3648  Reflejos - Reflexions- Reflections

Date: Tue, 26 Jul 2005 13:41:02 +0000
From: Sergio Vandekier <sergiovandekier990@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Reflejos - Reflexions- Reflections

Hyla very well says:

"Then, they rewarded me *non-verbally* for those tentative first
contributions. When my body responded to the mood of the music
with a different density or alertness or tension, they would
mirror that, or pick up on it in some way. They would alter
their own interpretation to include my limited one, or breath
deeply so I could feel it bring us closer together into the
embrace, the music, the dance. And they would comment favorably
on my musicality, even though it wasn't much. "I don't care if
so-and-so says it interferes with his lead, I like it, keep
doing it when you dance with me, do more of it!"

What Hyla describes is called "reflejos" (the return of sound or light from
a reflective surface).

This is an important part of the tango communication and quite different
from "interfering with the lead".

I have adopted an exercise to increase awareness about "reflection". I do it
only on special occasions and only with certain groups (in Buenos Aires)
that have developed certain skills to be receptive to such an exercise. It
cannot be done with all groups as it could be a total failure.

A brief description of the exercise:

The men form a circle in the outer part of the dancing floor hands at their
back, the women place themselves in the center of the circle.

The men close their eyes and are not allowed to open them until the exercise
has finished (this is very important).

The women choose a man and places herself in front of him with her hands at
her back.

The music starts, she seeks contact between her chest and his chest, and
starts to move from side to side, diagonally, a little up, a little down,
back and forth, etc, with musicality , the man responds to that contact and
her movements with his own motion and interpretation of that very special
moment.

The music stops, the ladies return to the center, the men open their eyes.

Reflection is the response of your body and your soul to the tender contact
and expression of the woman who in turn modifies your behavior as a reaction
or reflection to her feelings towards you and the music.

Another subject;

The matter of the woman "asking" for time to do embellishments:

Traditionally a good leader leads almost all embellishments and allows
plenty of time for the woman to express herself artistically and with
musicality. (this last element, musicality, is frequently neglected by
followers that do them without paying attention to the music).

I have done exercises in Buenos Aires where the woman "asks" for time to do
firuletes (embellishments). The way she asks is by exerting some subtle
pressure on the man's arm so that he stops moving and allows extra time till
she is finished doing her flicks, amagues, boleos, etc.

This can be very pleasant, as the lady knows she is not going to be rushed
to do whatever she has in mind, she also knows she is not interfering with
the man's lead.

The problem arises when a woman continuously does "things" with her feet,
her arms, her body that distract and interferes with what the leader is
creating for both of them. This type of woman is frequently found among the
ones that like to lead or the experimenting type, that in one way or
another like to antagonize and castrate men. The best policy is not to dance
with them unless you are a masochistic.

Summary: Reflejos, should be developed as this enhances the degree of
communication between the partners. The lady could "ask" for time to do
embellishments, mostly when dancing with leaders that dance fast, leaders
that dance slowly always allow plenty of time for the lady to express
herself. Interfering with the lead (IMO) should be discouraged .
Interleading (IMO) could be a different dance from Argentine Tango.

Have beautiful day, Sergio.