Salsa Steps

Salsa Shines: 7 Suzie Q Variations (On1 & On2)

Let’s explore seven Suzie Q variations.

There are two reasons I want to show you this:

you don’t need a bunch of moves to become a great dancer, and
you can practice these variations without a partner

In the video I demonstrate all seven variations and then break each one down so you can practice them on your own, both On1 and On2 timing.

1. Suzie Back Step

The Suzie Back Step is similar to the regular Suzie Q, but with a backward step to add a different intention.

2. Suzie Walks

Suzie Walks start with two steps of chord beat walks (on 1 and 3) and then the suzie q. Repeat to the other side.

3. Suzie Plus

Suzie Plus is an extended suzie q. Do the suzie q in one direction for a full 8 count, then turn and go back the other way for a full 8 count.

4. Suzie Point

Suzie Point involves adding a jazz point or flared foot on the 4th step – the last step of each side of the suzie q.

5. Jazz Point with Suzie Q

This move starts and ends with jazz points and adds a suzie q in the middle.

6. Suzie with Mambo Taps

Suzie with Mambo Taps integrates mambo-style taps into the Suzie Q. Suzie q one way for 1-2-3 and then do mambo taps on 5-7. Repeat to the other side.

7. In and Outs with Suzie Q

In and Outs add a dynamic in-and-out motion to the Suzie Q. Do in-and-outs on 1-2-3 and then finish the 8 count with suzie q on 5-6-7. Repeat to the other side.

Conclusion

These Suzie Q variations show that you don’t need a complex array of moves to enjoy dancing. It’s about using the steps you know well, getting comfortable with them, and exploring their possibilities to the fullest.

Simple is beautiful. Have fun with the basics and connect to the music!

5 Concepts for Creative Salsa Shines

Today I’m addressing a common misconception: more moves alone won’t make you a better dancer.

Instead, it’s about diving deep into the moves you already know and exploring them fully.

Here are five concepts to help you make your dancing and shines more playful, unique, and dynamic. Plus, there’s a fun challenge for you at the end!

1. Intention

Intention is about the energy and flavor you bring to each step. Consider how you perform a basic Suzie Q:

Classic Suzie Q: Hip-centric twisting motion.
Casual Suzie Q: Square and forward, less emphasis on the hips.
Up-and-Down Suzie Q: Adding a slight bounce for a different feel.

It’s up to you to bring the flavour you want into the step you’re doing.

Your mood and the music influence this energy. Are you feeling happy, sad, energetic, or calm? Is the music sharp or smooth? Adjust your intention accordingly to change the vibe of your steps.

2. Levels

Playing with levels can make your moves more dynamic:

Basic step with a drop: drop lower on the last step.
Suzie Q with a rise: rise on your last step.

In a recent class, we practiced a sequence involving a left turn, a hop, and then moving from low to high. These level changes add a new dimension to your dance.

3. Angles and Direction Changes

Changing your orientation can significantly alter the dynamics of your dance:

Basic step with a pivot: Add a simple pivot at the end.
Suzie Q at angles: perform the step at different angles (e.g., 45 degrees or 180 degrees).
Suzie Q with rotations: extend the suzie q and rotate in a circle.

These are just a few examples. You can use these concepts with any step.

Rotations and direction changes are just one more way to make your dance more visually engaging.

4. Traveling

Move in a specific direction while dancing:

Basic Step traveling: progress in one direction.
Suzie Q traveling: propel yourself forward or backward with intentional steps.

Stay in one place, move around, or move and then stop. Every change you make has a visual effect.

5. Focus

Where you look affects the focus of your dance and how it appears visually:

Basic Step: your focus is typically straight ahead at your partner or audience.
Suzie Q changing focus: look in the direction you’re moving or in the opposite direction. Each has a different effect.
Look at something to emphasize it: when flaring your foot out look down at it for dramatic effect. Look away from your partner, then quickly look towards them as you match it with your step.

Changing your focus adds a playful element and can highlight different aspects of your dance.

Challenge

Now that you understand these five concepts, start by applying them to your basic step and the Suzie Q. Once you’re comfortable, pick two other steps you know well and explore these concepts with them. This will help you discover your own style and preferences, making you a more mature and developed dancer.

By focusing on these concepts—intention, levels, angles and direction changes, traveling, and focus—you can truly bring your dancing to life.

Explore these ideas deeply, and remember, the best way to improve is through deep exploration, not just copying your teacher.

For more in-depth lessons, check out our online salsa program – try it free for a week right here.

Making a Salsa Pattern From Easy to Hard With JUST 4 moves

If you know me, I’m not a fan of doing patterns unless they’re being used to teach something specific.

Why?

I believe teaching principles and concepts first, the stuff you can apply to everything, is more helpful for social dancing.

