The benefits of spinning On2 (salsa dancing)

Salsa Spinning

I can just feel all the hate mail that is already headed my way. “Oh, here goes Anthony, talking about On2″… but before you hit that send button – first read the article.

I always get asked what is the difference between dancing On1 and On2. Some people tend to have opinions on whether they are different or if its the same thing. Well, again I will preach that there are differences. Today I will be focusing on spinning. From a followers (lady’s) perspective they have differences whether you spin On1 or On2 – especially true when doing multiple spins.

Breaking down spinning On1. When the lady spins on1, she starts spinning on 5 (men’s timing). So, lets break down an axle turn. The ladies do half a basic forward (5,6,7), then take (1,2,3,4) and prep their turn – to then do spins starting on 5. The lady the takes (5,6,7,8) to do her spin, and then immediately step back on their right 1, step 2 in place with left, and then bring the right foot back immediately to center for 3.

Breaking down spinning On2. When the lady spins on2, she (on lady’s timing now), preps her axle turn on (5,6,7,8) and starts spinning on 1. She then takes 1,2,3,4,5 to do her spin (or multiple spins), to then step back with her right on 6, step in place on 7 with her left, pause on 8, and then bring back her right foot immediately to center on 1.

Deciphering the magic. See the difference? First of all when doing multiple spins On2, you have an entire extra count to do the spins. This means either you can fit more spins into a specific turning sequence, or you can use the extra time to smooth-out the spins (so they don’t seem rushed). They ladies will enjoy spinning on2 because they will have more time when doing their multiple spins, which makes them easier because they are not rushed. Second, because you are dancing On2, the pause comes right after you end your spins, therefore the ladies have more time to recover from the multiple spins. Remember, after your 6,7 – its an 8, which is a pause. Your right foot does not have to hit center until 1. Once the ladies really understand this, and are able to control their spins – instead of using the 6,7,8,1 counts to recover, they can recover on 6 very quickly, and use their body and style the rest of the 7,8, and 1 counts – which adds to the flavor of the dance.

Again, this is not preaching, but showing the fundamental differences between dancing On1 and On2 and how there are some benefits on dancing to each. In the following video, you can see Emily and Oliver (in the back in black) social dancing. Emily is one of the best salsa spinners out there, so you can see how she can maintain her control and still have add a little bit of styling (or course done to numerous spins)! Enjoy!.

[UPDATED] For those confused about the steps in timing, this article might be useful: Salsa On1 to On2 Steps transitions.

[Added Note] The lady does not need to step until 6 when dancing on 2. Ladies stop spinning with control by having their left foot forward and right foot back. On1 this happens in count 1. On2 this happens on count 6 – so the lady does not need to step on 5 (if not, it would be the same as saying the lady has to step on 7 in the On2 case).

DEFINITION OF "DANCING SALSA ON 2"

Definition of Dancing New York Style Salsa   "Breaking On 2" -

This blog site is written for and about mambo dancers who dance standard New York club style salsa "breaking on 2", sometimes called "Eddie Torres Style".  While a few other dancers may step ifferently, while still calling it "dancing on 2", the definition used by this blog site follows what is taught exclusively by the majority of the New York City area independent salsa dance studios and instructors, such as  Jimmy Anton ,Antonio Barreno, Joyce Blint,  Joe Burgos, Amarillis Cintron, Iris Cruz,  Claudine Curry,   Addie Diaz,  Mario Diaz, Oscar Diaz, Kimberly Flores,  Nelson Flores, Alma Gonzalez, Mario "B" Gonzalez,  Glenda Heffer, Liz Hernandez, Noriko Imai,Sammy Irizarry,  Jai & Candy Dance Studio,  Karisma Dance Studio,  Carlos Konig,  La Salsa De Hoy Studios,  Winsome Lee, Rodney Lopez, Laura  Lorenzo,  Mambo Unico Studios,  the Mambo Mamas, Bernard Martinez,  Frankie Martinez, Juan Matos, Brett McNichols, Jocelyn Mendez,  David Negley, Jesus Nieves,  Nydia Ocasio,  Angel Ortiz, Nancy Ortiz,  Ismael Otero,  Viticco Pacheco, Yesenia Peralta, Osmar Perrones, Brenda amos,  Evelyn Ramos, Priscilla  Renta,  Jorday Rivera,  Salsa Groove Dance Studio, Lillian Santiago,   Santo Rico Dance Studio, Steve Seda, Sofia Seebauer,  Side Street Kids Academy, South Bronx Kids,  Starlite Dance Studios,  Steve Seda,  Cesar Taveras,  Greg Taylor,  Delille Thomas, Louis Tirado,  Eddie Torres, Maria Torres, Duplessey Monic Walker,  CC Williams,  Luiz Zegarra, and others.

This way of dancing salsa is often referred to as "New York', "club", "street", "Latino" or "Eddie Torres" style.   This method is different from "ballroom" , "international" and Cuban son montuno styles, and also different than some of what is taught at other New York area studios such as  DanceSport,  Stepping Out,  Razz M' Tazz,  Cultural Explosion and others.

It is different from those whose which step on 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and those which break on 1, 3 or 4, and those who do not dance in a line or "slot".  It is different from others which also may "break on 2", such as  Razz M' Tazz, Cuban son montuno, and those who step on 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8.

The Salsa Music -  Salsa music is played in 4/4 time, and has 4 beats to the measure or bar, and we dance within 2 measures, so we count 8 beats; and loosely say that we "dance to an 8 beat measure or bar", although technically it is two 4 beat measures.  
Many dances, not just salsa, are done within 2 measures, and therefore some people use the terms "musician's measure" and "dancer's measure".  The "musician's measure" has 4 beats, while the "dancer's measure" has 8 beats and consists of 2 "musician's measures".  For more on our music and how it should be played for mambo dancers, see our section

The ON 2 Basic Step -  In our basic step, the man's left foot goes back and the woman's right foot goes forward on the 1st beat of this so-called 8 beat measure or bar.  We step with our feet on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th, 6th, and 7th beats of the measure .  We do not step on the 4th and 8th beats.  We actually "break" our movement, in other words we change body direction, on the 2nd and 6th beats of the measure.  We call it "breaking on 2",  or "dancing on 2", or "bailando en dos".  This is mambo, danced forward and back, in a line or slot, not side to side or in a circle or square. 

Our basic step is as follows:



1st beat of the measure -  The man steps back with his left foot. The woman steps forward with her right foot.

2nd beat of the measure -  The man steps farther back with his right foot, then changes direction, starting to lean forward with his body = "breaks forward on 2".   The woman steps farther forward with her left foot, then changes direction, starting to lean back with her body =
"breaking back on 2".

3rd beat of the measure -  The man steps in place with his left foot, while his body is moving forward.  The woman steps in place with her right foot, while her body is moving backward.

4th beat of the measure -  No steps.

5th beat of the measure -  The man   steps forward with his right foot, in front of his left foot.  The woman steps backward with her left foot, behind her right foot.

6th beat of the measure -  The man steps farther forward with his left foot, then changes direction, starting to lean backward with his body = "breaks back on 6".   The woman steps farther back with her right foot, then changes direction, starting to lean forward = "breaks
forward on 6". 

7th beat of the measure -  The man steps in place with his right foot, while his body is moving backward.  The woman steps in place with her left foot, while her body is moving forward. 

8th beat of the measure -  No steps.