Saturday, March 23, 2013

Argentine Tango Best Practices - 3. Axis

Tip The Bartender, Not Your Partner

I wanted to write about the embrace next - I really did! - but I need to touch first on the topic of axis.

What are people talking about when they refer to your axis?

The axis is an imaginary line that goes from the top of your head, down through the center of your body, to a point between your feet.

If you are standing erect, your axis is almost perfectly vertical or perpendicular to the floor.  People would refer to the way that you are standing in this position as "being on axis."  Gravity works on our body along the axis line, which makes it easy to stand up by ourselves.

If you are lying on a flat bed, your axis is almost perfectly horizontal.

Two dancers who lean into each other and balance on each other to the degree that they could not stand that way by themselves - a position that's common in some, but not all, styles of tango - have an axis that deviates from the vertical by some degree.  I'll say more about this angular axis shortly.

Disregarding for a moment volcadas, colgadas, and dancers who lean on each, most of Argentine tango is danced "on axis".  If your partner steps away from you while you're dancing a forward ocho, you won't fall flat on your face.  Your body is supporting its own weight along your vertical axis.

What if one of those deep leaning couples does a forward ocho?  I would counter that it's not really a forward ocho but rather a set of off axis forward crosses.  (I would argue that it's not a volcada either, as volcadas require that the follower's non-standing leg hangs freely rather than making unassisted crossing movements.)

That said, the deep leaning tango couples are using a controlled axis regardless of the step that they are performing.  The angle and direction of tilt is not random.  The follower leans forward toward the leader, but she doesn't lean to the side at the same time, or it would be very difficult to hold her, let alone lead her.

Time for a definition...

Dan's Theory of Tango Axis: When we dance tango, we are either on axis (vertical axis) or we allow our axis to be tilted in a specific, non-random direction to a specific degree.


Why Is Axis Important?

Axis is important because it impacts our balance, our ability to execute movements smoothly and without undo effort, and it impacts the level of comfort (or discomfort) that we feel with our partners.

It's important to understand axis because sometimes our axis is compromised while dancing.  The compromise often stems from a lack of awareness.


Compromising Our Own Axis

Sometimes we compromise our own axis.  We begin to add a component of lean (often to the side) in an attempt to give more space to our partner.  When we struggle with a particular step or position, we compensate by twisting ourselves up like a human pretzel.

This compensatory tipping causes problems and should be avoided meticulously.  In order to avoid a bad habit, it's important to realize that we're doing it.

Always be aware of your axis.  If you intend to lean, do so at the proper angle for your partner and style.  Otherwise, make certain that you are "on axis," vertical, and balanced at all times.


Compromising Our Partner's Axis

It's very common to have our axis compromised by a partner, typically when their embrace is too stiff or too active.  The leader's left (open side) hand can knock the follower off balance.  The follower's left (closed side) arm or hand can connect too inflexibly with the leader's body and knock him off axis.


A Classic Faux Pax

I see this every so often, and it makes me cringe to the point where I can't even watch the couple.  Ochos, that simple pattern that we learned as beginners, can become a hideous, torturous nightmare when the axis of the person doing the ochos (typically the follower) becomes compromised.

If the leader attempts to pivot the follower before she completes her forward or backward step, the result is that she pivots while leaning to the side.  This looks bad aesthetically, and it can cause harm to her body.

Pivoting someone one while they are leaning sideways is tantamount to cruel and unusual punishment, and as a result, I believe that it has officially been outlawed in the United States. ;-)


Regaining Control

Axis is a critical component of proper tango technique regardless of whether the axis is vertical or maintained at a controlled angle.

Anything that compromises our or our partner's axis makes the dance physically much more challenging.

Be aware of your axis at all times.  Is it where you want it to be?  Are you letting it become compromised?

Be aware of your partner's axis as well.  Whether you lead or follow, be sensitive to the fact that your embrace could be knocking your partner off balance.  Keep your arms relaxed, let them adapt freely to different positions, and leaders please, never, ever, ever lead with your arms.  Ever!



¡Buena suerte amigos, y muchas gracias!
Daniel


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1 comment:

  1. Words of wisdom! When I wobble I lead poorly. When my partner wobbles, sometimes I'm the cause of it, all the time she uses me to stabilize herself. Often I don't even notice her little push on my right arm and think it is me...which it always is.

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