How to Do a Rumba Box Step | Ballroom Dance

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Aaron: Hey guys, it's Aaron.

Kristina: And I'm Kristina.

Aaron: And we are professional dance instructors here in New York City, and today we're going to be talking to you a little bit about a dance called the rumba. So first of all, we're going to take apart the basic action in this dance and what we're going to come up with is what we usually refer to as a box step. So what we're going to do is we're going to start with our left leg, and we're going to start with a step forward, and then we're going to take our right foot and step directly to the side, and then replace our left foot together with our right, and taking a step back on our right, and then directly to the side on our left, stepping together with the right, changing our weight, and again continuing forward on the left. And side, together, back. And side, together, forward. Side, together, back. And side, together, forward.

Now the rumba has its origins in Cuba. Now this is a Latin dance and we will see a lot of hip action across all of these Latin dances, specifically more in this rumba as you're going to see with the bending and straightening of the legs creating a sort of lateral settling of the hips, as well as somewhat of a figure eight action that begins to happen that gives us that great Cuban motion. And back, side, together, forward. And side, together, back. And side, together.

Now we're going to count this using slows and quicks. So we're going start, forward on our left with slow, and step quick quick. Slow, quick quick. Slow, quick quick. Slow, and quick quick. So now let's take a look at that with our partner. Starting in our closed position with our left to right hand hold somewhere about chin height where it's comfortable for both of us, and placing our right hand on the lady's left shoulder blade as the lady places her hand on our right shoulder close to our deltoid here. So starting again with our left foot forward and right foot back for the ladies, slow, quick quick. Slow, quick quick. Slow, quick quick. Slow, now I'm just going to demonstrate how this dance is actually going to rotate as well, counter-clockwise, to our left, quick, quick. Slow, quick quick. Slow, quick quick. Now let's try that with some music.

[dancerjono]

It should be noted in the description and also pointed out by the instructors that this is the american style rumba as international rumba has different timing, steps and technique. Chances are if you live outside the US you'll be taught international rumba, it could get confusing for someone new to Latin dance if they are taught international and then watch this

[peggyschjeldahl]

Thank you for explaining this beautiful dance simply! I teach a Let Your Yoga Dance class for seniors, many with walkers, and
we LOVE to rumba. We have re-named walkers "dance machines". You have greatly added to our joy of dance!!!

[bimberandbigos]

I just started taking dance classes. Your tutorials are so helpful. You both are great!

[iAmAFighter]

This is a great review for my dance classes.

[madisonstone]

I'm here trying to prepare for my dancing class--getting way outta my comfort zone so wish me luck

[mitchellcrispell]

Thanks for the great lesson! I’m rumba-Ing all over my living room!

[egg-jzth]

Ima be pulling out all the rizz with these moves

[eogg]

I learned to Rumba when I was about 15 years old, My sisters girl friend taught me, she did most of the work, We did the box step but she did a lot of dancing around me also lots of hip movement.

[tonygreen]

This has helped me review and remember my rumba step!

[Seahorse.]

K, I followed along no problem until you said to hold hands at chin height. I have a couple of chins, which one do I use?

[marthelaplante]

life changers i tell you... life changers

[Coruno]

Me gusta mas como para un carnaval o para bailar rumba 😅

[DestroyerofThings]

I appreciate this video but I wish, while you continued to do the footwork, you would have kept the full body view. Thank you.

[michelledeame]

This would be helpful to me if you dance with your backs to the camera. Otherwise, there is right left confusion. I used to teach aerobics classes, and me turning around, so my students could follow me exactly without making the translation of, their right is my left. Please consider re-recording this video as I suggested! Your students will thank you!

[nacconotnacho]

Is there a mirrored version of this somewhere? The Left/Right part is really messing me up.

[cameliap]

The music seems more Brazilian then... Cuban .

[ventusvindictus]

I understand now. The difference between Rumba and Waltz is the difference between enchilada sauce and marinara, respectively.

[elizabethpeek]

For women, we do all the beginning instructions backwards?

[feliciaolivieri]

No doubt you both are very smooth BUT you should be "mirroring" your movements to the audience. By that I mean, your right would be your audiences left. By that explaining the movements without indicating right-left UNLESS you are mirroring your movements. Traditional dance instructors do this.

[saram_]

bruh i have to do this as a dance assignment in class like did i ask bruh pray for me pls