7 Salsa Inside Turn Variations You Should Know

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Can you see the difference between basic salsa turns and their variations? Let's take a look at the cross body inside turn as an example. The cross body lead inside turn is a salsa turn with tons of variations. Today I'm going to show you the inside turn on it's own and then 7 variations you can use in your salsa dancing. Can you see and execute the differences?
00:00 Intro
0:41 The importance of being able to SEE dance
1:03 Inside turn in it's basic form
1:23 Shoulder turn variation
1:34 Hip turn variation
1:47 Free spin variation
1:59 Wrap with a check
2:14 Wrap with complete turn
2:23 Butterfly with a check
2:32 Butterfly with complete turn
2:39 Barrel roll
2:51 Sliding doors from shoulder, hip and free spin
3:21 Outro
🎵 Caballo Grande Ande o No Ande · Manolito Y Su Trabuco
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Hi my name is Robin and I'm no different than you. A few years ago I started learning salsa. After struggling for a while I found some great mentors and the rest is history. Now I travel the world dancing, teaming up with amazing teachers and growing Dance Dojo - the deeply detailed online dance lessons I wish I had when I started. My goal is to help as many of you enjoy the same rewards I've been lucky enough to experience through dance. Join me if you'd like to meet amazing new people, leave stress behind, connect to music in a whole new way and feel more alive. Life only gets more colourful - just take the first step.
Cheers,
Robin
Website: go.thedancedojo.com/pwbe4
Instagram: / thedancedojo
Facebook: / thedancedojo

[@whitelily569]

I love how the girl turns so smooth towards step 1.

[@thedancedojo]

She's actually turning faster than she needs to as well. She has more time, and could step forward on 1 and use that count to pivot instead of already facing me. When you have the time, it's nice to use it! -Robin

[@maj954]

This has gotta be my favorite tutorials from you. People could do inside turns all night and still look great. The sliding door is smoooooth

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it. Yea, the sliding doors can be a fun one. -Robin

[@Hari983]

This video is so well done that I keep going back to it over and over every now then. Great job Robin!

[@thedancedojo]

Wow thanks Haritha! that really means a lot. thanks so much for watching :) -robin

[@arielalberto5360]

_Excellent dance!_ *1* The dance begins 1:03 Inside turn (closed position) 1:11 Inside turn (open position) 1:18 Shoulder turn 1:24 *2* Hip turn 1:35 *3* Free spin 1:47 *4* Wrap (with a check) 1:59 Wrap (complete turn) 2.14 *5* Butterfly (with a check) 2:24 Butterfly (complete turn) 2:33 *6* Barrel roll 2:41 *7* Sliding doors (from shoulder) 2:52 Sliding doors (from hip) 2:57 Sliding doors (from free spin) 3:03

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks for watching and the table of contents Ariel! -Robin

[@541raymond]

Great instruction! Thank you!

[@thedancedojo]

Cheers Raymond. Super appreciate that! - Robin

[@gegomez]

This was very good, clean and simple 👏👏👏

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks a lot Gerard! Really appreciate the love and you watching :) -Robin

[@kevinlee5122]

I love your videos. So simple, and they show how the movement is, and how easy learn dance can be.

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks Kevin, means a lot! Stoked they're helpful and you enjoy them.-Robin

[@cristiamalcala9191]

I found gold!! Thanks bro

[@yiyo_salsacion]

SON LOS MEJORES! MUCHÍSIMAS GRACIAS 💙

[@thedancedojo]

gracias por ver! -robin

[@capeman10]

Very nice and smooth, thanks.

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks for watching, really appreciate it! - Robin

[@AquariumStoreDepot]

Excellent video ^_^. Time to practice

[@thedancedojo]

have fun!

[@Jaylissimo79]

Nice Tutorials. Thx a lot.

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks. Appreciate you watching Jay :) -Robin

[@harshardkm285]

Simply amazing..💙

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks KM! -Robin

[@alanfurlong-drummer4419]

This is the video lesson I needed, thank you 🇮🇪

[@thedancedojo]

You’re welcome 😊

[@salsafun5697]

very well structured !!!

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks a lot! -Robin

[@andybarringer2585]

This is awesome. Thank you!

[@thedancedojo]

Glad you enjoyed it Andy! Thanks for watching man. -Robin

[@DancerUniversity]

Agreed!

[@anabel622]

Thank you so much! Nicely done.

