Merengue: Arm Tangles Without Letting Go

Starting from the merengue march step, pairs learn arm figures that tangle and untangle without letting go: the window, the lasso and the pretzel. The challenge calls for communication, coordination and real care for your partner's joints.

How to play

1. Warm up with the merengue march in place and side steps (3 min).
2. In freely chosen pairs, two-hand hold and both partners turn under the arms: the window (4 min).
3. The lasso: the leader turns the partner until they are wrapped with an arm at the waist, then unwinds them the other way (5 min).
4. A gentle version of the pretzel, with the arms always below shoulder height (4 min).
5. Each pair links the three figures into its own sequence and switches roles for the second song (4 min).

Rules

• If an arm feels strained or uncomfortable, let go right away: letting go is always allowed.
• Turns are slow and done with an open hand, never gripping the wrist.
• Leader and follower roles switch every song.
• Leave enough room between pairs so nobody gets hit by an elbow.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: does the figures from the wheelchair with a standing partner, keeping the turns to arm movements.
• Shoulder or wrist injury: uses a one-hand hold or swaps the tangles for a scarf both partners hold.
• Autism: has a card with drawings of each figure and practices with the teacher first.

Learning goals

• Coordinate arm figures with a partner precisely and safely.
• Adjust grip pressure so it never causes discomfort.
• Learn about merengue as a traditional Dominican dance.

Equipment for a class of 25

• speaker: 1

Teacher tip

Demonstrate each figure in slow motion with a volunteer. To start, look for merengue tracks around 120–130 BPM.

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