Merengue Dance Lesson 2: Outside Turns

In lesson 2 we review the basic, traveling basic and rotating basic. Then we add on the outside turn for the followers. In this description we’ll pick up on the outside turn for the followers.

The turn begins when the leader raises his left hand to the eye level of the follower. This is the indication to her that something is coming. Then the leader points his fingers in the direction of the turn, in the outside turn, the follower turns clockwise, the leader’s left hand makes a clockwise circle around the followers head.

The fingers on his left hand point to the left as his hand makes a clockwise circle around her head.

The follower’s right forearm stays straight up, perpendicular to the ground, and her upper arm stays parallel to the floor.

Both the leader and follower work to keep the followers elbow ahead of the plane of her body i.e. forward of her body. Dance frame can somewhat feel like you are in the middle of a push up. Half way down.