Capiche

There isn't a great deal of difference between a Basic Walk in the Rumba or the Cha apart from the speed..I'm with Alan Fletcher who says, on my Video, that the Rumba is made up of Forward or Backward Walks including the quarter turn between a front and back Basic. And to avoid showing a gap between the thighs. In a lecture given on the Gold Coast, which I have videoed, he repeated Wally Laird who said once what he would do if he sees a gap between Hazel's thighs once more. It was added that Wally had a way with words.
I can see that if the step is Back Weighted the hip action might become less fluid. This then will also apply to the man's Back Basic. Who in there right mind would send their weight over the back in a Backward Walk anyway, checked or not.
The part mentioned from the lecture at Blackpool is refering to Slavik's Cha DVD when Slavik says we will do this and the only reason Karina will do it is because she knows the choreography. Then he proceeds to show how to do it correctly when the hold through the body is used correctly

/* I can see that if the step is Back Weighted the hip action might become less fluid. This then will also apply to the man's Back Basic. Who in there right mind would send their weight over the back in a Backward Walk anyway, checked or not.*/

Hi to All,
Back weighted. This was just an example exercise, during the lecture, to show that if the body was held in such a poise (WHICH IT IS NOT! excuse the shouting) then a Checked Backward Walk (CBW) would become necessary. The original query was, 'Why is there not a CBW when stepping back, as the counter-part to a Checked Forward Walk (CFW)?' The answer is because the weight of the body is FORWARD! and it is not required. (Remember: There is no such step called a Checked Backward Walk) But, if the weight of the body poise was back ... Regarding the New York. Both gent and lady have the correct forward poise so it's necessary to dance a CFW. The Spot Turns. Today's technique in the ISTD and the UKA Latin books(not Laird)describe two methods of dancing a Spot Turn. The first and most popular way of dancing this figure, is to keep one foot in place whilst making the turn on step one. This method requires a Forward Walk Turning on step one. The second method, over the first two steps,is to dance two forward walks turning strongly to the right or left. Of course, this method of turning does not require keeping the other foot in place. Now whether you personally dislike the second method, or not, it can be danced and it would be required for a candidate in a professional examination to be fully conversant with this method for a qualification in the ISTD or the UKAPTD.

Splits in the Cha Cha? Hmmmm, if u are just starting I suggest u concentrate on the steps, actions and feel of the dance!

I think if u do the splits in the cha cha u should have an experienced instructor to teach u the easiest way of doing that in this dance!

As others have said, I aslo suggest u start with a beginners Latin class,

Enjoy dancing,

Sami