What do Jeff Goldblum and Quasimodo both have in common with dancing tango? Nothing! In fact, they are both prime examples of bad body mechanics when it comes to tango walking. Mr. Goldblum is known in Hollywood for nonchalantly thrusting his hips forward (skip to 1:22) when he walks and Quasimodo, well, do I really need to point out his posture problems? Keep their influence reserved in your tango notebook as the how-NOT-to guide to beginning tango walking as I explain a few pointers for you.
It’s the other Wednesday and that means a one and a half hour drive to Bowie for my bi-monthly tango lesson. The drive is depressing, but the fact that Allison won’t be joining me today saddens me slightly. However (yes, that conjunction means that my mood just changed), it also means that I get to focus on some of my problem areas since all eyes will be on me. I’ll cut right to the meat of what I learn in the wee hours of the morning inside a tango house in southern Maryland:
Problem 1: The Goldblum Effect
This morning, my walking is like a jumpy pulse instead of a smooth glide across the floor. When I engage in my tango embrace, my posture is either completely vertical or, at times, leaning slightly back. This poses a problem for the follower that causes her to lean forward at the waist. Worst-case scenario, her heels will lift off the ground and she’ll fall forward. This imbalance inevitably restricts any follower to properly and comfortably extend her legs back to walk. Furthermore, Jeff Goldblum’s signature walking style, having possessed my body, can lead to an arch in my back and a hollowing of the follower’s upper body (the inverse to my posture).
Problem 2: The Quasimodo Effect
The opposite of problem 1 is slumping forward in an attempt to correct your exaggerated arch. When this happens, it’s a surefire Kodak moment of two tango dancers impersonating America’s favorite hunch-back!
If, from here, the leader corrects his posture, but, once again, is more vertical instead of slightly pitched forward, he will bump knees with his partner as he walks.
The Solution:
As a leader, stand up straight making sure to position your head directly over your hips (as if pulling upward on a string that’s tied to the crown of your head). From there, soften the knees and pitch forward slightly from the ankles, not the waist. Your partner will duplicate this and help to create an A-frame posture that encourages balance and the proper amount of tension. Finally, check to make sure your chest is past your knees so your intention to walk forward is clearly understood by your partner.
Begin walking forward and, if you bump knees with your partner, that means you’re leading with your knees. Leading with your knees means that they are the first in line when you take a step forward. To correct that, switch your focus to your feet and use a flat heel to walk instead of jutting your knees forward with each step. With a flat heel, the toes of the trailing foot (the one behind your body that is about to step forward) paint the floor lightly as they sneak past the supporting leg then take a forward step. Try it now.
There are many different styles of walking so it’s easy to get caught up in imitating what someone suggests you should do. For that reason, seek neutral information that adheres to the principles of proper body mechanics so your lead is easy to understand. Then, and only then, should you attempt to style. For a great slow-motion video of what I’m describing here, visit Tango and Chaos (scroll to the very bottom of the page).
DISCLAIMER
The ideas and concepts expressed in this post are for the sole purpose of my personal tango education. Therefore, if these posts go against the tango theories and principles you follow, feel free to comment about them or ask for another opinion from a fellow student or teacher.
Keep dancing,
Panayiotis Pete Karabetis
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{ 7 tango-induced comments… read them, love them, and add your 2 cents! }
Posture-wise, standing straight (like string pulling head up) and then lifting rib cage up and slightly over your feet. (very slight… it’s like the side to side isolation move of ribs for salsa, but back to front, instead… is excellent for balance too!
Hey, thanks for the kind words on the Problogger post. I laughed when I saw this post. I’m a big lurpy giant who has been compared to both Jeff Goldblum and Quasimodo, so I may be the missing link that wrecks your theory that they have nothing in common:)
Take care friend.
Josh
In the words of Michelle from Full House, “You got it, dude!”
Love your site! Always thought the tango was the epitome of attraction. No words. Everything said in movement!
A really interesting tutorial about the Tango Walking. Thank you for posting.
Great site, how do I subscribe?
There’s a sign-up area under the logo in the upper-left corner