Travel Steps Study Guide 2.1: Foundations, Feet and Legs

Foundation Concepts and Terminology: Describing Positions of the Feet and Legs

Weight Distribution and Transfer

In dance, weight means the weight of the body, and how it is distributed over the feet. When weight is equally distributed, neither foot can be lifted from the floor. By transferring weight forward or back, it becomes possible to lift the toes, or to lift the heels. By fully transferring weight left or right, one foot becomes free to lift off the floor.

Describing Unequal Weight Distribution

Weight-Bearing Foot

Standing Leg

Weighted Hip

Free Foot

Unweighted Leg

Unweighted Hip

When weight is unequally distributed between the left and right foot, movements can be described in terms of the weight-bearing foot, the standing leg (also called the supporting leg or weighted or weight-bearing leg), and the weighted hip. On the other side of the body is the free foot, unweighted leg, and unweighted hip.

Hip Rotation and Rotational Orientation of the Legs

Parallel

Turn-In

Relaxed Turnout

Engaged Turnout

Hip rotation is the action of the femur turning in the socket of the hip joint. Rotation in the unweighted hip turns the leg to a new orientation. Rotation in the weighted hip turns the body over the standing leg. When the top of the thigh bone faces front, the leg is in a parallel orientation. When it points across the body, the leg is turned in. A relaxed unweighted leg rolls naturally into a slightly turned out orientation. Muscle engagement can turn the leg further, into an engaged turn-out. Most belly dance hipwork requires a close parallel stance, but when one foot is lifted from the floor, the unweighted leg may turn in or slightly turn out. In Travel Steps, the standing leg usually has very slight turnout, to improve balance and stability. The basic orientation of the unweighted leg is slightly turned out when it is extended forward or back, and parallel when the knee is bent, or when the leg is extended to the side. Engaged turnout may be used for fusion, but is not used in traditional belly dance.

Articulation of the Ankle and Toes

Flat Weight-Bearing Foot

Lifted Heel (Weight-Bearing Foot)

Pointed Toes (Free Foot)

Flexed Free Foot (Men's Saidi Styling)

Weight on the foot depends largely on dance style and music tempo. Staying heavy on a flat foot creates grounded movement; lifting the heels gives a lighter feeling, and facilitates quick weight changes. A pointed toe extends and finishes the line of the unweighted leg. For Saidi steps, female dancers sometimes imitate men's flexed-foot styling, but Travel Steps shows Saidi in a theatricalized women's style, with a pointed toe.

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