Cumbia Dance Steps

Famous for being a street-style dance form, Cumbia used to be considered as a vulgar dance by the upper classes for years. No matter how it was looked upon in the past, today, Cumbia dance is getting popular day by day. It is taught in majority of states in the US and across the world. Before we begin to understand the Cumbia dancing steps, you'll need to be in comfortable clothing, shoes, great Cumbia music, and a dancing partner.

How to do Basic Cumbia Dance

Ask a friend or someone from your family to join you so you can learn how to do basic Cumbia steps. You can grasp the solo and partner Cumbia dance collectively. Read more on how to learn Latin dance.

Legs

• We will begin learning the basic Cumbia dance by keeping our feet together. The right foot goes back while the left foot stays in place. Again the right foot comes back together with the left and you will repeat the same thing over to the left. Let's call this as a "neutral" position where both the feet meet.
• We will number the steps, so you can count while you're doing the Cumbia steps. Right foot (1), left foot (2), right foot (3), and neutral (4).
• The left foot will take a step back while the right foot stays in place. Bring the left foot back together with the right foot. Same counts on the other side: left foot (5), right foot (6), left foot (7), and neutral (8).
• Now there's a pause on counts 4 and 8 when we change sides. So the count goes 1, 2, 3, 4 (pause and switch to the other side), 5, 6, 7, and 8 (pause and repeat the count).

Pivot

• Another element in Cumbia steps is pivot. While dancing, when you take a step back with either leg, pivot your foot a little bit by turning it on an angle.
• You're facing diagonally and turning your entire body, instead of staring straight ahead.
• Pivot on each pause; which means you will pivot at counts 1, 4, 5, and 8.

Arms

• Those were some leg movements for the basic Cumbia dance. Now let's concentrate on the arms. They won't be hanging loosely by your side; even the arms have an important role in the entire dance.
• Both men and women have to bend the elbows and bring them a little higher than your waist. Women will tilt their wrists to give it a feminine touch, while men just keep the arms strong.
• Make small circles with your arms between your hips and shoulders. Avoid going outside this frame. Put all the three elements, legs, pivot, and arms together, and try it as you're counting the steps. Keep repeating the steps and speed it till you match the tempo of the music.

How to do Side to Side Cumbia Dance

Similar to what we did in the basic steps, instead of taking your leg behind, this time you will go from side to side.

• We will start from the right side. Take a step toward your right side, bring your left foot together with the right (neutral), another step on the right side, and left foot back in neutral.
• So the count goes: right foot (1), left neutral (2), right foot (3), and left neutral (4).
• Repeat on the left side. Take a step toward your left side, bring your right foot together with the left (neutral), another step on the left side, and right foot back in neutral. So the count goes: left foot (5), right neutral (6), left foot (7), and right neutral (8).
• For a variation in the side step, you will have to travel more with your legs as you perform them. Rather than bringing the feet together in first neutral position, cross one leg in front of the other and then continue with the step. The second neutral position stays the same. So the count goes: right foot, cross left foot in front of the right, step out with right foot, and neutral.
• Repeat the same on the left side. Now when you come to the pause or second neutral position, don't just place your feet together. Avoid keeping the entire foot positioned on the floor; just touch your ankles to one another and slightly raise the heel above the floor.

You can definitely incorporate all the basic Cumbia dance with a partner. In lieu of facing the mirror, you will face your partner, hold his/her hands, and do the same steps mentioned above. Cumbia is a very seductive dance form which can be mastered with some endurance and practice. Encourage yourself to join the dance classes or buy videos that can teach you more advanced Cumbia dance. This will help you understand the real Cumbia dance steps and make you more interested to learn other Latin dances.