[@thedancedojo]

Glad you enjoyed it Annie, thanks! -Robin

[@justinvaledon]

You have the best videos. I saw the one where you talked about practicing by yourself and I just practice by myself for 15-20 minutes a day so that's a few songs, and also a great cardio workout but also what helps me is to sometimes just sit with headphones and play salsa and just like I visualize my goals I visualize myself dancing and performing all the turns and patterns. I know it seems weird but closing your eyes and imagining yourself dancing salsa great is like an athlete who closes his eyes before a game and visualizes themselves getting the winning point or winning the game. Visualize and hear people tell you how great you dance and you having fun. Again the law of attraction doesn't just work with getting material things but also helps with things like dancing salsa, it's like practicing in your mind so you develop confidence. Act as if....Thanks again for a great video

[@DancerUniversity]

That's awesome

[@thedancedojo]

Hey Justin! my bad I missed replying. Love that you're practicing solo every day. All of it adds up and you'll feel the progress in your consistency. Totally agree with the visualizing too. If you can't see it, if you can't do it solo, it won't be as beautiful with a partner. Keep it up man! hope you're well :) -Robin

[@richielopez8019]

Liking the turns. Great tutorial.

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks Richie, glad you enjoyed! -Robin

[@terryfesenko653]

Thanks for the 7 inside turn variations and your inspiring introductory talk. I was particularly interested in the barrel rolls because I've often heard the term but never knew exactly what it was. I tested it out on my wife , and it worked!

[@thedancedojo]

Right on Terry, great to hear it could help you! It's always those little details that make a difference. Thanks for watching man -Robin

[@terryfesenko653]

@@thedancedojo thank you Robin for providing people with the opportunity to learn how to dance. I fully 100% agree with you that all moves should have names as names make them just that little less difficult to learn! Interestingly though there is sometimes more than one name for the same move. For example the 7 variations of the inside turn video includes what is called Sliding Doors, which I really like. I first came across it though under the name Behind The Back. Whatever the name ,it's a fantastic piece of action for the dance floor. I'm also fascinated by the similarities and connections between salsa and modern jive/ceroc which I'm trying to learn at the same time as salsa, since ceroc is described as being based on latin, ballroom and salsa. The similarities extend to names too. Fo example there is a Sliding Doors in modern jive/ceroc which involves passing back to back as in the Sliding Doors salsa move you so excellently demonstrate. Thank you again for making the joy and benefits of salsa dancing available to more people.

[@sandrogagua]

I love your videos!

[@elenaalferrano864]

Lo vi y me interesó inmediatamente....gracias

[@thedancedojo]

con mucho gusto! gracias por verlo -robin

[@angelargueso5197]

Robin muy buena la recopilación de pasos, very good

[@thedancedojo]

Gracias Angel! -Robin

[@danceking40]

Excellent video. Thanks.

[@thedancedojo]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching -Robin

[@davidsilverhawk3732]

Wow,wonderful ,Thank you!!!

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks for watching David! -Robin

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks David :D -Robin

[@DancerUniversity]

Super Awesome

[@Good-one]

I like your videos. You are an inspiration for salsa dancers!!

[@DancerUniversity]

Agreed

[@thedancedojo]

Thank you so much Wilton! Means a ton that you're watching :) -Robin

[@songowen9804]

very good modes thank you very much i truly enjoy watching

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks a ton, really glad you enjoyed it :) -Robin

[@cruzalejandro2915]

I like all this turns

[@llRoyalty]

Love it!

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks for the love! -Robin

[@abdoulayeniang6731]

Amazing, thanks you

[@thedancedojo]

thanks🙏 -robin

[@ushanishchal1]

Thank you so much for this. This is so helpful. Other day while dancing lead was trying to do butterfly turn and I had no clue lol

[@thedancedojo]

haha you're welcome! yea bit by bit keep learning follow technique and you'll soon understand more and more :) -robin

[@ernestorodriguez4894]

Thank you Robin!

[@thedancedojo]

Ernesto, In case you didn't know you can get 2 weeks free access to for our entire online curriculum right now: thedancedojo.com/product/salsa-2-week-guest-pass/ - hope you enjoy it! Robin

[@dattajiraomane1479]

Sir very outstanding teaching nd technique. I appreciate a lot

[@thedancedojo]

Thank YOU for watching and the kind words 🙌🏽 -robin

[@elinannestad5320]

great teaching, it really helps to organise like that. As a follower I just don't think while dancing but I would like to understand and this really helps.

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks Eli, glad it helped! As a follow that's definitely a good way to be but ya sometimes it's cool to break down things and understand both sides :) -robin

[@ParcoLawAndDisorder]

Excellent lesson

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks, glad it you enjoyed it! -robin

[@user-lx2hs4cw2r]

good ones and simple!

