5756 How do you create a connection?
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 2009 17:31:54 -0700
From: Trystan Spangler <trystan.s@comcast.net>
Subject: [Tango-L] How do you create a connection?
To: "tango-L@mit.edu" <tango-L@mit.edu>
What ways do you know of improving the connection when dancing with
someone?
As a leader, I've noticed that changing the size and duration of my
steps forces us to really listen to each other. Also changing the
amount of waiting between individual steps can relax a beginning
follower. After a song with some 5 second steps and clear wait between
a pivot and a step, a woman who was learning ochos excitedly said "oh
I get it, I have to wait and listen!" That was a good day.
In another lesson before a milonga, a woman I was practicing with took
a big breath right as the music swelled and we did a side step. Wow.
Did you know some followers can lead a step just by when they exhale?
So what tricks have you discovered to create connection?
Trystan from Sacramento
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 2009 08:24:59 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Trini y Sean (PATangoS)" <patangos@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [Tango-L] How do you create a connection?
--- On Tue, 9/8/09, Trystan Spangler <trystan.s@comcast.net> wrote:
> In another lesson before a milonga, a woman I was
> practicing with took?a big breath right as the music swelled and we did a side step. Wow.? Did you know some followers can lead a step just by when
> they exhale?
>
> So what tricks have you discovered to create connection?
Funny, usually inhaling has the opposite effect of suspending the movements. I assume you were in close-embrace. It's a trick you can use, too. When the man inhales and makes himself taller, it has the same effect on the woman, essentially stretching out the knee of her standing leg so that she can't step far. When the man exhales, her knee softens and she can step. The same thing can occur when the roles are reversed. I suggest revisiting your memory and break it down to smaller parts if you want to understand what happened.
As for your original query, creating suspended movements or small movements are a great way to get her attention. Another is to dance to the sycopas and other musical accents (freezes, etc.). Not necessarily her dancing the syncopas, but your dancing the syncopas while she's just hitting the strong beats or even waiting forces her to listen to your feet. It makes me smile when I feel leaders doing that. Simply dancing to the strong beats or the QQS rhythms merely gets one into automode.
Trini de Pittsburgh
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2009 01:40:40 -0700 (PDT)
From: Jack Dylan <jackdylan007@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [Tango-L] How do you create a connection?
> From: Trini y Sean (PATangoS) <patangos@yahoo.com>
>
> Funny, usually inhaling has the opposite effect of suspending the movements ...?
> ... When the man exhales, her knee softens and she can step.?
>
This is a good subject for a thread, but that's exactly what I was thinking.
'Inhale to suspend a movement and exhale to lead the step'
Inhaling deeply to lead a side step would kinda send a mixed message?
Jack
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2009 02:18:07 -0700 (PDT)
From: Dubravko Kakarigi <dubravko_2005@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [Tango-L] How do you create a connection?
This may sound a bit esoteric, but a deeply rooted and focused intent coupled with moving from the core gets transmitted to and organically understood by your partner who is sensitive and tuned in and vice versa. Tango does not allow fallacy and short cuts. Looking for all and only mechanistic aids for connecting in tango misses the point of tango. Physical connection is secondary to the mental/spiritual one.
===================================
seek, appreciate, and create beauty
this life is not a rehearsal
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----- Original Message ----
> From: Jack Dylan <jackdylan007@yahoo.com>
> Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 4:40:40 AM
> Subject: Re: [Tango-L] How do you create a connection?
>
> > From: Trini y Sean (PATangoS)
> >
> > Funny, usually inhaling has the opposite effect of suspending the movements
> ...
> > ... When the man exhales, her knee softens and she can step.
> >
>
> This is a good subject for a thread, but that's exactly what I was thinking.
> 'Inhale to suspend a movement and exhale to lead the step'
>
> Inhaling deeply to lead a side step would kinda send a mixed message?
>
> Jack
>
>
>
>
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:17:56 -0700
From: romerob@telusplanet.net
Subject: Re: [Tango-L] How do you create a connection?
>Inhaling deeply to lead a side step would kinda send a mixed message? <
One application of the side step in tango:
A side step allows for a release of tension between couples, and being
more "grounded to the floor". When the couples are too straight with locked
knees tension builts up, and we loose our balance, then the tendency is to use
our arms to correct or support each other.
Being more grounded to the floor makes the tango dance look popular and less
stiff.
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:10:13 -0700 (PDT)
From: Jack Dylan <jackdylan007@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [Tango-L] How do you create a connection?
> From: Dubravko Kakarigi <dubravko_2005@yahoo.com>
>
> a deeply rooted and focused intent coupled
> with moving from the core gets transmitted to and organically understood by your
> partner who is sensitive and tuned in and vice versa.
>
Dubravko, you're right, of course, but some of us just can't help thinking
about? these things, at least while sitting at a computer.
But I did check my breathing during tonight's milonga and, I must admit,
I hardly even noticed my breathing. No deep inhaling or exhaling at any time :-)
I mentioned it to my partner and she did say some men breathe heavily
while dancing with her and she finds it very disconcerting. So I take back
my previous message. Just breathe naturally.
Jack
