Cha Cha Walk

In 37th class, we learnt Cha Cha Walk. After doing one set of basic Cha Cha steps, we do following steps:
2-3-Cha-Cha-1
2: Cha Cha step 2. Male partner gives her lead to rotate 180 degrees clockwise, by starts raising his right hand.
3: Cha Cha step 3. She starts rotating clockwise (right turn) under his right hand, so that she ends up in his left side, with both partners facing same direction.
Cha: Cha step. Instead of shifting to left, he just does weight shift.
Cha: Cha step. Instead of shifting his foot, he just does weight shift.
1: Step 1. Instead of shifting his foot, he just does weight shift. At end of this step, both partners are facing same direction and his weight is on right foot, while her weight is on left foot.

2: Cha Cha walk starts. Both start moving forward, holding both hands, with their free foot (his left and her right foot). His left foot goes forward a bit.
3: He brings and puts his right foot a bit forward of left foot.
Cha: He brings and puts his left foot a bit forward of right foot.
Cha: He brings and puts his right foot a bit closer to left foot.
1: He puts his left foot ahead (around a feet).

2: He brings and puts his right foot a bit forward of left foot.
3: He brings and puts his left foot a bit forward of right foot.
Cha: He brings and puts his right foot a bit forward of left foot.
Cha: He brings and puts his left foot a bit closer to right foot.
1: He puts his right foot ahead (around a feet).

Now she makes counter-clockwise double spin (1.5 turns), and in end both partners start facing each other.
2: He puts his left foot forward a bit and starts rotating her counter-clockwise by 180 degrees (making counter-clockwise circles with both of his hands).
3: He puts his right foot forward and continue rotating her counter-clockwise.
2: He puts his left foot forward and continue rotating her counter-clockwise. He leaves her left hand with his right hand.
3: He puts his right foot forward and brings down his left hand. He also holds her left hand with his right hand. After rotating 1.5 turns, when both partners start facing each other, she should remember to put her left foot next to her right foot, so that they can end the rotations and continue with basic Cha Cha steps.

Basic Cha Cha steps follow.

Cha Cha Double Spin Variation

In 36th class, we also learnt Cha Cha double spin variation steps. Steps are same as Cha Cha Double Spin, just that leads are different. After doing one set of basic Cha Cha steps, we do following steps:

2: Cha Cha step 2.
3: Cha Cha step 3.
Cha: Cha step. Instead of shifting only to left, male partner shifts a bit back also, so as to give space to female partner for a turn.
Cha: Cha step. Instead of shifting only to left with his right foot, he shifts a bit back also.
1: Step 1. Instead of shifting only to left, he shifts a bit back also.

2: Cha Cha step 2. His right foot goes back and her left foot comes ahead.
3: He gives her leads to rotate clockwise by raising his left hand and pulling her left hand with his right hand. She rotates clockwise by 180 degrees by sliding over both her feet (no feet displacement), and both partners start facing same direction.
Cha: With his left hand holding her right hand over their head levels, and his right hand holding her left hand (at her back), both starts walking forward with him walking right behind her (not side-to-side). He puts his right foot ahead a bit. She puts her left foot ahead a bit.
Cha: He brings his left foot close to right one.
1: He puts his right foot ahead (around a feet).

2: He puts his left foot forward and starts rotating her counter-clockwise by 360 degrees. He gives a pull by his right hand to her left hand, giving a momentum to her to make counter-clockwise turn). In step 2, she completes 180 degrees and rest 180 degrees in next step.
3: Putting his right foot forward, he leads her to complete her 360 degrees turn. Again both partners start facing same direction.
Cha: With his left hand holding her right hand over their head levels, and his right hand holding her left hand (at her front), both continue walking forward. He puts his left foot ahead a bit. She puts her right foot ahead a bit.
Cha: He brings his right foot close to left one.
1: He puts his left foot ahead (around a feet).

2: He puts his right foot forward and starts rotating her clockwise by 360 degrees. He gives a pull by his right hand to her left hand, giving a momentum to her to make clockwise turn). In step 2, she completes 180 degrees and rest 180 degrees in next step.
3: Putting his left foot forward, he completes 360 degrees turn. Again both partners start facing same direction.
Cha: With his left hand holding her right hand over their head levels, and his right hand holding her left hand (at her back), both starts walking forward. He puts his right foot ahead a bit. She puts her left foot ahead a bit.
Cha: He brings his left foot close to right one.
1: He puts his right foot ahead (around a feet).

