r/irishdance • u/Automatic-Flow2974 • Jul 11 '25
A beginning beginner
Sorry if this an obvious question. Is it correct to hold the hips as still as possible while knees and ankles do all the dancing?
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u/CriticalSheep Adult dancer Jul 11 '25
For the most part, yes. You want to be as upright as possible- shoulders and hips are always in alignment.
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u/oddnostalgiagirl Jul 12 '25
The shoulders are the most important part. As long as your torso is upright with good posture, the hips don't matter as much.
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u/Irish_Tradition_412 Jul 13 '25
Kind of, turnout comes from the hips and legs/ankles will do all the dancing. As for alignment yes hips should be squared off or ‘still’ as you put it. I hope I answered your question ❤️ Best of luck in the future!
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u/Ok-Supermarket-4535 Jul 15 '25
Honestly not really but depends on the move, if you are trying to hold your hips in the same spot while your doing something that requires more movement from your hips it’s going to make the move more difficult and it won’t look as good, but if your doing a move such as rocks or switch trebles then it would be the opposite situation. So in short ask your teacher if you are confused about what the move calls for, but to be honest if you are in a beginner class you shouldn’t wort about hips moving, your hips will do what they need to do while you do certain moves.
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u/Ok-Supermarket-4535 Jul 15 '25
Also If any of the examples doesn’t make sense then let me know, I have a hard time remembering what moves are thought in which class levels :)
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u/Boleyngrrl Jul 11 '25
I mean, a lot of movement comes from the hips (cuts, ups, kicks, turnout should but often people force it and it comes from the knees/ankles), but you shouldn't have a ton of pelvic shifting. Ideally it shouldn't twist extensively, but even watching world champ's kicks you will see pelvic rotation--It's impossible to get the kick height without some shifting.
Hope this makes some semblance of sense, it's late lol.