Base leg
Most of the time we are standing on one leg, so base refers to the weight-bearing leg, and will be used in the singular throughout this section. Sometimes we are standing on both legs, in which case we are lucky to have double the resources, two base legs. Function: Connection We position the base leg into […]
Co-contraction
Co-contraction is a method of using our muscles to increase the power of our bodies. We use co-contraction for several things in tango. To intensify connection To create elasticity To put power into the Revel’s free leg, maximizing a projection What is co-contraction? Co-contraction is a biomechanical function of our muscles. Our muscles work in pairs. […]
Core
Core (deprecated) is a term exercise professionals use to refer to a group of muscles which work together to stabilize the body during movement. Since the complex of core muscles are very powerful, exercise physiologists have come to recommend that the core be activated first whenever we undertake movement. In this way, more vulnerable muscles […]
External rotation
Internal rotation (medial rotation) is rotation toward the center of the body. External rotation (lateral rotation) is rotation away from the center of the body. Base leg To be strong and stable, the base leg should always be in external rotation. When we are standing with weight on two feet, we have two base […]
Flex
Tango movements can be specified in terms of the position and action of joints and the contraction of muscles to stabilize them and create power. Our muscles flex and extend, support, and rotate our joints. If we understand motion in these terms, it’s easy to send the right instructions to our bodies, and to verify […]
Internal rotation
Internal rotation (medial rotation) is rotation toward the center of the body. External rotation (lateral rotation) is rotation away from the center of the body. Base leg To be strong and stable, the base leg should always be in external rotation. When we are standing with weight on two feet, we have two base legs. External rotation increases stability by […]
Obliques
Obliques Anatomy The Oblique muscles rotate the torso. Tango Shows intention lateral to the Mark. This is the muscle that drives all pivots for both partners.
Piriformis
Piriformis Anatomy The Piriformis muscles are in the muscle group of hip rotators. They externally rotate the femur. Tango Stabilizes the hip and holds external rotation of the base leg.