Now comes double spin steps, where she does 1.5 counter-clockwise turns, and in end both partners start facing each other.
2: He puts his left foot forward and starts rotating her counter-clockwise by 180 degrees (pulling her left hand by his right hand).
3: He puts his right foot forward and continue rotating her counter-clockwise.
2: He puts his left foot forward and continue rotating her counter-clockwise. He leaves her left hand with his right hand.
3: He puts his right foot forward and brings down his left hand. He also holds her left hand with his right hand. After rotating 1.5 turns, when both partners start facing each other, she should remember to put her left foot next to her right foot, so that they can end the rotations and continue with basic Cha Cha steps.

Basic Cha Cha steps follow.

Cha Cha Double Spin

In 36th class, we learnt Cha Cha Double Spin steps. Hand leads resembles to steering of a truck. After doing one set of basic Cha Cha steps, we do following steps:

2: Cha Cha step 2.
3: Cha Cha step 3.
Cha: Cha step. Instead of shifting only to left, male partner shifts a bit back also, so as to give space to female partner for a turn.
Cha: Cha step. Instead of shifting only to left with his right foot, he shifts a bit back also.
1: Step 1. Instead of shifting only to left, he shifts a bit back also.

2: Cha Cha step 2. His right foot goes back and her left foot comes ahead. Both partners now stretch their hands to extreme.
3: He gives her leads to rotate by rotating his hands clockwise 180 degrees (forming a semi-circle with both hands). She rotates clockwise by 180 degrees by sliding over both her feet (no feet displacement), and both partners start facing same direction.
Cha: With both hands stretched, both starts walking forward with him walking right behind her (not side-to-side). He puts his right foot ahead a bit. She puts her left foot ahead a bit.
Cha: He brings his left foot close to right one.
1: He puts his right foot ahead (around a feet).

2: He puts his left foot forward and starts rotating her counter-clockwise by 360 degrees (now making full circles with both of his hands). His hands also make a complete 360 degrees counter-clockwise rotation (just like steering a truck). In step 2, she completes 180 degrees and rest 180 degrees in next step.
3: Putting his right foot forward, he completes 360 degrees turn. Again both partners start facing same direction.
Cha: With both hands stretched, both continue walking forward. He puts his left foot ahead a bit. She puts her right foot ahead a bit.
Cha: He brings his right foot close to left one.
1: He puts his left foot ahead (around a feet).

2: He puts his right foot forward and starts rotating her clockwise by 360 degrees (again making full clockwise circles with both of his hands).
3: Putting his left foot forward, he completes 360 degrees turn. Again both partners start facing same direction.
Cha: With both hands stretched, both continue walking forward. He puts his right foot ahead a bit. She puts her left foot ahead a bit.
Cha: He brings his left foot close to right one.
1: He puts his right foot ahead (around a feet).

Now comes double spin steps, where she does 1.5 counter clockwise turns, and in end both partners start facing each other.
2: He puts his left foot forward and starts rotating her counter-clockwise by 180 degrees (making counter-clockwise circles with both of his hands).
3: He puts his right foot forward and continue rotating her counter-clockwise.
2: He puts his left foot forward and continue rotating her counter-clockwise. He leaves her left hand with his right hand.
3: He puts his right foot forward and brings down his left hand. He also holds her left hand with his right hand. After rotating 1.5 turns, when both partners start facing each other, she should remember to put her left foot next to her right foot, so that they can end the rotations and continue with basic Cha Cha steps.

Basic Cha Cha steps follow.

Cha Cha Walk on 3

In 31st class, we learnt Cha Cha walk on 3.
After doing a simple step:
2: Simple step 2.
3: Male partner lifts and puts his right foot a bit behind.
Cha: With weight on right foot, he lifts his left foot and puts it behind right foot.
Cha: With weight on left foot, he drags his right foot behind.
1: With weight on right foot, he lifts his left foot and puts it behind right foot by around a foot.
Cha: With weight on left foot, he lifts his right foot and puts it behind left foot.
Cha: With weight on right foot, he drags his left foot behind.
2: With weight on left foot, he lifts his right foot and puts it behind left foot by around a foot.
Cha: With weight on right foot, he lifts his left foot and puts it behind right foot.
Cha: With weight on left foot, he drags his right foot behind.
3: With weight on right foot, he lifts his left foot and puts it behind right foot by around a foot. Weight is shifted on left foot and right foot becomes free.

2: Both partners do a walk around turn. He turns towards his left (counter clockwise), while she turns towards her right (clockwise). He lifts his right foot and places it crossing his left foot. His direction changes by 90 degrees.
3: He rotates 180 degrees to his left sliding on both of his feet.
Cha: Simple Cha step.
Cha: Simple Cha step.
1: Simple step 1.

