feet together, step the left foot forward on 1, replace the right on 2, close on 3. 0:29
  2. Second half: step the right foot back on 5, replace the left on 6 and close on 7. 0:57
  3. Join both halves slowly, 1-2-3 and 5-6-7, shown from the front and the side. 1:21
  4. Form tips: small steps, hands held in front of you and no bobbing up and down. 1:48
  5. Dance the basic to salsa music, keeping the steps small and the arms relaxed. 2:49

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

Form cues from the coach

  • Keep your steps small; beginners tend to step too big
  • Hold your hands relaxed in front of your centre rather than letting them hang
  • Stay at one height: push off forward and back without bobbing up and down

What it works

Tap an area for more videos that work it.

Joints it uses light on the joints

  • Hips movesweight changes forward and back
  • Knees movessmall forward and back basic steps
  • Ankles & feet moveslifting and replacing the feet

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 Salsaventura; 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