The ami, also known as tumami, is a fundamental Tahitian dance move that involves making a figure-eight motion with the hips. It’s a beautiful and challenging movement that requires precision and control. Here’s a step-by-step guide to doing a correct ami in Tahitian dance:

Basic Stance: Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent. Keep your back straight, shoulders relaxed, and arms slightly bent at your sides.
Isolate the Hips: The key to performing the ami correctly is isolating the movement in your hips. Focus on moving only your hips while keeping the rest of your body relatively still.
Hip Movement: Begin the ami by pushing your hip forward on one side, making a small half-circle or “C” shape with that hip. Then, shift your weight to the other side and push the opposite hip forward to complete the figure-eight motion. Imagine drawing a horizontal “8” shape with your hips.
Control and Precision: The ami requires control and precision to execute the figure-eight motion smoothly. Practice the movement slowly and with intention, ensuring that each hip movement is distinct and well-defined.
Engage Your Core: Engaging your core muscles will help you maintain stability and control throughout the ami. This is especially important when transitioning from one hip to the other.
Arm and Hand Gestures: While performing the ami, your arms and hands can complement the movement. One common way to hold your arms is to raise them slightly to the sides with your palms facing upward and fingers slightly curved. Let your arms move gracefully in sync with the hip motion.
Timing and Rhythm: Like many Tahitian dance movements, the ami is often performed to the beat of the music. Listen to the rhythm and practice the ami in sync with the music to enhance its overall impact.
Practice Both Directions: Just like the Fa’arapu, practice the ami in both directions—clockwise and counterclockwise—to become versatile in your dance routines.
Incorporate into Choreography: Once you’ve mastered the ami, try incorporating it into your Tahitian dance routines. It can be used as a standalone movement or combined with other steps to create more intricate choreography.
Watch and Learn: If possible, watch experienced Tahitian dancers perform the ami. Pay attention to their technique, posture, and expression to gain insights into refining your own performance.

Remember, mastering the ami in Tahitian dance takes time and practice. Be patient with yourself and keep refining the movement to make it more fluid and graceful. As with any dance form, dedication and passion are key to becoming proficient in this beautiful Tahitian dance movement.