International Hugging Day, 1/21, is a thing because hugs are wonderfully healthy and should be sought out often. The tango embrace with a dancer is as deep and meaningful as embracing a best friend or close family member. Except, probably better if you are not used to really connecting. The body mechanics that we practice work within a close embrace, helping to walk in a manner that matches your partner. At the most basic level of tango the connection is genderless. It is about being human and embracing another human. And so, the embrace is between people, independent of gender and sexual orientation. This may be a growth opportunity for some who may feel distress being this close to another who is not a significant partner.
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Embraces are invited AND received. Either side of the embrace can choose an embrace that is more open than on-body. Personal comfort levels are real. Be respectful as dancers explore what to some will be a new practice.
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It’s good to practice how to find that close embrace. Sometimes partner A misses the cue that partner B gave if B is subtle. And subtle is good. Pulling in is bad. If you know you don’t want a close embrace, you can brace it open. But if you don’t communicate either way, you will probably not get it, depending on the dancer and how respectful they are of your agency. Meaning, a dancer should assume you know the basics of inviting a close embrace and accept your intentions without question or argument. (Agency (sociology): the capacity of individuals to act independently and to make their own free choices.)
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Embraces are dynamic. They feel alive in how close or relaxed they can be. Some movements require a looser embrace. Emotion is communicated through the embrace as much as changes of movement energy. An embrace can be drawn in and out like a breath. An embrace should not feel constrained. And an embrace should feel comfortable.
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Embraces are fluid and can change at any time. From either role, always be aware of your partner’s intentions to open, close, or end an embrace.
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“Thank You” is code for, “I am done”. Most often this is at the end of a tanda*. But, either partner has the responsibility to end a dance between songs, or within a song, if they feel they do not want to continue. No explanation is required, but often one is given. There are many reasons this may happen and it is best to not take it personally. Be gracious. (* Tanda: a group of 3-4 songs separated by a short, non-dance song called a cortina. Dancers are expected to dance a whole tanda unless there is reason to cut it short.)
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Body Mechanics Reminders
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Body should be aligned vertically along the sagittal plane, including neck and head, as best as possible.
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Shoulders should be slightly rounded, like you are hugging a cylinder, shoulder blades spreading slightly.
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Pelvis/Hips are “back” slightly (really, just kept under the shoulders) with glutes and quads engaged but not tense. Just like you stand up from a squat but before your pelvis moves past center.
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Think vertical-structure, rotational-freedom through the body.
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The tango close embrace can be one of the best parts of the dance, if you let it happen.
