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: Dissociation hinges

In this class, we looked at a very important concept that we call hinges. You probably know the dissociation technique, eg. the action of moving the torso and the lower body independently. The concept of hinges looks at where the dissociation comes from to help distinguish between side steps and pivots. We applied this concept to a simple promenade and then to a giro for the intermediates.

Summary video

 

Fundamental technique: The concept of “hinges” in dissociation

Top tips

  • Leaders: Try and distinguish between dissociation which axis is around the follower’s supporting leg (which creates a pivot) and dissociation where one of your shoulders goes away from the follower (which in this case creates a step).
  • Followers: It’s important for follower to have the ability to distinguish between a change of weight (where the leader’s sternum is not moving sideways), a pivot (where the leader’s torso goes around you) and a step (where the leader’s torso goes away or closer from you).

 

Beginners / Improvers: Entry into promenade or giro depending on dissociation hinge

Top tips

  • Leaders: To lead the follower forward, have your left shoulder move away from her. To lead a backward pivot, have your right shoulder move into her space.
  • Followers: Be aware that a giro can start from any point: the side, forward or back step.

 

Intermediates: Entry to the giro from salida, with boleo and sacada

Top tips

  • Leaders: Enter in the follower’s side step to create the sacada / boleo.
  • Followers: Keep the feet on the floor at all times during the dancing, especially during the giro – where it’s common for to lift their feet (and therefore lose their balance!).

 

Homework

Top tips

  • Together: The best thing you can do is practise the fundamental exercise technique we did in class. This is such a powerful exercise which will have such an impact on the clarity and comfort of your lead / following that it is well worth spending some time with it.

 

See you soon on the dancefloor,

Nati y Bruno