What is the Hip Lift Technique?

[s2k]

Question - who do we see in pro rhythm finals who uses this technique? I mean, currently. Pros on the circuit now.

 

[Purr]

Most all of the higher leveled pros use it, sparingly. No one is using it as their sole technical base. Like Latin dancers using a bent knee to emphasize and highlight an action, almost all good rhythm dancers now are sprinkling in the hip lift.

I wish I could like this more than once. I figure hip lift technique is one additional tool in the toolbox that dancers could add.

 

[Mr 4 styles]

Saw it in nazars dancing the other night

 

[jump'n'jive]

I wish I could like this more than once. I figure hip lift technique is one additional tool in the toolbox that dancers could add.

Are you from Columbus?

 

[tangotime]

I



He mentioned several times about how the top

American Smooth couples had been invited to Blackpool, and


American Rhythm had been left behind.

Just to put the record straight. The 1st Prof. to be invited to demo an American style rhythm dance, was the late Bobby Medeiros , in 1967/ 8(?). I was visiting the UK at the time that B/pool was being shown on TV ( not the whole week ) and Peggy Spencer was the commentator. She raved about Bobbies CM.. he later went on to do a lecture, to intro Mambo... and we all know how that worked out !!!!

I actually gave Bobbie his 1st Prof demo. in Boston in 1964, in a small studio I had .

 

[vit]

I'm sorry, but the workshop didn't get into timing much, as it was an introduction for many folks, including myself. Someone else is going to have to chime in. And yes, I see a few things from the video.

With regards to your last question, let's say I take a step to the right (I'm a follow). I arrive on the ball of my foot, and go to flat immediately. I can't have two feet flat at the same time, so the other foot is going to go to ball. I'm going to have a lot of pressure on the other foot, using the floor. The hip on the side of other foot is going to be higher. That's what I got out of it. Keep in mind I'm only a student, and rhythm isn't my stronger style.

I hope everyone with interest has the opportunity to go to a workshop and/or class themselves to learn more. That way, you can see it for yourselves, and decide if it's something you want to add, or not, to your dancing repertoire (hope that's the right word).

Thanks Purr. I live in Europe, so can't attend workshops in the States, but I was just interested what it was about (trying to get the picture about various "versions" of CM in various genres / styles)

I have one more question. So, as I understand, in your description you transfer the weight to the right foot and it goes immediately flat. At that moment, left foot is going to ball, but still retaining some pressure to the floor, and at that moment, left hip is higher. Now, you start moving the left foot to the next step and I suppose, left hip eventually goes down. What would be the moment when the hips are about leveled - is it when left foot is still behind the right, left foot passing the right, left foot in front, immediately before stepping on the left foot ... (assuming steps forward) ? And what is the moment when the hip is at highest position ? Does it change if the steps are backward ?

Thanks

 

[Purr]

Thanks Purr. I live in Europe, so can't attend workshops in the States, but I was just interested what it was about (trying to get the picture about various "versions" of CM in various genres / styles)

I have one more question. So, as I understand, in your description you transfer the weight to the right foot and it goes immediately flat. At that moment, left foot is going to ball, but still retaining some pressure to the floor, and at that moment, left hip is higher. Now, you start moving the left foot to the next step and I suppose, left hip eventually goes down. What would be the moment when the hips are about leveled - is it when left foot is still behind the right, left foot passing the right, left foot in front, immediately before stepping on the left foot ... (assuming steps forward) ? And what is the moment when the hip is at highest position ? Does it change if the steps are backward ?

Thanks

I am going to have to think about this before I post an answer. It would help if someone else could chime in here.

