Move · Videos · Technique · 7 min

How to Siva Samoa: Basic Steps and Storytelling Hands

How to Siva Samoa: Basic Steps and Storytelling Hands — video by TheCoconetTV Play · 6:47

Video by TheCoconetTV on YouTube · Open on YouTube

Maryjane McKibbin-Schwenke, filmed at a cultural arts studio in Sydney, shows the basics of the siva Samoa, the traditional Samoan dance: the running entrance and bow, storytelling hands acted out as a morning routine, the gliding toe-heel step and the clap, then dances it.

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

Good forDancing for fun

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Step by step 6

Tap a time to watch that step in the video.

  1. Entrance run: one, two, three, tap the foot behind, hands up and face turned to greet. 1:25
  2. The bow: offer your heart to the audience. 2:02
  3. Storytelling hands: thumb to the middle fingertip, wrists moving, acting out a morning routine. 2:19
  4. Glide: toes, heels, toes, heels to float from side to side. 4:19
  5. Clap: up in the air, then to each knee, forward and back, holding the foot out to finish. 4:42
  6. Watch the whole siva danced to music, first in the studio and then outdoors. 5:34

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

Form cues from the coach

  • Entrance: run in with one-two-three, then tap the foot behind
  • Hands tell the story: thumb to the tip of the middle finger, with the wrists moving
  • Glide side to side on toes, heels, toes, heels so you seem to float

What it works

Tap an area for more videos that work it.

Joints it uses light on the joints

  • Shoulders movesstorytelling arm and hand movements
  • Hips movesrunning entrance, bending to 'put on' clothes
  • Knees movesbent knees, running entrance, gliding
  • Ankles & feet movestoe-heel glide, foot 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

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Video by TheCoconetTV; 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