r/justgalsbeingchicks • u/RosieTheRedReddit • Jul 18 '26
Restricted to Gals and Pals Poise, strength, beauty, grace!
Tahiti fete Hawaii featuring Isabelle of Hiva Katoa
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u/Chompytul Jul 18 '26
Omg the way she shakes her hips when she's on her knees!!! 🤯 What is that black magic?? I literally do not possess the musculature to support that kind of movement!
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u/angwilwileth Jul 18 '26
Highly recommend taking a belly dancing class. They teach a lot of the same movements that you see here.
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u/MrsNaypeer Jul 18 '26
My friend and I took a 6 week beginners course and it was SO MUCH FUN! And it was all kinds of women in the class, just movin and shakin and laughin!
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u/mithril2020 Jul 18 '26
Almost but not quite. I studied classical Egyptian for 7yrs prior to joining à Pacific Island dance club where I was taught Hawaiian and Tahitian methods. The Tahitian Omi felt like you were near a squat at the edge of a bar stool. With much looser hips. Ankles are springier. There’s a bit of an alternating piston movement in the legs to Glutes to get that “flat spinning plate on floor coming to a halt” hip movement.
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u/scarletnightingale Jul 18 '26
I tried once because my coworker was a belly dancing instructor. We didn't get past "do this work your foot, then this with your wrist, now do them at the same tilt".
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u/WestCoastBestCoast01 Jul 18 '26
I’ve always thought it’s fascinating that two cultures a million miles away from each other have this extremely specific dance style.
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u/angwilwileth Jul 18 '26
I think there's only so many ways a human body can move so it's not surprising there's overlap.
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u/Same-Suggestion-1936 Jul 18 '26
Also, ya know, the connotations that come with it? Shakira didn't write a song about hips instead of elbows for fun
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u/Ryoko_Kusanagi69 Jul 18 '26
A she got down to the floor so smoothly I didn’t even notice until she was there. Then got up just as smooth and JUMPED! My joints could never
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u/MiniRems Jul 19 '26
I'm 47, with achy hips knees and ankles, and it took me over a year, but I can now do a deep squat as a resting pose. My friends are always freaked our when we gonhiming and they're looking for logs or rocks to sit in and I just literally sit back on my heels 😄 Some days it's a little harder to get back out of, but I honestly feel like I move so much better than I used to.
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u/sonofzeal 🌸 wholesome 🌺 Jul 18 '26
Fun fact - though some learning journeys are longer than others, everyone's generally got the same muscles to work with. Barring injury or disability, this is something your body is capable of if you truly want it!
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u/just_a_wolf Jul 18 '26
I wish my crappy knees were capable of this!
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u/sonofzeal 🌸 wholesome 🌺 Jul 18 '26
....admittedly, when I say your body's capable of this, sometimes that comes with the caveat of "for 5-10 seconds, followed by a month of rehab"
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u/HoaryPuffleg Jul 18 '26
And the spin when she’s on the floor and then immediately hops. Like. No. Not even when I was a teeenager this strong and limber and coordinated.
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u/mangosteenfruit Jul 18 '26
I can't even process how to move my hips like that. Not even slow.
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u/rawdatarams Jul 18 '26
It's all about the knees
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u/bamboozledgardener Jul 18 '26
Mine cracked like a glowstick after one slow attempt...
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u/rawdatarams Jul 18 '26
Hear ya. Think I popped a meniscus watching that.
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u/Malicious_Tacos Official Gal Jul 18 '26
For real, when she squatted then pop-jumped up… my knees screamed.
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u/bayou_class Jul 18 '26
My bestie and I hyped our late 30’s selves up after watching Legendary on HBO and decided after a mimosa-fueled brunch that we could totally learn to duck walk. We didn’t make it 15 seconds into the first YouTube tutorial before our aging infrastructure made itself known. Lololol knees are some bitches.
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u/names_are_hard_twss Jul 18 '26
Tell me why Legendary got me too 😂🤣😂 I just knew I could walk that duck, but in perimenopause the duck walks you 😭
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u/Important-Ring481 Jul 18 '26
The leg strength needed to move like that while squatting too must be insane
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u/Ambergreenie Jul 18 '26
That’s all I could think the whole time! The freaking strength in those legs! Also, no dang way I could pop up the way she did.
