[Tango-L] Creating a strong connection

[Virginia Nicholson]

Thank you everyone for your excellent advice re: creating a strong
connection. I loved the instant gratification of getting a bunch of
instant responses. It makes me feel like spending my entire workday
obsessing about the tango was actually quite the sensible investment.

I definitely think I will have to seek out private lessons to revisit
the basics. I also enjoyed hearing from followers - I think that
TangoMoments is right about focusing on all-too familiar flaws instead
of appreciating the opportunity to practice. And I am trying to build
up my core strength as Astrid suggested - so many of the best young
dancers have backgrounds in professional dance. At this point I can't
even touch my toes.

Keith wrote:
An excellent exercise to strengthen the connection is to practice with
the man's right arm behind his back, while the woman maintains her
normal  close embrace. This exercise really forces the couple to
concentrate on   the connection and, the first time you try it, you'll
probably realise just   how weak your connection really is. But the
exercise should bring about   a rapid improvement and make you both
feel a lot more confident and   comfortable in close embrace.

I should have mentioned in my first message that I have recently tried
that, and find it is the closest we've come to establishing a real
connection. I've been thinking that we should dance like that for a
good portion of our practices...strangely my partner's response to
that exercise is surprise at how much better I follow, and not that
there is a different electricity and deeper connection.

I also like the distinction Mash and others made between the two
facets of connection.
"One being the "action-reaction*" the couple has and the other quite
simply being the "emotional embrace" the couple has. Lets call that
"Connection."" Well said.

Virginia