Pronate – Supinate. (pron: proh-nayt)-(pron: sue-pi-nayt)According to Webster’s Dictionary the word ‘Pronate’ is an verb that means “to turn or hold the hand, foot, or limb so that the palm or sole faces downwards or inwards” while the verb ‘Supinate’ means “to turn or hold the hand, foot, or limb so that the palm or sole faces upwards or outwards”. Pronate comes from the latin word ‘Pronus’ meaning to lean forward, and Supinate comes from the latin word ‘Supinus’ meaning to lay backward.
Pronation (noun) is something that we don’t necessarily do in Tango by choice, but it does happen a fair amount in unconscious motion from one step to the next for either role.
Supination (noun) is something that we do a lot of with regards to Tango. This is the classic turn out of the foot for both roles, in forward, side, or back steps.
Usage. In the case of Pronation it is a telltale sign that the dancer (lead or follow) has an unconscious lack of control and precision in their motions between the steps (sometimes referred to as a ‘dangling’ foot) which also speaks to a lack of detailed work that the dancer must invoke at all points along a step, in their development. Failure to attend to this detail can result in you wondering why do not look ‘elegant’ in your movements. In the case of Supination mastery over this ability or more importantly the ability to even out the Supination with both feet, as well as control the rolling of the foot (on both feet in both linear and lateral directions) is required. Typically in Supination we tend to land on the outside of the heel and the 5th Metatarsal (the baby toe) and then roll to the 1st (the big toe). This motion generally creates an instability in forward steps (lead) and back steps (followers) and can result in what is commonly referred to as a ‘Dancers Break’.
Desirable ? Supination is the more desirable of the two states of foot/leg position as it can create (when employed properly) a nice visual line from one step to the next, while it can also set up desirable geometries from one step to the next. However it does have a downside, while engaging Supination, there is a desire to to cross the body’s natural meridian line, and while this is desirable in certain circumstances it can (and does) create an instability in the dancer as though they are walking on a tightrope. To be fair there is a reason why Supination is desirable, that it hides the ‘unsightly’ break or the space between the legs, thighs, knees, calves, and ankles. Employing Supination hides the line from a very specific angle – straight on, but not anywhere else.
The Tango Topics Opinion: Supination while the Follower may employ this walking technique backwards, and the lead forwards, the problem is that it creates an unstable and undesirable walking path for both lead and follower. The lead continually must step into and out of cross system to stay in front of the Follower’s walking path. As a result they’ll take one step outside partner continually to keep with the Follower’s walking step. Supination is great for the 15th row, if you’re performing. However, this is ‘Social’ Dancing, meaning that the only person you’re performing for is in your head. And nobody gives a damn. 😉 While we do want to be aware of visual lines and geometries that we create with our bodies and with our partners while in the construct of the dance, we do have to remind ourselves from time to time, that performing is not dancing, it’s acrobatics that don’t belong on a social dance floor, at all, ever! 😉 ymmv!