Salsa
Cumbia Step
Also known as: Cumbia Basic
The circling back step. A rotating back-basic borrowed from Colombian cumbia that drifts you around in a circle.
Coach's notes — the how & why
What This Move Is
Borrowed from Colombian cumbia: like a back basic but with a slight continuous rotation, the body circling as one foot steps back on the beat. Preserved verbatim from the user's inventory. (Cumbia is technically a separate dance; the "cumbia basic" is borrowed into salsa shines.)
Key Points
- Solo: Back-step with a continuous rotational drift, pivoting around; let the feet and hips drive the turn.
- Timing: Back-break on 1 (On1) or 2 (On2), rotating throughout.
- Common mistake: Rotating from the shoulders rather than letting the feet and hips drive the turn.
Style Notes
Relaxed, grounded and circular — a lovely contrast to sharp linear shines. Can also be danced as a partnered traveling step in Cuban styling.
Quick notes, not instruction — always learn moves in person with a qualified teacher.
- Musical use
- Level
- Intermediate
- Type
- Frame
- Style
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Own Cumbia Step, 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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