Tango in Sussex... Two: Saturday Classes

30th May 2011

Tango In Sussex One | Tango In Sussex Two

Introduction

After getting here and settling in, this entry will be a review of each class I attended - basically this is a set of my class notes, but hopefully it'll make sense to others as well as myself...

The notes here are for classes I attended on Saturday, 28th May, taught by Joel Daou and Alina Kolonitskaya.

The notes for the Sunday 29th classes will be in the next review.

Class: Milonga Lisa and Traspie

"We're very happy, as 40% of you did what we wanted you to do." ~ Joel

Date / Time: Saturday, 2pm - 3:30pm

Milonga Lisa

("Milonga Lisa" is a fancy term for "stepping on the strong beat")

We started out doing basic forwards and back steps:

  1. Forward on right
  2. Change weight
  3. Back on right
  4. Change weight
  5. Repeat).

We then added a sideways progression to this sequence, angling the "forward on right step" so that the man walked to the outside of the woman, and changing the weight changes into sidesteps, so creating a moving sequence - a bit like a grapevine.

We also did a variation of this sequence, rotating (clockwise) around.

Technique tips

  • Mark the beat precisely and clearly, no shuffling
  • Keep the feet together when collecting

Milonga Traspie

"You're carrying her like a bag" ~ Joel
"Ladies, let's be active and not be a bag" ~ Alina

("Milonga Traspie" is a fancy term for "stepping on the strong beat and the weak beat" - e.g. double-time)

We used the sequence from the Milonga Lisa section, and added a double-time change of weight in the "sidestep" portion of that sequence.

We did some QQS sequences to demonstrate the tempo changes, including a cross-in-front rebound pattern, but I won't attempt to document the sequence here.

Overall, the time went quickly, and I enjoyed the workshop.

Class: Volcadas / Colgadas

Teachers: Joel Daou and Alina Kolonitskaya

Date / Time: Saturday, 3:45pm - 5:15pm

Volcadas

We started with a "cross-rebound" sequence, which we would use as a basic structure for the workshop, as follows:

  1. Sidestep and forward on right (as for start of "Basic 8")
  2. Forward step on left, angled out.
  3. (The tricky bit) Pivot your partner CCW, then step back (diagonally) on left. The woman should bring her right foot forward, up behind her left foot, to create a cross (right foot crossed behind left, weight transferred to right foot).
  4. Man changes weight to right foot
  5. Man steps forward on left, woman uncrosses then steps back on left (i.e. in a crossed system)

This in itself is not a volcada in any shape or form; however, it does lend itself to creating a lovely volcada movement.

To create the volcada: if the man steps back further on the diagonal back step, then this will automatically bring the woman off her axis, leaning on the man (as she cannot move forwards from the cross, so she has to "fall over" onto her partner). The woman does the same steps as before, except that she's off her axis during the "cross... uncross" portion of the sequence.

So, the leader can easily vary the size and depth of the volcada, by varying the size of the diagonal back step.

Technique tips

  • The most important point I learnt in the entire weekend: Volcadas are safer, and cause less back strain, if they're "sideways" leans - that is, instead of leaning straight forward (thus creating pressure on both partners' backs), if the woman leans more on her left side, leaning onto the man's right side, then there's a lot more stability. Our bodies are much better at taking "side strain" than "forwards strain".
  • As an adjunct to this genuine lightbulb moment, it's a very good, practical reason for using the V embrace. As the V embrace is naturally "diagonal", a volcada movement in V makes much more sense.
  • Ladies: keep your centre high - project upwards by pushing down on the floor.

Colgadas

We spent some time on doing a colgada-based exercise, again to the side

  1. Man steps forward on left, woman steps sideways (i.e. you're perpendicular to each other)
  2. Man "lets the lady go" out to the side a little, taking her off her axis
  3. Man pivots chest CCW, woman steps forwards around the man (then going back on axis)

Technique tips

  • When leaning back, move your hips back only
  • Don't go back on your heels, as you won't be able to pivot that way
  • Between you, you're both aiming to create a concave shape, so you're close at the feet and the head, but far apart at the middle.

Conclusion

This was the first time I'd been to their classes, and as usual I'm wary of new teachers, who too often are all hype and no trousers, but I was very happy with the standard of teaching from them.

Both of Joel and Alina's classes were very much "does what it says on the tin". Which is a good thing :)

Both classes had good, solid, clear teaching, were well-structured and flowed nicely. They worked well together, and I learnt / re-learnt a lot of useful information from them. Definitely recommended.

I'll do my notes of the Sunday classes in the next review....

~ David Bailey, 30th May 2011