I am going to start with this:

THIS IS A LEADER’S TECHNIQUE EXERCISE

An EXERCISE that can help leaders, and dancers in general, connect the dots between posture and walking in Tango, and make their walks smoother and their posture a bit more human!

The most common mistake leaders make is that they tend to sepparate their bodies in even more blocks than the followers do.

What do we mean by that?
As we saw in our article: “Posture as a movement https://bautanz.com/2017/05/08/intelligent-tango-posture/Posture as a movement ” when we break our body’s movement in blocks, posture becomes uncomfortable and stiff. When we consciously try to connect the dots and understand how our body naturally moves more efficiently, we manage to get a posture that is a lot smoother and enjoyable.

What happens with leaders when they try to better their leader’s technique.?
They disconnect the movement in their upper body from the movement in the lower and that causes trouble..!
Leader’s technique through Youtube..!
What? Are you calling me a blasphemer?
haha

No no..It is not what you are thinking..!
Plus don’t tell me you never watch youtube tango videos…

I want you to see this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzxNKNTVxcAthis videos Juan Carlos Copes & Maria Nieves:  especially at 1:53. Notice how he leads her into that back step…
Watch it many many times and you will see that there is a simultaneous movement between his upper body and his lower body. And not a sequential or block-like motion of: Upper. Lower

Notice how he smoothly transitions from side step into a forward step.
Even if you practice just this in your leader’s technique practices or classes you will become much more aware of your movement, and therefore much more connected with your partner.

Because if you can’t lead yourself into a step how are you going to lead somebody else.
Leader’s Technique: How to lead anyone and firstly…Yourself!
If you can’t smoothly take yourself in a walk how can you lead somebody else?

If you watch that part of the video above closely enough you will notice that the primary part of the body directing Juan Carlos Copes’ movement is, the pelvis.
He starts moving the pelvis and takes the movement into the body and legs.
If you didn’t notice that, because it IS subtle, go back and watch the video again

How can you practice this, since it is so subtle?
The problem with subtle movements and especially subtle movements that our body is used to doing them automatically–like walking forward–is that the more you think about them, the more robotic and frustrated you get.

Instead of doing that we will exaggerate that subtle movement and notice how the whole body is participating, is supporting that movement.

So here is the video: Intelligent Tango: Leader’s technique: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDgqQzcP1J0

One second…what is that intro?
That intro is for your followers to understand that just giving feedback is not enough…
Giving good quality feedback–not necessarily positive– is much more helpful and a lot less frustrating.
It is also to show you leaders that you can’t depend on another person’s feedback. It is their interpretation of your lead.
Therefore, practice with a partner BUT at the same time have a few minutes of solo leader’s technique exercises, like this one, to be able to understand the movement in YOUR body and not through your partner’s interpretation.

Have fun!
Chrisa

P.S: I am sorry about the watermark, I have been
trying to see how camtasia works before purchasing it. The sound and picture seems quite good though right?

Story posted by: Chrisa Assis

About the author: Dance Teacher, Professional Dancer, Writer from Toronto

Published: 14 Jun 2017 @ 13:07

Last modified: 25 Mar 2019 @ 13:06