I am trying to show the technique behind the hip action in the latin dances to a aspiring dancer. Well, I don't know if it just came completely naturally for me back when I learned it or if I am just speaking in too complicated of term for him. What is the best way to explain the motion??

Tell him to settle on the "1" in the beat. That the hip should "settle" in a slow relaxed like motion

lala. Why not suggest they go to Intro Latin Motion on this site and also to the demonstrations. On the left hand side of your screen one can be found under Learning Centre. the other under Learn the Dances. After Latin Motion I would suggest Spins and Turns. Part 5 I think you would find interesting. Put plenty of paper in your printer to print the whole series. good luck

Maybe it did come naturally to you, or he may be like me, and have a hard time with hip movements. I think a lot of times it comes easier to women as well. Tell him to practice in front of the mirror when he's home, as it helps to see what you're doing. From how you've described it, I think once he gets it, it'll be effortless.

For things like the mambo, you may want to explain it like a figure eight motion. Good luck.

This is a excercise given to us, Simply stand feet apart , toe turned out. Shift your weight to your left side by raising the right heel from the floor.Keep a nice leg line. Right hip is the highest. Come back to neutral and do the same the other side. Now the left hip is the highest. In between there will always be a neutral position.
If you do a front and back basic those same rules should be brought into action.
Step forward ,high right hip.neutral Replace then high left hip. neutral. On the 4 1 this was the one I was missing. It was the high right hip before the neutral position. It gets interesting on the Back Basic. If you are already doing this excellent, but the excercise is still worth doing . There is of course a lot more but it is a good excercise that can be done anywhere anytime.