Class notes & summary video from our 12/04 group classes. Theme: The art of sudden pauses!

A lot of dancers keep on going, step after step after step. It can be intimidating to sometimes pause - a bit like when a conversation suddenly goes quiet. However, it can very musical (and fun) to add sudden stops to your dancing. After all, tango music inspires many pauses. In this class, we worked to the music of D'Arienzo.

Theme: Changes of energy - Dancing on Pugliese
In this class, we looked at how we could express the dramatic style of orchestras like Pugliese, through changes of energy. We started with simple changes of weight for beginners and move into different caminatas and a dramatic cross for intermediates.

Theme: Forward Ochos & Overturned Ochos

With beginners, we worked on the basic ocho, focusing on the technique to lead a nice ocho and to follow, using dissociation. We then used a bit of creativity to vary the amplitude of the pivots, hence creating new steps. For intermediates, we worked on a step we call the deep ocho, with an overturned pivot.

We worked on a couple of options to manage turns elegantly. In this class, we saw some very cute and usable little steps. Que siga la milonga!

Class notes & summary video from our Wednesday 08/03 Beginner / Intermediate tango group classes before our Los Angelitos milonga. Theme: Rebounds and changes of front.