How to Do Left Turns in the Cha Cha Dance

Being able to complete a left turn is a basic requirement of the cha cha. This vibrant dance takes up just a small space on the dance floor in quick counter clockwise movements so even in your turns you don't want to be moving all over the floor.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Keep count. The cha cha has four counts per bar. The fourth beat gets split in two, which is where the cha cha's 2, 3, 4 and 1 rhythm comes from, or, in others words, the cha cha cha beat. Basically, it goes beat, beat, cha cha cha.

2. Go from the basic cha cha movement to get ready for the left turn. Step forward on the left foot on the number two count.

3. Take that same left foot and swing it back past the neutral position (where both feet are together) and take it straight out behind you. You'll be halfway through your turn, facing to the side. Do the cha cha cha shuffle step here.

4. Step forward with your right foot. You will be completely facing the back now. Raise up on your heels. Now you need to get back to the front again.

5. Pivot around on your toes to face the front again. Pivot on the cha cha cha beat. The pivot coming back to the front will be much quicker than the left turn moving to face the back with the cha cha steps in the middle of it. Go right back into the basic cha cha steps.