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Level Guidelines

To make sure you’re progressing, enjoying the journey, supporting a positive class environment and remaining respectful toward your classmates, please join the level that best aligns with these guidelines. Most importantly, we encourage you to follow our instructors’ advice before moving up to a higher level, they’re there to help you succeed and have fun! If you have never attended a Salsateca lesson, we recommend arriving 15 minutes before the class starts to speak with one of our teachers on site.

A student is ready for the next level when they can:

  • Stay on time with the beat of the music for a full song (without the teacher counting for them).

  • Recover if they get lost (go back to basic and rejoin the music).

  • Lead/follow the move smoothly without yanking, stopping, or guessing.

  • Keep clean basics: correct weight transfer, posture, timing, and basic partner connection.

Check your level

SALSA (Cross Body Style)

Please note that in most venues we offer three levels and occasionally only two. This means that our beginners and improvers level will be slightly more challenging, and the Intermediate and Advanced levels will be combined into one group. Bear in mind that you might find a class slightly more difficult on a given day, depending on the instructor, the group of people attending, and your personal mental and physical state.

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

BEGINNERS SALSA (Level 1)

This level is for complete beginners and students who still need to work on their foundations.
We focus on timing, basic partner connection, and change of positions. The goal is to feel comfortable dancing socially with simple patterns, without losing the beat.

​

What you’ll learn in this level

  • Mambo (forwards/backwards basic)

  • Rumba (side basic)

  • Backwards step (both feet)

  • Closed hold and open hold

  • Change of position (Crossbody lead)

  • 180 turn

  • Right turn and left turn (Lead & follow with different hand positions)

  • Outside turn

  • Open Break

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Focus points

  • Timing and structure: 1-2-3, 5-6-7

  • Basic steps, preparations and turn patterns.

  • Partner connection, lead/follow and staying on the musical beat.
    ​

Ready to move up when…

You can lead/follow all the above to the beat of the music and enjoy social dancing. Please, seek for our instructor's advise.

IMPROVERS SALSA (Level 2)

This level is an extension of the beginner’s level where you still work in the foundations.
You will work on technique, rhythm, preparation, control, and smooth finishes. We also start introducing the idea of musical interpretation and “shines” so timing stays solid even when not holding hands.

​

What you’ll learn in this level​​

  • Inside turn

  • Walk through

  • Open break with half turn

  • Hammerlock

  • Tunnel

  • Copa (and variations)

  • Titanic (and variations)

  • 360 Turns

  • Shines (footwork and body movement)

​

Focus points

  • Technique, timing, body movement

  • Enhancing movement continuity through controlled transitions

  • Musical interpretation

​

Ready to move up when…

You can lead/follow all the above to the beat of the music and enjoy social dancing. Please, seek for our instructor's advise.

​

INTERMEDIATE SALSA (Level 3)

In the intermediate level we go deeper into the music with more elaborate, footwork, turn patterns and body movement.
You’ll work on more challenging variations, spinning technique, and smoother transitions, so your dancing feels relaxed and controlled even when the moves are more intricate and the music is quicker.

​

What you’ll work on in this level

  • Crossbody inside turn and outside turn (and variations)

  • Open break with 360 turn

  • “Leader goes around the follower clockwise, holds her left arm, leads her to crossbody with inside turn”

  • Double spins

  • Copa (and it's variations)

  • Hand flicks, arm movement and styling

​

Focus points

  • Balance, body movement and flow.

  • Clear leading and smooth following.

  • Musical awareness and interpretation at a faster pace.

​

Ready to move up when…

You can lead/follow all the above to the beat of the music and enjoy social dancing. Please, seek for our instructor's advise.

​

ADVANCED SALSA (Level 4)

You will learn more complex moves, and polish your body movement, spinning technique and musicality.
You will work on gaining speed, precision, favour, flow and master music interpretation.

​

What you’ll work on in this level

  • Advanced turn patterns (cleaner entries/exits, direction changes, tighter alignment on the slot)

  • Multiple spins (single to double/triple progressions where appropriate)

  • Advanced hand changes and wrap/unwrap concepts (kept clear and comfortable)

  • More complex open break variations (including tempo changes and accents)

  • Advanced shines: timing, footwork clarity, and clean re-connection

  • Musicality tools: breaks, hits, slow/fast contrast, phrasing awareness

  • Floorcraft at higher speed: safe spacing and controlled travel

​

Focus points

  • Precision on the slot: straight alignment, no drifting, clean lines.

