Practicing Tango Alone

[Salsera-danij]

Since I don't have a stationary bar, I guess I could use a wall to work on ochos.

Are there any techniques you guys have learned on how to practice Tango without a partner?

Thanks,
Danielle

 

[Tanguera]

You don't have a stationary bar, but I'm sure you have a kitchen! It's ok for practicing ochos. The wall works too. Try as soon as possible to practice ochos on your own, I mean with no support (no wall, no chair, etc.): this will improve your balance skills very quickly.

 

[Peaches]

For molinetes/giros, put something on the floor (preferably something unbreakable!) and giro around that. As a warning, based on personal stupidity, do not use the cats' food dish. (They become interested in what you're doing, get closer, see foodbowl, and the next thing you know you're sprawling across the floor when a cat got in the way of your back step.)

I've used a kitchen counter and a wall to practice ochos.

I practice crosses behind and crosses in front while standing and smoking.

 

[samina]

As a warning, based on personal stupidity, do not use the cats' food dish.

:uplaugh:

 

[bordertangoman]

(They become interested in what you're doing, get closer, see foodbowl, and the next thing you know you're sprawling across the floor when a cat got in the way of your back step.).

I used to practice tai chi with a cat draped round my neck
(follows nicely the moves " carry tiger to mountain" and "crane stands on one leg" " drape cat on shoulders")

I practice crosses behind and crosses in front while standing and smoking.

they must be some crosses if they cause smoking!

 

[Peaches]

:uplaugh:

Laugh it up, fuzzball. ;-)

 

[Peaches]

they must be some crosses if they cause smoking!

Baby, you've got no idea.

 

[samina]

Laugh it up, fuzzball. ;-)

was just practicing the AT sequence of my showdance in my kitchen.

no cat food dish involve...

 

[spectator]

I do ochos entirely free standing,with my hands on my head, it stops you 'pushing' to create the pivot, also a swivelling desk chair is good for giros as you can rest your hands on the back to get used to keeping your chest paralell with the lead.

 

[Steve Pastor]

from a 1-03-2006 post in a similar thread

Tango practice without a partner

Balance
Stand with feet together. (Good time to work on your posture, too.) Move your weight forwards and backwards. Learn to feel the place where your weight is over the balls of your feet. Be sure to keep your heels on the floor. You could try this exercise with shoes having different heel heights, too.
Weight Changes without moving your feet - Lengthen the unweighted leg into the floor to do the weight change. The weight should go to the inside of the weighted foot. Again, neither foot moves anywhere.

Walking for the woman
Moving leg and foot backwards from the hip, keeping your leg pretty much straight.
When you move backwards find the floor with your heel. Be sure to keep your torso at the same forward angle as when you were standing still.
Both of your feet should be together and on the floor after each step, but only one foot has all of your weight.
Be sure to practice taking one step at a time, and collecting.

Separation of torso and hips -
Turn torso to left and right.
Walk straight (backwards or forwards). Turn torso to the left while continuing to walk straight . Return torso to center. Turn torso to the right while continuing to walk straight backwards.

Ocho -
Start with both hands touching the wall about shoulder height.
One foot goes behind the other. Weight goes onto the inside border of the foot that went behind. "Collect" by moving the now unweighted foot to assume a normal stance .
Do this sequence without varying your distance from the wall or the pressure on your hands.
Practice the same as a forward ocho.
One foot goes in front of the other.
Try practicing either, but instead of the weight change, and step, control how much weight you put onto the foot you are stepping on, then reverse the motion.