Another of the most basic Mid-Eastern Dance moves, the Hip Drop is also a good step for keeping time or accenting a rhythm. Once again, let's begin with the most basic Western movement 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. 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 options:

• 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 dropped by further bending the working knee, then the knee is straightened back to it's original position to return the hip to neutral.
• Hip direction may be straight down (American style).
• Hip direction may be diagonally down towards the back with a slight opening rotation (Egyptian style - more about this in the next lesson update).

Timing:

• The hip drop may be timed so it is at it's lowest point on the down beat of the music:

1	2	3	4
DROP	neutral	DROP	neutral

or on the up beat of the music:

1	2	3	4
neutral	DROP	neutral	DROP

or on every beat:

1	&	2	&	3	&	4	&
DROP	neutral	DROP	neutral	DROP	neutral	DROP	neutral

depending on the rhythm and accents in the music.

Variations:

On Egyptian style drops, the working foot may be released to produce a kick (now we are beginning to get into Mid-Eastern movement, more on this in the next update):

• Remember, the hip direction is diagonally down towards the back with a slight opening rotation.
• To produce a natural leg line, simply allow the ball of the working foot to let go of the floor and the knee of the working leg to straighten as the hip drops. Do not try to kick the foot, the correct line occurs when you simply let go of the floor as the hip drops.
• The foot release can be done on every second or every fourth hip drop.
• When the foot release is used, the weight and momentum of the hip drop can be used to make a bit of turn on every release. Let the dropping hip pull you in the direction it is traveling (down and back with a slight opening rotation) for 1/8, 1/4 or 1/2 turn. Centering the weight on the supporting heel rather than the entire supporting foot will make this turn easier. When correctly done, this turn will feel as if someone has pulled you around by your working hip back pocket. If you feel you are pushing off with your working foot, you are using the leg to push with instead of the momentum of the hip to pull with.

Also see the section on timing and style changes.