Both partners again do complete simple Cha Cha steps (2-3-Cha-Cha-1). Then he does forward Cha Cha walk.

2: His right foot goes back.
3: He shifts his weight on left foot.
Cha: He lifts his right foot and places it in front of left foot. Weight is shifted on it.
Cha: With weight on right foot, he drags his left foot ahead a bit, such that its heel gets lifted, but base remain touched down.
1: With weight on left foot, he lifts his right foot and puts it in front by around a foot.
Cha: He lifts his left foot and places it in front of right foot. Weight is shifted on it.
Cha: With weight on left foot, he drags his right foot ahead a bit, such that its heel gets lifted, but base remain touched down.
2: With weight on right foot, he lifts his left foot and puts it in front by around a foot.
Cha: He lifts his right foot and places it in front of left foot. Weight is shifted on it.
Cha: With weight on right foot, he drags his left foot ahead a bit, such that its heel gets lifted, but base remain touched down.
3: With weight on left foot, he lifts his right foot and puts it in front by around a foot. Weight is shifted on right foot and left foot becomes free.

2: Both partners do a walk around turn. He turns towards his right (clockwise), while she turns towards her left (counter clockwise). He lifts his left foot and places it crossing his right foot. His direction changes by 90 degrees.
3: He rotates 180 degrees to his right sliding on both of his feet.
Cha: Simple Cha step.
Cha: Simple Cha step.
1: Simple step 1.

Cha Cha Fan Step

In twenty-sixth class, we learnt Cha Cha's Fan step. Steps are:

• 2.
• 3.
• Cha: Male partner gives lead by coming into open hold position, and extending both hands.
• Cha.
• 1.
• 2: During this step, he gives lead to female partner by his right hand (same lead as he gives in Salsa Cross body step 5). Instead of putting her left foot ahead, she puts it in right of his left foot (a bit rotated clockwise).
• 3: She puts her right foot ahead of left, diagonally going ahead.
• Cha: She turns to her left over her right foot and puts her left foot in such a way, that both the partners face perpendicular directions. He has to make sure that she does not move away too much, while she does the fan step.
• Cha: She does another cha in perpendicular direction.
• 1: Both partners extend their extreme hands (his right and her left) at shoulder height.
• 2: Instead of going forward ahead, he goes forward towards her.
• 3.
• Cha.
• Cha.
• 1.
• 2: He gives lead by raising his left hand, so that she can do a right (clockwise) turn (a tap-tap kind of turn). She does her Cha Cha step 2, but she rotates around 90 degrees towards her right. So she puts her left foot across her right foot.
• 3. Female partner does a right (clockwise) turn of 180 degrees. She rotates on her left foot and putting her right rotated clockwise.
• Cha: She keeps on rotating towards right. She picks up his left foot and completes rest of turn by 180 degrees, and then put it a foot apart.
• Cha.
• 1.

Cha Cha and Rumba change of side

In twentieth class, we learnt Cha cha and Rumba clockwise and counter-clockwise change of side steps. These are not spot turns, and are done in closed position with partner.

Clockwise change of side starts with step 2, while counter-clockwise change of side starts with step 3. Both the turns take four 90 degree turns, to complete one 360 degree turn.

Clockwise change of side:

1. In closed position, on step 2, male partner pushes with his left hand the female partner's right hand and pulls her back with his right hand. Simultaneously, she puts her right foot back by rotating 90 degrees clockwise. This gives more space for male partner to put his left leg few degrees rotated clockwise.
2. In step 3, they both became perpendicular to initial direction.
3. Rest of the steps (4-1 or Cha-Cha-1) are same as basic one.
4. In next 2 step, male partner pulls his right hand causing a push on female partner's back. Simultaneously, he puts his right leg rotated 90 degrees clockwise. This gives space to her, to keep her left leg rotated clockwise by few degrees.

Counter-Clockwise change of side:

1. Step 2 is same as basic step.
2. In closed position, on step 3, male partner pulls with his left hand the female partner's right hand. Simultaneously, he rotates his right leg counter-clockwise by 90 degrees and puts it at the same place.
3. Step 4/Cha is done in perpendicular direction to initial direction. Here male partner pulls female partner by his left hand, and pushes her with his right hand towards his left.
4. Rest of the steps (1-2 or Cha-1-2) are same as basic one.
5. In next 3 step, male partner picks up anputs his left leg rotated counter-clockwise at the same place.
6. Step 4/Cha is done in perpendicular direction to initial direction. Here male partner pulls female partner by his left hand, and pushes her with his right hand towards his left.

