How to Keep Posture During the Cha-Cha

The cha-cha is a traditional Latin dance that was first introduced to America in the early to mid-1900s. There's nothing more distracting to a beautiful cha-cha dance than someone's bad posture. Take steps to maintain your posture as you dance the cha-cha in order to ensure a flawless routine.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Hold your arms over your head in a touchdown position, grasping the air in your fist and bending your elbows to form a box with your arms. Then bring your elbows in front of you and hold the position to engage your abdomen and back muscles. You should feel this muscle engagement at all times during your cha-cha routine.

2. Bend slightly forward at your ankles to form an A-frame with your partner. You shouldn't lean on your partner and she shouldn't lean on you. Hold yourself up, just leaning in slightly.

3. Take small steps. Large steps may cause you to break out of your posture and get sloppy with your dancing.

4. Keep your head up and avoid looking at your feet. Practice the moves until you don't feel like you have to watch your feet, because looking down inadvertently causes your shoulders to slouch forward.

5. Avoid twisting or shaking your hips. Your hips should move naturally due to the foot and leg movements in the cha-cha.

6. Practice the cha-cha in front of a mirror so you can see if you lose the correct posture.