[@thedancedojo]

Glad you like them! -Robin

[@AngelaHardyCloud9]

Very useful, thank you.

[@thedancedojo]

Glad you liked it and thanks for watching Angela! -Robin

[@DancerUniversity]

Totally agree

[@luischora191]

You are great!

[@BXGUY73]

Thanks, I got 1 new one from there!

[@thedancedojo]

Glad it could help! -Robin

[@niaina-lens]

great! very instructive

[@thedancedojo]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching :) -robin

[@vanteams]

Very good, please make more video one type with more variants ❤️❤️❤️

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks for watching! I may make more in the future ;) -Robin

[@shawnantunes]

My new favorite dance KZbin page!! 💪

[@thedancedojo]

thanks Shawn, means a lot!! -robin

[@user-ey4zg3ob5u]

Beatifull,very goog,I love salsa

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks Carlos!

[@einfachvali4209]

Damn! The best spent 4 minutes of my life 😱Love this quick tutorial!

[@thedancedojo]

Haha awesome! Glad you got so much out of it. Tha ks for watching ❤️ -Robin

[@willgnyc6403]

Nicely done.

[@thedancedojo]

Cheers Bill! Thanks for watching -Robin

[@geovannyrodriguezmendes5277]

Q buen video Exentes pasos Saludos desde Cartago Costa Rica

[@thedancedojo]

muchas gracias geovanny! saludos desde medellín -robin

[@stp8061]

good one thanks

[@thedancedojo]

Glad you enjoyed it Steven, thanks for watching! -Robin

[@gersomramos764]

Exellent break down

[@thedancedojo]

Appreciate that Gersom, thanks for watching! -Robin

[@leebockseng2679]

thkq for sharing

[@thedancedojo]

My pleasure 😊 -Robin

[@davidtraining511]

good vid ,very helpfull keep it up🙂

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks David, will do! -Robin

[@negatif9163]

amazing 🤩

[@thedancedojo]

glad you liked it! -robin

[@TheCromcrom]

2:32 I love this variation

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks! Appreciate you watching! -robin

[@btoolsro]

Uhuuuu... simple but GREAT content.

[@thedancedojo]

Appreciate that! Thanks for watching :) -Robin

[@yoidoretennshi777]

Robin, you are great! When I saw the title of the video, I was afraid that these turns might be rather complicated ones for the intermediate and/or advanced level people, but checking its content, I came to understand that they are not so difficult to learn, on the contrary, easier than I was imagining, and at the same time they look very elegant and fluid, also very beautiful even just to see. Now I'll try to master them one by one and add them to my still limited basic repertoire. Your way of shooting this video is really helpful to learn them : showing all the different turns in one fluid session repeating each one twice instead of interrupting the whole flow for each turn so that we can check more easily and intuitively the difference among each turn's initial moves. Thank you so much!!!

[@thedancedojo]

Really glad you liked the flow Tetsuro, and that's great that they're easier than you thought they'd be :) Once you know the base they're much easier to pick up, it's just the lead/follow nuances that take a little practice. -Robin

[@elinieves2219]

Thank you

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks for watching Eli! - Robin

[@LuisRomero-op1xy]

I was just scrolling and saw this.... dang you can dance. Nice work👍🏼

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks dude! -Robin

[@konnymausbacon5236]

Wundervolle turns

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks a lot Kornelia, appreciate you watching! -Robin

[@brunohernandez4624]

Nice dance I like your moves

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks for watching Bruno! 😃 -Robin

[@scottbillis4767]

lovely

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks a bunch Scott! -robin

[@PeacePrototype]

Awesome material! Similar movement pattern, different feel and execution. Do you have a similar video on the outside turn patterns?

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks. yea that was the idea, to show how it's really the same footwork just slightly varied with the arms. Yea I did make one for outside turns. if you search "outside turn variations dance dojo" you should find it. -robin

[@javiertapia4643]

WonderfullGracias.

[@thedancedojo]

con mucho gusto!

[@RyzenZegend]

Bingo. Very impressive! Sincerely,

[@thedancedojo]

thanks houseman! -robin

[@jps6594]

2 easy, but great, cheers from México

[@thedancedojo]

Haha de nada Juan Pablo. You can get access to our entire salsa curriculum FREE for 2 weeks right now for covid-19. Go find something harder ;) (and share it with your friends!) thedancedojo.com/product/salsa-2-week-guest-pass/ -Robin

[@DancerUniversity]

Great variety

[@alexxxx1448]

linda cancion! ;)

[@thedancedojo]

así es!

