SoTango - 2026 Sep - Nov Level 1

SoTango

Level 1 Sep - Nov 2026

Level 1 Course Dates:

6 Wednesday : 6.30pm - 7.30pm: Sep 9, 16, 30 |Oct 7, 14, 21

(No classes on Sep 23 & Oct 28)

Lesson 1: September 9

We covered:

Musicality - walking to single (1-3) double (all beats: 1-2-3-4) and half time (1-1)
Synchronising with a partner
Walking technique (side, forward, back) There are only really 3 steps in tango (if a step is defined as a change of weight).
Leading from the core / torso
Practice Hold

The move introduced was the Parallel Cross - ending with Resolution:

Tango Positions (Based on the Parallel Cross)

Tango positions are defined using the Parallel Cross and describe how the Leader and Follower are positioned relative to each other at key moments in the movement.

Referencing the video below:

Position 2: 0:06

Position 3: 0:07

Position 4: 0:08

Position 5: 0:09

Suggestion: watch the above video on a slow time setting (e.g 0.5) to best understand the transitions.

Further breakdown...

2nd Position

End of the first side step

Leader’s weight is on the left leg
Follower’s weight is on the right leg

3rd Position

End of the Leader’s first “outside” forward step

Leader’s right leg is forward

Follower’s left leg is back

Weight is shared between both legs for both Leader and Follower

This position often feels very crossed-over and compact, requiring clear body alignment and balance.

4th Position

End of the Leader’s second “outside” forward step

Leader’s left leg is forward
Follower’s right leg is back.
Weight is shared between both legs for both Leader and Follower
Leader’s torso is angled slightly to the right toward the Follower (dissociation)

This creates a more open position.

Note that this is contra to normal walking, where the torso naturally rotates in the same direction as the stepping leg.

5th Position

Follower enters the Cross

The Follower transfers her weight onto her left leg as she enters the Cross

This is led by the Leader stepping forward onto the right leg

The Leader’s torso angled leftward toward the Follower

There is no torsion or dissociation in the Leader’s or Follower's bodies at this moment

Tango Music - for practicing

Spotify

Check out Sophia's Spotify lists:

Tango (Trad) Best for practicing musicality - walking to single, double and half time.

Tango (Neo) contemporary songs (good for practicing technique)

Progression

Once you complete Level 1 you are ready for Level 2, a 6-lesson course which continues at 6.30pm starting November 4

Click below for more details....

Good habits for tango dancers

'Steel vs spaghetti': Your standing leg is like steel - dynamic, strong and grounded, your free leg is like spaghetti: light and loose without tension.
Your free leg hip is loose and level (this removes tension from your free leg)
Keep your standing leg knee softly flexed (not locked) - this gives you better contact with the floor.
'Collection' - Thigh or ankle (as you prefer) connection as you walk
Push off the floor as you walk - to make your walk more dynamic.
Look forward as you walk (down diagonal is fine but don't look straight down at your feet as this distorts your posture.

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