[Tango-L] Forward Step By Lady

Alexis Cousein al at sgi.com
Fri Jan 8 05:35:58 EST 2010


Michael wrote:
> Jack:
> The person moving backward has to get out of the way of the person coming 
> forward. The person coming forward can't move until the person in front gets 
> out of the way. The person going backward reaches back with the free foot 
> WITHOUT moving the upper body. After the back step, the person can move the 
> torso backward over the free foot which now supports the person's weight.

Uhm - when we step, we do already move the COG before we step. It wouldn't work
if we were walking on needled stilts, but fortunately we have feet.

What you propose isn't walking. Try extending your foot backwards while not
moving the COG, and only then transfer weight. That's not natural
walking.

I disagree vehemently that the lead is dissociated and comes after the
foot moves to the back. The invitation to step is much earlier.

> It's ready-aim-step. The aim is the foot moving backward and the step is the 
> transfer of weight. The dance definition of step is to change weight.

I've found such a metaphor to invariably mess people up completely.
The aim is to move your torso (and that of your partner, which is
connected to it through the frame). The feet just happen to land
where necessary to support the COG.

You lead "desde el alma", and the rest follows.

Yes, it sounds hard, and it actually is (if you've ever done robotics
you'd know it). Fortunately, we're well equipped to do so, because
we're bipedal walkers. Trying to undo that useful programming is not
really going to be helpful.



More information about the Tango-L mailing list