1. Begin With the Basics
Start with a basic step to do a salsa break step. A basic salsa step involves a forward and backward motion. With a one, two and three count, step forward, replace by shifting your weight back to the previously supporting foot, and then step backward. Next, with a five, six and seven count, go backwards again, replace and then step forward again. In couples dancing, you move back and forth together with opposite footing.
2. Not Break Dancing
To do a salsa break step, you'll perform an alternate form of the salsa basic step. A forward break step involves stepping forward with one foot, replacing and in-place count one, two, three and five, six, seven. To carry out a back break step, begin by stepping backwards with one foot, replace and in-place count one, two, three or five, six, seven. Do a salsa break step called a side break step by stepping to the side, replace and in-place count one, two, three or five, six, seven.
3. Fancy Footwork
Perform variations of these break steps based on beat attacks. Do a salsa break step on the first beat of eight, and it's called "On One;" do a salsa break step on beat two or beat six, and it's called an "On Two." The first form is used most in American and European salsa dancing, whereas the second form is used in other styles of salsa, such as the ballroom mambo or the New York style.
4. Not All About the Feet
Remember to make your weight shift obvious to do a salsa break step properly. Also, keep knees soft to help with weight shifting and hip movement. At the same time, it's important to engage the core and keep good posture. Stay low and into the floor without stooping over. Use your knees like springs to keep your body movement fluid. Keep arms and hands up but not too straight or too rounded. Move arms naturally to do a salsa break step.
5. Feel the Beat
To successfully perform a salsa break step, it's important to feel the music all the way down through your body and to move right with the beats. Cuban motion is at the essence of salsa. Hip movement fueled by the up and down movement of soft knees is characteristic of Cuban motion. It's also at the heart of mambo and rumba dancing. Let the beats move you as you do a salsa break step.
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