[Tango-L] the dreaded back step

[Tango22]

> From: Sergey Kazachenko ............
> I am looking for an answer to why is the basic step taught with the
> back step and can't think of any reason other than "tradition".
> Why shouldn't we remove the back step and make a 7-count basic?
>
> Another thing that always puzzled me is the way ochos atr?s are taught
> - usually in the static position, with 180-degree turns.

Why start with counting 'steps" at all.  Here is an insight from  
Jaoquin Amenabar (www,jaoquinamenabar.com) - "Counting" is a left  
brain activity; "Dancing" (to music) is a right brain activity.  They  
are not compatible.
The 8CB is, in my experience, the worst possible way to start new  
beginners. It causes them to lock into a lot of bad habits and fails  
to teach them how to move their bodies.  I prefer, as a basic  
technique exercise to teach a simple square walk - side, forward (2),  
side, back(2).  It contains all the essential walking technique from  
which everything else may be developed.   It also helps beginners to  
start with a compact, simple, but effective, dance.

You are right about ochos.  It is common to practice them in sequence,  
but important for teachers to demonstrate variations in width and to  
explain that, at the milonga, less is more.
Cheers,
John