Move · Videos · Technique · 7 min

Cuban Motion for Latin Dance: Pendulum and Hip Rotation

Cuban Motion for Latin Dance: Pendulum and Hip Rotation — video by Ina Jeliazkova Play · 7:10

Video by Ina Jeliazkova on YouTube · Open on YouTube

Five-time Latin ballroom world champion Ina Jeliazkova explains Cuban motion, the key hip action of Latin ballroom dancing, as two parts, the pendulum swing that comes from weight transfer and the hip rotation, then joins them and applies them to rocks, the time step and the cucaracha.

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

Good forDancing for fun

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Step by step 5

Tap a time to watch that step in the video.

  1. Pendulum swing: shift your weight side to side and let the hips respond, lifting over the standing leg. 0:51
  2. Rotation: in profile, turn the hip back and forward against the spine, then return to neutral. 2:26
  3. Combine them: a shoulder-width side step, pendulum across, then rotate into the hip on each side. 3:14
  4. Figure of eight: diagonal lines into rotation, not circles, keeping the weight towards the ball of the foot. 4:53
  5. Apply it to rocks, the time step and a cucaracha in rumba timing: 2, 3, 4-1. 6:01

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

Form cues from the coach

  • The hip action is a reaction to the weight transfer, not a push
  • Move in diagonal lines like a figure of eight, not circles, to avoid bouncing
  • Keep your posture and your heels down during the rocks

What it works

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Joints it uses light on the joints

  • Lower back moveship rotation against the spine
  • Hips movespendulum swing and hip rotation
  • Knees movesweight transfers, rocks
  • Ankles & feet movespressure into the ball of the foot

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

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Video by Ina Jeliazkova; 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