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Figure technique6 minutes

Rumba Alemana: How to clear the path for an underarm turn

By Mary De LucaUpdated

In short
  • In this Rumba Alemana, the follower turns to the right under the joined hand.
  • The follower first steps back on the right, back on the left, then to the right side on 2, 3, 4.
  • In the second measure, the follower takes small steps on the left, right and left while turning to the right.
  • The leader makes room with the raised left hand and lowers it only after the follower returns.

A raised hand can feel like an invitation or an obstacle. The difference is immediately clear: Can the person following pass through upright, or do they have to duck their head and shoulder?

What you need for the exercise

  • Confident Rumba basic step on 2, 3, 4
  • Open facing position with slightly more than an arm’s length of space
  • Connection: leader’s left hand and follower’s right hand
  • Dance shoes suitable for turns on a clear, level surface
  • Shoulders and elbows that move freely without pain

The Alemana is a step pattern with a right turn

The Alemana is one of the underarm turns in Rumba. For this exercise, start by standing opposite each other in an open position, without a closed dance hold. The roles here are called the leading and following person, regardless of gender. The leading person starts with the left foot free, the following person with the right foot free. Keep your free hands relaxed so a second connection doesn't block the turn.

The following person turns with their steps, not through a circular force at the wrist. The joined hand indicates the path and lets the head pass underneath. The steps fall on 2, 3 and 4; there is no extra step on 1. This guide uses two measures: a preparation followed by the right turn. Other entries may look different in class.

The first turning step travels diagonally toward the leading person's right side. This creates a small path under the hand instead of a tight twist in place. You return to an open facing position, not automatically into an embrace. You can find the rhythmic foundation in learning Rumba as a couple. Unlike in Cha cha cha, you don't add a chasse here.

Small steps give you room to change direction without twisting your standing leg.
Small steps give you room to change direction without twisting your standing leg.

Practice the Alemana in two bars

  1. Take the starting position

    Stand facing each other: the leader’s weight is on the right, the follower’s on the left. Connect the leader’s left hand with the follower’s right hand at about chest height, without interlacing your fingers. Keep both elbows relaxed.

  2. Dance the preparatory step

    On 2, the leader steps forward with the left foot, and the follower steps backward with the right. On 3, both return to the other foot; on 4, the leader steps to the left side, and the follower steps to the right side, transferring weight in each case.

  3. Open the gate on the long count

    After the step on 4, the leader raises the connected hand in time for the next 2, above the follower's head. On 1, you stay in place without taking a new step; the follower's right shoulder stays down.

  4. Move left into the turn path

    On the next 2, the follower steps diagonally forward to the left, toward the leader's right side, and begins turning to the right. At the same time, the leader takes a small step backward to the right and clears the path under the hand.

  5. Continue turning right

    On 3, the follower steps forward onto their right foot in their new facing direction and continues the right turn. The leader transfers their weight back onto their left foot; their hand follows above the follower's head without pulling sideways.

  6. Return to your partner with the left foot

    On 4, the follower takes a small step forward with the left foot toward their partner and completes about one full turn to the right. The leader takes a small side step with the right foot; both face each other again, with relaxed arms and their own balance.

  7. Lower the hand and let it come to a natural end

    Only after the return does the connection lower to chest height. On 1, stay in place without taking an extra step; afterward, the leader can continue forward with the left foot and the follower backward with the right, or you can consciously end the exercise.

Keeping the connection fluid

Like this

  • Hook your fingers together loosely and allow for movement
  • Keep your elbow slightly bent as you raise your arm
  • Keep your free arm close enough to your body
  • If you miss a signal, stop together

Not like this

  • Grip your partner’s hand firmly with your thumb and fingers
  • Lock your elbow and push your arm upward
  • Reach into your partner’s turning path with your free arm
  • Force a missed turn by pulling hard

Your quick practice check

Before the First Round

Start

After the run-through without music

Check

After the run-through with music

Wrap-up

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. No, in the Alemana, a hand connection is maintained and the follower passes under that hand. A Spot Turn is danced without this forearm guidance. So don't simply copy its arm position for the Alemana: here, the connected arm must stay mobile throughout the turn.

Practice Rumba in a Latin dance class

In class, you can practice the distance and hand height of your Alemana with a partner.

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Find your way through the turn together

On udansa, you can find dance partners to practice the Alemana slowly and switch roles. In your profile, describe that you’d like to practice open Rumba figures and a relaxed hand connection.

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Find your way through the turn together

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