The arms are used by the "lead" dancer, to communicate or signal the "follower," either in "open " or "closed" position. Caught in the middle are the hips which end up moving quite a bit - famously known as the "Cuban hip movement." Perhaps ironically, the Cuban Casino style of Salsa dancing actually has significant amounts of movement above the waist, with up-and-down shoulder movements and shifting of the ribcage. In many styles of Salsa dancing, as a dancer changes weight by stepping, the upper body remains level and nearly unaffected by the weight changes. While dancing, the basic step can be modified significantly as part of the improvisation and stylings of the people dancing. After 6 weight changes in 8 beats, the basic step cycle is complete. Different styles of Salsa are often differentiated by the timing of the break step (On Beat "Downbreak on 1" or Off Beat "Up beat on 2"). One of the steps is called a "break," which involves a change in direction. The option chosen depends upon individual choice and upon the specific style being danced. The beat on which one does not step might contain a tap or kick, or weight transfer may simply continue with the actual step not occurring until the next beat. The most common is the three weight changes (or steps) in each four-beat measure. Salsa can be improvised or performed with a set routine, choreography and freestyle. Salsa is typically a partner dance, although there are recognized solo forms, line dancing (suelta), and Rueda de Casino, where groups of couples exchange partners in a circle. The most well-known styles are Cali-style (from Colombia), Cuban-style ("Casino"), LA-style, New York-style, and Puerto Rican-style. Today there are many various styles of salsa dancing because of geographical dispersion and cultural syncretism. Salsa dance movements originate from the Cuban Son dancing of the 1920s more specifically through the beat of Son Montuno with strong influences from the dance of Danzon, Mambo, Guaguanco and other Afro-Cuban folkloric dancing. Salsa is popular throughout Latin America as well as in North America, Europe, Australia, and some countries in Asia and the Middle East. Salsa can be improvised or performed with a set routine.
Salsa is normally a partner dance, although there are recognized solo forms such as solo dancing "suelta" and "Rueda de Casino" where multiple couples exchange partners in a circle.
Salsa is a syncretic dance form with origins from Cuba as the meeting point of Spanish (European) and African cultures.