76  Use of the Bridge

Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2001 17:44:59 -0500
From: Stephen Brown <Stephen.P.Brown@DAL.FRB.ORG>
Subject: Use of the Bridge

Even when it is done correctly, the bridge--as opposed to a calecita--can
put a tremendous stress on a woman's back. The bridge is also of limited
usefulness for social dancing because tilting the woman's body consumes
space and greatly restricts the available options for movement. For these
reasons, I think the bridge is best reserved for consenting partners who
are performing exhibitions. I have observed that most of the advanced
tango dancers who once included the bridge as part of their social dance
vocabulary have long ago abandoned using the step for their social dancing.

--Steve de Tejas

Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2001 16:14:54 -0700
From: Mark Sussex <doktordogg@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Use of the Bridge

--- Stephen Brown <Stephen.P.Brown@DAL.FRB.ORG> wrote:

> Even when it is done correctly, the bridge--as
> opposed to a calecita--can
> put a tremendous stress on a woman's back.

Step back three feet ==> (above statement = TRUE)
Step back three inches ==> (above statement = FALSE)

Degree makes a big difference in both comfort and
floorcraft.

None of my partners have kept their opinion about it a
secret when I asked them, so it doesn't need to be a
matter of speculation. One of them asks to go
further! Again, you want to stand up straight and not
bend forward at the waist. If you do the latter, the
contact will be too high and you'll break her back.
When the support is lower, both can feel as if they
are in repose, just balanced and resting against one
another.

> I have observed that
> most of the advanced
> tango dancers who once included the bridge as part
> of their social dance
> vocabulary have long ago abandoned using the step
> for their social dancing.

I have observed that Carlos Gavito retains it in his
social dancing. It can be performed to a modest
degree appropriate for social dancing.

Mark

Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2001 16:43:30 -0700
From: America Mauhar <amauhar@TPIMS.ORG>
Subject: Overuse of the Bridge

>--- Stephen Brown <Stephen.P.Brown@DAL.FRB.ORG> wrote:
>> Even when it is done correctly, the bridge--as
>> opposed to a calecita--can
>> put a tremendous stress on a woman's back.
>
>Step back three feet ==> (above statement = TRUE)
>Step back three inches ==> (above statement = FALSE)
>
>Degree makes a big difference in both comfort and
>floorcraft.

However, from a woman's point of view, I'd like to add a comment to this-
either degree of lead puts a lot of stress on the ball of the woman's foot,
and it seems like EVERYONE leads this with the woman standing on her right
foot. This move is SO overused that my right calf is now larger than my
left and while my left foot is fine, the ball of my right foot is
permanently tender. It has its place, but use it judiciously. Proper
execution can alleviate instant damage, but the cumulative toll should be
considered. And if anyone has ideas on mitigating the cumulative damage,
I'd be very interested in hearing them. (I've aleady banned my regular
partner from doing it on the "normal leg" to balance me out...)

America
(San Diego)

Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2001 23:55:15 -0400
From: Melinda Bates <tangerauna@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Use of the Bridge

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