[Tango-L] Leading front ochos in close embrace

[Chris, UK]

This debate really does remind one why some here advise beginners not to 
read this list.

Take for example this total nonsense about ochos:

> Leading front ochos in close embrace IF the man knows how to move. 
> This is one of the few occasions he is moving backwards. The person 
> moving backwards has to get out of the way of the person coming 
> forward.

In no way does a woman's front ocho necessitate the man to move 
backwards, or to travel at all. The man may move backwards, 
side-to-side, stay put or even move forward.

The only front ocho that necessitates the man to move backward is a 
class teacher's textbook "front ocho" which, in the interests of being 
"easy-to-learn" (for which read easy-to-fake-teach), has been /defined/ 
to require the man to move backward.

> This isn't a posture problem; this is a movement problem.

And there's just the kind fallacy that such fakery generates.

Guys, try leading a forward ocho without travelling and you will 
discover it is ALL about posture, presence, centeredness and 
groundedness. Next to nothing about movement.

Do you recall the pitch hereabouts: "To dance tango you first must learn 
how to move"? Thing is, there are an infinite number of ways to move. 
And almost as many teachers who'd love you to pay them for workshops 
covering each and every one of them individually. Plus the videos too.

The truth is much simpler. To dance tango, you must first learn how to 
be still. There are very few ways to be still, but from them unfold all 
the infinite ways to move

For free.

Chris