In all of our Latin and Rhythm dances the action of the hips is notable. As dancers what we want to understand is the importance of the relationship our feet, legs and hips in order to create our Latin styling.
Good Latin foot technique requires an attention to the pressure applied into the floor. This means when a leg is free, there is an energy or activity of all the muscles of that leg toward the floor. Special awareness of the top or front of the ankle is crucial, if we extend our ankles we will have much greater pressure into the floor.
This floor pressure is important for many reasons. First, it helps ground and control us, we are more capable of controlling our timing and balance. Second, the greater activity of the entire free leg and especially the articulation of the ankle, will cause a fuller range of motion for our hip action. If you stand with your feet together and fully extend one ankle such that the sole of your foot is nearly perpendicular to the floor, you will notice you had to fully flex the knee and hip of the extended foot, and that the opposite hip has been displaced, a hip action is born.
This hip displacement is important for more reasons that just the Latin Look. Our hip actions serve as a power source for movement from foot to foot. Our hip rotations are also a powerful engine in generating turning actions. If we actively counter balance our hips with our rib cage we not only engage the back muscles for a full body work out and complete Latin styling, we also create a powerful braking mechanism when we want to stop our turning actions.
Always remember, good styling is good mechanics. Good mechanics will always produce great functional dancing eg speed, power, balance – but also, good mechanics will always produce good aesthetics. 
Jeff Nelson is a teacher at Dance Station. If you would like to take lessons with Jeff or any of our instructors, call 505-989-9788 to schedule.