  • Spin quality: balance, spotting, controlled finishes, and clean timing on the 1.

  • Lead clarity: preparation + timing that feels light (no pushing/pulling).

  • Smoothness under pressure: staying relaxed at fast tempos and in crowded spaces.

  • Musical interpretation: choices that match the music, not just “doing more”.

​

BACHATA

Please note that in most venues we offer three levels and occasionally only two. This means that our beginners and improvers level will be slightly more challenging, and the Intermediate and Advanced levels will be combined into one group. Bear in mind that you might find a class slightly more difficult on a given day, depending on the instructor, the group of people attending, and your personal mental and physical state.

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

TUESDAYS at St Saviour's School (Borough venue):

Please note that at this venue we run two rooms simultaneously, and levels are staggered. This means that: • Beginners (Level 1) and Intermediate dancers (Level 3) attend Cuban Salsa at 7:00 pm and Bachata at 8:00 pm. • Improvers (Level 2) and Advanced (Level 4) dancers attend Bachata at 7:00 pm and Cuban Salsa at 8:00 pm. Students who wish to attend both hours of Cuban Salsa or both hours of Bachata must choose levels that are appropriate and manageable for them. For example, if you have never danced before or have very little experience, you cannot start at 7:00 pm in an Improvers Bachata class. In this case, you will need to attend Beginners Bachata at 8:00 pm for a few weeks before progressing. We have observed that some dancers may choose a class that fits their preferred schedule rather than their appropriate level. If this happens, the instructor might recommend moving to a different class that better matches your level. Since most Latin parties feature both Salsa and Bachata, learning both is not only fun but also a must! So, we strongly recommend and encourage our students to learn both.

BEGINNERS BACHATA (Level 1)

This level is for complete beginners and students who still need to work on their foundations.
We focus on timing, basic partner connection, and change of positions. The goal is to feel comfortable dancing socially with simple patterns, without losing the beat.

​

What you’ll work on in this level

  • Basic side to side (timing 1-2-3-tap, 5-6-7-tap)

  • Forward and back basic

  • Box step (optional, depending on the method)

  • Partner hold positions: closed and open

  • Basic underarm turn (right and left)

  • Simple change of place

  • Rhythm control: staying on time when the song speeds up slightly

​

Focus points

  • Consistent timing

  • Comfortable frame and connection (clear but gentle)

  • Clean basics and clean finishes (so you don’t “get stuck” after a turn)

​

Ready to move up when…

You can lead/follow all the above to the beat of the music and enjoy social dancing. Please, seek for our instructor's advise.

​

IMPROVERS BACHATA (Level 2)

This level is an extension of the beginner’s level where you still work in the foundations.
We work on technique, rhythm, preparation, control, and smooth finishes. We also start introducing the idea of musical interpretation and different styles of bachata; Dominican, moderna and sensual. 

​

What you’ll learn in this level

  • Inside and outside turns

  • Simple turn combinations (2 moves linked)

  • Basic “shadow” position entry/exit (if included in your syllabus)

  • Basic syncopation (only if timing stays clean)

  • Intro to body movement: hips and chest control (safe, natural, not forced)

  • Body rolls and waves

​​

Focus points

  • Technique, timing, body movement

  • Enhancing movement continuity through controlled transitions

  • Musical interpretation

​​

Ready to move up when…

You can lead/follow all the above to the beat of the music and enjoy social dancing. Please, seek for our instructor's advise.

​

INTERMEDIATE BACHATA (Level 3)

This level is about control, musicality, and adapting in real social dancing.
You’ll work on clearer lead preparation, more detailed timing, and musical choices (pauses, accents, tempo changes). Patterns become more varied, but the priority stays the same: balance, clarity, and flow.

​

What you’ll work on in this level

  • More complex turn patterns

  • Musicality: pauses, slow sections, accents

  • Body isolations, waves and rolls, hip and head rolls

  • Clean footwork timing (no rushing taps)

  • Better lead clarity: preparation and direction

​

Focus points

  • Balance, body movement and flow.

