Arm and Body Positions

Andrew Carnie

Part 7: Folk Dance Fundamentals and Terminology

26 Arm and Body Positions

You don’t dance just with your feet. Your whole body is involved. It’s important to have a vocabulary to discuss the motions of other parts of your body and that’s the point of this chapter.

1. Motions of the Head

Let’s start at the top: with your head. In many styles of dance, the correct styling has the head pointed in some direction or looking in a particular direction during the step. You can, of course, look forward in LOD (line of direction), look towards the center, or look backwards in RLOD (reverse line of direction). You may be expected to look up high, look straight forward or look down towards the floor. In many styles of dance, you might also be asked to look at a specific body part, for example, you might follow the motion of your hands with your eyes and head. In couple and set dancing, you are mostly commonly expected to look into your partner’s eyes when you can. This is called eye-contact and is critical component of doing couple and set dances well. You can also move your head in specific directions. The most obvious example is noddingyour head. A nod is an up and down rocking of the head front to back – your nose goes up and down. A head shake is a side to side rotation at the neck – your nose goes right and left. A movement of the head towards one side is called a head turn. A head bobble is a different kind of shake, instead of the head turning from side to side, the head rocks alternately towards each shoulder. This is a common move in many dances of Romania, Russia and Ukraine. It’s also a very common gesture in India and surrounding areas, where it means “okay” among other things. We can also have the head circle. This doesn’t mean rotating your head around like an owl or the possessed woman in the film the Exorcist”! This is where you trace a circle or arc in the air in front of you with your nose or chin. It can be done clockwise or counterclockwise. In dances of East Asia, there is a characteristic dance move where the head slides noticeably to the right and left leading with the chin. The head remains level and facing forward. We can call this a head slide, but in Bharatanatyam (South Indian dancing), it’s called attami. In belly dance and hip hop the same move is called head and neck isolation.

Looking in particular directions: In many dances you direct your eyes and face towards specific directions: LOD, RLOD, up, down, to the R, to the L etc.
Eye contact: In couple and set dances it is considered polite to look into your partner’s eyes as a means of communication.
Nod: An up and down motion of the head, front to back. Your nose traces a vertical line up and down in front of you.
Head bobble: The head rocks from side to side with each ear approaching your shoulder in turn. Your nose traces an arc.
Head shake: This is a side to side rotation of the head, where your nose traces a horizontal line from left to right and right to left.
Head turn: The movement of the head to one side or another. Typically, slower and less repetitive than a head shake.
Head circle: Trace a complete circle in the air in front of your face with your nose or chin.
Head slide/attami/Head and neck isolation: The head slides from side to side, while continuously facing forward. The chin stays level to the shoulders

2. Motions of the Upper Body

Your body can also be moved in various directions. Many dances involve bending over at the waist or bending slightly backwards. A brief bend forward at the waist followed by straightening up is one kind of bow. In dances where there are distinct gender roles, the lark/man often bows while the robin curtseys. A curtsy is a down and up motion of the body, usually initiated by touching the R foot crossed behind the L and bending the L knee. A twist is a motion where the shoulders and the hips move in opposite directions. A wiggle is similar to a twist but involves a back and forth motion, usually just moving the hips and buttocks. Wiggles are also often faster than twists and involve several repetitive motions. When you move your shoulders rather than your hips we call the motion a shoulder shimmy. Again, the shimmy is typically quite a rapid repetitive movement. Finally, we have non-repetitive motions of the shoulder. For example, you can roll one or both shoulders up and around towards the front or the back, or you can simply push one or both shoulders forward and back

Bend at waist: A motion where your legs are perpendicular to the ground, but your upper body bends over to some degree. The motion can be deep (so that the body is almost parallel to the ground) or it can be at a lesser angle.
Bow: This is a brief bend at the waist, typically immediately followed by straightening up.
Curtsy: In dances with traditional gender roles, the woman/robin doesn’t bow, instead they curtsy, which is an up and down motion of the body initiated by touching the R foot crossed behind the L and bending the L knee. (The curtsy should not be confused with the Armenian dance step called the Kertsee which has a nearly identical pronunciation.)
Twist: this is a side-to-side motion of the upper body, which results in it turning the opposite direction from the waist.
Wiggle: The wiggle is a rapid repetitive twist of the hips, resulting in a side-to-side motion of the buttocks.
Shimmy: The shimmy is a rapid forward and back motion of the shoulders. Commonly found in the dances of the Middle East or in dances of the Roma people.
Shoulder roll: The circular motion of one or both shoulders. The shoulders are raised and move either forwards or backwards while lowering.
Shoulder push: This is a slow forward/or back motion of one or both shoulders.

3. Motions of the Arms, Wrists and Hands

After footwork and figures, perhaps the arms are the most prominent and visually identifiable part of any folk dance.

