basics – Tango Topics

Walking Turns

Miles Tangos — Sun, 09 Jul 2017 12:16:48 +0000

What is a Walking Turn ? In it's simplest form, it is exactly what it sounds like, a turn where the Lead is walking in a very tight circle with their Follower. However, note the operative words there 'simplest form'. Meaning or implying that there are is a level of complexity to this turn. And that's putting it mildly. The Walking Turn has some tricks up its sleeve. Meaning that you can quite easily augment it with the 6 ways of walking to change it and/or spice it up a bit. The real trick of the turn is that it can be done in close or open embrace, with any partner, regardless of style and yes, it can work within the line AND lane of dance.

The Follower’s Exercise

Miles Tangos — Sat, 18 Jan 2025 09:29:37 +0000

One Follower's Exercise to RULE THEM ALL! ;-) This is the proverbial game-changer of an exercise. It looks insanely simple, but that's about where things stop. This bugger will drive you nuts! Nuts in a good way. It will force clarity, perception, precision, control, containment...and a host of other things. Check it out.

The Lead’s Exercise

Miles Tangos — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 11:27:35 +0000

One Lead's Exercise to RULE THEM ALL! ;-) This is the proverbial game-changer of an exercise. It looks insanely simple, but that's about where things stop. This bugger will drive you nuts! Nuts in a good way. It will force clarity, perception, precision, control, containment...and a host of other things. Check it out.

8 Tips To Desirable Tango

Miles Tangos — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 12:07:34 +0000

So how do you get to the effortlessness of the dancers above ? Below are 8 tips towards that goal. It is not the only pathway, and this by no means is an exhaustive list of what has to happen, but it is a good starting point. When reading through these points there is something that you absolutely must keep in mind, that you must not forget. Most of these points (except the musical one) come from a place of self-honestly.

The Ballet Rise

Miles Tangos — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 13:45:20 +0000

Let's dispense with a few misnomers right out of the gate. 1.) Balance is not the same thing as Stability. 2.) Balance is a component of Stability. 3.) Your stability is generated via 3 very different mechanisms that are all connect via your nervous system. And so that we're clear on this one, one of them is not your 'core', and anyone that tells you different is either lying through their eye-teeth, or doesn't understand anatomy and physiology of the human body. Truth be told, your 'core' muscles have absolutely nothing to do with stability. Nada. Zip. Zero.

The Golden Nugget

Miles Tangos — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 16:58:18 +0000

The Golden Nugget is a Tango Topics construct, and is quite possibly the one tango pattern that you will ever need to know to dance tango. Put another way it's a piece of Tango vocabulary (a pattern) that works in all 3 dances, is highly extensible (meaning it can be modified endlessly), extremely adornable (meaning you can adorn it), and is insanely musical!

Intention Based Dancing

Miles Tangos — Mon, 30 May 2016 16:52:07 +0000

What is Intention Based Dancing? In its simplest form 'Intention' is really about not using pressure, tension, or force, with one's arms, or hands in any way, shape, or form to communicate an idea, a thought, or a movement. But rather the idea of 'Intention' is to intend to do something. To propose, to invite, to advice, to guide, to profer...these are all statements that we, as dancers, are asking our Partners to engage X.

Nine Common Tango Habits

Miles Tangos — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 12:52:37 +0000

There are 9 Tango Habits that we want to address going forward. This article shows you what they are and what other options you can invoke to change those habits. You must register to see the full video though. :-) It's free and painless and besides, you might learn something....

Social Collection

Miles Tangos — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 14:00:14 +0000

“Collection”, this is an odd word in the Tango world. It has come to mean that we, as dancers, want to bring our feet ‘together’ in some fashion. Some people refer to this idea or concept as “closing” your feet. Meaning to close the gap that naturally exists between them from a standing position where […]

The 5 Point Guide to Private Lessons

Miles Tangos — Fri, 29 Mar 2019 19:55:59 +0000

How do you take a private lesson ? Easy. With this 5 Step Plan. It's all about having a plan, then working the plan....hahaha. No. It's far more than that. It's about ... well, read the article to find out.