The art of not leaning on your partner!

Post date: Apr 4, 2014 7:28:06 AM

Followers, improving your balance is one of the best things you can do to improve your tango in general.

"If you can't stand on one leg, completely balanced without wobbling, if you dance in an embrace, you're bound to be leaning on your partner." (David Turner)

To quote the UK based tango teacher Flavio:

"The leader is NOT a support for the follower! Balance is not a gift but a skill and can easily be improved with some exercises ...The only steps I am aware of where the follower is off balance and needs full support are the colgada and volcada."

Here are some exercises for improving balance:

Solo

One of the very best ways to improve balance is to practice solo in slow motion:

Backward and forward walk
Backward and forward ochos
Giros
Standing on a pile of books

It's best to practice the above in heels, but If you find this too challenging at first, ditch the high heels for flat shoes, and later progress to high heels.

With a partner

Practice dancing with a partner (again in slow motion) - in four different ways of connecting:

First, in open embrace.
Then remove contact with one side of the frame to increase the difficulty, alternating contact with left or right side of frame.
Progress to contact with just your finger tips (finger tips to partner's finger tips)
Finally the ultimate challenge - no physical contact! Lead / follow without touching each other

Here's some useful links / articles on the subject of improving balance:

Happy practicing!

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