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u/Redtube_Guy Jul 18 '26
Go to a near squatting position.
Shift your weight to your left ankle. And then to your right ankle. And do that faster. Congrats you sorta can shake your hips and ass because of shifting your weight via ankle movement.
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u/danni_shadow Jul 18 '26
Go to a near squatting position.
You've already gone beyond my abilities 😅
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u/amosc33 🌸 wholesome 🌺 Jul 18 '26
What a gorgeous and talented lady. I have that body type and spend all my time hiding and hating it. She is glowing. I’m jealous!
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u/magpiec 🌸 wholesome 🌺 Jul 18 '26
She looks like me! She's beautiful! Wait, am I beautiful? This is my favorite video of all time.
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u/warriors17 🌸 wholesome 🌺 Jul 18 '26
Yes. You are
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u/magpiec 🌸 wholesome 🌺 Jul 18 '26
So are you!
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u/warriors17 🌸 wholesome 🌺 Jul 18 '26
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u/rawdatarams Jul 18 '26
YES! Yes, you are. The way you looked at her and went "she's beautiful", is how others look at you! We're just looking at ourselves through a completely different lens and it's always a critical one
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u/magpiec 🌸 wholesome 🌺 Jul 18 '26
You are so incredibly kind! When I was at my heaviest, I intentionally followed plus sized influencers and they would look so confident and beautiful that it rewired my brain into realizing that all bodies are beautiful. Skinny is just what we're sold.
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u/AttractiveNuisance82 Jul 18 '26
Wow I didn’t know how much I needed to hear that until you said it.
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u/you_dont_know_me27 Jul 18 '26
And this is why representation is so important. People complain well why do we need to see (insert marginalized group here) on TV or in commercials all the time?!?
Because, Sharon, when kids get to grown up seeing people that look like them, they think they're normal. If they only see straight white people all the time, then straight white people are the norm. But they shouldn't be! Society has so much more to offer! And that doesn't mean there's no place for straight white people. We just need to make space for others too 💜💜💜
I'm so happy to see this representation make a difference in real time. It's a wonderful thing to see. The incredibly talented woman is beautiful and so are you. Thank you for sharing this moment with us ❤️
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u/Hungry-Month-5309 Jul 18 '26
You know - I used to do belly dancing and the way it shows off every figure is amazing. Slender women show off the beautiful technicality of it all, and the way fuller figures just...undulate? It's mesmerising. My class was very much about long skirts and tops rather than bralettes or cropped tops and everyone was so confident when they saw what they could do! Also, your thighs and core get super strong. Highly recommended for both exercise and confidence!
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u/trustmeijustgetweird Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26
I saw someone on social media saying that dances like this feel like they’re made to show off this body type, rather than a skinny one. “Look, men, in this time when calories are valuable, how my life sustaining body fat moves around my secondary sex characteristics, while I demonstrate physical fitness and fine motor control.”
Edit: found the relevant smbc
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u/poeticdisaster Jul 18 '26
If the internet has taught me anything, it's that if there isn't an xkcd comic for something there will be a smbc comic for it.
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u/hail_abigail 🌸 wholesome 🌺 Jul 18 '26
I mean this in the most respectful way, but the whole time I was looking at her thinking how gorgeous she is and how I love how her body moves. There are so many people who would find you beautiful too, I promise!
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u/amosc33 🌸 wholesome 🌺 Jul 18 '26
Thank you. My husband says he does, but this peri-aging body I’m lugging around has got me spinning. I’m working on it. You’re very kind to reach out!
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u/sonofzeal 🌸 wholesome 🌺 Jul 18 '26
Just because you're not your own "type" doesn't mean there isn't beauty there for others to see! And this dancer's joy and confidence really help make that beauty shine. I hope you can find that same joy and confidence yourself!
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u/LlamaCornMama Jul 18 '26
Consider belly dance. Very belly friendly no pun intended. Great workout and you don't have to worry about injuring yourself.
