A little while ago, I asked why AIDA is named AIDA on the Internet and some guy sent me volumes and volumes of attachments on history of the Opera "Aida", and I tried to read some of it but then I could not explain the origin of this name. Why we have termed three simple backward walking steps, AIDA? Any one out there who can answer? I have no idea where and how this terminology came into being. What is AIDA? That, I think, I can answer. It is a figure most popular in Rumba and also done in Cha Cha. Three steps back RLR (Man), lady normal opposite in left side by side position and there you have it. Incidentaly left side by side position is when the lady is to your left, facing the same way and you have her right hand in your left hand. The new ISTD terminology is Left Side Position, Unh! This is really the syllabus version of the figure but you might think, No, my teacher teaches me quite differently. Well, I think if you put a Precede and a Follow to these three simple steps and it becomes quite an exotic figure. Precede: Usually, at the beginner level, I prefer Hand to Hand (7-9). In other words after an Alemana start hand to hand and complete the 9 steps, the last three being LRL (Man). After 1/4 turn to right for man and left for lady, we are ready to go back three steps RLR (Man) in left side by side position. AIDA is done. Follow: A Hip Rock LRL (Man) and then a spot turn to left RLR (Man, lady normal opposite) and resume basic. Yes, I know, I have presented some very basic information but when you start to do it there is a lot of confusion and many tricks to execute it properly. The most common question, how do I tell the lady that we are going back? The secret is in Lead and Follow and we will cover that in the next letter. Until then, those of you who are entering silver level in Rumba, study the figure, do it and send me your comments and problems...Best Wishes Max. Questions and comments to Dancemax@aol.com, thank you.