I also prefer to focus on individual moves before patterns. Once you know the foundational moves and their names you can connect them like lego blocks – a skill all social dancers need. Memorizing choreography is less helpful.

In this video, I’m going to use just 4 moves to create a pattern and then sprinkle on some difficulty, move by move, to gradually increase the complexity of the pattern, from easy to hard.

Level 1

Simply link the four moves together:

Cross body lead
Right turn (for the follow)
Left turn (for the lead)
Inside turn

Level 2

Add a lock to the right turn:

Cross body lead
Right turn + lock to her right shoulder
Left turn (for the lead)
Inside turn

Level 3

Add a hook turn for the lead during the cross body lead:

Cross body lead + hook turn
Right turn + lock to her right shoulder
Left turn (for the lead)
Inside turn

Level 4

Keep the arm lock after the right turn and unwind it using the left turn:

Cross body lead + hook turn
Right turn + lock to her right shoulder
Left turn + unwind the locked arm
Inside turn

Level 5

Add more locks before and during the inside turn:

Cross body lead + hook turn
Right turn + lock to her right shoulder
Left turn + unwind the locked arm
Inside turn
- Arm lock/loop before (leg go of her hand)
- Head lock/loop during (let go of her hand)

Level 6

Recollect the hand during the inside turn, add a right turn + arm locks afterward

Cross body lead + hook turn
Right turn + lock to her right shoulder
Left turn + unwind the locked arm
Inside turn
- Arm lock/loop before (leg go of her hand)
- Head lock/loop during (let go of her hand)
- Recollect her hand
Right turn + arm locks to finish

In the video the levels are slightly different, but I wanted to lay it out here in even more step-by-step progressive detail.

Hopefully you can now see…

How to connect individual moves like lego blocks
How to layer on difficulty, move by move, using concepts (locks, turns etc.)

Likewise, if you ever find a pattern that’s too hard for you, simplify it down to it’s basic moves. Then add back complexity until it’s at a level you like.

Lastly, as a lead, one of the keys to social dancing well is being able to adjust to your partners. This video is a perfect example of how you can adjust the complexity of something based on who you’re dancing with.

If your follow is more beginner, add the complexity for yourself.

If the follow is more advanced, add some more complexity for them.

If you’re both feeling great, add more fun for both of you.

Thanks for your attention and have fun out there!

Adding Turns to Your Cross Body (Salsa Inspiration for Leads)

Us leads don’t turn enough!

I previously made a post on How to Add Turns Into Your Salsa Basic (For Leads) and I want to continue this idea with how leads can add turns for themselves during cross body leads.

The key to salsa and life is to keep things fun and interesting, so let’s do that!

I’m not going to break down the technique for the turns, as most of these turns are taught in our online salsa program — try it free for a week here.

This video is meant to be used as inspiration and, if you’ve got some experience, you can give them a go.

Add These Turns To Your Cross Body Leads

Each turn I do has multiple variations (see the video for more ideas). For simplicity, I’ll just list the names of each turn here:

Suave (left turn)
Rejection (hook turn)
Pencil turn
Half and half spot turn
Half spot turn, double pivot

Using those base moves listed above, I came up with 11 total turn variations in the video. And there’s so many more possibilities.

Now, instead of always turning your partner, start adding some turns for yourself.

This especially comes in handy when follows are at a lower level and you’re limited as to what you’re able to lead. Instead of leading her through something she might not be able to follow, just add some fun or complexity for yourself with these turns.

Adding Turns Into Your Salsa Basic (Inspiration for Leads)

I don’t know about you but, as a lead, I’m terrible at adding turns into my salsa dancing.

So, I’ve made a video to 1) explore this for myself and 2) give all you leads some ideas on how you can add turns into your salsa basic while you social dance.

I’m not going to break down the technique of these turns as you can find most of them in our online salsa program – you can try it free for a week here.

This video is meant to offer inspiration and, if you’ve got some experience, you can dive in and try them for yourself, even if you don’t have a partner.

Try These Salsa Turns in Your Basic Step

For each turn in the video I show a “hands-high” version and a “hands-low” version. You can also do a variation where you turn yourself at neck-level (not seen in the video) and use a concept called tracing to let go and reconnect with your partner.

Try these salsa turns:

Right turn
Left turn
Hook turn
Half and half spot turn
Right spot turn
Left spot turn
Pencil turn
Half and half to the right
Half and half to the left

There you have it. Nine turn options, each with two variations. That’s 18 ideas you can use to start adding turns into your salsa basic!

These ideas are super helpful for when you dance with beginners. As a lead, you’re often limited as to what you can make them do, so you can simply add some fun and difficulty for yourself.

If you enjoyed this, you’ll love our online salsa program – try it free for a week right here.