Other Hip Movements

Other Hip Movements

This page lists descriptions of the Hip Circle and several of its variations.

Hip Slide

Place your feet about hip width apart and keep them parallel to each other.

The knees should be soft and to start the weight should be distributed evenly

to both feet. Now keeping the torso still and without changing height, slide

your hips out to one side and then back to center and then out to the other

side. Do not twist the hips and try to keep the hips parallel to the floor at all

times. Bend and straighten your legs as needed to pick up slack in the

movement so you can avoid lifting and dropping the hip. It is important to

keep the movement even on the same horizontal plane.

Hip Sway 1

This move is done by placing your feet about hip width apart and keep them

parallel to each other. To start the weight should be distributed evenly to

both feet. Now keeping the torso still and without changing height, slide

your hips out to one side and lift on that side then drop it back into center

and out to the other side and lift the hip on that side. This should cause your hips to form a "u" shape.

Hip Sway with a Soft Kick

This move is done by placing your feet about hip width apart and keeping them parallel to each other. To start the

weight should be distributed evenly to both feet. Now keeping the torso still and without changing height, slide your

hips out to the right and lift the right hip by contracting the right obliques while softly kicking the left leg (or "releasing"

the left foot) out in front of you then bring your hips back to center and out to the left side and lift the left hip by

contracting the obliques while softly kicking the right leg out (or "releasing" the right foot) in front of you. This should

cause your hips to form a "u" shape.

Lift and Drop with a Straight Leg

To start point one foot and keep that leg straight, touch just the toes to the floor. The other leg should be straight but

never locked. Lift your hip up pushing with the free foot and then drop that hip down kicking the pointed foot out just

a little. Then step onto the free foot and repeat on the other side.

Tuck

Keep the feet about hip width apart and parallel to each other. Make sure to

keep the kees soft or slightly bent. Contract the lower abdominal and the

buttocks this will cause the pelvis to tip forward. This can be done quickly

for a sharp accent or softly for a more gentle accent.

Release

This is the opposite of the tuck. Keep the feet about hip width apart and

parallel to each other. Make sure to keep the kees soft or slightly bent. Tilt

the pelvis back. It might feel similar to sticking your butt out. There is

however a distinct difference between sliding or pushing your hips back and

doing a pelvic release. Some people think of this as a drop; if you are

focusing on what thr front of your pelvis is doing it can feel as though the

front is being dropped.

Pelvic Scoop

Standing in the basic position tilt or release the pelvis back causing your

butt to push back. Then bend the knees a little more as you start to bring

the pelvis back to a relaxed center position, next straighten your legs a little

as you tuck or tilt the pelvis forward and then pull it back to center.

Imagine scooping something up with your pelvis. This movement can be

thought of as the lower half of an undulation. You can make the movement

look more fluid by engagin the abdominal muscles as well. When tucking

the pelvis contract the upper abdominals and roll down as in a stomach

roll as you pull the hips back so that the roll ends with a pelvic release. To

add more flair and complexity try layering on a shimmy!

Pelvic Roll

Standing in the basic position with the knees bent, tilt or tuck the pelvis

forward. Then push your pelvis forward in a rolling motion by

straightening the knees a little and then bending them again. Then pull

the hips back but keep the pelvis tucked slightly under you, do not allow it

to release back. It will be like doing half of a body wave or reverse

undulation. It feels similar to riding a horse or camel at a slow speed. Try

to keep the movement as fluid and smooth as possible. You can make the

movement look more fluid by engaging the abdominal muscles in an

abdominal roll to acentuate the rolling movement of the hips as a

continuation from the upper body. Try layering on a shimmy for an even

more interesting and complex move.

Forward Crescent

Standing in basic position with feet spead just a little wider then hip width

apart. Move your hips in a forward arc to the right. Now bring them back

around, out in front and around and out to the left. Think of making half of a hip circle in front of you.

Backward Crescent

Standing in basic position with feet spead just a little wider then hip width apart. Move your hips in a backward arc to

the right. Now bring them back around, out in back and around and out to the left. Think of making half of a hip circle

behind you.