Salsa
Around the World
A full lap. The follow travels a complete circle around the lead, hands joined the whole way.
Coach's notes — the how & why
What This Move Is
The lead raises the joined hand and guides the follow on a full circular path around himself (or circles the hand over both heads), maintaining a continuous connection, before resolving back to open or into a cross-body lead. A colloquial umbrella name — also "round the world" or "lover's walk."
Key Points
- Lead: Keep the connection alive all the way around; don't collapse the frame mid-circle.
- Follow: Walk a continuous circle around the lead, maintain your frame, and return to face.
- Timing: On1 travel 1-2-3, resolve 5-6-7; On2 the same, break on 2/6.
- Common mistake: Lead collapsing the connection mid-circle, or rushing so the follow can't complete the travel.
Style Notes
"Around the World" is loosely used — when teaching, specify "follow travels a full circle around the lead." A distinct "reverse" leader-turning version is the Pineda turn.
Quick notes, not instruction — always learn moves in person with a qualified teacher.
- Musical use
- Level
- Advanced
- Type
- Frame
- Style
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Own Around the World, then make it yours
This page is free, always. Your online coach goes further on every move you own — styling that makes it look like you, variations to keep it fresh, and how to hit it on the music.
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