[@renenunez4015]

Buenisimo saludes

[@thedancedojo]

Muchas gracias por ver! -Robin

[@theinkawarrior7649]

This is very true

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks for watching! -Robin

[@Kalimera100]

This is perfect and very much appreciated in these dark times. Thank you for helping spread some sunshine.

[@thedancedojo]

You're so welcome Kalimera! stay well and enjoy -Robin

[@DancerUniversity]

Agreed!

[@yafreshprince]

Great vid

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks man, appreciate you watching! -Robin

[@Alex-eq7uh]

Pretty awsome

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks a lot Alex! -Robin

[@afroinvest3269]

2:33 is a must on the dance floor

[@quaribc]

This is awesome. I’m stuck on turn progression and this is perfect.

[@thedancedojo]

Right on Quarib, glad it can help :) -Robin

[@Menapho]

YES!!

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks for watching! -Robin

[@nicchagall6075]

Que buena musica

[@thedancedojo]

Gracias por ver Nic! -Robin

[@rudycampos9999]

Great video! I watch it all the time. Hey what song is that?

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks Rudy, appreciate it! the song name is in the description. -robin

[@cervgiovanni]

2:37 she really liked that! The rest after that as well. Us more experience love to learn these complex ones. An applause for you my good sir

[@thedancedojo]

Haha tanks Giovanni, glad you liked it man! -Robin

[@jenarovaldez2557]

Bailan bien

[@thedancedojo]

Gracias jenaro! -Robin

[@zaid-je5es]

Sir thank you for great offer but like biggner i need more time with everry move 👏

[@thedancedojo]

thanks for watching! -Robin

[@compaqtube]

Does the girl have her own channel? She's so good

[@thedancedojo]

haha no she just helped me for the video

[@victoriac.attorneyatlaw]

I wish more men could lead like you! It makes it so much easier on the woman :-)

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks! It's been a journey, but definitely worth it. Hopefully we can both encourage more people to learn technique and make the dances more enjoyable connection wise :) thanks for watching! -Robin

[@DancerUniversity]

Most definitely

[@marioavila1235]

kool , I talk 2 my beginning students about how we build on top of the foundation ....& often show a pattern utilizing basic moves... E.G. cross body lead with an inside turn ...or outside turn from a right to right hand hold..... your video has given me some other kool example of inside turn variations that I can demo .... thanks

[@thedancedojo]

Awesome Mario. It's so great you show people the foundations and build from there. Really glad the video could help :) -Robin

[@joeisaaca8668]

I really enjoy your videos. I like dancing on2. will these still work if I try them on2? right now I play the video with no sound and start counting on my own and that’s how I’ve been trying to learn on1 moves that I’d like to learn on2

[@thedancedojo]

Absolutely! everything can be converted to on 2 if you just change the count. So glad you're enjoying. thanks for watching! -robin

[@JosueSanchez-ly7tv]

Muy bueno , y no entiendo el inglés , pero me gusta

[@thedancedojo]

Gracias Josue! me alegra que te gustó. sí al momento todo es inglés -robin

[@JuanRodriguez-ju3gv]

Hello Robin new sub to your channel, can add some of these turns a dance we call here in Texas called Tejano like it's a mixture of country dancing ,awesome channel thanks

[@DancerUniversity]

Tejano? I have to check it out

[@ciberflaco7]

🔥

[@thedancedojo]

thanks!

[@ragtop63]

Aside from the timing issue in the first barrel turn (looked like the intent was lost in translation for a sec), this is a very good example of why knowing your foundation is so important to dancing Salsa.

[@rezaahari2207]

Great stuff,is same as casino moves only on that back step is used not front

[@thedancedojo]

Exactly. A lot of things cross over it's just the style that changes.

[@dineshgct]

wow

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks for watching! -Robin

[@ernestorodriguez4894]

Robin, if I perform the Sliding Door from Hip, Shoulder or Free Turn, will an intermediate partner know The Cue or should I just practice this with a friend on our own before I perform it on the dance floor?

[@thedancedojo]

It depends on 1) are you leading it properly and 2) does she know how to respond to the lead. I can't answer either of those questions for you, but if you're confident in number 1 then go try it on the dance floor! If you're successful with most people, but not some of the beginners then it's likely the follow that doesn't know what to do. If you're around 50% successful you can probably improve your lead :) -Robin

[@marataldabergenov3969]

She is definitely having fun on those sliding doors moves 😂😂😂

[@thedancedojo]

Haha I hope so! Fun is always the goal :) -Robin

[@axel-fpark4217]

nicely done,, and what the title of this song??

