Belly Dance Every Day - Egyptian Hip Circles
The Egyptian hip circle is a little more complicated “traveling” move. I put traveling in quotes because, while you are doing footwork, you essentially stay in the same place.
Start with your feet together. Step forward on your right foot. Slide your left foot to the right so it is behind your right foot. Now, swing your right foot around your left foot so it is behind and slightly to the left of your left foot. Slide your left foot to the left - it will be next to your right foot, but slightly forward. The key to this move is remembering that your right foot only moves forward and backward and your left foot only moves left and right. Repeat the move until you are comfortable with it. After you are comfortable with the footwork, you can accentuate the hip circle that it brings about naturally by extending your hip a little farther in the direction you are stepping.
With the Egyptian hip circle, try to keep your head stationary - imagine that you are balancing something. The move is much more effective when it is just your lower body moving.
The Egyptian hip circle can also be used to turn around. The footwork is as follows: Right foot forward. Slide left foot to the right and turn the foot slightly in to the left. Swing the right foot behind and slightly to the left of the left foot. Slide your left foot to the left and it will be next to the right foot and slightly forward. You should now be facing to the left of where you were originally. You can repeat this move circling all the way around and accentuate the hip circle as you get more comfortable with it. Remember to keep your head in the same spot so the move is well defined.
