Movement Technique. Body Mechanics

Watch this video before starting your learning. Ivan and Sara's lessons program is a well put together whole, comprised of all the collections you'll find on Tangomeet. For best results, we strongly recommend you don't skip collections or lessons. Buckle up! Enjoy this marvelous ride! And get ready to wow your past, present and future dance partners :)

Our posture is the starting point of our dance. It sketches out the parameters of movement possibilities, its limitations and efficiencies (or inefficiencies). Posture and balance are intimately connected. In this video, Ivan and Sara share their secrets for posture and balance for a dance without limits.

In order to dance we need two major things - energy and direction. Pushing the ground creates energy, and articulating our ankles generates (among other things :)) direction for movement of the body. Learn these principles of movement, and apply them everywhere in your dance! Your movement will be more clear, more controlled and more aesthetic.

Ivan and Sara begin to talk about the difference between technique and style in this video dedicated to the natural coordination of the forward walk. What are the important moments of the walk? What is the relationship of the axis, the free leg and the standing leg? Watch the video and find out!

Walking backward always seems like such a difficult challenge, for both leaders and followers. In this video Ivan and Sara break down techniques that will help you keep your balance, connection and coordination as you gracefully glide backwards on the dance floor.

Most of tango movement happens in rotated geometries - this is why understanding how forward and backward rotated steps work is so important… If we consider that the only time we have linear movement is when we walk in parallel system in front of each other or do side steps in front of each other in a line, we begin to understand the importance of rotations for our dance. In this video Sara and Ivan break down the body mechanic of a forward rotated step for better body mechanic of each individual dancer, and better geometry of the couple!

When we link forward rotated steps we need to make certain adjustments with our most important articulations - feet, ankles and hips. Conceptualizing pivots as changes of direction of the walk rather than as something separate from the step allows us to be faster, more efficient and more balanced in our movements.

If we struggle with back walking in a line, then making back steps in a rotation can seem insurmountably difficult. However, if we understand that our body mechanic is half the battle, then this challenge is easily overcome with practice. Learn how to create the body position for back rotations that will keep you balanced and in control!

There is nothing scary about back ochos! If we connect, in a proper way, backward rotated steps, we can always be in our axis, in control of the movement and powering ourselves through all the positions. Starting from more linear to more lateral, learn how to ocho like a pro!

Despite their great importance, especially in turns, side steps generally do not get the emphasis or love they deserve. Understanding the correct body mechanic for linear and rotated side steps will change your dance – it is one of the most important, and most overlooked technical points!

Making it all work together!! How we put together forward, side and back step really matters because it affects how we move with our partner – and even more so if we are turning around them! This video is all about making spaces for our bodies to make beautiful and comfortable tango together.

For those who really want to improve their dance, just taking classes and going to the milonga is often not enough. Because dancing involves moving our bodies in a way that we do not do in our daily lives, we have to exercise! Ivan and Sara show some simple exercises to help you out of your habits, and into better tango!

For those who really want to improve their dance, just taking classes and going to the milonga is often not enough. Because dancing involves moving our bodies in a way that we do not do in our daily lives, we have to exercise! Ivan and Sara show some simple exercises to help you out of your habits, and into better tango!

Correctly coordinating body movement allows us to have more energy, a better body mechanic, and eventually, a better geometry with our partner. In this video we show you some exercises that will help you find the timing and path of the free leg in a natural walk, the position of the body during the walk, as well as the landing in axis.

Correctly coordinating body movement allows us to have more energy, a better body mechanic, and eventually, a better geometry with our partner. In this video we show you some exercises that will help you find the timing and path of the free leg in a natural walk, the position of the body during the walk, as well as the landing in axis

Understanding spiral body positions will help us have a consistent body mechanic in forward, back and side rotated steps. This video will show you how to work on creating spirals in your spine, as well as through the lower body for that effortless turn.

We all wish that our pivots and turns were just as smooth, connected and effortless as the linear walks. Well, don’t despair! By doing the exercises in this video you will gain strength and control over your pivots – and since most of tango is circular, this will improve the quality of your dance overall! 

Side steps, in line and rotated… Often times these seemingly simple movements can cause us the most grief, and we might not even know it! Learn how to truly move sideways using the power of your standing leg, and then practice curving the side-step… And watch your dance become more circular and connected!

For wonderful smooth turns, practice these exercises. There is really nothing more to say.