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Basic Sequence: Cha Cha Cha: Part 1

The first basic sequence.

Please Note: This is a sequel to General: Elixir 

Note:
1. It consists of two parts, the Rock Step and the Chasse to the side. The Rock Step has the counts 2, 3. The Chasse has the counts Cha Cha 1, or 4 & 1.
2. All the movements for the Rock Step start on the count 2.
3. Please see General: Elixir (Basic of Cha Cha Cha) for the developmental details of the movements.
4. All the stepping is with the toes touching the floor first and then lowering the heel of that foot gently with pressure. Simultaneously the heel of the other foot is gradually released from the floor as the hip relaxes to the side of the stepping foot.
5. For new students it is advisable to vertically lift the complete foot just off the floor, wherever the mention is of retaining the foot in place with only the toes remaining in contact with the floor. This way only one foot will be on the floor and the confusion of which foot to move will be avoided, as logically the foot that is off the floor is the one to move for the next count.
6. The rhythm for the dance is “2, 3, cha, cha, 1” and not “2, 3, cha, cha, cha”. Neither of the counts is really wrong, however the former one is a better choice since by default when counting numbers or even the beats in music we start with 1; and here and for Rumba especially, the movement actually starts on the count 2 unlike all other dances that start on 1. Thus the counts “2, 3, cha, cha, 1” is also a conscious reminder.
7. When doing the Forward Basic, the Chasse to the left can be taken slightly backwards and with a slight turn to ones left. Similarly when doing the Backward Basic, the Chasse can be taken slightly to the front with a slight turn to ones left. This will help in better continuity for the movement.
8. Note the Rock Step here; for the count of 2 the movement is in one direction and then for the count of 3 the movement is reverse direction. The direction is with respect to the space around and not with respect to the dancer himself/herself.

Thus for example if a dancer moves forward, from the left to the right of this page, for the count of 2 and turns 180 degrees, the next movement for the dancer is forward for the count of three, however the movement with respect to the space would be from the right to left of this page. This is the main essence of the Rock Step, which is to be understood before going any further. Therefore please spend a little more time understanding this Rock Step movement.

Basic Sequence:
1. Basic Cha Cha 1
2. Basic Cha Cha 1
3. New York Cha Cha 1
4. Spot Turn Cha Cha 1
5. Hand to Hand Cha Cha 1
6. 2 & 3 Cha Cha 1 (Three Cha Cha Chas).

Note: Dancing the various figures in the particular sequence given should give a better idea of the flow in this dance.

Practice 1
Practise the Forward Basic and the Backward Basic continuously with varying alternative counts as given in the table below every after about 2 to 3 minutes by the watch:

Note:
1. Give a slight deliberate pause after the second step of the Rock Step and after the last step of the Chasse. For example the slight pause after the count 3 and after the count 1.
2. Another reason for the pauses in the sequence: Strong push is given from the stationary foot before going for the movement. The push comes from the foot on which the counts 1 and 3 are taken.

Continued...