The Cha Cha is a vibrant, flamboyant and playful dance. The light and bubbly feel of the Cha Cha gives it a unique sense of fun for dancers throughout the world. The Cha Cha requires small steps and lots of hip motion (Cuban motion), as it is danced in 4/4 time.
To dance Cha Cha like professionals, dancers must master "Cuban motion," the characteristic Latin body action. Cuban motion is simply a distinctive way in which the hips move up and down. The hip movements come mainly from alternately bending and straightening the knees...as one knee bends (or straightens), the same hip drops (raises).
The basic components of the Cha Cha are triple steps and rock steps. Quick, small steps must be maintained throughout the dance. The distinctive movements of the hips result from the constant bending and straightening of the knees.
Originally called the Cha-cha-cha, this dance evolved from the Mambo and the Rumba on Cuban dance floors in the 1950’s. It is danced to Latin music with strong African and Cuban rhythms. The Cha-cha has a 4/4 syncopation where 5 steps are danced in 4 beats of music. Its unmistakable counting “one, two, cha-cha-cha” requires that the dancers use small steps. The Cha-cha is a very flirtatious dance filled with a catch-me-if-you-can attitude between partners. Hip movements and bending and straightening of the knees give the Cha Cha the classic Cuban motion. Partners work together to synchronize their movements in perfect parallel alignment.
LEARN HOW TO DANCE THE CHA CHA BASIC STEPS
In this basic Cha Cha dance lesson, Anthony and Rose Lewis teach you how to dance Cha Cha basic steps and moves.
"The Cha Cha is a vibrant, flamboyant and playful dance. The light and bubbly feel of the Cha Cha gives it a unique sense of fun for dancers throughout the world."
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