The Hip Rock

Description

The "Hip Rock" involves the hips alternatively lifting and dropping while standing with both feet flat on the floor, knees slightly bent, and the pelvis in neutral. There should be no forward, backwards, or sideways shifts of the pelvis. Nor should there be any twisting. The knees remain flexed at all times with the knee on the side of the dropped hip being slightly more bent.

The underlying movement should be loose and relaxed. Texture is added over the basic movement – usually by tensing the buttocks.

There should also be a degree of isolation of the torso. In a strict oriental style there should be no movement at all above the waist. In beledi forms there can be some movement.

a & b - hips go straight up & down
c - hip stays in same plane; knees move back & forward

Analysis

Using figure (a) with the right hip lifting and the left hip dropping. The following analysis was done with reference to the Safe Dance Practice Study Guide (with particular reference to Fitt (1996), Howley & Franks (1997), and Tortora & Grabowski (1996)), Calais-Germain (1993), and discussion with Greg Knight DipPhys MNZSP of Gloucester Sports Clinic on 28 March 2002.

Joint	Joint position or action	Action of gravity	Muscle group and type of action
Lumbosacral & lumbar vertebrae	Individual vertebra are rotating causing lateral flexion to the right	Extension	Concentric contraction of lateral flexors. Particularly the quadratus lumborum with the internal and external obliques (which balance ipsilateral and contralateral rotation)
Right hip	Adduction to maintain strict vertical movement	Abduction	Concentric contraction of adductors. (adductor brevis, adductor longus, gracilis)
Left hip	Abduction to maintain strict vertical movement	Adduction	Concentric contraction of abductors (gluteus medius)
Right knee	Extension	Flexion	Concentric contraction of extensors
Left knee	Flexion	Flexion	Eccentric contraction of extensors
Torso	Maintain neutral pelvis and extension in thoracic spine	Pelvic rotation and flexion of trunk	Isometric contraction of rectus abdominis, transversus abdominus, and erector spinae.

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