Belly Dance Every Day - Hip Moves Part 6
Vertical hip figure eights are also called “mayas” or “amayas” depending on where you learn your dance vocabulary. They are done by using your hips to draw a figure 8 on the wall in front of you.
Start by sliding your hip to the right, now push your hip down. Slide the move up and through the center of your pelvis so that your left hip is up and out. Push your left hip down and slide the move up and through the center so that your right hip is up and out. Try this several times taking each step slowly and being sure you hit each point. When you are comfortable, smooth it out to make an 8. Reverse the move and practice that way a few times.
This is one of those moves that, while easier to do by allowing your heels to lift off the floor, I recommend practicing (at least the “down” version) with your feet flat and your knees a little more bent that normally - in other words, take a seat! If you can do this move without lifting your heels from the floor, it will help you define the move more and you will be able to add level changes later as you like.