My Biggest Failure

To Come So Far And Be So Close

Students progress at different rates. Some people pick up new movements with ease, while others have to work harder and put in more time to reach the same level of competence and fluidity. 

That said, the vast majority of students make steady progress over time when they show up and put in the effort. But occasionally we encounter a student who struggles to execute the simplest movements or grasp the most fundamental concepts.

These students are highly motivated. They want to learn. They want to make progress. They show up week after week and try as hard as they can. Unfortunately, sometimes they end up trying too hard. Their work ethic actually creates roadblocks to their progress.

One lady stands out in my memory. She was so nice, and she tried so hard. But she struggled simply because she wouldn't let herself relax and respond to the lead. She seemed to be convinced that she had to execute the steps and sequences actively. She wouldn't just relax and let the leader take her on a ride. 

I encouraged her constantly. I spent a lot of time with her in the class; I could see the other leaders becoming frustrated with her, and I didn't want her to feel their judgment. She felt badly enough already. I could see the disappointment and frustration in her face.

"Forget the step," I would tell her. 

"Just relax and move with me." 

"Go where the lead takes you." 

"Follow my shoulders."

"You have plenty of time. Just relax."

"Abandon the plan and just dance."

Eventually, after months of encouragement, my struggling student finally made a breakthrough. She finally relaxed and let herself respond to the lead. It was an amazing experience for both of us.

"You see?" I ask. "It's effortless."

"It is!" she replied enthusiastically.

You should have seen the look on her face. She was glowing. She did so well that evening that I asked her to dance with me for the closing demo of the class. Her transformation was amazing.

She came back the following week, and we shared several smooth, flowing dances together. She danced as though she was floating on a cloud. I was so happy for her.

The school closed for a couple of weeks during the holidays, and that closing was followed by a period of bad weather.I didn't see my student for while. When she returned a month or so later, she had reverted to her old habits. She struggled as though the breakthrough had never happened. 

I was confident that I could work with her and encourage her to get back on track. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, she returned only once more. I never saw her again after that.

I don't know what happened. Perhaps she grew weary of the frustration. Maybe someone criticized her. Maybe she simply decided that tango wasn't for her, that it was too challenging.

It broke my heart when I realized that she wasn't coming back. I wish that I could have inspired her to stick around for a little bit longer. She had her breakthrough, and it would have happened again with a bit more time and encouragement. 

But it wasn't to be. All of my encouragement and reassurance wasn't enough to inspire her to continue. It was my biggest failure as a teacher.

I always tried to understand each student's individual needs and provide them with personalized instruction. The students who stuck with me always made progress. I'm so proud to watch those students today. They dance beautifully.

But no one's breakthrough meant more to me than this one. This lady struggled so hard for so long. To watch her finally dance and flow in the moment. That was very, very special. I hope that she remembers those dances as fondly as I do.

Hers was a difficult journey. I sympathize if she just didn't want to work that hard anymore. But I hope that she'll give the tango another chance one day. Because I know that she can do it. 

¡Buena suerte amigos, y muchas gracias!

Daniel

Copyright © 2015 The Exploring Tango Blog

www.exploringtango.com

All Rights Reserved

   

Sloppy Tango 2 - The Waste of Haste

How Rushing Can Destroy Your Tango

"Take time for all things: great haste makes great waste." - Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin never saw a milonga, and that's too bad because he would have loved tango. He would have loved the boundless expressive and emotive qualities of the dance. He would have loved the geometry of the steps. He would have loved the passionate, brooding music. And, he so would have enjoyed sharing long, sultry nights in the embrace of lithe and capable women in Paris and his native Philadelphia.

Ah, Ben! What you missed, old friend!


Haste Makes Waste

As Franklin observed, bad things happen when we rush. Very bad things happen to our tango technique when we rush our movements. I'll explain why in a moment, but first a word of caution.

Rushing is an equal opportunity problem. I have seen experienced, skilled dancers at milongas make an absolute mockery of tango technique by rushing too quickly through steps. I'm sure that these people thought that their dancing was impressive, and in a way, it was: impressively hideous and brutally uncomfortable to watch.


The Four Stages Of A Movement

Every elemental movement (step, gancho, boleo, barrida, etc.) has four components.

1. Intention/Preparation - Preparing mentally and physically to move.

2. Initiation - The start of the movement.

3. Travel - The body of the movement where most of the distance is covered (if applicable).

4. Resolution - The conclusion of the movement where the dancers return to a neutral and (typically) balanced position.

If we take a forward step, we prepare to move, we initiate the movement, we move through space, and then we reach a point where we are balanced and our feet are collected.


Breakdown Of The Problem

Consider the Forward Ocho. You learned in your second or third Beginners' class and probably haven't thought much about since. The simplicity of the ocho sequence coupled with its dependence on pivots makes it susceptible to distortion by rushing.

The Forward Ocho sequence is a repeating pattern that consists of a forward step followed by a pivot. 

Note: The forward step of the ocho is very simple. It doesn't contain any sweeping, curling, or pivoting components or any boleo or planeo like adornments. It's just a simple forward cross step. (It's called a "Cross" step, because you're stepping across the line of your forward intention, but don't worry about that if you're unfamiliar with the term.)

As described above this simple forward step has four parts: intention, initiation, travel, and resolution.

What happens when we rush through an ocho? To be more precise, what happens if the leader begins to lead the pivot before the follower completes these four stages of her forward step?

It's simple. The follower is forced for pivot before her body is balanced on her axis. That result is that she is trying to pivot while she is leaning to the side. This is a difficult and uncomfortable movement to execute.


The Fix

The fix is simple. Don't lead the follower to pivot until she completes her forward step and arrives on her axis.

But, the difference is HUGE: a poised, controlled, flowing ocho versus a stumbling, tilting, uncomfortable off-balance mess.


Other Steps That Can Be Ruined by Rushing

The Molinete - The follower needs to have time to arrive on axis and bring her feet together cleanly before making her next movement, be it a pivot or a step.

Ganchos - Ganchos require proper timing and alignment. Either or both can be corrupted by rushing.

Boleos - Boleos are interrupted ochos, so the same off-axis problem applies. Also, the musical timing of the snap of the boleo movement will be off if either partner tries to rush the movement.

Paradas - The follower can trip if the parada is placed too early.

There are others, but you get the idea. 


Slow Down and Enjoy the Dance

Finish each movement completely and cleanly before moving on. When in doubt take more time rather than less. If you note stumbling in your dancing, check for situations where technique is being rushed.

Keep your technique clean. You'll be less sore and less tired at the end of the evening, your dancing will look better, and you'll have a lot more fun.

Until next time, keep what's important in mind.

¡Buena suerte amigos, y muchas gracias!

Daniel

Copyright © 2015 The Exploring Tango Blog

www.exploringtango.com

All Rights Reserved