3.1. Arm Motions While Holding Hands in a Line

We’ll start by discussing arm movements that happen when you’re holding hands with other dancers as in a line or circle dance. While often the arms are held static in a W or V position (see chapter 23), they can also move from these positions. A common movement is a forward and back (or back and forward) motion of the arms when they are down in V position. This is called a forward and back swing. There is some cross-cultural variation in whether the arms swing back or forward on the first count of each bar and whether or not there is a preparatory swing in the other direction on the (&) or (ah) count before the first swing. Arm can also start in a W or Y position and swing down to a V position or start in a V position and swing up to a W or Y position. This is an up and down swing. Sometimes the downward swing can start by pushing the arms slightly forward before they swing down. This is characteristic of Bulgarian dances. A variation of the up and down swing can be found in Breton dancing, where the hands swing up and then trace a backwards circle in the air towards the dancer; then they reverse the circle as they swing down. If seen from the side, the Breton arm swing looks as if the hands are tracing the shape of a 9. When in W position, the arms can also bounce up and down, make small circles, or they can be more vigorously pumped up and down by actively raising and lowering the elbows. Finally, we have arm motions where the arms swing from side to side. This kind of movement is really common in Armenian, Kurdish and Turkish dance. It is often called windshield washer arms, because the arms move in a manner similar to the windshield wiper blades on a car . The upper arms are held roughly parallel to the floor while the forearms and hands swing from side to side.

Arm swings (up and down): Hands start in W position and swing down to V position, or the reverse. The arms can also start and end in Y position.
Arm swings (forward and back): Arms are down in V position and swing forward and back. Elbows are kept straight.
Arm pump: In W position, the hands move up and down at the elbows.
Arm bounce: In W position, the hands gently bounce up and down.
Small hand circles: In W position the hands make small forward and backwards circle
Breton 9s: Hands are held with pinkie finger hold, the arms swing up and forward, then they circle backwards and slightly down and then push up again. Then the motion is reversed. If viewed from the side, the motion looks as if you are tracing a 9 shape.
Windshield washer arms: This is a very common motion in Armenian, Kurdish and Turkish dancing. The arms are held at waist height holding neighbors’ hands or pinkie fingers. The arms sway at the elbows to the R and L.

3.2. Arm Motions While Not Holding Hands

It should go without saying that any movement you can do with your arms while holding hands with your neighbors can also be done when you’re dancing solo. Your hands can of course swing up and down, forward and back, side to side and in a 9. And they can bounce, pump, and circle. Perhaps the only difference on these moves when dancing alone is that, because you’re not limited by someone else’s body, you can make the moves larger and execute them more freely. That said there are also arm and hand motions that can only be done when not holding onto someone else’s hands.

When not holding hands it’s often easiest to describe the action in terms of some landmark, such as the floor or your body. It’s also helpful to describe whether the elbow is straight or bent and the direction that the palm of the hand is facing. Just to give an example, we can describe an arm movement as bending the R arm at the elbow, so the forearm is perpendicular to the floor and the palm of the hand faces the dancer’s face. Or we could describe an action where both hands are straight out in front of the body, parallel to the ground, with the palms facing down towards the floor. The range of possibilities here are extensive, but we can identify a few common arm motions that you find in dances.

When you move your arm from the center of the body to the right or left, or vice versa, we can call this an arm sweep. Often, although not always, arm sweeps are done with a straight elbow, with the arm parallel to the ground and with the palm up. An arm motion where the arms sweep back and forth from one side to the other is an arm wave or arm sway. Note that the term “wave” without the modifier “arm” is different. That usage refers to a back and forth movement of just the hand. An arm sweep that comes from below and raises up is sometimes called an arm lift, and the reverse is an arm lower. Typically, although again not always, arm lifts are done with the palm up towards the ceiling and arm lowering is done with the palm down.

There are a few ethnicities/regions known for their unique solo arm moves. Armenian and Caucasian dancers, particularly the women have a style where the arms flow through the air as if they are being pulled through water. Some of the same moves are seen in Belly Dancing. The arm motions lead with the wrist and the hand trails behind as if dragging through the water.

Israeli dancing also has some characteristic arm movements found when the dance is done solo or in a circle of individuals. Often the hands are held up above the head as if in Y position, with slightly curved arms. It’s common to sway from side to side in this position and the arms sway too. Also common is a snap of the fingers while you sway. Another common move is a sweep of one arm down and across in front of the body, this is commonly done when you step on the foot from the same side of the body across in front. Another move done when you cross in front is sometimes characterized as Erev Ba arms, after an old dance where this arm movement was common. With this motion your arms go out to the sides when you step to the side on one foot, then they cross in front of the body, usually with a snap of the fingers, as you step across in front on the other foot.

In Israeli dancing, there is a very common motion that is associated with religious praise. This is the Israeli praising motion. You raise both hands up forward in front of you, palms up as if scooping up a pile of hay. They then typically lower down with the reverse motion. Sometimes this action is done with just one hand too.

In Scottish Highland dancing, there are five positions for the hands and as you do the steps you can move between them with a graceful motion. First position has the hands in fists on the hips. Second position raises one hand up above the head with a gently curved arm. The hand has the thumb and middle finger touching. The third position is the same as the second, except with both hands raised. The third position is meant to look like the horns of a highland stag. Fourth position is similar to third position but has the hands slightly closer together. Finally, fifth position has the hands down low in front of the body, the arms are curved, and the hands are still in the stag horn position.

