In this article everything is about embrace and connection in focus with detailed informations and hints for special problems and gives some simple exercises involving a weight change.
The Tango embrace is something very personal. Generally, we can say, we approach each other in the embrace sometimes for very different reasons.
1. Some see the necessary technical connection.
2. Others see an intimate way to approach the opposite gender.
3. Others again, see a connection from the heart to another person, with love, respect, and acceptance.
1. and 2. are conducted by ego.
Reasons from the materialistic world are driving us. We value the person we are going to embrace.
3. Is a very different connection, sourced by a higher intention, from the spiritual world.
All 3 aspects are entangled with each other and we are drifting between all of them.
Our aim in social tango is to reduce the materialistic aspects in favor of the spiritual ones.
Tango is the dance from the heart.
Excerpt of my tango meditation workshop.
Kindly find all details about my HOLISYIC TANGO RETREAT here
1.Posture and axis
First practice is, before we go into the embrace, to be aware about your own body.
Stand straight, all chacras in a line, nothing can block the flow of energies.
Keep your feet together and sense your weight.
Feel your weight in your heels, center and toes. Move your weight forward and backward.
Now discover your axis from side to side.
Weight change is the term, when we switch weight from one leg to the other.
Feel each position clearly and drop the weight over the free leg when your axis is on the right or the left.
Learn to feel and act with conciousness, where and when you put your weight.
2.The responsibilities for lead and follow in the new established unit of 2 individuals.
Leader: His responsibilities are:
- to lead the follower with confidence
- guiding her savely through the dance hall
- protecting her from other dancers to run into her.
- respecting and protecting her axis .
Follower: Her responsilbilities are
- to trust the leader
- totally let go of control and surrender
- follow well
- keep balance .
Their responsibilities in common are :
- respecting each other in their specific rol which is 50% 50% in the couple
- being there for each other in the present moment 100%
- to keep a soft embrace and connection
3.Embrace and connection in focus
Now we start to practice with a partner. We want to sense the embrace and connection.
Feel comfortable. Keep your posture in the same position like before . Nothing changes.
- Your weight is in your toes.
- Keep 10-15 cm distance between your feet.
Feel the weight of your partner on contact. No fear to be heavy.
To feel the weight is necessary to keep the connection.
- Avoid bending down or leaning back
- Think to grow through your crown
Make yourself tall, stretch out up and to the front. Feel comfortable.
Should you feel any stress about the closeness, try to relax.
Embrace your partner with universal love.
The love as a human to another another being, to a friend, a sibling, share the feeling of well-being.
If you feel shy or stressed, go individual again, check about your position.
Relax and try again until you get used to it.
It is just very common, that you feel awkward in the beginning.
No problem at all. Try again and again with different partners as well. Once you feel comfortable start to weight change.
4.The position of the arms:
Leader: Elbows pointing down, his right arm circles around the back of the lady, embracing her softly with his hand around her right shoulderblade, lift the left lower arm, his hand facing towards himself, waiting for the lady’s hand to search his .
Follower: Left arm reaches up high and slides softly around leaders back or neck. depending on the hight relation the couple has. Everything shall feel comfortable.
Try out what suits most, but keep the arm relaxed always. Try not to grap on your partner’s shoulder. Right hand faces away searching for the partners hand and rest softly.
Find the right connection. Keep the energy between your both chests always.
Balance your body in that way that you always feel this little pressure, not to loose not to strong.
Relax your head naturally. It might touch your partners cheek depending on yor hights.
Look forward not away from each other.
5.How to manage unpleasant hight differences:
Ideal hight relation between lead and follow is even ( lady wearing shoes ) or the leader is taller until max 15 cm .
Is the leader much taller, it is a little bit different for the lady to place her head.
Leader, do not bow down in order to touch your head with hers, that is not possible as you will loose your posture and axis. Keep straight upright posture, let her connect with your belly and chest. She will place her head effortless on your chest.
Is the leader much shorter then his follower, she as well will just stand straight as always, placing her arm relaxed at his back.
Ladies, avoid trying to make yourself shorter by lifting the shoulders . Keep everything the same.
Always put embrace and connection in focus, from here everything develops.
6.First Exercise involving a weight change
Continue from the weight change into an open step and back.
Glide with your toe over the floor and switch weight into the other leg by pushing into the standing leg.
Practice :
A)1 open step to the right with 2 weight changes and back and so on.
B)1 step to the front 1 weight change and back. Continue.
Combine A and B
More details to Tango Meditation you find here
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