Here are some tips for Argentine Tango Followers.
1. Focus on the leader’s upper body. You can tell a lot by watching the leader’s chest.
2. When to cross left over right. When the leader move to your right side and stays on your right side for the following two steps, it is traditional for the follower to cross left foot over right. (In the traditional 8-count basic, this would be steps 3, 4, and 5.)
When the leader pauses, he often wants you to cross left over right. Some leader’s also indicate the cross with a slight lifting action on your back.
3. When to cross left behind right. When the leader steps to his left (your right) and pauses, it is traditional for the follower to cross her left foot behind her right. This would be step #2 of the traditional 8-count basic. It is also effective for the follower to tap her left foot to the music while waiting for the leader to continue after pausing.
4. Reaching Back from the Hip. When stepping back the follower should reach back from her hip and straighten her leg. This helps her take big steps and make room for the leader. Beginning followers should generally lengthen their steps, while beginning leaders should shorten their steps.
5. Upper body lean. The follower should lean forward toward the leader. Advanced follower often dance chest-to-chest with the leader. When leaning forward the follower should be careful to stick her bottom out.
6. Avoid Being an Ocho Motor. Some followers, when dancing an ocho, will dance the ocho in their own rhythm (almost like a motor that is running) and will not follow the tempo indicated by the leader. This is particular true of experienced ballroom dancers who are not yet used to the rubato style used in Argentine tango. Watch the leader’s chest; the speed of the leader’s chest rotation sets the speed of your ochos.he wants you to do the ochos.
7. When the leader traps your foot. When the leader traps your foot, just pause and wait for a lead as to what to do next. Don’t withdraw your foot.
8. When the leader sweeps your foot. When the leader sweeps your foot, just let him do it, don’t move your foot yourself. Keep your foot close to the floor unless the leader lifts it.
9. Eye contact. If a leader catches your eye from across the room and holds eye contact, he is asking your to dance! Nod your head to accept the dance and when the leader moves in your direction, stand up and come to him! If you don’t want to dance with that leader, you can look down or away from the leader. [Note this is the approached used in Argentina and in some American milongas (tango dances). Being an old school American dancer, I prefer to directly ask for a lady's hand in a dance.]
Some Stereotypes about Dancing That Aren’t True.
So you think, you can not dance? You consider yourself too clumsy, old or overweight to dance. You feel awkward and shy to do public dancing. You think you don not have the sense of rhythm, or your coordination is too bad to perform passionate tango or vigorous salsa.
Believe it or not, but you are dancing right now! As you roll out of the bed to go and prepare your morning coffee, drive your car, walk down the street, or simply wave your hand, your body is constantly performing certain steps and motions. You may not know, but this is what dance is all about…moving your feet and body to the music of your heart. No matter what is your age, physical shape or previous dance experience, you can dance!
The music of your soul, your personality and gestures, those are the things that make a unique dance. The teachers of Imperial Ballroom Dance offer individual approach to every student, improving technique and rediscovering your personal dance style. Artem and Inna can teach you how to listen to your senses, to hear the beat and coordinate your movements. Keep your mind open, put your feet on the floor in the Imperial Ballroom Dance studio and professional teachers will dance you to the world of elegance and grace.
You like to watch dance shows on TV, but you think it is boring and tiresome to learn how to dance. You tried once but the enthusiasm of the first steps and eagerness to spend hours practicing in front of the mirror vanished, leaving dissatisfaction and muscle pain.
Mission of Imperial Ballroom Dance is to teach students think positive and make them feel comfortable on the dance floor.
At Imperial Ballroom Dance they believe that learning how to dance is fun. They try their best to make it an interesting journey to rediscover and enjoy your physical potential
Imperial Ballroom dancing masters have years of experience and their unique dance philosophy. Artem, Inna, Igor and Toni will be more than happy to share it with you. Just think about them as the magicians who can dance you gracefully into the secret world of meaningful motions.
You will learn the passionate language of dancing, if you master the art of coordinating your body and mind. This can bring you the power to change yourself. This can bring you the power to create unique acts of wordless self expression. This can bring you the power to dance!
You have a variety of dance styles to choose from: rumba, mambo, tango, quickstep, waltz, salsa. Dancing different styles is like living many lives. All times favourite irresistible tango. Some people call it dance of loneliness and passion. It is numerously portrayed in movies.
Following this wonderful discovery, you will understand what ballroom dancing is really about. It is like the sweetest dream, you never want to wake up from. When you waltz to the music of your heart, time stands still! Seize the moment, the miraculous poetry of motion is born.
Nobody can promise you results without training and practice. They will give you wings at Imperial Ballroom Dance, but it is you, who can make your body fly.
This post sounds a bit like a commercial. It might be better to tone it down a bit and not proclaim how great Imperial Ballroom Dance is. People respond better to posts that sound more natural.