1. Forward and Back
The first basic moves you'll learn when you learn to dance the cha cha are the forward basic and back basic steps. The male partner does the forward basic steps in the first four beats of the music and does the back basic steps during the next four beats. All this happens while the female partner does the back basic steps during the first four beats and then does the forward basic steps during the next four beats. This creates a set of dance steps covering eight beats that gets repeated over and over during the dance with variations added. The set of eight beats shows the male and female partner mirroring each other's moves. If you want to stick to the basic Cha Cha, this is how you need to start.
2. Add Some Flair With a Twist
To add a little bit of interest while learning to dance the cha cha, try a Fifth Position. It starts out with two basic back movements done by both the male and the female partner. As they are doing these basic movements, they turn a quarter turn away from one another. On the first step the male partner steps away from the female partner on his left foot and then turns his left shoulder back a quarter turn to the left. The female partner mirrors the male partner's turn, stepping with her right foot instead of her left, and follows by turning her right shoulder back. This produces a mirror image effect for those watching the dance. The dancers then rock back and step side close to face each other and then do a step side to complete the move.
3. Take It for a Spin
A more advanced step to try in cha cha dancing is the Lady Natural Underarm Turn. This step requires good communication between the male and female partner and can cause injury if not done properly. First, you perfect something called crossover, which is simply a change in the forward basic move learned in the beginning. It puts you shoulder to shoulder with your partner. Then, as the crossover is completed, the male partner lifts the female partner's arm over her head and she turns as he does a basic back movement. She has two options, either let the male partner spin her or take control of the movement herself. Then she cross steps to the left, turning a quarter turn, pivots another half turn, and steps the final quarter turn. She is then facing her partner and both do the forward basic step to complete the move.
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