15 The Josephine Baker

COURSE: hip-action

FOCUS: This lesson teaches a hip-lifting movement inspired by Josephine Baker, aiming to recreate her snake-like body motion through controlled hip actions and relaxed leg following.

TIP & TRICKS:

• Imagine puppet legs attached by strings to lift the hips from side to side.
• Roll through the foot when stepping to gradually transfer weight for better control.
• Keep the legs soft and relaxed, allowing them to follow the hip movement naturally.
• Add a small leg flourish at the end for a nicer shape if desired.
• Play with rhythm by adjusting the speed and size of the hip lifts.

REMEMBER:

• The action originates from the hips, not the legs, to avoid kicking and maintain fluidity.
• Maintain a stable upper body while feeling a stretch from the hips to the ribs during the movement.
• Focus on the feeling of the hips lifting from side to side to achieve the snake-like effect.
• Use proper posture and balance, such as leaning forward slightly for blues posture.