Arm Unification During Turns
It’s really important move both arms together as a solid unit during turns (sacadas or enrosques).
What happens if you don’t? …
What is Connection in Tango?
Before 2018:
- Putting you and your partner, with the steps, with the music…everything, all together, in harmony.
- There are so many kinds of “connections”; you with yourself, you with the ground, feeling the music, the quality of the steps, the breath, the physical and metaphysical realm. And everything moves together as one. Blah blah blah!
2018:
- I take it all back. Put your partner above everything. Your connection with your partner should be held above the steps (of course), but also with the music. You stay with your partner even if it disagrees with the music.
- You could also say it’s awareness. You don’t even have to move together or even in harmony. As long as you’re fully a thousand percent aware of what’s going on with your partner at all times, you are connected!
Memory Foam Embrace
Wait 3 seconds for compression (connection) time. And then move. Some partners have slower or longer compression times. Others have denser or softer compression. Adjust accordingly. It’ll feel good.
Timing on Pivot Leads (boleo vs ocho)
When is the right time to lead pivots and boleos?
- Should pivots be lead early or on time?
- And boleos lead late? (As a “surprise” or often-repeated “ocho-interruption”?
Even more important how do we lead the more intricate versions of each? (Such as over-turned ochos or super fast boleos.) …
Slowdown Aesthetic
Be very careful of when you slowdown (during the weight change).
Let’s make 2 clear distinctions:
- If you slow down when the free foot is about to touch the ground, it looks SHY or like you don’t know where you’re going.
- If you slow down when the free foot is about to leave the ground, you look like a cat about to POUNCE.
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Straight Back Steps (not angled)
All back-steps should be STRAIGHT BACK during a performance (not angled).
When you’re in a crowded milonga, angled back-steps make sense. But during a performance, they look kinda of clumsy and steal your opportunity to showcase a nice line.
Need me to spell out the issue? …
Enrosque Disassociation
How to disassociate (turning your upper body) properly into enrosques!
So what are the common problems here with enrosque disassociation?
- Flattening out – not turning both sides of the body together.
- Ambiguous lead – follower has no idea what (or when) to do during your disassociation.
- Losing balance – your disassociation makes you fall.
- Turning obstruction – your disassociation blocks your turn instead of helping it.
Let’s get to it!
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Pasada Posture
Quick notes on aesthetic from this tricky one-legged position. Do it right and you look strong!
Feet, knees, hips, back, chest, arms, and head! Hahaha…everything! …
Movement Posture
Yes, I also did one one basic tango posture (stationary)…but this one is a posture visualization you can use while moving. …
Rocking the Rock-Step
3 rules for rock-steps:
- Use your foot push to change direction, don’t yank her back with your arms.
- Maintain close embrace – don’t turn your head/torso away or release/drop the arms.
- The foot that’s pushing off, hits the ground with a straight knee first then bends as you push off.