How to Shake Your Hips

Co-authored by Leela Fazzuoli & Daniele Cavallo

Last Updated: August 21, 2024

Many different dance moves and styles of dance require you to be able to shake your hips. This can take some practice for people who don't dance often. At first, it may feel strange or even too exaggerated when you do this dance move. It can help to practice in front of a mirror with some fun music. This article addresses how to do this dance move if you are a girl or a guy.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Shaking Your Hips for Girls

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This is the proper width for your feet when doing this dance move. It will help you engage your core muscles. You'll also want your knees to be slightly bent. You want to let your abs do the work when you shake your hips, not your legs or back.^{[1]
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Research source} You can think of the hip movement as the pendulum action of the clock.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Leela Fazzuoli & Daniele Cavallo
Professional Latin Dance Instructors

Expert Interview. 7 October 2021.}
2
Step your right foot out a little bit. It should go forward and to the right.^{[3]
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Research source} Swing your hips to the right with your foot.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Leela Fazzuoli & Daniele Cavallo
Professional Latin Dance Instructors

Expert Interview. 7 October 2021.}
- Make a big swooping motion with your hips to the front then to the right.
- Finish the move by completing a circle with your hips to the back then to the front.
- Keep your abdominal muscles tight and engaged as you do this.
- Women will want to make this move very large and more dramatic, following the natural way their hips curve.
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3
Keep your torso mostly still as you do this. You only want your hips to move, not your entire upper body. At the most, you might want to complement the move of your hips by sliding your upper torso slightly to the left.
- If you aren't doing it correctly, your hip movements might be too small or your upper torso might be moving with you.
4
Step your left foot out slightly. Now, you'll repeat the motions on the opposite side. Swing your hips to the left with your foot. ^{[5]
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Research source}
- Make a large swooping motion with your hips to the front then to the left.
- Make sure your upper torso and chest are still when you shake your hips. You only want your hips to swing out, not the rest of your upper body.
- If your upper torso is moving along with you, you aren't doing the move correctly.
- Complete the move by swinging your hips to the back, then to the front.
- Remember to use your abs rather than your legs or back muscles to help you do this dance move.
- Make your motions big. These will feel exaggerated at first, but will look good during dancing. We'll show you how to modify your hip shake for different dance styles later.
5
Return your feet to their original position, about shoulder width apart. You can now combine the moves from the right and left. Remember to keep your knees slightly bent and your movements loose and flowing.^{[6]
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Research source}
- Swing your hips out to the front, then to the right, along with your right foot.
- Rotate them towards the back and to the left. Then repeat the same thing on the other side.
- At the sides, pop your hips out for a bit more exaggeration.
- Keep your motions big and energetic. Think about how Beyonce dances. Her moves are full of fun and energy

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Shaking Your Hips for Guys

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1
Start with your feet shoulder width apart. Face a mirror so you can watch as you practice. This is very similar to the method for how girls shake their hips, but for guys it will be less exaggerated and the move will be slightly different.^{[7]
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Research source}
- This stance will provide stability as you perform the dance move.
- Standing in this position will help you use your core muscles to perform the dance move.
- You want to avoid using your back and leg muscles to swing your hips. The move will not look right and you could end up straining you muscles if not done properly.
2
Take a step to the side with your right foot. You will move your hips along with your foot to the right side. ^{[8]
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Research source}
- Tuck your pelvis under. This will prevent your moves from being wide and exaggerated.
- Rotate your pelvis forward, then to the right.
- Rotate it towards the back, then to the left again.
- While you do this, keep your movements subtle and keep your pelvis tucked under.
- When a guy does a hip shaking move in dance, it is typically a smaller more understated move than when a girl performs this type of dancing.
- If you are doing this move correctly, your upper torso should stay still and in place. Your hips will not swing out dramatically to the side, but rather rotate in a small circle with your pelvis tucked under.
3
Repeat the process for the left side. Step out a little with your left foot to start. Then move your hips toward your foot.^{[9]
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Research source}
- Tuck your pelvis under and rotate your hips forward and to the left.
- Rotate the hips backwards, then back to the right.
- Keep your motions smaller and not exaggerated.
4
Return your feet to the front, keeping your feet shoulder width apart. Combine the moves from the left and right to complete the dance move. Remember to keep your knees slightly bent and your movements loose.^{[10]
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Research source}
- Tuck your pelvis under.
- Rotate your hips forward, then to the right.
- Then, rotate your hips backwards and to the left.
- Repeat the same thing on the other side, and return to your original position.
- Make sure your hips are moving independently. Your upper torso and chest should stay in place.
- If your hips are swing too far to the side, you probably aren't tucking your pelvis forward and under as you move.
- Think about how dancers like Usher and Michael Jackson move their hips. These are smaller, less emphasized motions than female dancers use, but are still full of energy!