Rumba and Cha Cha Spot Turn / Alternate Turn

In eighteenth class, we learnt Rumba and Cha Cha's Spot Turn /Alternate Turn steps. This can be called an extension of Newyork step. After completing the last step of moving towards right, male partner performs:

1. On count 2, turn clockwise slightly, pick up and cross your left leg to cross over your right leg. Make sure that the width between your legs is that of taking a comfortable large step.
2. Move all of your weight to your left foot.
3. On count 3, turn clockwise on your left foot. Your right foot and leg should naturally turn as well. At this point, you should be facing backward from your original position.
4. Turn, rotate and step to original direction with your right foot, to complete the turn.
5. On count 4 / Cha, bring your left foot forward to be even with your right foot, but allow for some spacing between your feet. The space depends on which dance you are doing, Cha Cha or Rumba.
6. On next Cha count, slide your right foot to close to your left foot.
7. Similarly, you can do walk around and turn in other direction, rotating counter-clockwise.

Cha Cha Double New York and Double Hand to Hand steps

In fifteenth class, we learnt double Cha Cha's New York and double Hand to Hand steps.

• The only addition is that, after doing New York step (2 and 3), we repeat them once again. Our waist go in a diagonal movement. Then we follow with Cha-Cha-1 steps.
• Same is with the double hand-to-hand steps. We repeat 2 and 3 steps of hand-to-hand with our waist moving diagonally. We finish steps with Cha-Cha-1.

Cha Cha Leads

In today's (eleventh) class, we were taught taking leads in Cha Cha. These are very similar to leads in Rumba, only difference being, that there is no shift-2-shift step. We learned leads in basic, Newyork, hand to hand and New-hand steps.

Basic leads: Male partner gives a slight push/pull to his left/right hands, towards forward/backward/side directions.

Newyork leads: Male partner leaves female partner's right hand and try to bring left hand inside (towards his right direction). His right hand kind of flies towards right direction. Similarly, for other side, he leaves left hand and bring in right hand (towards left direction). He does not hold hands tight, and the contacting hands kind of slide, with her fingers sliding over his fingers.

Hand to hand leads: He slightly pushes girl's left hand and try to bring right hand inside (towards left direction). Left hand kind of flies towards left direction. Similarly, for other side, he pushes right hand and bring in left hand (towards right direction). Again, he does not hold hands tight, and the contacting hands kind of slide, with her fingers sliding over his fingers.

New-Hand leads: He picks up both hands to shoulder height. First he does Newyork step and she does hand to hand step, then he does hand to hand step and she complements it with Newyork step. After completion of these steps only, hands come down.

Cha Cha Newyork and Hand to Hand Steps

In today's (ninth) class, we added two new steps to Cha Cha, the Newyork and Hand to Hand steps. Both steps have same count as Cha Cha, i.e., 2-3-Cha-Cha-1-2-3-Cha-Cha-1. During practice, we were asked to do two basics, then two Newyork steps and finally two Hand to Hand steps.

Details of Newyork step:

0 – Male partner starts with weight on right leg and left leg inline (horizontally stretched around a foot away).

2 – We pick up left leg and place it in right of right leg (not much far), rotating 90 degrees clockwise. Our view line also shifts by 90 degrees. Our view line is same as to where our left foot has gone. During this step, weight is shifted to left leg and right leg heels gets up. Our right leg also slides by 90 degrees, with right leg's forefoot acting as a pivot.

3 – Right leg is twisted back counter-clockwise by 90 degrees, heel starts touching dance floor and weight is shifted on it.

Cha – This is a quick step where we pick up and bring back left leg close to right leg (basic Cha step). Our view line also comes back to initial direction. Weight is shifted from right leg to left leg and the whole left foot touches the dance floor.

Cha – This is a again a quick step, where we shift right leg sideways such that it starts touching left leg. The whole foot touches the dance floor. Weight is shifted from left leg to right leg.

Cha/1 – Here we shift the left leg sideways by more than a feet, in-line to right leg. The whole foot touches the ground. Weight is shifted from right leg to left leg.

2 – We follow above four steps again, but with other foot. We pick up right leg and place it in left of left leg (not much far), rotating 90 degrees counter-clockwise. Our view line also shifts by 90 degrees. During this step, weight is shifted to right leg and left leg heels gets up. Our left leg also slides by 90 degrees, with left leg's forefoot as a pivot.

3 – Left leg is twisted back clockwise by 90 degrees, with heel coming back on ground and weight is shifted on it.

