International Rumba Basic Steps

Today's class was of International Rumba. Other style is American Rumba. Rumba, also known as the "dance of love", the "Latin Waltz" or the "Waltz with a wiggle", is a spot dance which means the couple does not travel around the dance floor like in waltz or foxtrot, but rather stays in one location.

You start dancing Rumba in a closed dance position. The man's left hand is holding the lady's right hand with the elbows almost touching. The man’s right hand is placed underneath the lady’s shoulder blade. The lady’s left hand is placed right behind the man's shoulder, flat on his back. Following video shows the correct stance:

Basic Stance for Rumba Dancing

This is a flat dance. All the time some part of both the feet always remain in contact with the dance floor.

Basic step counts are 2-3-4-1 (long 4 and short 1) -2-3-4-1.

* Displacement between legs on steps 4 and 1 is more than a foot, but very less on step 2.

0 – Male partner starts with weight on right foot and left foot stretched inline (horizontally, with forefoot touching ground and heel lifted).

2 – He moves his left foot forward (places it flat, about 10 inches ahead) and weight is shifted on it. Right foot’s heel gets lifted a little bit, but forefoot keeps on touching ground.

3 – Weight is shifted back on right foot. Left foot’s heel gets lifted a bit.

4 – He brings backward left foot sideways (around more than a foot away from right foot), making an arc (but in-line to right foot). During this step, left foot’s forefoot always remain in-contact to ground and heel always remain lifted up.

1 – Here he does a quick weight shift from right foot to left foot. Left foot heel comes down and right foot’s gets lifted a bit.

2 – He follows above four steps again, but with other foot. He moves right foot backward (placed flat, about 10 inches back) and weight is shifted on it. Left foot’s heel gets lifted a little bit.

3 – Weight is shifted back on left foot. Right foot’s heel gets lifted a bit.

4 – He brings back right foot sideways (around more than a foot away from left foot), making an arc (but in-line to left foot). During this step, right foot’s forefoot always remain in-contact to ground and heel always remain lifted up.

1 – Here he does a quick weight shift from left to right foot. Right foot heel comes down and left foot’s gets lifted a bit.

Details of all steps can be found at International Rumba Step List