Connection
For a biomechanical guide to sublime connection, see arch of connection and embrace.
Contra
(Disambiguation) Contra is used in two contexts. It is often used to teach walking. The contra walk is deprecated as it is often counterproductive. Similar to the term disassociation, contra is an instruction both imprecise and excessive. Arbitrary implementation of contra motion at the wrong point in the step weakens the body by causing internal rotation […]
Cross
Disambiguation Cross-system is deprecated in favor of trot-system. Some people use the term ‘front cross’ to refer to a front ocho or other situations where a front step presents crossed legs to the partner (and likewise ‘back cross’). To avoid confusion, we use ocho and describe crossed steps without pivot according to gait and track. We reserve […]
Giro
The word ‘giro’ in Castellano just means turn, which is pretty vague. If you take classes in Buenos Aires you will see all kinds of things referred to as turns. English speakers generally reserve the term ‘giro’ for sequences in which the partners are walking around one another on a circle. Note that a giro refers to progress […]
Molinete
The molinete is tango’s default method of walking lateral, by interleaving back and front steps with side steps. The pattern can start at any point. side-back-side-front … When the lateral walk is on a circle, it’s a giro. When the lateral walk is on a line, it’s molinete lineal.
Ocho cortado
Ocho cortado is a popular cross from side step with a distinctive 90-degree pivot. Procedure The partners pause momentarily in any side step. Then the Mark repositions the arch to trot-system, meaning that he transfers his weight to one foot and, instead of bringing the Revel with him to the mirrored foot, he directs the […]
Open
Open (disambiguation). This vague word is used in several ways: Open embrace = Along the continuum of possibilities of the embrace, open embrace might be understood as no contact between the partners’ chests. (The other end of the continuum is “close embrace”.) Open side of the embrace = the side of the embrace where we […]
Parallel
The term parallel is used in several ways. Walking in parallel system (deprecated) refers to walking on two or four tracks in pace-system. We reserve the term ‘parallel’ as it is used in contemporary ballet to describe the orientation of the hips and feet.
Tension
Tension (deprecated) is a vague term which is used to describe the gentle muscle contractions we need to keep our bodies connected (for example contraction of triceps muscle to keep the embrace taut) intense muscle contractions we need to support dramatic moves like rebvolcada and colgada excess habitual muscle contractions which block communication.. What is […]
Transition
If we are dancing tranquilly, with no acceleration or drama, we may relax the muscles between movements. But when we create an unusual change of direction or if we are dancing very fast or making very big or very slow movements, we use conservation of co-contraction to hold on to the power of one movement […]
Voleo
A voleo is a special effect in which the Revel’s projection is maximized into the air. Voleo = projection + power. The power comes from co-contraction. The mark creates co-contraction and the revel’s body mirrors it. There are several different shapes of voleos: Voleo circular: The voleo arcs in both horizontal and vertical planes. There are only two of these, […]
Wrap
A wrap (deprecated) is a front gancho.
