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What is Salsa? The term Salsa was used in the 1960's to describe modernized Latin American Big Band dance music, and the dance performed to this music. Salsa soon became a catchy term to market ALL Latin dance music. Even though the foundations of Salsa are Cuban, the capital of modern Salsa is considered to be New York. Salsa also means Sauce, in particular a spicy, Mexican tomato-based sauce.  So you could say that Salsa is “saucy and spicy”! Style There are as many Salsa dance styles as there are people dancing! This is because Salsa is a "free-style" or "street dance". It is free and spontaneous with no set routine to follow or reference standard. Although it still remains free-style, many distinctive Salsa styles have developed in different parts of the world. Each of these styles have distinctive foot work and turn patterns. Some of the main styles are: Cross Body (also known as New York/LA) and Cuban style - at Wester Ross Salsa we mix both.		The Salsa Scene Salsa is at heart a social dance. One of the great things about salsa is that once you start learning it, you are instantly plugged into a worldwide social network of fellow salsa music lovers and dancers. Since it's fun, it is a excellent way to meet a lot of great people that you will form an almost instant bond with, simply because you both know how to salsa! As soon as you know the basic steps you become part of the UK Salsa Scene!   Ahi na ma! What does it mean? During a salsa song... you can hear someone shout out... Ahi Nama!!!! The phrase is heard in salsa music after some great words, music or dancing. It's cuban slang meaning- "here it is/ this is it" - with the suggestion of having reached the best, or ultimate, therefore you do not need to look anywhere else. Comes from "aqui nada mas". Its an exclamation of joy because of something well played.... support to the band.... announcement, a call, for the best part coming on.... (with thanks to a contributor, Maraotash, on  Wordforum.com)
Leading & Following When a couple takes to the dance floor, both partners cannot initiate at the same time, neither can they both comply. Therefore one partner initiates and the other complies. This is known as leading and following respectively. Traditionally the lead role has been assumed by men and the following by women, although this is changing where women outnumber men and because the social roles are being redefined. In our classes we will rotate women leading - it is extremely useful for women to understand how difficult leading can be so use it as an aid to improve your dancing.