Hips (figure 8 down)

Hips: Vertical hip figure 8 (down)

Also called: Maya, Serpentine, Over 8, Reverse hip arcs, Hip sway down, Inverse 8s, Butterfly hips,
Reverse hip rolls

Begin in basic stance:
Your feet are positioned directly under your hip bones, parallel to each other, and your weight is centered and distributed evenly over both soles. Your knees are slightly bent (soft), and your pelvis is tucked slightly under (pubic bone toward the navel) in the neutral position. Your ribcage is pulled up out of your waist; your shoulder blades are pulled together and slightly down the spine. Your neck is long, in extension of your spine.

Hip figure 8 (down):
Keeping your knees bent and your pelvis carefully tucked under in the neutral position throughout the move, drop your right hip by slightly bending your right leg. Then slide your hips horizontally to the left. Drop your left hip by slightly bending your left leg, and slide your hips horizontally to the right. There is no forward twist - your hip bones draw a figure 8 parallel to the wall in front of you. Your upper body should remain as still and separated as possible (there are variations which have the upper body moving side-to-side as well). Your feet remain flat on the floor throughout - or, in a variation, you can lift your heels to maximize the movement of the hip lifts.

You can also do vertical figure 8s up.

Hip figure 8 (up) walk:
As you drop your right hip, your weight is on your right foot, and your left foot can take a tiny step forwards (or backwards). As you slide your hips to the left and drop your left hip, your weight shifts to your left foot. Your hip bones draw a figure 8 parallel to the wall in front of you. Your knees should be bent and your pelvis should be kept in neutral position throughout the movement.