BODY WATCH : Getting in Step

Anyone can learn to salsa, but the man does have a bit more to get under his belt. He has to keep the rhythm and time, maneuver his partner on the dance floor, think ahead on what to do next and make it look like fun.

* You do need to warm up, especially since doing a sustained amount of salsa technique--especially in heels--puts you at increased risk of shortening the low back and calf muscles. Experts advise you to stretch the calves and low back both before and after dancing; abdominal exercises to strengthen the front of your pelvis are suggested.

* You don’t need a partner. “The clubs I teach at are very singles oriented,” says Ron Arciaga, owner of City Dance Studio. “It’s not as much of a pickup thing as just a night out.” Meanwhile, many studio instructors encourage their students to switch partners because it helps them learn about the subtleties of style.

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Dancing Salsa

Start with feet together.

1. Take one step forward with left foot. (QUICK.)

2. Take a step in place with right foot, using a forward / back rocking motion. (QUICK.)

3. Take one step back with the left foot and pause for one beat of music. (SLOW.)

4. Take one step back with the right foot. (QUICK.).

5. Take a step in place with left foot, using a forward / back rocking motion (QUICK.)

6. Step forward with the right foot and pause for one beat of music. (SLOW.)

Repeat steps.

Information provided by Laura Canellias / Rhino Records