[@thedancedojo]

caballo grande ande o no ande - manolito y su trabuco

[@carlglyde5764]

The sliding door footwork for the female looks really interesting. I’ve never really come across that before. Is that the standard follow or is there something else the follower would naturally default to if they didn’t know this move?

[@thedancedojo]

Great question Carl. Didn't actually realize she was doing her footwork that way. Normally i'd suggest keeping your footwork as normal, but since her body is facing sideways (because i blocked her from finishing the turn) one of her steps would end up crossing in front of the other. Like a side basic with a cross in the middle on 1-2-3. Make sense? -Robin

[@doseofdesi926]

Is there any way tou can break down number 7, with the hip touch. I mess this one up frequently

[@thedancedojo]

Thanks for watching! We'll be adding it to our online course, but I can't do anymore partner videos right now with the virus. Just FYI all it is is 2 inside turns in a row. The lead does something a little different, but for you it's 2 inside turns and it's signalled from the hip. If you want 2 weeks free access to our entire salsa course get it here: thedancedojo.com/product/salsa-2-week-guest-pass/ Enjoy! - Robin

[@victoriac.attorneyatlaw]

Are you going to do one of these on outside spins?

[@thedancedojo]

i did one. just search the channel for outside turn variations!

[@alf4ouk]

Is there a video that shows a break down of each individual turn???

[@thedancedojo]

All of it is in our Salsa Course. Try it free for a week here: thedancedojo.com/product/free-trial/ -Robin

[@omolueang-a-papong6999]

When you do the cross body lead, do you use the cha cha step (for the guy)? It looks very smooth and I have trying to count the way you do it and I see 4 and 5 step in between.

[@thedancedojo]

Hey Omo, i'm dancing On1 timing to 1-2-3, 5-6-7. so there is no cha-cha step at all. When I do my front break, that's the 1.

[@bugsburny]

Omo, what he does is a small tap on 4 from time to time, but it is not a cha cha because there is no weight transfer on that foot on beat 4. It's more for styling.

[@thedancedojo]

@@bugsburny didn't even think of that. Thanks for adding that in! -Robin

[@bugsburny]

@@thedancedojopleasure. I like your videos. Just discovered them recently!

[@danieldelacruz7305]

What about the different footing for the crossbody lead with around the world

[@thedancedojo]

Which part of the video are you referring to? -Robin

[@leorenaldi]

Hello! Thanks for the tuto, i've tried some of these turns, i found that most of my followers were surprised by the turn on 1 in the "wrap with a check", is it okay not to move on 123 so she can turn on 567? thank you!

[@thedancedojo]

Hey Leo! The idea with the check is that you're changing directions. So on the 123 i'm just bringing her back to face me. You could have her stand still or step back on the 123, while still facing away from you, and then turn her on the 567 but it would probably feel better if she turns left on 567 (like she would on an inside turn). There's no rules, though. Experiment and see what feels good. -Robin

[@leorenaldi]

Ok i will do that, thanks a lot for your answer and your classes, have a nice day! @@thedancedojo

[@josejulianaguirrepinzon7666]

Dear Robin, is it call _inside_ turn because the lead is on the left and the follower turns in that direction or is there any other reason? What would the name be if the lead were on the right but the follower still turned to the left? What would an _outside_ turn look like?

[@thedancedojo]

Hey Jose, the inside turn is what you saw in this video. The lead is on the right rail (the most common side) and the follow turns to her left (towards him). If the lead is on the right rail and the follow turns to the right (away from him) it's called an outside turn. Here's a link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5Okg56Pgq-psNU Thanks for watching! -Robin

[@josejulianaguirrepinzon7666]

@@thedancedojo What would the turn be called if the lead were on the left trail and the follow turned to the right (towards him)?

[@florenceaccary3518]

We tried this video and we are trying to redo them in the reverse position. It's difficult for the butterfly. Is it possible to make the butterfly on the revers side?

[@thedancedojo]

yea it just depends how you do it. it won't feel as natural/easy to do. It would be easier with one hand than two i think... -robin

[@JoseGuzman-ne3pk]

So do you make the turn at at the two or the three count

[@thedancedojo]

Jose we just started offering 2 weeks of our entire course free during COVID-19. Find the link in the video description and sign up. you'll have all the answers you dream of! The inside turn is prepared on 5 and begins on 6, when dancing on1 (like i am in this video). -Robin