How to Do Basic Cha-Cha Turns for Women

The cha-cha, a sensual Latin dance that descended from the mambo, is fun and easy for dancers of all ability levels. Both men and women can utilize turns in their cha-cha dancing, but the technique is different for each gender. Women can incorporate turns into their cha-cha routines.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Face your partner. Hold his left hand loosely in your right hand in front of you. Step forward with your left foot; put all weight on this foot. Transfer the weight back to your right foot as you step in place with the right foot. Quickly step backward with your left foot, then right foot, then left foot to do a step-ball-change (the "cha-cha-cha" part). The counting sequence is 1, 2, 3-and-4.

2. Move your right foot backward; put all weight on this foot. Transfer the weight back to your left foot as you step in place with the left foot. Do another step-ball-change, this time starting with the right foot.

3. Step forward with your left foot, then the right foot. As you do this, lift your right arm up over your head and turn away from your partner, passing under both your arms. Finish with a left-right-left step-ball-change.

4. Repeat the dance sequence; this time, start with the right foot. As you enter the turn, step forward with your right foot, then the left foot. Turn away from your partner, pass under both your arms as you lift your right arm, and finish with a right-left-right step-ball-change.