 

[jump'n'jive]

Thanks Purr. I live in Europe, so can't attend workshops in the States, but I was just interested what it was about (trying to get the picture about various "versions" of CM in various genres / styles)

I have one more question. So, as I understand, in your description you transfer the weight to the right foot and it goes immediately flat. At that moment, left foot is going to ball, but still retaining some pressure to the floor, and at that moment, left hip is higher. Now, you start moving the left foot to the next step and I suppose, left hip eventually goes down. What would be the moment when the hips are about leveled - is it when left foot is still behind the right, left foot passing the right, left foot in front, immediately before stepping on the left foot ... (assuming steps forward) ? And what is the moment when the hip is at highest position ? Does it change if the steps are backward ?

Thanks

When left foot is passing and as you place left foot to its next placement.

 

[vit]

When left foot is passing and as you place left foot to its next placement.

Hm ... then it actually sounds like the way we have been already doing it in int. latin for years (was taught differently in mid 80s, with more point on settling the hip etc and relatively still upper part of the core)

 

[rels77]

Hm ... then it actually sounds like the way we have been already doing it in int. latin for years (was taught differently in mid 80s, with more point on settling the hip etc and relatively still upper part of the core)

I do both latin and rhythm and have had some coaching from Bill. I definitely see it as a way to make American Rhythm more like Latin. If you imagine basic samba walks, that will be the action I feel when I do hip lift in cha cha, etc.

 

[s2k]

I definitely see it as a way to make American Rhythm more like Latin.

But the point is to do the opposite, I thought? To differentiate Rhythm from Latin...?

 

[s2k]

No, the point is to be more competitive.

So from your own perspective as an adjudicator, how do you see HLT making couple #1 more competitive over couple #2 or #3, etc.? The fact that couple #1 has another "tool in their toolbox" to make the action their own?

Input and feedback is much appreciated.

 

[Mr 4 styles]

Cannot like Larinda's comment enough. If you cannot grasp this concept via the Internet ( big surprise) i suggest the following options

Take a lesson with Bree Watson she can demonstrate the difference in an American rumba walk and a Latin rumba walk with no doubt in your mind which is which and how to do one or the other.

Go to a hip lift seminar

A lesser Option is to watch video of how Natalie paramanov's walks changed when she left Latin to do rhythm. Tho not as clear / extreme an example as Bree it's a good start

So glad I learned this from Bree directly. It would be hard to Internet learn for sure

 

[debmc]

Do our current world and national rhythm champions and vice champions use hip lift technique? I'm a huge fan of the dancing of both of these couples.

 

[vit]

Here is my opinion about this subject, which I tried to study to some extent, faced with different ways how to do cuban movement in both int. latin (which changed since I started dancing) and dancing socially salsa in various places, each having some specifics etc ...However, I don't know was I entirely successful here, so I'm open to comments

As I understand from this discussion (unfortunately no videos), HL is similar to type of CM used recently in int. latin. It essentially resembles running action, which is understandable, as WDSF wants to bring the dancesport to olympics. I'm not sure I like it anymore, it became just way too athletic

On the other side, type of CM I was taught in int. latin 3 decades ago resembles relaxed walking with settling on the hips (don't know how it actually looked in rhythm, because I live in Europe - I suppose slightly different, because in int. latin we generally step on straight leg, while in rhythm, as I understand, it's on slightly bent leg)

In salsa social dancing (which includes a few other dances), both versions are also present. In my area, most instructors have point on usage of chest, which was partially brought from their visits to States and partially from Cuba. Similar with version of bachata danced here. On the other side, original dominican version of bachata seems to be more in the hips and less in the chest. Also, in the salsa clip I posted above, there is more hip action by the follower. There is also a dance called kizomba, a kind of hybrid between african way of movement and some basic ballroom steps, that spread into social salsa scene, especially in Europe, where point is entirely on the hips. So in general, there is quite a variety how it is done

So it looks like there are no 2 opposite techniques here, but endless possibilities between them. It depends how you tone your muscles along the core. "Running action" requires more action in upper part and more tension in the hips, while "relaxed walking action" requires just the opposite

So, based on descriptions we got here so far, it seems than "inventor" of this HL technique didn't invent anything that didn't already exist