Open Hip Twist

Cha Cha Cha Open Hip Twist

Cha Cha Open Hip Twist is a Silver Level figure. This online reference gives a detailed description of the dance steps, including timing, and movement, technique; a list of figures that may precede or follow the pattern; and videos providing instruction and demonstration of the figure, techniques and practice routines that include it.

Leader

• 2: LF fwd

  • Slightly extend L arm fwd, close left thumb.

• 3: Transfer eight to RF

  • Contract L arm over 2-5 to end with L hand close to L hip

• 4 & 1: Slip Chasse LRL

• 2: RF back, small step

  • Brace L arm towards end of preceding beat, then L arm to side

• 3: Transfer weight to LF | 1/8 to L over 7-10

  • Increase tone in L arm

• 4 & 1: RF to side to chasse RLR, Ending in Fan Position.

  • Man can do a hip twist chasse.

  • Slightly extend L arm. L hand still. Fan Position.

Follower

• 2: RF back

  • Start from Open Position.

  • Receive weight, step RF back, but keep weight forward, not pulling Man back. Hook RH finger on Man's hand. Extend R arm. Delayed Walk.

• 3: Transfer weight to LF

• 4 & 1: Fwd Lock RLR

  • Response to Man's lead, Lady brings her weight well fwd at end of this step. match arm tone to Man's. Allow R arm to bend.

  • At end of the step, turn 90 to R. To show off balance, pause with LF collected next to RF ankle, just for a split second before stepping LF fwd on count "2" next.

• 2: LF fwd | 1/4 to R

  • Turn starts at tend of previous beat. Turn is initiated from hips. Hips turn more than upper body.

• 3: RF fwd and slightly across, then turn to end RF back | 1/8 to L. Body turns less, then a further 1/2 turn to L

  • Advanced Option: At end of "3", do a Spiral, ending LF wrapped loose in front of RF, facing away from Man.

• 4 & 1: Back Lock LRL. End in Fan Position. | Body completes turn.

  • If a Spiral is done, finish with Runaway Chasse. (LF fwd, RF fwd, turn 1/2 to end LF back). See types of chasse in Cha Cha Technique.

  • If no Spiral: this can also finish in Open Position (with diagonal side chasse or back chasse), Contact Position (with side chasse), or CPP

Preceding Figures

1. Advanced Hip Twist

2. Aida

3. Chase

4. Closed Hip Twist

5. Cuban Break RF

6. Curl

7. Follow My Leader

8. Hockey Stick

9. Open Basic Movement

10. Open Hip Twist

11. Spiral

12. Split Cuban Break LF

13. Spot or Switch Turn To L (Lady to R)

14. Three Cha Cha Chas Forward

15. Time Step RF

16. Turkish Towel

Following Figures

1. Alemana (From Fan Position, or Open Position)

2. Hockey Stick

3. Hip Twist Spiral (7-10 Hip Twist Spiral)

4. Open Basic Movement (Basic, or 1-2 Open Basic into Three Cha Cha Chas Back, or 1-5 Open Basic into Natural Top)

5. Time Step LF

6. Open Hip Twist (when finish in Open Position)

7. Curl (when finish in Open Position)

8. Cuban Break LF (when finish in Open Position; or when finish in Open CPP)

9. Split Cuban Break LF (when finish in Open Position; or when finish in Open CPP)

10. Chase (when finish in Open Position)

11. Turkish Towel (when finish in Open Position)

12. Sweetheart (when finish in Open Position)

13. Follow My Leader (when finish in Open Position)

14. New York LSP (when finish in Open CPP)

15. Spot or Switch Turn To R (Lady to L) (when finish in Open CPP)

16. Underarm Turn to L (when finish in Open CPP)

17. Three Cha Cha Chas Forward (when finish in Open CPP, 4-9 Three Cha Chas)

18. Reverse Top (when finish in Contact Position, 6-10 or 6-15 Reverse Top)