Wiggling Tips

**robd** · 27th-May-2005, 10:57 PM

Not sure if it's beginners corner or not but had a class last night where the teacher threw wiggles into a few moves. Now, I don't mind a wiggle but as one kind lady in freestyle gently pointed out when giving me some private tuition my attempts were a bit "Stevie Wonder" with the shoulders giving it more than the hips. I know I need to practice in front of a mirror until I get it right but can anyone give me any tips or exercises that might accelerate the learning?

Also, out of interest do people find it harder stepping back, spinning, wiggling whatever with their left foot, leg, hip (or their right if they are left handed) or is it just me?

Robert

**David Bailey** · 28th-May-2005, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robd

can anyone give me any tips or exercises that might accelerate the learning?

Hi Robd

I believe we have experts (or possibly, obsessives

) on wiggling in this forum, but I'll give it a go with my meagre level of knowledge.

I think the best bet is not to try so much to wiggle - certainly, yes, it's all in the hips, and the shoulders shouldn't move that much. If you want to work on wiggles, the best notion I could think last time this topic came up was to try some merengue classes if you can find some - you could argue that merengue is a slowed-down, wiggly, latin version of Modern Jive.

I'm sure the Wiggle Appreciation Group will have something to say on this one, so I'll bow out. But, you know, it's not compulsory to wiggle, and don't let certain forumites tell you otherwise. Develop your own style; wiggles or lack thereof will come in time. There are some awesome dancers out there, who wouldn't touch wiggles with a bargepole. So to speak.

**El Salsero Gringo** · 28th-May-2005, 12:57 AM

I would very much like to hear from Andreas on this subject... please?

spindr · 28th-May-2005, 12:52 PM

Hmmm, best suggestion is probably that you should find a partner to practise wiggling with.

I disagree that "it's all in the hips" -- you may find it easier to think about your knees -- especially if you are standing "pulled up" --there will be no slack in your knees/legs to let you wiggle -- you need to keep "soft knees".

A lot of hip action is really driven by weight transference -- rather than trying to push a hip in isolation.

A cheats way may be to place you knees together with legs slightly bent, and then draw small horizontal circles with your knees -- which should necessarily wiggle your hips.

Lastly, if you're practising -- its easier to feel how your hips are moving if you place both your hands at the top of you pelvis and use your arm feedback to feel how you are actually moving.

Cheers,
SpinDr.

P.S. You could always buy a lady's styling DVD -- always good to watch how the experts wiggle

jiveoholic · 29th-May-2005, 06:00 PM

You could try Salsa classes for a while. Its impossible to dance Salsa without some form of wiggle!

**David Bailey** · 29th-May-2005, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiveoholic

You could try Salsa classes for a while. Its impossible to dance Salsa without some form of wiggle!

Yes - when I started, my teacher (superb dancer, Columbian) kept telling me off for wiggling too much

I still think merengue's a better bet for wiggleage though.

**Gadget** · 29th-May-2005, 08:13 PM

This thread on Wiggling (lack thereof) holds some decent advice.

*cerocmetro* · 30th-May-2005, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gadget

This thread on Wiggling (lack thereof) holds some decent advice.

or alternatively if you want some major wiggling; Finchley would seem to be the place to be /snip/

jiveoholic · 30th-May-2005, 09:47 AM

Thinking about it - I am usually asked to wiggle infront of my oesteopath a the beginning and end of a session. She asks me to bend one knee, then the other etc. It seems to work! Not sure if this is the "right sort of" wiggling.

**Little Em** · 23rd-June-2005, 05:26 PM

If i ever teach a wiggle to my class....

moving the hips, doing a figure of eight.....

LMC · 23rd-June-2005, 10:32 PM

I was convinced that my hips contained concrete not cartilage when I started salsa at the end of March. I was given some excellent advice - well, it worked for me - stand with feet hip width apart, then allow all your weight to drop into one hip, hold for 10-15 seconds ('work it down' if you can) - then switch. Repeat. This loosened up my hip joints no end and I'm beginning to think that there is hope/potential for me to wiggle in future. (Similar to littleemc's advice, but much less movement).

