standard vs. latin

Just because the head is over the heels doesn't mean the weight is over the heels. The head and the upper back is "waaay back" only because it appears to be in relation to the torso and center which is forward. The center being forward creates a curve in the back of the lady (and actually the man should have the same curve as well) because both the hips and the head are over the heels. The center is forward because that is where the connection between partners is established and kept the whole time. Everything that happens in the body is designed to keep that connection intact by accomodating your body around it (hence why we do the CBM position so much, as Chris pointed out, quite correctly, etc.). That's why no part of the body in standard is ever really static except that connection between the centers of the couple which allows for the partners to move as one, to lead and to follow.
 
Nik said:
How would you explain the "V" shape 2 partners always want to achieve, or any shape where the girl leans waaaay back with her back and head, what and how is counterbalancing her? Where would you place "Your Head" in reference to the center point in our body? Its obviously not straight up or foward.
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Pretty much what Ithink said - your head might be over your heels, but your center of mass is going to be forwards towards your partner, and the center of pressure will be around the ball of the foot. If you put your center of mass over your heels, you'd pull your partner backwards on top of you, probably making her stumble over your knees.

There are some situations in which the man's weight will stay further back in the foot for a while - preparing to move forward in at least some interpreations of tango for example. And when moving backwards and releasing the toe, the entire body weight will be carried on the heel for a bit. But these consitute a minority of the time. And I mean a minority of the total time during which the heel is even on the floor, which is itself a minority of the overall time of dancing.

I'd also point out that, if you actually wanted to literally counterbalance your partner - which I think would be a bad idea (its far more symbolic than literal), then your center of foot pressure would have to be forwards of your center of mass. In other words, weight over the back part of the foot, but applying its pressure not to the heel but to the ball of foot.
 
Ithink said:
Just because the head is over the heels doesn't mean the weight is over the heels. The head and the upper back is "waaay back" only because it appears to be in relation to the torso and center which is forward. The center being forward creates a curve in the back of the lady (and actually the man should have the same curve as well) because both the hips and the head are over the heels. The center is forward because that is where the connection between partners is established and kept the whole time. Everything that happens in the body is designed to keep that connection intact by accomodating your body around it (hence why we do the CBM position so much, as Chris pointed out, quite correctly, etc.). That's why no part of the body in standard is ever really static except that connection between the centers of the couple which allows for the partners to move as one, to lead and to follow.
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Holy crap. Something regarding standard technique that actually made some degree of sense to me...
 
interesting... will pay attention to this today in lesson & ask.

at the last comp, i got off the floor and asked why my tango felt so heavy and pro said "heels... you're not over your heels so nothing can be sharp." and when i was like... oh, yeaaaaaah... his response was "dancing over heels... what a concept", because it's hardly something new that he's said.

if i put my center of mass over my heels without my butt & sternum lifted, i'd certainly pull my partner toward me, but if i stand with these elements lifted properly, i can feel the full weight on my heels and not disturb my partner. that's how it's seeming to me, anyway...

maybe it's an illusion, as fasc said...
 
Sam-- tango-- not a " swing " dance , so the comparison of weight division differs between it and the other dances . The " delay, will give an appearance of a longer static movement , if properly executed .
 
tangotime said:
Sam-- tango-- not a " swing " dance , so the comparison of weight division differs between it and the other dances . The " delay, will give an appearance of a longer static movement , if properly executed .
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If moving forwards, you will keep your weight at the back of the foot longer.

However, if moving backwards, creating the delay means keeping your weight in the front of the foot longer.
 
Ithink said:
Just because the head is over the heels doesn't mean the weight is over the heels. The head and the upper back is "waaay back" only because it appears to be in relation to the torso and center which is forward. The center being forward creates a curve in the back of the lady (and actually the man should have the same curve as well) because both the hips and the head are over the heels. The center is forward because that is where the connection between partners is established and kept the whole time. Everything that happens in the body is designed to keep that connection intact by accomodating your body around it (hence why we do the CBM position so much, as Chris pointed out, quite correctly, etc.). That's why no part of the body in standard is ever really static except that connection between the centers of the couple which allows for the partners to move as one, to lead and to follow.
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yes
 
ok..... saying your weight in standard should be over the heels is wrong. BUT, saying that your weight in standard is more over your heels than in Latin, like I said the first time is very accurate.

I don't want to keep arguing over the internet because for one, some of the things I say might not be understood, and two, everyone is taught differently. We are not talking about standard technique and posture, we are talking about the 2 styles in comparison, hence the name of the thread.

When I get ready for a standard comp, I set my arms, put my weight back more than it would be in latin while still remaining over the foot and go from there. For latin, I roll my shoulders foward and work my back muscles individually.

I hope this clarifies some things up and you should always do what you believe is right or what your teacher tells you. I'm not going to post on this subject any more.
 
I am sorry that you are feeling that it is contentious Nik...that is not the impression that I am getting....and I think your perspectives are valuable...though as you say, we may all just be touching different part of the same elephant so to speak
 
yes, i also didn't get a feeling of argument... just sharing perspectives. but i'm not into internet squabbling, so i understand how you feel, nik.
 
Likewise. I thought the thread had some interesting technique things. Granted, most of it goes over my head, but it's interesting nonetheless.
 
I think Nik’s view on the differences between Latin and standard is valuable. None of us here achieved anything near what Nik and his partner have achieved in both styles yet any way and most of us never will. (I know I will not.)
 
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