The word itself, from a Tango perspective, typically has come to refer to an idea of balance, or sometimes one’s equilibrium. Usually when this word is used it’s used as a way to describe someone’s inability to be stable when walking or in a movement. Sometimes it refers to someone’s body position in relation to their partner. Sometimes, very infrequently, it’s used to communicate that someone is hanging, pulling, pushing, or using their embrace to stabilize themselves against their partner.
As you can clearly see, there’s a lot of confusion when using this word.
Tango Topics sees the usage of this word as a wholly inaccurate, imprecise, and a convoluted way of talking about these things.
Further still when talking about ‘axis’ in relation to the human body, your body has 9 Axes. Which one ? The assumption is the Longitudinal Axis is the one that we’re after. However, that axis changes with a few variables. Most notably which foot you’re standing on, as well as where you are in relationship to your partner. The closer you are to your partner it’s no longer a singular longitudinal axis, but rather a shared longitudinal axis that may be invoked or used, and depending on which foot that you’re on it will change as well. Axis isn’t what you think it is.
A better, more accurate way of talking about this stuff is to use the three words used above: 1.) Balance, 2.) Equilibrium, and 3.) Position. Like this >
“When we’re walking together, I am experiencing some balance issues coming from you”.
Or “When we’re in the line of dance, I have a concern about equilibrium between us…”
Or “Hmmm, I feel like we’re not in the right position with each other which is co-creating some equilibrium and or balance issues…what do you think ?”.