How to Dance the Cha-Cha

Last Update: September 18, 2008

Video By: LIVESTRONG.COM

The Cha-Cha (or Cha-Cha-Cha) is a dance from Cuba popular among ballroom dancers. Learn to dance the cha-cha, the moves and steps, in this ballroom dancing video.

Take Action

  • Break forward like in mambo on two
  • Employ "cha-cha-cha" at end of rock step

About this Author

For fun, Jules Helm started gymnastics as a child. It wasn't until he was fourteen that he connected with dance, after receiving a scholarship to a dance studio. Jules was eight when he had his first professional acting job and seventeen when he had his professional dance job, a cabaret show in Japan. He also teaches at Stepping Out Studios. Talia Castro-Pozo is the Co-Director of Stepping Out Studios (SO) in New York City. Talía has made SO her home since 2001. Because of Talía's diverse background as a performer and business woman, she brings a hip, savvy approach to the dance studio business. She has creatively guided studios throughout the New York area to success for over 10 years.

Member Comments

Request a New Article or Video

We are regularly adding new articles and videos to the site to enhance our members' experience. Tell us what topics you want to read about or watch and we'll make sure you always find the content you need!

Video Transcript

JULES HELM: Hello, my name is Jules Helm. TALIA CASTRO-POZO: Hi, my name is Talia Castro-Pozo. .JULES HELM: And we are both instructors here at Stepping Out Studios in New York City. Hi. In this clip we are going to learn how to cha-cha. Cha-cha is a dance related to mambo. It is a hot dance, spicy as they say. It is a little bit slower though than mambo. And so as a result, we are going to have a few extra steps. So let us just jump right in. We are still breaking forward like in mambo on the two. Two, three. But instead of doing it slower, we are going to go cha, cha, cha. So we have six, seven, eight and one, two, three, cha, cha, cha and rock, step, cha, cha, cha, and rock, step, cha, cha, cha. Now, the great thing about all of these dances is they are working your middle. You are working your abs. You are working your legs. So it is really a full body exercise. Not only that, but it is great for posture because you are required to stand up, roll the shoulders back, become upright. Now we are going to take this into some partner work. Show you how it works. We have two, three, cha, cha, cha, rock, step, cha, cha, cha, rock, step, cha, cha, cha rock, step, cha, cha, cha. Another step in this, cross body lead. Rock, step.

Tools

Track your daily calories. See how many calories you burn and consume.

BMI is a measurement of body fat based on height and weight.

Map your local running, cycling, walking and hiking routes and track your calorie burn.

Find us on the web, receive emails and use our mobile app to keep you motivated.

This tool will help you to decide whether to treat at home or see a doctor.