How to spin in salsa

Good spins come from two things: posture and spotting. Get those right, practice a few simple drills, and your turns get cleaner, steadier, and less dizzy.

Why spinning matters so much in salsa

Salsa is full of turns. Spins for the follower, spins for the leader, turns inside almost every move. So if spinning feels shaky, a lot of your dancing feels shaky.

When I started working on my spinning technique, it didn't just improve my turns. It improved my posture and how I looked when I danced in general.

I had no ballet or dance background. I learned these exercises over years of going to Frankie Martinez's studio, and they got me to six spins in a row.

1. Posture

Everything else depends on this, so set it up first.

• Stand up straight.
• Roll your shoulders back and down, and keep them relaxed.
• Tuck your chin in slightly, just enough that the back of your neck is long.
• Keep your hips neutral. Don't stick your butt out, and don't tuck it under.
• Imagine a string tied to your chest pulling it up a little.
• Let your arms relax.

If you do all that, your weight ends up on the balls of your feet. Test it: you should be able to balance there for a second. That's the spot you spin on.

2. Spotting

Spotting means your head doesn't turn at the same speed as your body. You keep your eyes on one point, usually your partner, for as long as you can. Then you whip your head around and find that same point again.

Spotting does two things for you:

• It keeps you from getting dizzy.
• It keeps you on track. Wherever you're spotting is where you'll end the turn, so you finish facing your partner instead of somewhere random.

Both partners do it. The follower spots the leader, and the leader spots the follower. There's a short spotting video here too.

3. The drills

Drill 1: Quick head turns

Stand up straight in your posture. Look to your left. Count 1, 2, 3, 4, and on 4, turn your head and look to your right. Count again, and switch back.

The turn should be fast and sharp, but relaxed. Your neck should never hurt. If you feel any discomfort, stop.

You can do this one anywhere, even while you're brushing your teeth.

Drill 2: The pivot

Face a mirror with your left foot forward and your weight on it. Now quickly pivot and change your weight to your right foot. Then back.

Keep your hands on your hips. That stops you from cheating by swinging your arms. The turn should come from your hips and your core, because that's where your momentum comes from when you actually spin.

This drill is mostly about balance, and it's the same movement you make when you turn.

Drill 3: The pivot with spotting

Same as drill 2, but now add your head. Look at yourself in the mirror, pivot, and whip your head back to find the mirror again.

Now you're practicing posture, balance, the pivot, and spotting all at once. That's a spin.

A full routine to follow along with

This second video is the routine I practiced, to follow along with. The audio is a bit rough, but the exercises are all there. I did a 30-minute session on these twice a week.

Common mistakes

• Slouching. If your chest drops and your shoulders roll forward, you lose your balance before the turn even starts.
• Turning your head with your body. That's what makes you dizzy and lets you lose track of where you are. Spot.
• Using your arms to get around. The turn comes from your hips and core. Practice with hands on your hips until that's a habit.
• Spinning on flat feet. Your weight belongs on the balls of your feet.
• Straining your neck. Fast and relaxed. If it hurts, stop.

Questions people ask

How do you not get dizzy when spinning in salsa?

Spot. Keep your eyes on one point, like your partner's face, for as long as you can, then whip your head around and find that point again. It also helps you finish the turn where you meant to.

Which part of the foot do you spin on in salsa?

On the balls of your feet. With good posture your weight sits there naturally, and that's where the turn happens.

How can I practice salsa spins at home?

With the drills on this page: quick head turns, a pivot from one foot to the other, and the same pivot with spotting. You only need a few feet of floor.

Do I need a ballet background to do multiple spins?

No. I had no ballet or dance background, and these exercises got me to six spins in a row. It comes from practicing them regularly.