The embrace: tips for follower... or thoughts!
We need to talk about the embrace… So important in our dance!
When I started dancing tango I heard really often that I had a good embrace, and I realised that’s the most important in couple dancing: be comfortable. As well for followers than for leaders. A really good and technical partner which is not comfortable? Well, I will prefer to dance with that nice and comfy beginner!
But what is a good embrace? What is the secret?
Let's talk a bit about it...
The embrace is static (the position I have) and dynamic (how and when I move and come back). I am light but not weak. A follower needs to be reactive. With my embrace, I create a belt around my partner with my arms and my chest. My left arm rests on my partner’s back and slides when needed. I can be light because my back is at the same time flexible and straight, so not pulling to the back or falling to the left. Neck relaxed, cheek to cheek (or not!), looking to keep my chest parallel to my partner. My right hand is soft but reacting if needed. So. This is technique. And that was the main part of my dance before understanding there is something else: through my embrace I can share my feelings with my partner… and passion for the music and the dance. So if my partner thinks about something else or is not enjoying himself, I can notice it. And same for him!The embrace has to be alive. I can give confidence to my partner, by showing him that I am trusting him and that he can trust me!It's not just my arms, but that connection I am creating to fly on the dance floor… I feel like I am connecting my body but also my soul to my partner. So, would you like to dance?
