Salsa Styles Explained: What You are Learning in Our North London Salsa Classes
An overview of the main salsa styles taught and danced in London
If you’ve recently started salsa dancing classes in London, including ours in North London, you might have heard terms like cross-body salsa on 1, cross-body salsa on 2, Cuban salsa, and Cali salsa. Hopefully the teacher in your beginners salsa classes has explained to you what those terms mean and what style you are actually learning but just in case…. Read on !
Spoiler alert: If you are taking salsa classes with Sweetlead Salsa you are learning cross-body salsa on 1! 🎉
1. Cross-Body Salsa (On 1) – Sweetlead Salsa beginners salsa classes
This is the style you’re currently studying in your beginners salsa classes at Sweetlead Salsa. Cross-body salsa is danced in a straight line, with the cross-body lead as one of its signature moves — the leader opens space and the follower travels across to the other side.
Dancing on 1 means your break step happens on the first beat of the music’s 8-count phrase. In London, this style is taught widely in salsa schools and danced at many social nights, making it a great entry point for new dancers. Cross body salsa classes in London are extremely popular.
Key traits:
- Linear movement — partners travel in straight lines
- Break step starts on beat 1 (counted “1-2-3, 5-6-7”)
- Emphasis on flow, turns and clean lines
2. Cross-Body Salsa (On 2)
Cross-body salsa on 2 looks similar to on 1 but has a different timing — the break step is on beat 2. This gives the dance a slightly different rhythm and feel, often more connected to the music’s percussion.
In London, on 2 is popular with more experienced/ advanced dancers and at socials with a strong New York style influence.
Key traits:
- Linear movement like on 1
- Break step happens on beat 2
- Smooth, mambo-inspired feel
3. Cuban Salsa (Casino)
Cuban salsa, also known as Casino, is a circular style where partners move around each other rather than in a straight line. It’s fun, social, and often includes playful moves.
In London, Cuban salsa is popular in social clubs, Latin bars and outdoor events, and you may see Rueda de Casino, where couples dance in a big circle, swapping partners and following a leader’s calls.
Key traits:
- Circular movement around your partner
- Playful moves and attitude
- Group dancing (Rueda) is common
4. Cali Salsa
From Cali, Colombia, this style is known for its incredibly fast and intricate footwork. It’s not about big travelling moves, but rather about dazzling foot speed and rhythm.
While less common than Cuban or cross-body in London, you’ll find pockets of Cali salsa enthusiasts in specialist classes and Colombian community events.
Key traits:
- Very fast, intricate footwork
- Minimal travelling — most movement stays in place
- Often danced to fast-tempo salsa tracks
Which Is Best?
People often ask me which salsa style I prefer — and my answer is always the same: they have different energy, feel, and technique.
So trick question :-)!
- Cuban salsa was my original style when I started salsa nearly 30 years ago. It’s fun, grounded, and earthy, with an infectious social energy.
- Cross-body salsa, when danced well, is flowing, smooth, and elegant. It has a refined, almost gliding quality that can feel like floating across the dance floor in harmony with your partner.
They’re like two different flavours of the same beautiful dance — and which one you enjoy often depends on the moment, the music, your dance partner and the vibe of the night.
Why You’re Learning Cross-Body Salsa On 1
Sweetlead Salsa offers beginners salsa classes in the cross-body on 1 salsa style. It is the most widely taught style to the largest number of dancers across London. Most salsa schools here focus on cross-body, and the majority of the city’s big social events are also geared towards this style.
London does still have a thriving Cuban scene, with dedicated clubs, classes, and events — but in terms of numbers, cross-body is currently dominating the capital’s salsa landscape.
Learning cross-body salsa on 1 means you’ll be able to join in at the vast majority of London’s social nights, gain a solid technical foundation, and have the option to explore other styles later with ease.
So rest assured your classes with Sweetlead Salsa are setting you up for a great future in salsa dancing!
So now when someone asks, “What style of salsa are you learning?” you can say:
“I’m learning cross-body salsa on 1 — it’s a linear style danced on the first beat and it’s one of the most popular styles in London. If you’re looking for fun, friendly salsa classes in North London, Sweetlead Salsa is the perfect place to start”