Past 2-3 months I was focusing on my research project and proposals, and was a little "out of shape" in dancing. Just having fun with social dancing once a week, with or without some wine,....which is fine. But to dance seriously, things like balance and posture were off. Your body is honest. It is the instrument for dancing. It shows either way, if you worked on it or not.
Still, Hugo was here. So I requested a performance class using a private lesson slot. It should be more interesting.
We cannot use lifts in milonga. But social Tango in milonga and Stage Tango are different games. To me, it is a limiting belief to reject moves simply because we cannot use them in milonga.
I'll see these new moves as a "seed". In many cases I need to sleep on a new move for me to be able to use it. Might as well plant the seed now. It would make a difference after some time.
The lesson started with basic warm up. Then proceeded to practice basic moves that are used for lifts, like twist-pivot, cross-legged positions, and rotation around axis.
In these lifts, follower's weight is supported by the lead. We need to be good at supporting, balancing, timing, preparing,...and all these come down to how good we can do these "basic moves".
Then we took a partner. After the hour, we took video for demo. We also took video of me for learning purpose. It was not difficult to feel which part I was weak at. It was showing, too. Hmm.
Comparing videos of Hugo's demo and my shaky practice, there has been many points noticed to work on. It was good.
I got to practice the basics, if I want to "grow the seed" and also if not want to waste the lesson fee.
To some extent, it's like practicing a "set play" in sports, like practicing free throw for basketball or serving for tennis. Once we get what to practice and have a good form in mind, then, quantity yields quality.
A friend of mine once said, "Tango is, like, ballet or something". Actually, it is true, especially for Stage tango. Tango is a traditional art with 100+ years of history.
The lesson was Sunday and now is Monday. Both my flanks sore. See, body is honest. I should start exercising in upcoming winter break.
