Dance Lovers

Latin styling should be used in rumba, cha cha, mambo, merengue, bolero, and east coast swing. In a very simplistic basic form ... one knee bends as the other knee straightens; you step with a bent leg with no weight. Practice going up stairs slowly to understand the mechanics and the sense of muscle movement. Start, for example, with your weight on your right foot and leg as you step up, with a bent knee, with your left foot. (At this point one leg is bent and one leg is straight). You initially step with a bent leg with no weight. As you transfer your weight to go up the step onto your left foot (which starts to "straighten"), your right leg bends as you place the right foot on the next stair step up ... stepping with a bent knee with no weight. Another nice way to practice latin motion at first is to the side. Start with your feet together. Transfer your weight onto the right foot, straightening the right knee. (Your right hip will settle diagonally back). As you step side onto the left foot, the left knee is bent and the right leg is straight. You're stepping with a bent knee and no weight; your stepping toward the inside edge of the foot. As you transfer the weight onto the left foot, your left knee straightens as the right foot, with a bent right knee with no weight, is placed next to the left foot. You're now ready to repeat; you can also reverse the actions and practice going side to the right.
In the cha cha, no step or movement should be more than 12 inches in length. Several suggestions for counting cha cha: instead of thinking " 1, 2, 3, cha cha" or " 1, 2, 3, quick quick" think " 1, 2, 3, slow step." The proper count is " 1, 2, 3, 4 and." Most people do the "4 and" too quickly and too small. Most people also incorrectly make the "4 and" seem like 3 movements (cha cha cha) but the "1" needs to be held for a full count. Learning about timing and style well greatly add to your dance enjoyment and your appearance.