Name of Kizomba Fundamental Steps/Moves
Question by user BDOCash
Is there some kind of list for fundamental steps? Sometimes I watch a choreography and love a specific step that they are using that I want to implement in my routine. I don’t know the name though so it’s hard to look up a video covering that step. It’s like hearing a song on the radio that you don’t know the name of. My local dance teachers have only advanced urban classes, but I like traditional Kizomba more, so I’m kinda on my own on this one.
So far I know basic 1–3, Estrella, both saidas, a few variations of turns, Wiegeschritt, Seitenstraße (that’s German, I don’t know why my teacher calls it like that) and some urban stuff I don’t know the name of. Can’t really dance that with people who don’t know the steps anyway
Answers
User Ocatarina
There kind of isn’t since different teachers might refer to the same steps by different names. I’m guessing the “Wiegeschritt” is what most would call a “Bounce”. The “Marca” is a part of many steps but kind of not a step in itself. Even with the names though, you’re not very likely to find videos explaining them since there is no unified list of step names. What you can do though is you can slow down any video in the YouTube player and carefully analyze the steps you’re trying to learn. Pay attention to the following things: On which leg the leader has the weight, on which leg the follower has the weight, which leg “steps” first (leader & follower) and what the leader does with their hand on the back of the follower and what they do with their left arm.
Don’t get too hung up on names though. Followers are actively encouraged not to memorize the steps so it’s not like you can say “I want to do a Seitenstraße” on the dancefloor and the follower will do it. 😅 You’ll have to lead them with your body.
User theophila
What you have there (plus the virgula) are all the “steps” that are part of kizomba / semba. Other than that there are some figures you’ve already listed that are just different combinations of those steps, and it’s more about musicality. @Ocatarina gave some really good pointers where it’s more about being clear about weight and body positioning.
I’ll add that the name of kizomba among all the other PALOP countries (passada), will give you a clue. I’m assuming you’re leading, so keep in mind the follower’s job is to walk with ginga any time not being given a clear lead otherwise. So the follower will flow like water into whatever door is opened and away from whatever door is closed to them. Be clear about where your weight is and how you rotate your body to encourage the follower to move one way or prevent them from doing so, and keep in mind you don’t always have to move, just shifting weight back and forth to music and changing up the rhythm from slow to quick during the musical interludes between verses can make for a much better dance than a lead who does a million moves.
I dance many dances, and you’ll find over time that many dances share moves. What makes them different are the core values of that dance — what values they prioritise over others. Where is the connection, what is the shape, from where does the movement or rhythm initiate and end? Kizomba is a circular dance, is a walking dance, values personal flavour (ginga and banga). No matter how much you experiment, come home to these foundations and you’ll dance kizomba very well!
