[Tango-L] Forward Step By Lady

[Tony Rathburn]

Again, as with much of tango, the way we walk is a matter of style, a matter of choice, and in some cases functionality.

Extending your unweighted foot in any direction, and then transferring your weight over it, is one option.  I would argue that it is completely natural.  Aside from the fact that it is consistently how we teach followers to walk backwards, try a simple exercise.  Walk down a flight of stairs, or a hill, either forward or backward.

On a more practical basis, inside of tango, try a sacada or a dual axis turn, by extending your foot at the same time you are extending hers, and the transferring the weight of both the lead and the follower simultaneously.  Then, try doing it with the lead moving his COG at the same time he moves his foot, while the follower has only extended her foot.  If you can do the second, without taking your follower off axis, you may have invented something new...

That is not to say that the lead can not, or should not, move their COG and foot at the same time.  

Each has a different feel... to both the lead and the follower... and a different look...

Again, a matter of choice... and a matter of style... a wonderful thing about tango... and improvisation...


Alexis Wrote:  
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.
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