ArbeeNYC
Forum Master
Tried that once with a practice partner. It worked if we didn't move. It was simply too uncomfortable to put into practice.
The apilado equation
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ArbeeNYC
Forum Master
Ohhhh, no.
Perfect examples for apilado taken to its unhealthy extremes. Dance like this, and in a few years you will likely find yourself with permanently damaged disks in your lower back.
Overall, not natural apilado although he is partway there.
He is hip-hinging but otherwise far too stiff armed,
and doesn't know or understand the difference that
the way you step can make a huge contribution.
She is just horrid and contributing massively to the
rigidity of the couple. She has clamped herself to his
body, maybe this is her natural style but maybe that
it's to prevent the feeling of losing his chest as he steps,
a possible direct result of him heel leading.
And then we have her today's fashionable tango posture
with her anterior tilted pelvis. Oh dear! And . . . she
subscribes to the idea that the woman has to find space
for their feet (which should be the man's job) so she is
offset and sometimes leaning to work round his feet.
These two could actually be so much better.
opendoor
Forum Master
I can agree with your analysis (presumably our motivations may be different, you are still looking for the holy grail and I am looking for the perfect illusion).
In fact, we don't see a stylistically coherent performance. For me the video rather resembles a jack-and-gill situation in which neither of them wants to give in.
NO!
It's you who is looking for the mythical illusionary Holy Grail.
As for me, I'm more pragmatic, practical even.
Almost effortless connection is what I seek
and thus what is necessary to achieve that.
Dance Flow almost without thinking.
ArbeeNYC
Forum Master
Maybe I need to revisit my Tati videos for a deeper structural analysis of body movement. I don't love the way they hold their arms but sometimes it's difficult to tell from the outside how stiff or loose a couple is. His stepping: could be because he's wearing walking shoes. Looks like an impromptu spin around the dance floor.
opendoor
Forum Master
At least it was an attempt at self-criticism
ArbeeNYC
Forum Master
Let's try this one on for size. Quite different. So, aside from the volcadas, apilado or no apilado.
I find the position is similar to “wall planks”. Abs engaged and careful not to let your bum stick out or ducktail (very sore back will ensue). Of course I have a natural curve to my spine and a slight pelvic tilt so it still looks like I’m ducktailing!
Wall Planks eh!
That rather reminds me of my endeavours to find
a position, a connection and a posture which works
and doesn't necessitate rigidising the body.
Stressed beams don't dance well and they
cannot be free nor fluid.
Having said that we are all free to find our own way,
but i find that bending at the hip joint prepares and
grounds you for the embrace in a way no other lean does.
My best partners return the compliment and connection.
So it is worth experimenting with a partner who understands.
This dance is simple, it's the bodies and the people who are complex.
And one last point rarely touched on, high heels don't help.
Horrid! Starting with the non-dancing music.
Tango is not a dance to be watched but a dance
for the two people dancing together.
This is a performance yet again for an audience,
Cachirulo is not a normal milonga, it's a milonga
for show-offs.
Unfortunately Monica Paz has bad body posture,
and always looks as it she is hanging off her partner.
Wears high heels, heel leads, reverse bends
and has a butt emphasising anterior tilted pelvis.
I think that this is an important and all too often overlooked part of this - when we talk about technique we (usually) talk about something that is really a two person thing. To a large extent how any technique/the embrace works is less dependent on what i do with my own body, but on what (hopefully complimentary) things my partner does. One of my teachers used to say that to be a good dancer i have to stop thinking about what i do, and only think about what my partner does. To some extent it is the leader who is responsible for the followers posture and footwork, and the follower who is responsible for the leaders posture and footwork. This is for me one of the keys that makes a leader or follower intermediate - being able to take responsibility for the shape/geometry of the couple. First we learn how to not make things worse, but moving as couple is still more difficult than moving by ourselves. But the moment when moving as a couple becomes easier than moving by ourselves a whole different world opens up. When it doesn't matter which two feet are on the ground, but any two feet will do for the couple to be stable.
Actually when dancing normally, not with an exaggerated lean, the heels do help! They tilt the body forward slightly and help with maintaining the forwards intention at the chest while still allowing a little space at the feet. They also help with foot positioning during pivots (weight on front of foot behind toes not en pointe or in the heels). The right height varying widely from dancer to dancer depending on foot and ankle mobility, balance, length of foot etc. I’ve pretty much danced in every height heel (including just socks and even flip-flops) and generally find a lowish 7-7.5cm heel the most comfortable for tango.