We did it in a performance - and I found the timing very difficult, as well. We ended up agreeing on what we'd do after practicing to the music, there was one way that worked with the music, and we went with that.

I don't think there is a set count, even though sometimes I'd like it to. In class, to avoid the orbits moving too slow, I set a count for the students. 32 cts may seem like a long sequence for improv, but it seems to work well with the music we normally dance to. And this is definitely a specialty thing you wouldn't want to do more than once in an improv set.

4 cts Arabic setup
4 cts for the leader to move back - cuing the orbit, arms out
8 cts to go around one full orbit
4 cts for the arms to go up and flip to the back, arms out again
8 cts for another full orbit
4 cts to arms up, flip to the front
Change movement

Try it out and see if it works.

*;}

Thank gals! These answers will helps us a lot. Sandi, your response in particular made me think of an ongoing struggle/question we have, but I think I'll post it in a separate thread.