  • Clear leading and smooth following.

  • Musical awareness and interpretation at a faster pace.

​

Ready to move up when…

You can lead/follow all the above to the beat of the music and enjoy social dancing. Please, seek for our instructor's advise.

ADVANCED BACHATA (Level 4)

In the intermediate level we go deeper into the music with more elaborate, footwork, turn patterns and body movement.
You’ll work on more challenging variations, spinning technique, and smoother transitions, so your dancing feels relaxed and controlled even when the moves are more intricate and the music is quicker.

​

What you’ll work on in this level

  • Advanced turn patterns with cleaner entries/exits

  • Sensual foundations: isolations and body control (hips, ribcage, chest, weight changes)

  • Waves and rolls (progressive, technique-led, never forced)

  • Head movement basics (only if taught safely and appropriately)

  • Position changes: shadow variations, wrap/unwrap concepts, direction changes

  • Musicality tools: breaks, slow motion, accents, dynamic changes

  • Optional “mixed” vocabulary (only when it fits the music and keeps social-dance practicality)

​

Focus points

  • Technique & safety first: movement comes from control and weight transfer, not pushing or pulling.

  • Comfortable connection: clear communication, respectful distance, and consent-aware styling.

  • Smoothness: transitions that flow, no “reset panic” back to basic.

  • Musical intention: you’re not doing sensual because you can, you’re doing it because the music asks for it.

  • Adaptability: you can keep the same quality with different partners and different bachata tempos.​

CUBAN SALSA

Please note that in most venues we offer three levels and occasionally only two. This means that our beginners and improvers level will be slightly more challenging, and the Intermediate and Advanced levels will be combined into one group. Bear in mind that you might find a class slightly more difficult on a given day, depending on the instructor, the group of people attending, and your personal mental and physical state.

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

TUESDAYS at St Saviour's School (Borough venue):

Please note that at this venue we run two rooms simultaneously, and levels are staggered. This means that: • Beginners (Level 1) and Intermediate dancers (Level 3) attend Cuban Salsa at 7:00 pm and Bachata at 8:00 pm. • Improvers (Level 2) and Advanced (Level 4) dancers attend Bachata at 7:00 pm and Cuban Salsa at 8:00 pm. Students who wish to attend both hours of Cuban Salsa or both hours of Bachata must choose levels that are appropriate and manageable for them. For example, if you have never danced before or have very little experience, you cannot start at 7:00 pm in an Improvers Bachata class. In this case, you will need to attend Beginners Bachata at 8:00 pm for a few weeks before progressing. We have observed that some dancers may choose a class that fits their preferred schedule rather than their appropriate level. If this happens, the instructor might recommend moving to a different class that better matches your level. Since most Latin parties feature both Salsa and Bachata, learning both is not only fun but also a must! So, we strongly recommend and encourage our students to learn both.

THURSDAYS at St Mary's (Moorgate venue)

Please note that on Thursdays we offer six levels, which allows us to spread the content more evenly and address the gaps between levels to support a smoother transition for the students. Thursdays lessons are designed for students to come for 2 hours choosing their level as follows: BEGINNERS - Level 1: For absolute beginners and people who are still taking their first steps. Ideal for first time comers and slow learners. * - Level 2: will be more challenging than an average Beginners class, approaching an Improvers level.* *Most students attend Levels 1 and 2 for 5 to 10 Thursday sessions until they gain enough experience to start attending Level 3 at 7:00 p.m. and Level 2 at 8:00 p.m. This also depends on whether they stay to practice or attend other lessons or workshops during the week. IMPROVERS - Level 3: For lower Improvers.* - Level 4: For higher Improvers.* *Our usual Thursday Level 2 (Improvers) class is split into two groups to create a smoother transition. This helps students progress from Beginner to Improver, and from Improver to Intermediate. INTERMEDIATE - Level 5 is the equivalent to our usual level 3 on venues where we offer only 4 levels ADNVANCED -Level 6 will be our highest level, designed for advanced dancers with significant experience. Equivalent to our usual level 4 on venues where we offer only 4 levels.

