Dhalsa Combination One (Basic Combo)

• Footwork is similar to Salsa on one - except that ladies start on the right foot.

• All steps in the combination are repeated twice except the exit (eight) step.

• Dancers form a circle and dance DHALSA Basic till ‘DHALSA’ is called out (on count 1 of previous step)

• The gentleman usually has his right hand free before any ‘numbered’ step – the lady has her left hand free before any ‘numbered’ step.

• Gentlemen and ladies can move the sticks to either hand during styling

Click here to view the choreography for Dhalsa Combo 1 (basic combo) – clips with faster downloads COMING SOON!

Click here to view the step breakdown for Dhalsa Combo 2 (basic combo) – COMING SOON!

Steps in Dhalsa basic combination:

1. DHALSA basic step – Gentleman starts forward on left foot (lady starts on right) –FE (Friendship Energy) exchange on left for Gentlemen / right for lady on count two and three. At end of step 1, the lady moves the sticks to her left hand to make it easy for styling for step2
   
2. Two taps – no shifting weight on count one. Tap the toes to the ground on counts two and three
   Styling for gentlemen: Roll hands in circular motion on 2,3 and 6, 7
   Styling for ladies: circular hip movement on 2, 3 – the taps of their feet are almost not visible- hand to sky and hair comb on 5,6,7 To DHALSA Basic step
   At the count of 7 (second time) ladies have one stick in each hand (original position)
   
3. Turn - Right turn for ladies as they switch spots by turning across their partner on the right. Gentlemen do a left turn
   Step 1-3 is ladies start with right foot and make a half turn – feet together on 2, 3. They place their left foot to the position they need to be in (inside the circle) and do one and a half turn
   Styling for gentlemen: none Styling for ladies: both hands raised to the sky and crossed at wrist on 2, 3 through 6, 7
   To DHALSA Basic step
   As they (Gentlemen and female) turn for 5-7 (the second time) they switch the sticks such that both sticks are in the same hand (right hand for female and left hand for Gentlemen). This is needed for the cha cha step
   
4. Cha Cha (‘char’ means four in Hindi/Urdu and some other Asian languages)
   Male dancer puts his hand out on step 1 and asks for the ladies hand and hold it on three as they turn to face outside the circle. Let go of her hand at 7 and holds it on three for the second cha cha step. This time he pushes her hand gently forward (as they turn to face to the outside of the circle) to as they turn.
   Styling for ladies and gentlemen: slight bending of knees on 1 and 5
   To DHALSA Basic step. The first time both sticks are in the same hand. Then switch the stick so there’s one in each hand for the second iteration (on 5, 6, and 7)
   
5. Hi Five – All dancers move forward crossing over feet with sticks pointing to the ground. Raise sticks on 5, 6 to hit together positioned above and front of the head on 7 (hopping motion on 7). It’s a high five if the dancers meet in the center of the circle - return to original position cross over feet as they step back
   No styling – To DHALSA Basic step
   
6. Salsa turn – Gentlemen step in front of the ladies and lead them into a turn. Gentlemen move forward with left foot on count 1, side step to stand in front of the ladies on step 2 and close feet on step 3 (raise hand to ask for ladies’ free [left] hand on step 3). On 5 Gentlemen turns her to her right and places his right foot in the spot she was at, turns to his left on six and brings his right foot close to the left to close on seven.
   Ladies step 1-3 is basic step ‘in place’. Step five she takes his hand and turns 90 degrees to her right with her left foot makes a three quarter turn to her right and closes with her left foot on 7
   Styling for gentlemen: none
   Styling for ladies: right hand to sky on 2 –3 (or as kettle handle?)
   To DHALSA Basic step
   
7. Styling: Men do back steps. Ladies do back steps – right hand at back and shimmer on back step 2,3 and hands in air crossing at wrist on 7
   To DHALSA Basic step
   
8. Exit step arms together and turn – gentlemen asks for the hand of the lady on his right –with his arms folded into hers – he turns around her. Counts 1-7 he makes a semi circle and the second time he completed the circle around her and then on count 7 he pushes her gently behind after releasing his hold and then pushes his right hand behind to hold the sticks of the lady and the lady puts her left hand behind her back to hold the sticks of the gentleman behind her to form a chain.
   Styling for ladies and gentlemen: none
   
   

   They then walk forward in this position. Gent move forward on right foot (same as ladies) to prevent feet from colliding  They move forward for two iterations
   They then release the grips on their partner’s sticks and do one 7 count step in place to adjust the distance between themselves and their partner.  on the count of 6 they do a back step to turn to face the center of the circle and shout ‘Dhalsa’  - bring feet together on 7..
   and the combination repeats - or they dance to the next combination ( combination 2)