2964 random thought #21: connection and balance
Date: Fri, 5 Nov 2004 17:29:50 +0000
From: Oleh Kovalchuke <oleh_k@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: random thought #21: connection and balance
Just like in "real" life, in tango you have to be on your own balance - the
more grounded (self-reliant) you are the more you can contribute to dance
interaction, the more meaningful is your contribution. Hence stand on your
entire foot (no tip-toeing, I need to feel where your feet are) and lean
forward just enough to be able to communicate. Do not cling - desperation is
wearisome.
Cheers, Oleh K., randomly yours
https://TangoSpring.com
Date: Fri, 5 Nov 2004 12:35:14 -0500
From: Michael <tangomaniac@CAVTEL.NET>
Subject: Re: random thought #21: connection and balance
Oleh:
I don't understand how you can be on your entire foot (which I presume
includes the heel) and lean forward. I lean forward by pulling my hips
back slightly. My weight shifts off my heels onto the balls of my feet.
I'm grounded because my feet are pointed slightly outwards.
Michael
Washington, DC
Oleh wrote:
> Just like in "real" life, in tango you have to be on your own balance -
> the > more grounded (self-reliant) you are the more you can contribute
to dance > interaction, the more meaningful is your contribution. Hence
stand on your > entire foot (no tip-toeing, I need to feel where your
feet are) and lean > forward just enough to be able to communicate. Do
not cling - desperation > is > wearisome.
>
> Cheers, Oleh K., randomly yours
> https://TangoSpring.com
>
Date: Fri, 5 Nov 2004 13:03:36 -0500
From: John Gleeson <john.gleeson@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: random thought #21: connection and balance
I don't understand your statement either, Michael.
I can have my entire foot on the floor yet still be
leaning forward - the weight does shift to the balls
of the feet away from the heel, but nevertheless the
entire foot is touching the floor.
It also helps me to keep my feet pointing straight
ahead.
BTW - I took some classes with Ron Gursky a
while ago - he is a professional dancer/teacher in
the Boston area - he had a "knack" of being able
to lean forward almost 30 degrees, yet was still
able to keep his feet FLAT on the ground !
John G.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, November 05, 2004 12:35 PM
Subject: Re: [TANGO-L] random thought #21: connection and balance
Oleh:
I don't understand how you can be on your entire foot (which I presume
includes the heel) and lean forward. I lean forward by pulling my hips
back slightly. My weight shifts off my heels onto the balls of my feet.
I'm grounded because my feet are pointed slightly outwards.
Michael
Washington, DC
Oleh wrote:
> Just like in "real" life, in tango you have to be on your own balance -
> the > more grounded (self-reliant) you are the more you can contribute
to dance > interaction, the more meaningful is your contribution. Hence
stand on your > entire foot (no tip-toeing, I need to feel where your
feet are) and lean > forward just enough to be able to communicate. Do
not cling - desperation > is > wearisome.
>
> Cheers, Oleh K., randomly yours
> https://TangoSpring.com
>
Date: Fri, 5 Nov 2004 21:42:24 +0000
From: Oleh Kovalchuke <oleh_k@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: random thought #21: connection and balance
Michael got confused:
">I don't understand how you can be on your entire foot (which I presume
>includes the heel) and lean forward.
and confused me too:
>I'm grounded because my feet are pointed slightly outwards.
?
It's very simple. The very first step I teach is shifting weight from one
foot to another in place (no embrace). To facilitate torso comunication I
tell students to transfer about 2/3 of their weight on the balls of their
feet (in addition to showing the correct posture, leaning without bowing,
leaning without presenting perky butt etc.). That leaves about 1/3 of the
weight for the rest of the foot. Obviously the exact numbers are bogus, but
the concept is there.
I was reminded about this recently by one of my students who told me that
her other instructor told her to walk on the balls of her feet. When she was
doing that the image of her feet, her "presence" felt too blurry, not crisp
enough.
Cheers, Oleh K.
https://TangoSpring.com
>From: Michael <tangomaniac@CAVTEL.NET>
>Reply-To: Michael <tangomaniac@CAVTEL.NET>
>To: TANGO-L@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
>Subject: Re: [TANGO-L] random thought #21: connection and balance
>Date: Fri, 5 Nov 2004 12:35:14 -0500
>
>Oleh:
>I don't understand how you can be on your entire foot (which I presume
>includes the heel) and lean forward. I lean forward by pulling my hips
>back slightly. My weight shifts off my heels onto the balls of my feet.
>I'm grounded because my feet are pointed slightly outwards.
>
>Michael
>Washington, DC
>
>
>
>Oleh wrote:
> > Just like in "real" life, in tango you have to be on your own balance -
> > the > more grounded (self-reliant) you are the more you can contribute
>to dance > interaction, the more meaningful is your contribution. Hence
>stand on your > entire foot (no tip-toeing, I need to feel where your
>feet are) and lean > forward just enough to be able to communicate. Do
>not cling - desperation > is > wearisome.
> >
> > Cheers, Oleh K., randomly yours
> > https://TangoSpring.com
> >
>
