Notes from my Tango lessons I

Move with 丹田

Funny how Argentine Tango teacher use chinese concept of 丹田 to explain to us how to walk in Tango. Using 丹田 will help the follower to know exactly what your intention is. I think it makes a lot of sense. It's not about using hands or using chest because your body moves with your 丹田 (or you can explain the other way your 丹田 moves then your body moves). If you just move your chest (which I used to do a lot) the follower will get too much information and she will get confused and not sure which way to go.

Walk with the whole foot

I have learn so many different style from so many different teachers when it comes to walking in Tango. Use the toe? Use the hill? Marcelo believes you need to use the whole foot to walk in order to be stable. That's how we walk normally, no? I think it makes a lot of sense. I feel grounded when I walk with my whole foot. I am confident because I know I own the floor and I am not going to fall. And the follower will feel your confidence too.

Feel the follower/leader

Easy to say but very hard to actually do this well. Marcelo asked us to feel each other. Feel how the other person move. This is probably one of the most valuable thing I learn from him. As a leader, we are not actually leading. We are learning how our follower moves with the music. Learn how she wants to move. Learn how she wants to interpret the music. Our job, as a leader, is to lead her to do the things she wants to do. In another word, Make Her Dance. Not leading her to do the leader's dance but to lead her to dance Her dance.

Such a life-changing thought! The two years I have been dancing I was told I got great musicality but I never tought it should not be about my musicality. It should be ours. When I was moving according to my own interpretation I forgot to 'listen'. I forgot to 'feel' what she wants. It changes from 'look how good a leader I am' to 'look how good a follower you are!'.

Of course, this requires the participation from both sides. Leader is not just leading. His job is to listen and dance the dance she likes. The follower job is to dance not just follow. Don't be afraid to dance, to interpret the music. It doesn't mean not following. It is about participation.

I think these are nothing new. But Marelco did a good job in bringing it out. Have us feel. Some we got and some we didn't. The important thing is we now know what the possibilities are.