[Tango-L] Some thoughts on connection

[Jack Dylan]

> From: Pat Petronio petronio at adam.com.au

> "Leading" & "following" can create a different mindset to "inviting" & 
>"responding", > 

I'm uncomfortable with both of these terminologies. 'Leading and following' 
seems 

to imply that there's a concious lead by the man, which the lady recognises and 
then follows. But, in reality, both happen simultaneously and, with correct 
technique, 
are built-in to the dance. The man 'Inviting' seems to imply that the lady then 
has a 

choice to either accept or decline, which, surely, isn't the case. 

The simplest example is the walk. It seems that I merely walk forward, with my 
initial 

movement coming from the torso and the lady walks backward with her initial 
movement 

coming from her foot. But I don't feel any leading or inviting - we're simply 
walking together 

and, if I stop the movement of my torso, the lady stops the movement of her foot 
and waits 

for whatever comes next. Or am I being too simplistic?

A teacher once told me that there is no lead and follow; the man dances his 
dance and 

the lady accompanies him with her dance. This is assuming both know how to 
dance.

Jack