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| YOU CAN DANCE STUDIO |
| CLASS NOTES |
| Back/Front Ochos |
| NOTES TO THE LEAD AND FOLLOW 1. I really appreciated and admired how hard everyone worked on the movement during class. Everyone, and I mean everyone, was doing great. 2. Settle in and know what foot your partner is on BEFORE you initiate your movements. 3. You will be on a different foot than your partner during the ocho....your weight will be on your left, your partner's on their right....this will change with each step. 4. Don't worry about getting the Back Ocho RIGHT, each week we will highlight a different part of it and by the end of the term you will have the movement just fine. Many, many movements in Argentine Tango come from the Back Ocho so we will be breaking this movement down into tiny digestible pieces. NOTES TO THE FOLLOW 1. Keep your feet on the ground at all times and take one step at a time. 2. When you take a step the foot on the ground and the leg attached to it bears all your weight. This is your "axis." Think of the Earth and its axis. The Earth spins on its axis. Your partner will turn you on your axis. Your other leg is your "free leg." 3. WAIT for your partner to turn you on your axis. This is done through frame. 4. You will be lead to (1) step backwards, (2) spin on your axis in a new direction, (3) step backwards, (4) spin on your axis in a new direction, etc.... 5. For this to work your shoulders, hips, and feet are all connected. For now, think of yourself as a stiff board. Later it will change, but for now it is a good starting place. The lead can control your feet this way. NOTES TO THE LEAD 1. Take your time, learn the FEEL of your partner's axis. 2. (1) Lead your partner to take a back step, STOP AND WAIT, (2) turn/pivot your partner on their axis in the direction of the next step, STOP AND WAIT, (3) Lead your partner to take a back step, STOP AND WAIT, and so, etc.. 3. Turn your shoulders in the direction you wish your partner to go. 4. Don't worry, we will be reviewing all of this every class GOOD JOB! |