SATURDAYS 3hrs Intensive Cuban Salsa Workshops:

Please note that, due to the length of the workshop, we usually have more time to explain concepts in greater detail. So, within the level, we tend to be able to push a bit further. • Beginners (Equivalent to our regular Level 1/2) Suitable for anyone from absolute beginners to lower improvers. • Improvers (Equivalent to our regular Level 2/3) Suitable for Improvers to lower intermediate. • Intermediate/Adv (Equivalent to our regular Level 3/4) Suitable for solid Intermediate and advance dancers who are ready to take a greater challenge.

BEGINNERS CUBAN SALSA (Level 1)

This level is for complete beginners and students who still need to work on their foundations.

We focus on timing, basic partner connection, and change of positions. The goal is to feel comfortable dancing socially with simple patterns, without losing the beat.

​

What you’ll learn in this level:

  • Forwards backwards basic step 

  • Rumba (side basic)

  • Backwards step (both feet)

  • Guapea

  • Camina

  • Closed hold and open hold

  • Change of position (Dile que no)

  • 180 turn / Dile que sí

  • Right turn and left turn (Lead & follow with different hand positions)

  • Sácala / pasillo

  • Rodeo

  • Enchufla

​

Focus points (very important in Cuban)

  • Technique, timing, body movement

  • Enhancing movement continuity through controlled transitions

  • Musical interpretation

​

Ready to move up when…

You can lead/follow all the above to the beat of the music and enjoy social dancing. Please, seek for our instructor's advise.​

IMPROVERS CUBAN SALSA (Level 2)

This level is where everything starts to connect.

You already know the basics, now you’ll learn how to link movements smoothly and start building real “mini combinations” that work in social dancing. We focus a lot on clarity (lead/follow), circular patterns, and transitions without stopping.

​

What you’ll learn in this level

  • Basic steps (refine and clean up)

  • Dile que no

  • Guapea

  • Right turn and left turn

  • Around the man (son move)

  • Paseala

  • Setenta

  • Sacala

  • Sombrero

​

Focus points

  • Clear lead/follow on circular patterns (especially setenta / sombrero)

  • Smooth transitions back to guapea (no freezing after each move)

  • Keeping the same tempo and energy from start to finish

​

Ready to move up when…

You can lead/follow all the above to the beat of the music and enjoy social dancing. Please, seek for our instructor's advise.

INTERMEDIATE CUBAN SALSA (Level 3)

This level is about flow, musicality, and expanding your options.
You’ll learn connector moves and variations that let you adapt in real social dancing. We’ll also introduce more musical control so you can change the “feel” (son/salsa flavour) without losing timing.

​

What you’ll work on in this level

  • Enchufla (and simple variations) as a core connector move

  • Vacílala

  • Setenta variations (simple variations before the complex ones)

  • Exhibela (very common social move and a good control test)

  • Musical control: switching between a son feel and a salsa feel while staying on time

​​

Focus points

  • Balance, body movement and flow.

  • Clear leading and smooth following.

  • Musical awareness and interpretation at a faster pace.

​

Ready to move up when…

You can lead/follow all the above to the beat of the music and enjoy social dancing. Please, seek for our instructor's advise.

ADVANCED CUBAN SALSA (Level 4)

This level is for experienced dancers who already have strong flow, timing, and clean partnerwork.
Here we focus on advanced variations, speed control, musical interpretation, and “real social dancing skills”: adapting to different partners, different tempos, crowded floors, and different music styles within Cuban.

​

What you’ll work on in this level

  • Advanced enchufla variations (timing changes, direction changes, smoother hand changes)

  • Setenta / sombrero variations (more complex entries/exits, cleaner wraps/unwraps)

  • Vacílala variations (control + balance, not force)

  • Exhibela variations and styling options (both roles)

  • Guapea variations and playful rhythm changes (without losing the Cuban feel)

  • More complex combinations with son flavour and musical breaks

  • Optional: simple Rueda-style vocabulary (only if it supports technique and clarity, not chaos)

​

Focus points

  • Precision & lightness: clear signals, minimal force, comfortable hands/arms.

  • Advanced musicality: hitting breaks, playing with accents, and changing energy while staying on time.

  • Partner adaptability: you can make it work with any partner, not only people who dance like you.

  • Floorcraft: safe movement, controlled travel, awareness in crowded social floors.

  • Styling with purpose: styling that matches the music and doesn’t break connection.

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