Jarvis warns that this move can be a little tricky.

Still holding hands, step back together on the same foot and rock forward. Without letting go of your partner’s hands, lift your left arm over her head, twirl her around, and tuck her into your right side. This classic swing move lives up to its name. Once you’re tucked in side-by-side, you might even try to sneak a quick kiss before spinning your partner back out. Holding your partner at arm’s length, have her (or him) turn toward you, rolling into your arm. Perhaps the most romantic of dance moves, the partner spin is also easier than it looks. According to Jarvis, “anything where the arms are flailing is a perfect opportunity to make enemies on the dance floor.” 4. Just make sure to keep your arms tucked in while turning. Pivot once more on your left foot to face forward again. Step to the right with your right foot, then pivot your body so that you’re facing in the opposite direction when your left foot lands. The Three-Point TurnĪ three-point turn is similar in concept to a side step, but you’re also rotating your body 360 degrees. Jarvis considers this a valuable move in a beginner’s repertoire, as it can be performed to virtually any style of music-salsa, techno, hustle, pop, or otherwise. Take a side step, close your feet, take another side step, and tap before going back in the opposite direction. The side-together step builds on the basic side step by doubling it. Jarvis recommends finding a partner to hold hands with while practicing, just to make sure you can do this step in sync.

To execute a basic side step, simply “make a rocking action to the side and then close your feet.” Follow this up with the same rocking movement to the other side.

This is the easiest step in all of dance, but also the most crucial. We can’t promise they’ll help you find true love, but you’ll sure look good trying. What’s great about these moves, he explains, is that “they work for a lot of tempos” and fit together almost like puzzle pieces. To help you put your best foot forward on your next date, we asked Kenneth Jarvis of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Chicago’s West Loop to teach us five easy dance moves. Nothing elicits a swoon quite like a flawlessly executed dance move-provided that dance move is not, say, the robot.

Simple dance moves