[Tango-L] Women's role

[ceverett@ceverett.com]

On Thu, 26 Jul 2007 12:54:22 -0400, "tangosmith at cox.net"
<tangosmith at cox.net> said:
> Best thread in many moons!
> 
> Usually we see the comments on the great leading ability of Argentine
> men,
> which is generally attributed to either being immersed in the music for
> many years and/or being products of the Latin machismo culture.  But
> considering this discussion, could it also be the impact of years dancing
> with Argentine women?  
> In my view, the characteristics described here about good tangueras
> (i.e., awareness of their considerable feminine power, understanding 
> their role in the embrace and dance), are generally embodied by
> Argentine women.  (In my experience, anyone who considers them weak
>  or as prey would do so at considerable risk!).   

It's taken me about 6 months to understand why my teacher Florencia 
felt so heavy and reluctant to move at milongas.  She wanted me to 
lead her onto her heel at the conclusion of every step, before 
going on.  To do that, I have to get my center all the way out over 
the ball of my foot.  Otherwise her core is extended towards me, 
but she's being let to step backwards in opposition to that.  And 
she's so honest in her dance she does what she's being led to do 
in that situation, instead of cheating to accommodate me.

I used to mistake that heaviness (some call it compression) for a 
sense of connection.  For beginner men, that heaviness does lend 
some confidence, but but at some point a guy has to move beyond 
that, or he remains trapped in the beginner phase, never learning 
the body control followers who are lighter on their feet demand,
and with his center always behind his metatarsals.
 
> There is often discussion of the impact that a leader has on the
> follower.  How much can it work the other way around?  Would it be 
> surprising for a leader who has the opportunity to dance regularly
> with the kind of great followers described here to be a better
> leader for it?

Oh absolutely.  Great followers are those that I find myself doing 
things I didn't know I could do with.

Christopher