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Aziza Sa'id's Mid-Eastern Belly Dance Site

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Classes & Seminars

Hip Lift

One of the most basic of all Mid-Eastern Dance moves, the Hip Lift is a good step for keeping time or accenting a rhythm. Let's begin with the most basic Western form.

Basic Form:

Weight in one foot, supporting leg is slightly bent or straight but not locked. Weight is even between the toe and heel.
Working leg is relaxed, heel raised, foot resting on the ball. Working hip is at the neutral position - level with the other hip or slightly below. Body is aligned over the supporting foot. Tail bone is pulled down in back and pelvic bone is lifted up in front so hips are level front-to-back (low back is straight, not arched.)

Arm line:

Arm on supporting side is extended out. Arm on the working hip side is down (framing hip).
Arm on supporting side is extended up. Arm on the working hip side is extended forward.
Arm on supporting side is extended forward. Arm on the working hip side is extended out to the side.

Action:

Hip is lifted by straightening the working knee, then bending it to return the hip to the neutral position.

Timing:

The hip lift may be timed so it is at it's highest point on the down beat of the music:

1 2 3 4

LIFT neutral LIFT neutral

or on the up beat of the music:

1 2 3 4

neutral LIFT neutral LIFT

or on every beat:

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

LIFT neutral LIFT neutral LIFT neutral LIFT neutral

depending on the rhythm and accents in the music.

Variations:

The working foot placement may be changed to take the hip lift in different directions:

Working foot placed slightly forward, lifting the hip up and slightly forward.
Working foot placed directly to the side and slightly out, lifting the hip up and slightly outward.
Working foot placed slightly behind the supporting foot and a little out, lifting the hip diagonally to the back.
Ball of the working foot placed at the arch of the supporting foot, directly under the body or touching the supporting foot, lifting the hip up and inside the body towards the ribs.

Also see the section on timing and style changes.

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Last Revised: 3/24/01