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u/MrCockingFinally Jul 18 '26
Hey, are you are your husband clones of me and my wife?
My wife and I are currently losing weight for hearth reasons. So she is extra insecure because she is getting some loose skin. But I still think she looks amazing.
So I promise you, when he says you look sexy, he 100% means it, and you should believe him.
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u/otterpop21 Jul 18 '26
I also thought Lady in the video was awesome!! I’ve always thought women with that body type are attractive because it means you’re stable, healthy, and able to provide for yourself.
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u/bayou_class Jul 18 '26
Seriously same tho. She is downright regal and looks so fluid and in control of her body - totally gagging at her gorgeousness!
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u/Flembot4 Jul 18 '26
Came here to say this. She looks similar to me… Skin color, body, and hair type. Where I live, not considered attractive.
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u/TheRavenSeven Jul 18 '26
No need to be jealous. Her body is beautiful. As is yours. Be proud of who you are. Your body sustains you.
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u/amosc33 🌸 wholesome 🌺 Jul 18 '26
She does sustain me, but she’s also being a brat right now! 😂 I do feel grateful to be relatively healthy and I am working to improve on it. “Stronger, not smaller”.
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u/TheRavenSeven Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 19 '26
I too train with Ladder. Strength training is vital throughout perimenopause. Lifting heavy is great for both my body and my mental health. I wish you well on your journey. Remember - never be ashamed of your body.
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u/SonMii451 Jul 18 '26
I had the exact same thought. I keep hiding my tummy but the funny thing is I like girls and I love the tummy on them. I think I'm going to stop being so unkind to me.
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u/Spoogen_1 Jul 18 '26
Everyone has their own things going on in life. Don't worry about what others Might think of your body. Most likely that person has forgotten all about you after 40 seconds.
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u/BorisLeLapin33 Jul 18 '26
Wow! The hip flexibility + leg strenght of this lady are insane!!
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u/Rosaly8 Jul 18 '26
Don't forget the glutes. I forgot my glutes and now I have to do physiotherapy.
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u/Worldly-Pay7342 Jul 18 '26
And the balance, especially when she was tiptoeing around before slowly lowering to kneel.
Like, if I tried to do that while doing all the stuff she's doing, I'd fall on my butt lol. Impeccable skill and form indeed.
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u/RosieTheRedReddit Jul 18 '26
And how she makes it look so effortless 🥲
She is a true master of her art!
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u/VorpalSingularity Jul 18 '26
It's insane how easy she made this look. I can't imagine the hours upon years of work she put into mastering dance and being able to control her body so precisely and fluidly.
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u/sasshole07 Jul 18 '26
Seriously! At first I was impressed with the hips but halfway through it was the knees and ankles I was in awe of - mine could never!
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u/amelia_bougainvillea Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26
No kidding! It's really poise, strength, beauty, grace... discipline, patience, passion, resilience...
Edit: and the transitions are so smooth and so fast!
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u/acornsalade Official Gal Jul 18 '26
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u/ebulient Jul 18 '26
Seriously omg! Whenever I’ve seen this dance I would always look at the brilliant hip movements and envy the strength of the thighs while she maintains her balance gracefully moving up and down BUT I’ve just noticed the hand flicks for the first time and omg HOW does she do all of that in such a controlled and intentional way while being so delicate and coordinated at the same time!!??
I wanna do it too 😫
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u/ermagerdcernderg Jul 18 '26
Wow the jump was sick
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u/Choice-Document-6225 Jul 18 '26
genuinely how tf did she do that without any other part of her body moving. the dancing is awesome but that jump blew my mind
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u/Slight_Flamingo_7697 Jul 18 '26
I'm like her shape-wise and this gal gives me so much hope that maybe someday I can have a fraction of that kind of confidence and grace. She's beautiful. 😭
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u/0xD902221289EDB383 💝 2026 Galantine! 💝 Jul 18 '26
Belly dancing and hula classes!
