It's been a while since I posted. What has been going on? Lets just say, life is determined to teach me something. And I better be a good student this time.
I took another lesson with my new instructor. It went very well, even better than the first one. Here are some things to watch and practice upon:
He noticed that while stepping, especially turning corners and pivoting, I do not transfer my weight entirely. The free leg does not become completely free and relaxed. The hip of the "free" side often pops up. I need to drop it down, level it with the other hip. Now I see that this habit actually made me miss and misread a lot of leads.
When I step, I have to transfer my weight completely on that foot. Clear check point. No cheating on ochos cortados and such.
When I step, I have to aspire to be in front of the leader. So far I am more on his right-my left.
In general, and especially in close embrace, I rely heavily on my left side and keep my balance left, instead of being in front of the leader. When I step on the right, the weight has to get on the right, the head above the right foot. And do not forget to use the knees all the time.
I have to remember relaxing my shoulders, and, especially, arms. Some figures, turns, overturned pivots, boleos, are impossible to complete because I hold my arms tense/locked, and that prevents me from moving properly. No tension in the right hand, that keeps me left instead of being in front. I have to figure out how to hold my left arm in order to maintain contact, but not lock. The embrace has to become entirely loose and pliant in all directions.
The energy of boleo comes from a pivot. I don't know how many times I need to return to that point until I finally get it. Complete the pivot. Go all the way till you cannot turn anymore. And only after that the foot flies up. Practice folding the knee without using the hip first. You have to kick your own hip making a front boleo.
Same principle with sacadas. Complete the pivot, then go. Back sacada, go with your tailbone. Push from the standing foot, and make a long step.
In general, while walking, imagine that the legs grow from your rib cage. That is how long the steps should be.
The position of the trunk is up and forward, toward the leader, as if somebody held onto your rib cage and risen it up. The back is large, from the lats. But the shoulders are still open and relaxed. Do not relax the abs, though. Do not arch your back.
I have to practice staying leveled on the steps. I still bounce up and down quite a bit.
I have been practicing a lot on my own nowadays. So far, it seems to be OK...
This blog has progressively become a notebook from my lessons and practicas. Reading it, one may decide that I completely ceased to have fun in my tango. But that is not true. Last night I went to a very well attended practica. And even though I was more in a practice mood than in a dancing mood ( and I actually practiced), I managed to get a few very, very sweet tandas.
On my way home, I had that wonderful afterglow. As a result, I missed my exit, that hadn't happened to me for a long time. So, I believe the pleasure is back.
It was about time, decidedly.
I am looking forward to the future. To making the best of all my tango shoes.
Le pied est de retour?
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