How to Get a Smokin' Hot Hip Key PICTURE Update!

Hello Dear Danglers! Ask and ye shall receive! Here are photos illustrating the three steps to a glorious hip key – enjoy! Love and pull-ups, Laura

(excerpted from “The Secret to a Sexy Hip Key”)

The 3 Parts of a Sexy Hip Key

I’m not going to go deeply into the physical mechanics of a hip key – your instructor can take you through that. But I WILL let you in on some secrets to make it smokin’ hot!

1. Red lipstick. OH – and a solid first position I like to call, “Look at your butt.” First, make sure your elbows are glued to your waist. Let’s say I’m keying right. I bring my fabric to the right side of my body (as if I were inverting). I then bring my right leg straight forward, my left leg back. Now, look at your butt – there should be a fabric on it. Legs should be straight here (bent legs = Poopy Technique).

2. Sassy librarian hair. AND a very wide straddle! After the fabric is on your butt & you scissor it between your legs, you should do the biggest, most indelicate straddle you possibly can. Your legs should be even, and straight out in front of you. DON’T allow one leg to go higher than the other – you should look as if you’re sitting on the floor.

3. Stilettos. Tap the taut (“live”) fabric with the left foot as you key over. Leg too low to tap? You’ve got Droopy Drawer Syndrome – your butt’s not high enough!

Many thanks to the stunning and gorgeous Ashley Ortiz (who I totally ambushed with these photos – heh heh).

As always, if you like this post, share it on your blog, the F-books, Twitter, and wherever else you crazy kids are sharing things these days.

ohwell December 2, 2013

2 comments on “How to Get a Smokin’ Hot Hip Key PICTURE Update!”

Tiffany @CircusofhumaniT May 18, 2013

Thanks for the visuals! I always work better with photo aids or slow mo video. 🙂
ohwell December 2, 2013

Thanks for the tip about tapping the fabric/rope, Laura. I have to say, though–and I hope you appreciate different opinions–that there’s no one unique way to a good hip key…just like there’s no one unique way to a good straddle up. Why do I say this? Look: these movements, with very wide straddles, splits, big back bends, etc are very feminine aesthetically. Not all of us want and are willing to embrace feminine aesthetics on air. In fact, some wish the opposite. If someone lifts into invert as in “front lever lift” (straight arms, straight body, straight legs together) and then drops into a pike…this is a damn good straddle up in my book, better than the conventional version. Why do aerial classes have no males in them and are dominated by women? (at least here, on the West coast) Because feminine movement aesthetics is being heavily enforced–the stigma had been created–and the strength not being emphasized in this dominant school of aerial movement (for the record, I’m female). This also a creates a situation of heavy objectification of female aerialists that borders with misogyny/sexism–as aerial circus women now seem to seek visual of gratification of (straight male) audience via costume and movement (vs.”strongwomen” of the past), mostly–akin to pole dancing. (this turned me away from aerial circus schools and made me train by myself, seeking own aesthetics, heavily based on straps skills). Your post about not confusing underwear with show costumes is one example of what’s going on. Women can do back levers. Yet, not aerial teachers want to teach or emphasize this movement; etc, etc. Women can muscle up and press to handstand on silks, etc, the list goes on. In general, only ONE way is taught and emphasized, which makes everyone look the same, standard and predictable–and boring. I had seen great rope and silk performances by males, where splits or wide straddles had not been incorporated once–in fact, there’s no telling about performer’s hip flexibility whatsoever during the dance–yet, these were great performances. Some like to emphasize strength and project powerful, not pleasing or sexualized image–some do not wish to be objectified. There’s no one way to do aerial dance and there’s not one unique aerial aesthetics…I hope you appreciate this opinion and perhaps can agree.