I agree that 'deliberately' wiggling just doesn't look good. But if you can get the flexibility in your joints then I reckon it will come naturally. I'm hoping so anyway!

Clive Long · 23rd-June-2005, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cerocmetro

or alternatively if you want some major wiggling; Finchley would seem to be the place to be /snip/

Adam high-jacks a thread with a blatant plug for Finchley - that's novel

Whitebeard · 23rd-June-2005, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewKid

I agree that 'deliberately' wiggling just doesn't look good.

Have to agree, as a too often spectator, that many of the attempts at wiggling are pretty cringeworthy (my own included no doubt). The ladies in general seem to have a natural aptitude or advantage which few men can equal. The secret, I feel, is that it will just come naturally as we think less of the mechanics of the dance and are able to repond to the music. Real music, not the thump thump club stuff.

**foxylady** · 23rd-June-2005, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewKid

I was convinced that my hips contained concrete not cartilage when I started salsa at the end of March. I was given some excellent advice - well, it worked for me - stand with feet hip width apart, then allow all your weight to drop into one hip, hold for 10-15 seconds ('work it down' if you can) - then switch. Repeat. This loosened up my hip joints no end and I'm beginning to think that there is hope/potential for me to wiggle in future. (Similar to littleemc's advice, but much less movement).

I agree that 'deliberately' wiggling just doesn't look good. But if you can get the flexibility in your joints then I reckon it will come naturally. I'm hoping so anyway!

This works (as well as the weight sinking into your hips the knee gives way a little too, this is what gives your hips a natural wiggle - just watch SliverFox or Andreas from behind - its all in the knees actually).

Avoid the advice of people who advise you to step on your tip toes... it makes you 'mince'. Not attractive in either male or female. It has the secondary effect of making ones hips wiggle, but mincing (whether wiggling or not) is not a desirable trait.

Foxy ( wiggler/wriggler extraordinaire....!)

**David Bailey** · 24th-June-2005, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whitebeard

Have to agree, as a too often spectator, that many of the attempts at wiggling are pretty cringeworthy (my own included no doubt).

Totally - but also in ladies, over-hip moving just looks like, trying too hard really. A certain weekender DVD I borrowed has a very good example of this

I think the key phrase is "attempts at wiggling". Don't attempt to wiggle, it should flow out of your own style. Or, if you're not a wiggler, it won't - don't worry about it. As far as I know, wiggling isn't totally mandatory

LMC · 24th-June-2005, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foxylady

This works (as well as the weight sinking into your hips the knee gives way a little too, this is what gives your hips a natural wiggle - just watch SliverFox or Andreas from behind - its all in the knees actually).

One thing I should have said is that if you try the wee exercise that works for me, it is very important not to lock your knees - or you may damage them, leaning all the weight on one side.

I'm not sure its *all* in the knees - the movement may be, but if your hips won't 'flex' then the wiggle ain't going to happen.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whitebeard

....it will just come naturally as we think less of the mechanics of the dance and are able to repond to the music

too

**Zebra Woman** · 24th-June-2005, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foxylady

This works (as well as the weight sinking into your hips the knee gives way a little too, this is what gives your hips a natural wiggle - just watch SliverFox or Andreas from behind - its all in the knees actually).

So that's your excuse Foxy Lady!!!

Er...Is anyone sitting next to you?

Popcorn anyone?

LMC · 24th-June-2005, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zebra Woman

Popcorn anyone?

OMG... it's contagious

sorry

**Zebra Woman** · 24th-June-2005, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewKid

OMG... it's contagious

sorry

Hey Newkid! Come and sit here

We've been expecting you

Didn't Silver Fox's say his motto is 'If you can take it, I can shake it'?

Apt eh?