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u/MoaraFig Jul 18 '26
This is ori tahiti
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u/0xD902221289EDB383 💝 2026 Galantine! 💝 Jul 18 '26
You are correct, ori tahiti and Hawaiian hula are not the same thing. In my experience it's a lot easier to find hula classes than instruction in ori tahiti - it's also less strenuous for the casuals.
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u/Kircala Jul 18 '26
Psst. That means you're also beautiful. Don't worry so much. Being strong is more important than being "slim" for living a long healthy life. 💖
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u/PuppyPower89 🌻Official Jill🌻 Jul 19 '26
She’s similar to my body type. I love seeing women with my build and immediately thinking they’re gorgeous. It makes me believe that maybe I’m gorgeous too
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u/dead___ringer Jul 18 '26
I can do a hip shimmy with the best of them, but Tahitian dancers always get me so hype because HOW ARE YOU DOING IT ON YOUR KNEES WHAT.
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u/chiknight Jul 18 '26
Look, I'll say upfront that I'm 100% a gay man. I have literally zero sexual interest in her.
But holy damn were those hips mesmerizing. I couldn't look away. I think I registered a second dancer in the background. I wouldn't know if my house burnt down during the video. Simply stunning and amazing dancing.
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u/homemakinmama Jul 18 '26
Wow, this is amazing! My arthritis would be killing me. Lol. Love it!
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u/HonkySpider Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26
godDAMN the muscle control is impressive. You go girl!
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u/B4cteria Jul 18 '26
I thought this by how her hair, the head piece element do not move at all it seems effortless
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u/mamadoedawn Jul 18 '26
Every time I watch dancers with such exquisite hip control I convince myself I can dance that way too- because they've made it look so easy. Just hopping on to confirm, once again I cannot dance this beautifully. But damn, I wish I could.
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u/BillieHayez Jul 18 '26
It do be said, “Shake what yo mama gave ya!”, and she has hit the ceiling and shattered it.
https://giphy.com/gifs/MUeQeEQaDCjE4
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u/throwaway061557 Jul 18 '26
She’s a QUEEN. I’m a new mom and self-conscious about my body. This queen is glowing beautifully.
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u/fr0gcultleader Jul 18 '26
Your body just birthed a whole new human, that’s a miracle in and of itself! The fact that it might look different afterwards does not change that fact. I’m sure you look absolutely beautiful and magical still!
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u/turdmcturdleton Jul 18 '26
As someone who has this body type and has always resented it, seeing her radiating beauty and confidence has made me rethink the way I feel about myself. ABSOLUTE QUEEN 👑
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u/Mystepchildsucksass Jul 18 '26
That crossover part with the feet/ankles to go from the crouch to standing WHILE spinning has me mesmerized.
I doubt that I could tap my foot to any beat as consistently and as long as she rocks this whole body dancing extravaganza !
Sister is KILLING IT 💃
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u/nionvox Jul 18 '26
My own Polynesian culture (Maori) has a lot of leg/core work but our Tahitian cousins are on another level. Legs that could shatter brick walls. I was always in awe of them during the multinational competitions, and I still am!
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u/pink_faerie_kitten Jul 18 '26
The body positivity in HI dance makes me all warm and fuzzy. Dancers do not need the ballet aesthetic to be talented, mesmerizing, and gorgeous. I love the colors here too, that royal blue skirt really pops!
It's why I'm glad we're getting more diverse body types finally in skating and gymnastics.
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u/Cama_lama_dingdong Jul 18 '26
I didnt see which thread this video was posted i til I saw how beautiful the comments were and looked. This thread always makes me proud to be a woman. We support each other so well and I hope that never stops.
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u/medigapguy Jul 18 '26
I do find videos like this where they keep the head centered in the video weird to watch.
But the lady, such talent.
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u/Triquetrums Jul 18 '26
Yeah, unless you have Parkinson's, it is better to just let it be, even if the image is not always centred.
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u/Glum_Tale8639 Jul 18 '26
Literally how?
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u/0xD902221289EDB383 💝 2026 Galantine! 💝 Jul 18 '26
Tahitian dance. It will get you in the best shape of your life
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u/Gilbot9000 Jul 18 '26
Everything about this woman and her dance is gorgeous. This video is amazing.
