Merengue Dance Lesson 3: Hands over Head

Hands over head is a very popular move and easily recognizable. In this pattern the leader places his right hand over her head onto her neck and his left hand over his head onto his neck. Then they move away from each other sliding their hands down their arms.

This pattern can take 4 beats to put the hands over the head and 4 beats to slide away.

To lead hands over the head pattern the leader begins by moving to the follower’s right side.  Once by her side he raises his right hand and places it over her head and then places his left hand over his head.

Then he moves to his left as the hands slide down onto to the shoulders and then to the forearms and to the hands.

At this point his right hand is in her left. He can lead an inside turn with a head loop to return to closed position. This turn can take up to 8 beats or more depending on how far apart you are when you slide away.