New Poll!

I haven't been keeping up with polls lately, but a new poll is up.

The results of the last poll are in.  Only two people voted in the last poll, but to my surprise, both of them enjoyed International style more than American style.

I personally enjoy International more than Smooth, but I was convinced I was in the minority.  I guess perhaps not.

Please vote in the new poll!  It will make the results somewhat more interesting to look at!

Thanks,

-Aaron Mullen

The Importance of Line of Dance

Teacher, what is this important thing you speak of?  This line of dance?

Well, essentially Line of Dance is the proper direction to move around the dance floor on Standard and Smooth dances, as well as some of the Latin and Rhythm Dances which move.

Think of the dance floor almost as a two way street.  Everyone wants to move in the proper direction to avoid accidents.  Once you move in the opposite direction, you start running into people.

Here is a graphical representation of line of dance:

Line of Dance

The arrows indicate the direction in which we need to move around the floor, which is counter-clockwise.

At the areas on the end of the floor, we can move in two directions, while on the long sides we can only move one.  The sizes of these areas will vary with the size of the floor.

You are not allowed to cross any of the lines pictured unless there is an arrow pointing in its direction.  If you cross any of the lines without an arrow pointing at it, you are likely to cause a collision with another couple.

Pay attention to Line of Lance and the direction in which you are moving.  It will make the dancing experience much more pleasant for yourself and everyone around you.

-Aaron Mullen

The International Tango Difference

What is the difference between International Tango and all the other Standard dances?

Well, for starters, our movements are much sharper.  When we move, we want to move our feet relatively quickly.  Also, when executing a Link, which is essentially an opening to promenade, we whip our heads and bodies open very quickly, and stop in proper open/promenade position as quickly as we started.

But the difference I would like to focus on is how we use our knees in Tango.

As I have said before, in standard dances, we never want to get our knees completely straight.  The same is true with Tango, but Tango has one major difference.  There is no rise and fall in International Tango.  We remain with our legs bent as I demonstrate here, and we step without rising or lowering in the ankles or knees.

Often when we do two quicks in a row, we want to straighten the knees a bit.  If this happens, you will pop up.  So you'll end up looking like a piece of toast popping out of the toaster!  That definitely won't look good!.  Try your very best to focus on staying down in the parts of the Tango with two quicks, as it is relatively easy to stay down on slow steps.

So to reiterate.  Do not rise and fall in Tango!  It does not fit the character of the dance!

-Aaron Mullen