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Modifying Hip Shaking for Different Styles of Dance

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1
Do some hip-hop or street dancing. This will incorporate very energetic and exaggerated hip shaking moves, just like how they are described in Parts I and II.
- Incorporate hip shaking along with pop and lock movements for street dancing.
- Hip-hop dancing often also uses booty shaking along with hip shaking.
- Move quickly and use music with a fast, strong beat.
- Think about how energetic dancers like Beyonce and other performers are when they move their hips.
2
Practice Latin dancing. Hip movements are very key to how the body moves in Latin dance.^{[11]
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Research source}
- In Latin dancing hip shaking is incorporated with rhythmic dance steps in dances like the tango and merengue.^{[12]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Leela Fazzuoli & Daniele Cavallo
  Professional Latin Dance Instructors
  
  Expert Interview. 7 October 2021.}
- Dancers move their hips out when they step forward in back in rhythm with music.
- As you perform a Latin style dance, you will be alternating steps with your right and left feet. As you step with your right foot, rotate that hip outwards slightly. Do the same when you step with your left foot.
- Latin dancing incorporates more natural looking and subtle hip movements than hip hop and street dancing. With Latin dancing, you won't be exaggerating this movement, but allowing your hips to move loosely in a natural pattern.
- Shakira is a very famous Latin artist famous for hip shaking. Her dancing is slightly more similar to contemporary hip-hop than traditional Latin dancing.
3
Try belly dancing. Like with Latin dancing, hip movements are some of the most key aspects of belly dance.^{[13]
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- In belly dancing, hip shaking is one of the most important techniques
- However, while hip movements are emphasized, they aren't always as exaggerated in belly dance.
- Usually, heels are kept on the floor and the knees are straightened to lift the hips for a subtle movement.

Community Q&A

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Question

What if I don't understand it?

Community Answer

This might be a easier way for you to understand: First, point your left foot, so your foot is on just the tip of its toe. When you did that, you saw how the left of your hip moved up, right? Then, with selected music, try doing the same thing, alternating your left and right foot with the rhythm. Now, the sides of your hips should be moving up and down. Try it again, except with a circular motion. Imagine you are stirring thick porridge. Make your "toe points" more discrete as you get comfortable with this motion. If you feel confident enough, try briefly lifting the foot on the side you are conveying weight to. You may also want to try watching other people.

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Is there any more advice on how to belly dance, belly roll and hip-shake?

Community Answer

Belly dancing is a hard thing to pick up and takes lots and lots and lots of practice as well as a good instructor. It is the same with belly rolls and hip shaking. Just practice, maybe take some lessons and watch videos of people doing it.

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How can I do this confidently?

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Pretend no one's watching you. That's probably the case anyway; everyone will be too focused on what they're doing to pay attention to exactly what you're doing. Just have fun with it!

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Tips

The mirror will help

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If you are struggling to make something move or stop moving, use your hands to guide it or hold in place. It sounds weird, but the pressure of your hands will help.

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If you keep on doing this,you'll soon be able to do it without your hands on your waist.

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