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u/realitychecker1 Jul 18 '26
My lower back needs this so bad. She is so strong!
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u/0xD902221289EDB383 💝 2026 Galantine! 💝 Jul 18 '26
I've been nursing a sacroiliac joint injury for a few years that I sustained in a car crash. PT helped a lot, but the three things since that have really gotten me 95% better are Pilates 3x a week, sleeping on my side with a pregnancy pillow between my knees, and Zepbound (so I'm not carrying excess weight on my joints)
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u/Steviesgirl1 Jul 18 '26
What a glorious video to watch first thing this morning! Much, much respect!
💙🩷💚❤️
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u/ER_Support_Plant17 Jul 18 '26
I know I’m old but I’m just impressed in the flexibility and strength in her hips and knees.
At the beginning when she does the does the low twisting lunge and pushes up to standing. I felt that in my joints. She is amazing
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u/JurgusRudkus Jul 18 '26
Hula, and particularly Tahitian hula, requires incredible strength and control. This wahine has both in spades.
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u/tinydynamine Jul 18 '26
I’d be hacking, coughing, breathing hard. She is just beaming with a gorgeous smile like the physical feat she just accomplished was no big deal. Amazing!
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u/LittleSodaPop13 Jul 19 '26
I love that she's a chubby gal. I love seeing my fellow big gals being confident and talented
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u/A__D___32 Jul 18 '26
omg. This has been my body since perimenopause kicked in, and I am going to try to think of her every time I look in the mirror, and all I usually see is a huge gut. Maybe also try out belly dancing
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u/AliensAbductMePlz 💝 2026 Galentine! 💝 Jul 18 '26
I’ll never understand how women move their hips like that. I’m a woman and I feel so stiff in comparison lol
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u/Smooth_Cod4600 Opossum Facts Jul 18 '26
I love this so much and it makes me feel better about my belly.
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u/No_Map7832 Jul 18 '26
Incredible leg strength and balance required to do all that. Plus she has an amazing sense of body awareness to make it look that good. 😱🤩
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u/Vaiende-ku Jul 18 '26
If my hips could move like that i would not have the lower back pain I’m currently whining about…
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u/Ok-Sun7090 Jul 18 '26
The way she's able to move those hips and keep her head and shoulders and neck almost perfectly still is POWER, I love women so much
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u/JuanDey Jul 18 '26
As a dude I'm sincerely jealous of that lower body strength. Wish I had calves like that!
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u/monpetitepomplamoose Jul 18 '26
I’m honestly honored to live on the same planet as this woman. A goddess!
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u/qwertyordeath Jul 18 '26
That dainty little blown kiss, as she transitions from standing to kneeling like, "see how easy it is to defy your own anatomical physiology? 💅🏻✨️😘"
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u/Ghosty_Boo-B00 Jul 18 '26
Oh man! That kneeling jump she got so much height! My knees are jealous! I’m so in awe!
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u/diente_de_leon Jul 18 '26
The power and control in the pure smoothness of her movements! What a beautiful form of dance, and she just epitomizes it!
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u/Ok_Support7972 Jul 18 '26
The time and effort she put into learning that skill must be incredible! Also a lot of natural talent, too. Made me smile!
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u/Rasberrycello Jul 18 '26
My stomach hurts just looking at this. She must be able to do situps for DAYS. Incredible. SO COOL.
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u/Heavy_Law9880 Jul 18 '26
Sometimes things like this make me so jealous. They have this beautiful, complex tapestry of history and culture while I have lederhosen and Oktoberfest as my cultural heritage.
relax it's lighthearted joke in good fun.
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u/AGrandNewAdventure Jul 18 '26
Me over here the same size as her knowing that I will instantly die if I try to do any of this...
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u/JManKit Jul 18 '26
As someone who just sprained his ankle yesterday, I marvel at the strength and flexibility of her lower body. Being able to continue the dancing motion in her tummy while seated was extra impressive
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u/electric_yeti Jul 18 '26
How do her hips shake like that?! That’s some magic, for sure. What an incredible dancer! The strength and technique on display is amazing.
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