Where did Salsa Dancing Originate?
Have you ever wondered where Salsa Dancing started? You might be surprised to learn that likely comes from New York City in the 1930’s. Salsa dancing is comprised of a variety of dance styles, Hispanic in its origin. It includes bits from Rhumba, Mambo, Cha Cha, Charanga, Merengue, and many others. Each of these dances have their own flare. Bits and pieces from each of the dances were combined to create what we have come to know and love as Salsa Dancing. Due to this, it is virtually impossible to pin down a true origin of the dance, as it was created from many different Hispanic dances with varying backgrounds.
There are several different ideas on where the name came from. Some people believe that it was a phrase that musicians would shout out as they played the music. Other speculate that the term came about because of the dances hot and spicy connotations. There is also the belief that the dance got its name from its likeness to salsa, in that it is encompasses many different and unique parts, much like the food itself.
The dance involves moving your body weight by stepping, while keeping your upper body smooth and unchanged by the movement of your feet. As you move, your hips should start to sway with the movement of your feet, this plays into the notion that Salsa is a highly sexualized dance. The dance was born in a social environment and continues to be a social dance that is very fluid. Competitive Salsa dancing has grown in popularity. Competitive Salsa dancing emphasizes the form and proper steps, the dances are in no way stiff, and you certainly won’t see a lack of movement.