Move · Videos · Technique · 8 min

Bachata Hip Movement for Beginners: Basic Step Technique

Video by Bachata Dance Academy on YouTube · Open on YouTube

The creator only allows this video to play on YouTube itself.

Bachata Dance Academy instructor Nicole Thompson teaches the hip movement inside the bachata basic, the hips lagging slightly behind each step, with a knee-bend exercise to loosen them, travelling practice and the full basic both ways. For followers and leaders.

  • 8 min
  • Beginner
  • Low impact (no jumping)
  • No equipment
  • Latin

Good forDancing for fun

Step by step 5

Tap a time to watch that step on YouTube.

  1. Step to the right and let the hip lag behind, slightly diagonally back; tap with the hips neutral. 0:30
  2. Exercise: bend one knee and straighten the other, letting the hips twist while the chest faces forward. 3:05
  3. Travel the exercise to the right, then to the left. 4:50
  4. Basic to the left on 5: the hips go right, left, right, then tap with the hips neutral. 5:31
  5. Full basic: join both sides, slowly and then a little faster. 6:19

The steps are a summary in our words, checked against the video — the coach shows every move.

Form cues from the coach

  • As you step out, let the hip stay behind, slightly diagonally back
  • Do not force or exaggerate it; the hips simply lag behind the feet
  • Keep the chest facing forward as the hips switch

What it works

Tap an area for more videos that work it.

Joints it uses light on the joints

  • Lower back moveship twist with the chest facing forward
  • Hips moveships lagging behind each step, hip twists
  • Knees movesbend one knee and straighten the other
  • Ankles & feet movesside steps and taps

A guide to the joints this video’s moves load, from what the coach does — not medical advice. Some ache is normal; stop if a joint hurts sharply. How joints are rated

More like this

Browse all 764 videos

Video by Bachata Dance Academy; the summary, steps, cues, body areas and joint notes are Notbroken’s, written from what the coach actually does in the video and checked a second time. Warm up first, take the easier options until a move feels easy, and stop if you feel sharp pain, chest pain or dizziness. General instruction, not advice for your body. About & safety