Kneeling Movements for Floor Work
This page lists descriptions of the various movements in floor work that are done in a kneeling position. Nearly any movement done standing can be done in the kneeling position with minor modifications. This is of course just a list of the most commonly used movements.
Vertical Figure Eight
When your kneeling you will be relying on your thigh, abdominal, oblique, and glute (butt) muscles to execute a figure
eight. You should be kneeling with your knees bent at approximately a 45 degree angle. You should "sit back" into this
position so that your hovering over your legs but not sitting on them. This gives you the range of motion required to
do this movement. The move is very similar to what you do standing. Relax the right thigh a little and drop that hip
down. Next tense the right buttocks and push the right hip up to the side. Now, relax the left thigh a little and let the
left hip drop as you pull the right hip up contracting the oblique and then bring it down and in back to center as you
tense the left buttocks and push the left hip up to the side contracting the oblique. The movement should feel very
similar to the standing version.
Reverse Vertical Figure Eight
When your kneeling you will be relying on your thigh, abdominal, oblique, and glute (butt) muscles to execute a figure
eight. You should be kneeling with your knees bent at approximately a 45 degree angle. You should "sit back" into this
position so that your hovering over your legs but not sitting on them. This gives you the range of motion required to
do this movement. The move is very similar to what you do standing. Tighten your right buttocks and oblique and lift
your right hip up as you relax the left thigh. Push the right hip out to the side. Now, relax the right buttocks and thigh
and tighten the left buttocks and thigh. Drop the hip and pull it in as you lift the left hip up. The movement should feel
very similar to the standing version.
Horizontal Figure Eight
Kneeling with your knees at almost a 90 degree angle, twist your right hip backward and transfer your weight onto the
right leg (avoid putting the weight directly on the knee). Now, push your right hip out and around to the side, then the
front, and then pull it back in and twist the left hip backward and transfer your weight onto the left leg. Now push the
left hip out and around to the side, to the front, and then pull it back in. Try to keep it parallel to the floor.
Reverse Horizontal Figure Eight
Kneeling with your knees at almost a 90 degree angle, twist your right hip forward and transfer your weight onto the
right leg (avoid putting the weight directly on the knee). Now push your right hip out and around to the side, then the
back, and then pull it back in and twist the left hip forward and transfer your weight onto the left leg. Now push the left
hip out to the side, to the back, and then pull it back in. Try to keep it parallel to the floor.
Undulation to the Side
Keeling with your knees bent at about 90 degrees, lean over to the right side and support the weight of your body on
the right arm. This will cause your weight to shift to right leg which will now be refered to as the bottom leg. The left
(or top) leg is free and you may straighten it out or keep it where it is. Now, begin by pushing the ribcage forward, up
back, and drop down into center. Done smoothly this should create the upper portion of the undulation. Continue
rolling down the spine to get the full undulation. Engaging the abdominal muscles will give you greater control of the
movement and make it look smoother. If you extended the top leg outwards you can also continu the movement
down through the leg.
Undulation to the Front
Keeling at about 45 degrees, lean back and support the weight of your body on that one of your arms or both arms if
you need to. The top of the ankles and feet will also be supporting your weight. Now, undulate by pushing the ribs
forward, up, back, and the drop the chest down into center. Continue the movement down through the pelvis. Try to
smooth it out. You should avoid doing this movement in a way that your crotch is facing the audience. It works
better in a side view (the term front is directional for you the dancer).
Shimmy
Kneeling, with the knees bent at about 45 degrees and the pelvis tucked underneath you comfortably, begin by tensing
the right buttocks and thigh. Next, tighten the left buttocks and thigh while relaxing the right. The movement comes
from the thighs and buttocks. The weight is balanced over the legs. You can also vary the height by increasing or
decreasing the bend of your legs (how far down or up your "sitting" over your legs).
Twist
Kneeling with your knees at approximately a 90 degree angle, twist your right hip forward causing your left hip to go
back, then twist your left hip forward causing your right hip to twist back. Try to keep your hips parallel to the floor
while twisting you should not lift the hips up. The move can be done softly by keeping the movements fluid and even
or the can be done sharply by making the movements more rigid. If you are trying to achieve a sharp crisp effect you
should also try to tense the glute on the side twisting forward.
Slide
Kneeling with your knees at approximately a 90 degree angle, keep the weight distributed evenly to both legs. Now
keeping the torso still and without changing height, slide your hips out to one side and then back to center and out to
the other side. Do not twist the hips and try to keep the hips parallel to the floor at all times. Avoid forward and back
movement or twisting as well as up and down movement.
Small Hip Circle
You can do a small hip circle by bending the knees so you lower your hips over your legs creating approximately a 45
degree angle. From here you tuck the pelvis and then lift on the right, release back and lift left. This hip roll /circle is
more stationary whereas the first rotates around the space slightly.
Large Hip Circle
Kneeling with your knees at approximately a 90 degree angle, slide the hips out to the right, then bring them around to
the front, slide them around and out to the left, around behind, and finally around back to the right. The weight will
switch from knee to knee as opposed to legs or feet. Keep it parallel to the floor.
Hip Sway
Kneeling with the knees at approximately a 45 degree angle, the weight distributed evenly to both legs, keeping the
torso still and without changing height, slid your hips out to the right and lift up on the right side. Then, drop the hip
and bring it back to center and out to the left side and lift the hip on the left side. Drop the hip down and bring it back
to center. This should cause your hips to form a "U" shape. Smooth it out so it flows softly from side to side.
Sitting to Lying (Transition)
Start in the kneeling position with the knees at approximately a 90 degree angle. Lower the hips to sit back on your
heels but instead of sitting on the heels drop them down on the right and sit on the floor. When you are sitting to the
right of your legs straighten your leg(s) out to the left and support you self with your right hand. From here you can
slide your hand till you rest on your elbow or all the way down till your lying on your side on the floor. From here you
may stay on your side or you can roll on to your back or stomach.
Miscelaneous Video Demonstrations
Since there are very few on-line instructional videos for individual floor work movements, I have included a few
general videos which cover several floor work movements and transitions.
