Dear Tango Doctor

Welcome to this exciting new section of Melbourne Tango Hotspot!

Yes, a bit like Dear Dolly Doctor, but for tanguero/as. This is a place where you can come to workshop the little maladies that ail your dancing feet. Not foot problems as such, but concerns you may have about your dancing. It’s like a private lesson – but online.

You post concern. The good Tango doctor will respond with a full diagnosis, treatment in the form of a prescribed set of exercises, or generous dose of information that will provide you the missing link, and set you well on the way to recovering your balance, musicality, connection,  styling, awareness, enjoyment…. With over 20 years experience, I’m sure Chris has seem almost every ailment known to budding tanguero, so fire away! 

I’ll just post a sample, because I know it can be quite intimidating being the first one. (Feel free to post anonymously). This is a problem I was experiencing, and I will post the solution prescribed by Dear Tango Doctor.

http://www.gizmodiva.com/other_stuff/first_aid_kit_by_radius_is_an_eye_catcher.php

Q: Dear Tango Doctor,

Every time I do a parada, my partner always complains that I fall out of the step. I don’t actually feel like I am off balance, or that I am literally falling, so what does he mean by this? [Note to reader: we may have to also offer relationship counselling! ]

Yours,

Lost and Confused.

A: Dear Lost and Confused,

Congratulations on having such an honest and aware partner because he is giving you the key to greater self- awareness. I believe that you are most likely not centering yourself as you reach his foot with the free leg, and are stepping over his leg before he has a chance to communicate the next move to you. Consequently he feels like you have fallen into the step, rather than allowed yourself to be led.

What I prescribe is slowing down the movement, not only in your body, but also in your mind. Concentrate on the free leg and delaying the brush until you reach his foot. Once there, make a conscious effort to feel centered on the weight bearing foot, while suspending your upper body, and then just focus on the communication sent through his frame.

If he has done the move correctly, he has already transferred the weight to the back foot and will at that point take the shoulder back to lead you into the ocho. Listen to his rhythm and allow his shoulder to guide you as to the length of his step.  

Remember that you need to brush over his foot and gently place your foot on the other side of his leg (be careful not to transfer any weight onto it) before embarking into the ocho. With the upper body concentrate on remaining square on with your partner by shaping your chest to face his. With the right amount of contorsion, the ocho should happen quite organically once you have completely transferred weight onto the new leg.

Prescribed reading:

25 hours in a day, and all posts from July 2010. 

I wish you speedy progress!