Abrazo - The Embrace

[Subliminal]

Let's see... I guess my default is apilado, with the option to open up into elastic-open if the mood is right. For the most part I was taught square close embrace, but I will switch into a V for some volcadas and calecitas if it makes them more comfortable for that partner, and only for that movement. I will do the close embrace without weight sharing, but usually only if the follower I'm with shies away from apilado.

(I'm really not sure what the VU embrace is supposed to be. By btm's definition, I think my first teacher taught something like that but instead of the almost-close embrace, she preferred apilado with the option to open up. She never would have called it VU though. She wasn't born in that neighborhood. heh.)

My goal is to be able to dance with everyone, so I try not to restrict myself.

 

[Zoopsia59]

I only do one style, and I call it apilado.

I only do one style and I call it tango

 

[opendoor]

Any and all. Whatever it takes to make the dance comfortable and to make it work.

me too

 

[Zoopsia59]

Well to put the cat among the pigeons what do you do?

Is this Schrodinger's cat or some other cat?
Because we already decided that if it's S's. cat, there is no VU...
or maybe there is...
we can't know...
so can we dance it?

 

[Subliminal]

I only do one style and I call it tango

OH SNAP.


(Can I change my answer?)

 

[Zoopsia59]

Parallel and upright: (seems to be popular in the upper northwest US). The teachers I get these lessons from always tell me to bring my ribs back since they don't like any weight towards the partner and I have to remind myself to do that since my tendency is for the above one, not this one.

I've been getting told that recently too. What's annoying is that my posture and connection was considered fine until the last year or so, and now I'm supposed to change it to something else with the new rash of teachers coming to town. The teachers and the fans of that style don't say it's another style to add... they correct my posture as though it's wrong.

I find this parallel, upright, very close but no chest pressure embrace quite awkward and disconnected. (its the close but not touching part that bothers me... why not either open or close?.. why hover just an inch or so away from your partner?)

 

[Zoopsia59]

I think it's to talk about Argentine tango. A lot of people seem to think the embrace is an important part of tango.

yeah, well... what do they know...

 

[dchester]

I've been getting told that recently too. What's annoying is that my posture and connection was considered fine until the last year or so, and now I'm supposed to change it to something else with the new rash of teachers coming to town. The teachers and the fans of that style don't say it's another style to add... they correct my posture as though it's wrong.

I find this parallel, upright, very close but no chest pressure embrace quite awkward and disconnected. (its the close but not touching part that bothers me... why not either open or close?.. why hover just an inch or so away from your partner?)

When you get a chance, let me know who these teachers are (so I can stay away from them).

 

[Zoopsia59]

When you get a chance, let me know who these teachers are (so I can stay away from them).

Recently I heard a teacher here who does nuevo (quite well, I should add) say that there is another way to do many moves (ie: more milonguero) but it is not the "current" way. The teacher seemed to be discouraging students from even learning it. I thought that very sad.

 

[bordertangoman]

When you get a chance, let me know who these teachers are (so I can stay away from them).

i thought you were going to mention 'swimming with the fishes' lol

 

[dchester]

Recently I heard a teacher here who does nuevo (quite well, I should add) say that there is another way to do many moves (ie: more milonguero) but it is not the "current" way. The teacher seemed to be discouraging students from even learning it. I thought that very sad.

Tis a shame. I have nothing against nuevo, as long as there's enough room, (and you don't like to embrace people). It can be visually pleasing, although for my tastes no more so than Estilo Villa Urquiza.

I'm just glad that there are still places (mostly the bigger cities in the US) where close embrace is still fashionable.

 

[Subliminal]

Hmm. Maybe you guys are on to something... I had a private lesson last year with one of my favorite visiting couples, and while they didn't tell me what I was doing was wrong, they highly suggested that by being less "forward" I would have better control of my balance, and give the follower more freedom of movement. I noted it, then ignored it. I believe they were absolutely correct, but part of apilado is giving up some freedom for more connection.

Maybe it is a growing fad... balance and control over forward presence.

 

[dchester]

Maybe it is a growing fad... balance and control over forward presence.

More about the steps, and less about the embrace.

 

[dchester]

i thought you were going to mention 'swimming with the fishes' lol

I'd never say anything like that (at least not on a public forum).

 

[AndaBien]

... but part of apilado is giving up some freedom for more connection.
Maybe it is a growing fad... balance and control over forward presence.

We used to have a pretty good apilado community here, but it has been diminishing in size and quality for several years. There are fewer teachers who teach it, and some who do are more interested in apilado footwork than apilado connection.

Such is life.