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.

Right hip lift:
Now shift your weight to your left leg without changing your body alignment. Bring your right leg straight forward and set the ball of your right foot just in front of  your left toes (but still hip-width apart). Your weight is entirely on your left leg and your left knee is softly bent. Slightly straighten your right leg without locking your knee. This will lift your right hip up (imagine trying to push your hip up toward your armpit). Avoid any twisting or forward-and-back movement – this is in the vertical plane. Your upper body should remain as still and separated as possible.

Hip lift/twist variation:
From the same position, add a twist to the hip lift. This looks especially nice when the dancer leans back slightly with her upper body, but take care to keep your back in alignment if you use this position. Your pelvis should remain in a strong pelvic tuck and your back should be in a straight line with your pelvis, not arched.