Arm sweep: Move your arm from the center of the body to the right or left, or vice versa. Often, although not always, arm sweeps are done with a straight elbow, with the arm parallel to the ground and with the palm up.
Arm wave/sway: An arm motion where the arms sweep back and forth from one side to the other.
Arm lift: An arm sweep that comes from below and raises up.
Arm lower: The reverse of an arm lift.
Armenian/Middle Eastern/Caucasian Arm movements: style where the arms flow through the air as if they are being pulled through water. The arm motions lead with the wrist and the hand trails behind as if dragging through the water.
Israeli arm sways: Hands are up above the head as if in a Y position. As your feet sway right and left, the body and arms sway in the same direction. Often you snap your fingers on each sway.
Israeli downward arm sweep: A sweep of one arm down and across in front of the body, this is commonly done when you step on the foot from the same side of the body across in front.
Erev Ba arms (Israel): Arms go out to the sides when you step to the side on one foot, then they cross in front of the body, usually with a snap of the fingers, as you step across in front on the other foot.
Israeli praising motion: Raise both hands up forward in front of you, palms up as if scooping up a pile of straw. Sometimes this action is done with just one hand too. The direction of the motion is often reversed, lowering the hands.
Highland dance arm positions:
- First position: Both hands in fists on the hips. Elbows bent and out to the side.
- Second position: One hand is the same as first position, but the other hand is raised up above the head. The thumb and middle finger of the raised hand are touching with the other fingers splayed upwards.
- Third position: This is the same as second position, except both hands are up above the head and slightly out to the sides. This position is supposed to look like stag horns.
- Fourth position: Similar to third position except hands are slightly closer together above the head.
- Fifth position: Arms are down in front of groin but form a circular shape with the arms. The hands are in the same thumb-middle finger position as second, third and fourth position.

3.3. Movements of the Hand

Some arm motions are restricted to just the hand, or primarily with the hand. When you extend your index finger in a particular direction, often accompanied by an extended arm, we call this a finger point. Note that in many cultures indicating something by extending your index finger towards it is considered rude, particularly when the point is directed at another person, but one does find the gesture in some folk dances, particularly story-telling dances. The finger can also be shaken as if scolding someone; this is called a finger shake.

When you waggle a flat hand back and forth while it’s perpendicular to the floor, you have a hand wave. The wave can either move side to side or make a small rotation at the wrist. A gentler rotation at the wrist is called a hand rotation.

In Armenian dance, the hand is held in a particular position called Yeghnik (or Yeghneek, եղնիկ). In Yeghnik the thumb and middle finger are held close together with the other fingers pointing upwards. This position is supposed to look like deer horns. The hand in this position then follows the wrist as the arm sweeps around. Typically, there is a slight curve to the elbow during these moves. The wrists typically turn inwards towards the body and then outwards away from the body during arm motions.

Hands can also be used to make noises. You can make a snap by forcing your thumb from your middle finger to your index finger. A clap is when your hands come together and make a noise. There are different ways to make claps including up and down motions and motions in different direction, but the simplest way is to simply bring the flat of one hand against the other straight now. Finally, we have slaps, which is when you strike your hand against a body part other than a hand. For example, if you make a noise by striking your hand against your chest, your thigh, your buttock, your stomach, your foot, or your calf, you have a slap.

In some cultures, claps and slaps are combined together either solo or with another person. The game of pattycake involves clapping your own hands, slapping your body and clapping one or both hands against your partner’s hands in a set sequence. This game is seen mixed into the dances of a lot of European nations. In southern Germany there is a tradition of combined slapping and clapping called a plattl. Plattls often involve slapping the thighs, boots, shoes, or outer calf in a complicated sequence. There is a related tradition found in Hungary and Romania called the verbunk, which were dances that were used to recruit young men into the Austro-Hungarian Army. Verbunks involve sequences of clapping, thigh-slapping and boot slapping.

Finger pointing: Extend the index finger in a particular direction.
Finger shaking: Shake a pointed finger as if scolding someone.
Hand waves: waggle a flat hand back and forth while it’s perpendicular to the floor, you have a hand wave.
Hand rotation: A gentler rotation of the hand at the wrist.
Yeghnik (or Yeghneek, եղնիկ) (Armenia): This is the typical Armenian women’s hand position and movement. The thumb and middle finger are held close together but not touching, the other fingers are straight and extended up. This is typically accompanied by a movement where the wrists turn in towards the body, then they turn down and outward.
Claps: Bringing the palms of your hands together to make a noise.
Snaps: Force the thumb, firmly pressed against the middle finger to the index finger to make a noise.
Hand Slaps: Strike the palm of the hand against a body part other than another hand.
Pattycake: A pattern of claps and slaps that is done with another person and typically involves clapping one or both of your hands against theirs.
Plattls: A sequence of claps and slaps, typically done solo, in dances from southern Germany.
Verbunk: Army recruiting dances from the Austro-Hungarian empire that involved complicated clapping and boot-slapping routines.