Practice Practice Practice

The best way to get better at Cumbia is to practice. You can break down the movement into steps and practice them individually until you master each segment and then move on until you eventually master the entire dance.

Drill 1:

Practice by stepping forward and backwards.

Step with right foot forward.

Step with right leg backwards.

Then add a rock with each step.

So it will go like this:

Rock forward > Rock back > Rock forward > Rock back

Drill 2:

Practice by adding in your hip with each rock back and forth.

With this drill all you are doing is adding a hip motion into the movement.

So it will go like this:

Rock forward > Hip > Rock back > Hip > Rock forward > Hip > Rock back > Hip

Drill 3:

Practice at a faster speed.

Do the same movement as before but this time pick up the tempo and move to the beat of the music.

Drill 4:

Practice by adding traveling into the mix.

With this drill you are going to add in the traveling portion of the move.

Which goes like this:

Rock forward > Hip > Travel > Rock back > Hip > Travel > Rock forward > Hip > Travel > Rock back > Hip > Travel

Doing these drills will help both your form and speed of the Cumbia.

Novice Video

Expert Video

Front View

Side View

Phase 1

Front

Side

Phase 1

(Right leg forward)

From a standing position bring your right heal forward with toes up.

While simultaneously bringing your left fist toward your face and your right fist toward your back.

Keep your knees bent and your torso bent slightly forward at your hips.

Phase 2

Front

Side

Phase 2

(Right leg back)

Keep your torso bent slightly forward at your hips, and your knees bent as well.

Rotate your right foot 90 degrees to the right.

Return foot to center while you bring your right leg back and tap the ground with your toes.

Simultaneously, switch the position of you arms. (Left arm back, Right arm forward).

Phase 3

Front

Side

Phase 3

(Travel)

This is the transition stage.

Move your left foot inward to the left about one foot.

Repeat Phase 1, 2 and 3 six times in one direction and then again in the other direction.

Congratulations you have now completed the Cumbia.

(Hopefully it went a little better then my first try!)

Test Post, Hi!