The Appearance of Mohiniyattam, which is a Lasya style, is characterized by feminine, graceful and characterized body movements, marked by the very fine sway of the torso from side to side, the circular swinging motion of the body creating an 8 (Eight) and far sweeping steps.It has often been said that the movements of the limbs and body of the danseuse of Mohiniyattam should be gentle and graceful like the waves in a calm sea or the swaying of the paddy plants in the field.
The basic and main position is “Aramandalam”. In the western dance language it is known as the second Position in Demi Plies. In Mohiniyattam there exists approximately 40 – 60 basic motion sequences (depending on the style and school), called Adavus which have to be mastered before learning a dance piece.