Cha – This is a quick step where we bring back right leg, and place it around 3 inches away from left leg (in-line). Our view line also comes back to initial direction. The whole foot touches the ground. Weight is shifted from left to right leg.

Cha – This is a again a quick step, where we shift left leg sideways such that it starts touching right leg. The whole foot touches the ground. Weight is shifted from right to left leg.

Cha/1 – Here we shift the right leg sideways by more than a feet, in-line to left leg. The whole foot touches the ground. Weight is shifted from left to right leg.

Details of Hand to Hand step:

0 – We start with weight on right leg and left leg inline (horizontally stretched around a foot away).

2 – We pick up left leg and place it in right of right leg (not much far), but this time we rotate counter-clockwise (backwards). Our view line also shifts by 90 degrees, but now it is opposite to where our left foot has gone. During this step, weight is shifted to left leg and right leg heels gets up. Our right leg also slides by 90 degrees, with right leg's forefoot acting as a pivot.

3 – Right leg is twisted back clockwise by 90 degrees and weight is shifted on it.

Cha – This is a quick step where we pick up and bring back left leg close to right leg (basic Cha step). Our view line also comes back to initial direction. Weight is shifted from right leg to left leg and the whole left foot touches the ground.

Cha – This is a again a quick step, where we shift right leg sideways such that it starts touching left leg. The whole foot touches the ground. Weight is shifted from left leg to right leg.

Cha/1 – Here we shift the left leg sideways by more than a feet, in-line to right leg. The whole foot touches the ground. Weight is shifted from right leg to left leg.

2 – We follow above four steps again, but with other foot. We pick up right leg and place it in left of left leg (not much far), rotating clockwise (again backwards). Our view line also shifts by 90 degrees, but in opposite direction of our right leg movement. During this step, weight is shifted to right leg and left leg heels gets up. Our left leg also slides by 90 degrees, with left leg's forefoot as a pivot.

3 – Left leg is twisted back counter-clockwise by 90 degrees and weight is shifted on it.

Cha – This is a quick step where we bring back right leg, and place it around 3 inches away from left leg (in-line). Our view line also comes back to initial direction. The whole foot touches the ground. Weight is shifted from left to right leg.

Cha – This is a again a quick step, where we shift left leg sideways such that it starts touching right leg. The whole foot touches the ground. Weight is shifted from right to left leg.

Cha/1 – Here we shift the right leg sideways by more than a feet, in-line to left leg. The whole foot touches the ground. Weight is shifted from left to right leg.

International Cha Cha Basic Steps

Today's class was of International Cha Cha. This is much similar to Rumba. Instead of Rumba’s long 4, here we have small and quick Cha-Cha. Step counts are 2-3-Cha-Cha-Cha-2-3-Cha-Cha-Cha or 2-3-Cha-Cha-1-2-3-Cha-Cha-1.

Like Rumba, this is a also flat dance, where our both feets (some part of them) always touch the dance floor.

0 – Male partner starts with weight on right foot and left foot stretched inline (horizontally, with heel lifted and forefoot touching ground).

2 – He moves left foot forward (placed flat, about 10 inches ahead) and weight is shifted on it. Right foot’s heel gets lifted a little bit, but forefoot keeps on touching ground.

3 – Weight is shifted back on right foot. Left foot’s heel gets lifted a bit.

Cha – This is a quick step where he brings left foot back, and place it around 3 inches away from right foot (in-line). The whole foot touches the ground. Weight is shifted from right foot to left foot.

Cha – This is a again a quick step, where he shifts right foot sideways such that it starts touching left foot. The whole foot touches the ground. Weight is shifted from left foot to right foot.

Cha/1 – He shifts the left foot sideways by more than a feet, in-line to right foot. The whole foot touches the ground. Weight is shifted from right foot to left foot.

2 – He follows above four steps again, but with other foot. He moves right foot backward (placed flat, about 10 inches back) and weight is shifted on it, with whole foot touching ground. Left foot’s heel gets lifted a little bit.

3 – Weight is shifted back on left foot. Right foot’s heel gets lifted a bit.

Cha – This is a quick step where he brings back right foot, and place it around 3 inches away from left foot (in-line). The whole foot touches the ground. Weight is shifted from left to right foot.

Cha – This is a again a quick step, where he shifts left foot sideways such that it starts touching right foot. The whole foot touches the ground. Weight is shifted from right to left foot.

Cha/1 – He shifts the right foot sideways by more than a feet, in-line to left foot. The whole foot touches the ground. Weight is shifted from left to right foot.

Basic Steps in International Cha-Cha Dancing
All Steps in International Cha-Cha Dancing