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.
Season: The embrace - Theme: Compression technique
Sometimes, followers need to overturn, e.g. turn by more than 180 degrees, or leaders need to communicate a large turn in a position where they can't themselves dissociate much. This is when we use the compression technique to communicate the pivot and help the follower execute it. A very useful tool that enables powerful pivots.
Summary video
Beginners & Improvers: Rebounds in backward ochos
Top tips
- Leaders: First step in a slight diagonal forward and than in a slight diagonal backward.
Beginners & Improvers: Lateral backward ochos
Top tips
- Leaders: The compression technique is from all directions: push slightly inwards both hands and also push more into floor. The compression always works after you’ve started indicated the pivot. If the follower doesn’t first understand which direction to go, she won’t be able to respond to the compression.
- Followers: This compression technique is for you to pivot beyond your normal range. It is either used by leaders when they are in a position where they can’t dissociate a lot (like this step) or when they want you to over-pivot (like the next step).
Intermediates: Deep ochos forward
Top tips
- Leaders: Try and continue walking smoothly when you lead the overpivots.
- Followers: Finish the pivot first and then step.
Intermediates: Pivot and sacada by the follower
Top tips
- Leaders: Back cross as the follower steps backwards to prepare for the giro.
- Followers: Make sure you continue to turn in the giro until you feel the leader stops you.
Homework
- Together: Practice normal ochos and ochos with compression to get the difference.
See you soon on the dancefloor,
Nati y Bruno
