How to Perform a Simple 3 (or 4) Person Lift in Dance

This three person lift in dance may be done with all girls, even if they are relatively the same size. It gets the dancer high enough in the air where they are noticeably being lifted with relative ease and have a decent range of motion in their legs. One girl needs to get lifted and two other girls will be doing the lifting and providing a base.

THINGS YOU'LL NEED

-One girl to be lifted- this girl must have optimal core strength. Any seasoned dance student should possess the necessary core strength.

-Two girls to do the lifting- these girls must contain some upper arm strength to provide a base, as well as core strength.

-Optional- An extra person may be added to the lifting team to stabilize and help the person being lifted into the air.

STEPS

Step One- Get into position.

• The lifted dancer should be in between the two lifting her, all facing the same direction. If an extra lifter is added, this person should be directly behind the lifted dancer.
• The lifted dancer must stand with their feet in parallel first position.
• The two lifters must stand with their feet shoulder width apart, slightly offset.
• If there is the optional lifter, they should be standing in second position parallel.

Step Two- Ready the arms.

• The lifted dancer should have their arms out in a strong second position, ensuring the palms are down. This creates the opposition necessary to keep upright
• The two side lifters must use their hands to create a shelf under the arms of the lifted dancer. 
• They should flex their hands back as far as possible. One hand should be at the armpit, and one hand should be near, but not on, the elbow.
• If the optional lifter is there, their hands should be firmly gripping the lifted dancers waist.

Step Three- The Act of Lifting.

• The lift should come from the knees. All participants should have set counts in their head for plié (bend) and the lift.
• The lifted dancer must actively jump into the air as she is lifted, as her own momentum will help her get into the air. She must then hold her body tight and in the proper position. Do not forget about the positioning of the feet. Unless specified otherwise, hold the feet in tendu.
• The side lifters must get underneath the arms and push up using the shelf they have created with their hands.
• The optional back lifter may plié and straighten her arms with the rest of the lifters.

Step Four- In the lift.

• The lift may last as long or as short as desired. It is a very stable lift, meaning the person may be walked from one place to another, spun around, or held to perform whatever is desired.
• Counts must be agreed upon so everyone is in sync with what they are supposed to be doing, be it walking or holding still.
• The lifted dancer must hold her arms and body incredibly tight, and hold the head in the desired position, again making sure everything extending to the feet and hands are appropriately held.
• The lifters should hold their arms locked straight, as it helps make the most of their strength and makes the lift easier.

Step Five- Getting down.

• Finishing the lift must end in sync. One side cannot go down before the other. 
• The lifted dancer must be ready to be put down.
• As always, agree upon counts to ensure everyone is on the same page.

TIPS-

• For the lifted dancer, pressing the shoulder blades down and back is helpful. Think of making a “V” in the middle of your shoulders.
• For the lifted dancer, holding the core is incredibly important, not only in the front abdominals, but also from the back. Squeezing the buttocks is helpful for stability.
• For the lifters, do not squeeze with your fingers. Instead, hold them tight and strong and provide contact to stabilize the dancer in the air. Squeezing with fingers may cause bruising and it is also painful for the person being lifted.
• Watch faces! Very often participants in a lift drop character and become so focused on their physical demands it detracts from the performance, which then ruins the point of the choreography.
• Things that the lifted dancer may do in the air involve, but are not limited to, splits, double attitudes, alternating double attitudes, holding in a “T” position and looking up to the heaven.
• This lift may also be done with men.

WARNING

• Improper lifting, especially when using the back, may cause injury. 
• Dropping the person being lifted may cause injury.
• Dancing, and its lifts, are athletic, and comes with an inherent risk of injury throughout.