Every week, you’ll find on our blog class notes and a summary video from our Wednesday and Sunday tango group classes.

These video and notes are meant to help our students remember what they’ve done in class.

Dimension: Interactions - Theme: Pasadas & paradas I

Paradas and pasadas are steps where the follower (in general), is interrupted in her movement by the leader and needs to step around or step over the leader's leg. We started with the simple parada from forward ocho and explored more adventurous out-of-axis options.

Summary video



 

Beginners & improvers: Parada from forward ocho

Top tips

  • Leaders: At the parada, make sure you keep your weight on your back leg. There is no transfer of axis forward in a parada. Your torso should stay aligned with your back leg, and you should only move the front leg that you are extending for the parada.
  • Followers: At the parada, make sure you have your feet and knees together.

 

Intermediates: Wide out-of-axis cross followed by a parada

Top tips

  • Leaders: You need to expand your embrace when you are doing the step leading to the salida.
  • Followers: This step is a bit scary as we are briefly out of axis! Don’t resist the energy and simply hold your partner in this out-of-axis cross.

 

Intermediates: Lateral cross followed by a parada

Top tips

  • Leaders: To lead the cross, you need to step straight in front of you and cross your partner’s line. This will “push” her out of the way and create the cross.
  • Followers: Even if you are a bit out of axis, try and keep your torso straight as it will make it easier to exit and pivot.

 

Homework

Top tips

  • Leaders: For pasadas and paradas, you need to use the lifting technique. On your own or with a partner, practice gently lifting with the right hand (the movement should be upward and not forward). Then with your torso, you need to invite your partner to her next direction. After she has started moving, you can release the lift. You should basically be miming with your embrace what you want your partner’s leg to do: up / move / down. This is a useful skill to have.
  • Followers: For any pasada / parada, you need to practice pointing your foot before you lift it off the floor. Also try and have your knee away from him when you lift. Try practising this on your own.

 

See you soon on the dancefloor,

Nati y Bruno