27th-May-2005, 10:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
robd Basically lazy Join Date: May 2005 Location: Nr Cambridge Posts: 2,504 Rep Power: 3 Reputation Total: 1577	Wiggling Tips Not sure if it's beginners corner or not but had a class last night where the teacher threw wiggles into a few moves. Now, I don't mind a wiggle but as one kind lady in freestyle gently pointed out when giving me some private tuition my attempts were a bit "Stevie Wonder" with the shoulders giving it more than the hips. I know I need to practice in front of a mirror until I get it right but can anyone give me any tips or exercises that might accelerate the learning? Also, out of interest do people find it harder stepping back, spinning, wiggling whatever with their left foot, leg, hip (or their right if they are left handed) or is it just me? Robert

28th-May-2005, 12:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
El Salsero Gringo Ceroc Teacher Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: London Posts: 4,881 Rep Power: 4 Reputation Total: 2374	Re: Wiggling Tips I would very much like to hear from Andreas on this subject... please?

28th-May-2005, 12:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
spindr Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Basingstoke Posts: 1,557 Rep Power: 3 Reputation Total: 686	Re: Wiggling Tips Hmmm, best suggestion is probably that you should find a partner to practise wiggling with. I disagree that "it's all in the hips" -- you may find it easier to think about your knees -- especially if you are standing "pulled up" --there will be no slack in your knees/legs to let you wiggle -- you need to keep "soft knees". A lot of hip action is really driven by weight transference -- rather than trying to push a hip in isolation. A cheats way may be to place you knees together with legs slightly bent, and then draw small horizontal circles with your knees -- which should necessarily wiggle your hips. Lastly, if you're practising -- its easier to feel how your hips are moving if you place both your hands at the top of you pelvis and use your arm feedback to feel how you are actually moving. Cheers, SpinDr. P.S. You could always buy a lady's styling DVD -- always good to watch how the experts wiggle

29th-May-2005, 06:00 PM	#5 (permalink)
jiveoholic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Basingstoke Posts: 155 Rep Power: 4 Reputation Total: 21	Re: Wiggling Tips You could try Salsa classes for a while. Its impossible to dance Salsa without some form of wiggle!

29th-May-2005, 08:13 PM	#7 (permalink)
Gadget Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Cruden Bay (Aberdeen) Posts: 6,078 Rep Power: 5 Reputation Total: 1516	Re: Wiggling Tips This thread on Wiggling (lack thereof) holds some decent advice. __________________ I used to be an angel, you know with halo and those wings; Now that i'm a devil, my mind's on other things... My feathers turned to ash, and my harp has broke in two; I took uppon myself, to have a dance with you... ¤ TheEvolutionOfMJ ¤ SensualDancing ¤ TechniquesOfLeading ¤ MarkOfaGoodTeacher ¤ Style ¤ Moves,moves,moves ¤ MoveMap ¤ DanceingTest ¤ DanceFloorSlease ¤

30th-May-2005, 09:47 AM	#9 (permalink)
jiveoholic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Basingstoke Posts: 155 Rep Power: 4 Reputation Total: 21	Re: Wiggling Tips Thinking about it - I am usually asked to wiggle infront of my oesteopath a the beginning and end of a session. She asks me to bend one knee, then the other etc. It seems to work! Not sure if this is the "right sort of" wiggling.

23rd-June-2005, 05:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
Little Em Ceroc Teacher Join Date: May 2004 Location: It will be Houston v.soon! Posts: 386 Rep Power: 3 Reputation Total: 133	Re: Wiggling Tips If i ever teach a wiggle to my class.... moving the hips, doing a figure of eight.....

23rd-June-2005, 10:32 PM	#11 (permalink)
LMC Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In the corner Posts: 4,508 Rep Power: 4 Reputation Total: 2319	Re: Wiggling Tips I was convinced that my hips contained concrete not cartilage when I started salsa at the end of March. I was given some excellent advice - well, it worked for me - stand with feet hip width apart, then allow all your weight to drop into one hip, hold for 10-15 seconds ('work it down' if you can) - then switch. Repeat. This loosened up my hip joints no end and I'm beginning to think that there is hope/potential for me to wiggle in future. (Similar to littleemc's advice, but much less movement). I agree that 'deliberately' wiggling just doesn't look good. But if you can get the flexibility in your joints then I reckon it will come naturally. I'm hoping so anyway!