the level of the tone, or during the act of singing, see that the hips
expand freely and evenly with the body. This should be tried and practiced
frequently by all in order that the movement may be from the hips up and
not above the hips only. When the hips are thus brought into action, the
abdominal muscles and the diaphragm are strengthened, and their position
and action are correct. When the upper part of the body only is brought
into action the position of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles is often
weakened. Remember that the basic law or foundation principle of our whole
system of movements is movement from the hips up, including the action or
expansion of the hips in connection with the movements of the entire body.
End of Project Gutenberg's The Renaissance of the Vocal Art, by Edmund Myer