[Tango-L] cintura

[Deby Novitz]

Do not confuse the movement of the cintura (waist) with movement of the 
hips.  Cintura is what Geraldine rotates not hips.  This is also 
referred to as isolation of the upper body or disassociation.  The upper 
body stays in front of the man while the lower body through the waist 
not the hips rotates.

It takes years to develop cintura.  If you had ballet early in life and 
you are young and flexible enough you develop it.  Some women never 
develop cintura.  Some women think that it is the hips that move.  Keep 
your legs in place and rotate your upper body to the side as far as you 
can.  This is cintura.  (Without dancing or a partner)  In this position 
(when you are dancing) you can do a wide giro and various other 
movements.  Women who cannot disassociate move their hips.  It is not 
the same thing.  I know exactly what Janis was talking about.  These 
women have poor upper body posture,  they stick their butt out, and they 
move their hips. Feo, feo, feo. 

The upper body maintains good posture while the lower body carries the 
dance.  Watch elegant dancers such as Marcela Duran.  She disassociates 
her upper and lower body, she does not move her hips.  Swaying hips in 
tango is a no-no.  That is for after when invited for a cafecito.