V: Resistance

13th October 2010

"They have to connect. Or else, we haven't learned a thing"

Introduction

I've noticed in the London scene, a few more followers adopting the "V" embrace. I'm not sure why this should be so, but as it's not something I'm particularly keen on, I thought I'd start a resistance movement :)

What is it?

Firstly, let's define what I mean by "V-embrace".

In the "V" embrace, the main body contact is made between the right side of the leader and the left side of the follower. The left side of the leader (and the right of the follower) is left more open.

So, if we were looking at a bird's eye view, the embrace shape would look something like this:

Note: the follower's hips and feet are still facing the partner - so the follower needs to be permanently dissociated for this to work.

Compare this with the "standard" close embrace, where both sides are in contact:

Hopefully that makes it clear as to what that shape of embrace is.

Why would you do it?

Well, there are a number of interesting movement-based possibilities available, plus some posture advantages

Movements

This positioning makes it easier to lead the follower into some movements; such as movements which involve the follower crossing. Ochos cortado, and of course the cross itself, are good examples.

Also, movements which involve the follower walking forward on her inside leg, or backward on her outside leg, are natural, as these involve movements which are aligned with the follower's natural positioning; she's pointing in the right direction already.

More space for face

If you look again at my wonderful diagrams above, you'll see that the follower in the V embrace has some more space for her face to move, compared to the close embrace. So, in V embrace, she can keep her head facing in the same direction as her upper body, rather than twisting her head around.

Aesthetics

The dissociation involved in the V embrace can create some more dramatic lines; and more of the dancer's bodies are shown by default. In addition, the follower has more flexibility as to the positioning of her left arm; she can drape more of it around her partner.

So, from a "visual" point of view, V embrace lends itself more readily to show tango movements.

Why would you not do it?

For the "con" side of things

Unnatural

We're constantly being told that Tango is "natural", or that it's "just walking". Of course, that's not true, especially for followers walking backwards. However, the base principle of the embrace - that it mimics a really close, intimate hug - seems reasonable to me.

But when you hug someone naturally, you don't tend to twist one side of your upper body away from them, do you? That doesn't seem very natural to me. Possibly I've been hugging the wrong people...

Difficult

Maintaining constant dissociation is difficult. Most followers are not able to do this until they reach a certain level - in my opinion, followers typically need at least a couple of years' experience before attempting it. Unfortunately, that part of the deal seems not to be communicated to them during classes...

One door opens, another closes

Whilst some moves are easier, by contrast other moves are, of course, more difficult.

Try leading your partner into a back ocho anti-clockwise in V embrace. It's not exactly a trivial exercise.

Conclusion

Academically, I'm not a fan of the V. It feels like it restricts my freedom of choice too much, and it feels artificial. I'm a social dancer, not a show dancer, so I'm not really worried about how it looks to others.

But that's not my main problem. My main problem is that most of the followers I dance with, who use this "V", push my left arm too hard. I think this is because they're using my arm to create the dissociation, rather than dissociating themselves using their own muscles.

But the problem is - this hurts. After several minutes of my arm being pushed back, constantly, I can really feel an ache in my shoulder, and I have to go and stretch it. And call me crazy, but I'd kind of not like to be hurt when I'm dancing tango.

So, ladies, if you're going to use the V embrace, please please please keep the right arm pressure as low as possible. And if you can't power your own dissociation, then don't use the V embrace, you're not ready for it.

~ David Bailey 13th October 2010

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