stefansolo #inprogress
Latin Hip action is Torque principle used in many Latin Dances. It is characterized by a twist around the spinal axis It is different from the drop/settle hip action we find in Blues, Swing, Polka… ect.
Elements Include: Turn out in the feet A bent and a straighter leg Rotation around the spinal axis A delay between shoulders and hips
The Latin Hip motion creates a figure 8 in both the shoulders and hips. The hip being delayed behind the shoulders by an amount correlated with how engaged the core and back are. This motion is communicated using passive engagement and extenuated in every other degree of separation. For Example:
Person A’s small hip motion→ big shoulder motion is connected to Person b’s small shoulder motion and big hip motions.
Latin Hip Action creates a default motion that stores energy allowing initiations to take less effort as the divert the already present energy.
This is a natural hip action that occurs when relaxed with feet turned out but can be extenuated by:
- Faster foot motion
- More relaxation into the bent leg
- Delayed settling of the hip into the new step
- Pushing into the ground to straighten the straighter leg.