10 posts tagged “cruzada”

We did Cadena. This is the same move that we did several months ago. See "[Dance] Argentine Tango group class No. 5".

I found that I could initiate this move after Cruzada. I asked the teacher about it and he simplified the move I made. It goes like this:
1. Step to the left with the left foot.
2. Step forward with the right foot.
3. Step forward with the left foot. Signal the follower to do Cruzada.
4. Wait for the follower to finish Cruzada.
5. Step forward with the right foot to the follower's right. The follower steps backward with the right foot.
6. Step forward with the left foot and land behind the follower's right foot. The teacher said to land under the follower's right shoulder. The follower steps backward with the left foot.
7. Move the right foot forward and rotate the upper body to the left. Pivot on the left foot to the left once the right foot is next to the left foot. Then, step to the right with the right foot. Let the follower cross the right foot front of the left foot.
8. Step backward with the left foot. The follower steps forward with the left foot.
9. Cross the right foot in front of the left foot and pivot on the left foot to the left. The follower rotates to the left and steps to the right with the right foot.

After that, steps 6 to 9 can be repeated. Otherwise exit with the following steps:
10. Step forward with the left foot.
11. Step forward with the right foot.Signal the follower to do Cruzada.

About the previous class: [Dance] Argentine Tango group class No. 12

We did Cross Step Basic. The steps are as follows:
1. Step to the left with the left foot. Then close the right foot to the left foot and shift the weight to the right foot.
2. Step forward with the left foot.
3. Step forward with the right foot. Signal the follower to do Cruzada.
4. Wait for the follower to finish Cruzada.
5. Step forward with the left foot.
6. Step to the right with the right foot.
7. Close the left foot to the right foot.

The follower's steps are exactly the same as the usual basic. Only the leader has to do different steps.

We added a displacement move called Sacada to the Cross Step Basic. Steps 1 to 4 are the same. From step 5, Sacada goes like this:
5. Step the follower forward to the leader's right side. Once the follower steps, step the left foot forward in between the follower's feet and shift the weight to the left foot. Lead the follower into Front Ocho.
6. Step the follower forward across the leader to the leader's left side. Once the follower steps, step the right foot forward in between the follower's feet and shift the weight to the right foot. Lead the follower into Front Ocho.
7. Repeat step 5.
8. Repeat step 6. Then pivot on the right foot to the left.
9. Step forward with the left foot.
10. Step to the right with the right foot.
11. Close the left foot to the right foot.

We put a variation of Colgada between Cross Step Basic and Sacada. Colgada means "hang" and it refers to pulling connection. In this variation of Colgada, only the follower rotates and the leader moves around the follower without changing the distance from the follower. Steps 1 to 4 are the same as Cross Step Basic. This variation of Colgada then follows:
5. Step backward with the left foot.
6. Step backward with the right foot.
7. Step backward with the left foot. Don't move the right foot. Use the right hand to keep rotating the follower to the left until the follower's right foot touches the leader's right foot. This signals the end of this movement.
8. Step the follower forward to the leader's right side and lead the follower to Front Ocho.

After finishing Colgada, the leader can start Sacada. We also did another option called Empujada instead of Sacada. Empujada involves pushing each other's feet. We used our right feet in the routine. We started Empujada from the end of Sacada, step 7 above. It goes like this:
8: Maintain contact between the follower's right foot and the leader's right foot. The follower may try to lift the right foot to step over the leader's right foot. If this happens, the leader can raise the right foot and block the follower's right foot. The leader can also push the right foot to the left before the follower moves the right foot. The follower will notice that the leader doesn't want the follower to raise the right foot.
9. Release a little pressure from the right foot. Move backward diagonally to the right so that the follower moves forward to the left. The follower will push the leader's right foot using the right foot while the follower is moving forward.
10. Shift the weight to the right foot. and step backward diagonally to the right with the left foot.

Steps 9 and 10 can be repeated. To exit from this move after step 10, rotate the body to the left and move the follower across the leader to the left. Then, this can be continued to Sacada.

About the previous class: [Dance] Argentine Tango group class No. 11

We practiced Ocho. We started with a basic pattern. It goes like this:
1. Step to the left with the left foot.
2. Step forward with the right foot.
3. Step forward with the left foot. Signal the follower to do Cruzada.
4. Cross the right foot behind the left foot. Switch the weight to the right foot.
5. Do Lapiz counter-clockwise with the left foot and step backward with the left foot. Step the follower forward. Keeping the follower to the right side of the leader is easier.
6. Step backward with the right foot.
7. Step to the left with the left foot. This step can be rotated to the left. If rotating, the step should be smaller because the follower needs to move further than the leader.

The basic pattern can be repeated. However, step 7 is actually the beginning of the next set of the pattern. Therefore, the leader should start from step 2 once step 7 is performed.

For the second pattern, we added Ocho to the basic pattern. The leader exits to the left with this modified pattern. Step 1 to step 5 are the same as the basic pattern. Add Ocho at the end of step 5.
5+. After performing step 5 above, Ocho to the right.
6. Step backward with the right foot and Ocho to the left.
7. Step backward with the left foot and Ocho to the right.
8. Step backward with the right foot.
9. Step to the left with the left foot. This step can be rotated to the left. If rotating, the step should be smaller.

Again, start from step 2 after step 9 for the next iteration. Also steps 6 and 7 can be repeated or can be skipped.

The leader exits to the right with the final pattern. The steps are the same until step 6 of the second pattern.
6. Step backward with the right foot and Ocho to the left.
7. Step backward with the left foot and Ocho to the right.
8. Step backward with the right foot and Ocho to the left.
9. Step backward with the left foot.
10. Step to the right with the right foot while rotating to the right. This step should be small.
11. Step forward with the left foot.
12. Step forward with the right foot.
13. Step forward with the left foot. Signal the follower to do Cruzada.

This pattern ends right before Cruzada. This can be repeated from step 4. Also, steps 7 and 8 can be repeated or can be skipped.

While doing Ochos, the upper body should not rotate. Keep the upper body parallel to the partner. The dancers should rotate from the waist instead.
Also the leader doesn't need to rotate too much during Ochos. The leader should move backward almost on a straight line. And the follower can move back and forth across the straight line.

About the previous class: [Dance] Argentine Tango group class No. 9

We did Molinete. The steps are:
1. Step forward with the right foot. Squeeze the left foot to the right foot. Then pivot on the right foot to the right.
2. Step to the left with the left foot. Squeeze the right foot to the left foot. Then pivot on the left foot to the right.
3. Step backward with the right foot.
4. Step to the left with the left foot.

We used the footwork in a routine like this:
1. Step to the left with the left foot.
2. Step forward with the right foot.
3. Step forward with the left foot. Signal the follower to do Cruzada.
4. Don't move the feet. Wait for the follower to finish Cruzada.
5. (Beginning of Molinete) Make the follower step forward. Once the follower steps forward, step forward with the right foot and land behind the follower. Then pivot on the right foot to the right. Maintain "attention". (attention means that a dancer positions the center of the chest to the center of the partner's chest.)
6. Step to the left with the left foot. Squeeze the right foot to the left foot. Then pivot on the left foot to the right.
7. Rotate the hips to the right then step backward with the right foot. (This helps keep the partners close to each other.)
8. Step to the left with the left foot.

We did two endings. One was Ocho. I forgot the name of the other one. It goes like this:
1. When the follower steps back with the right foot during Molinete, the leader puts the right foot between the follower's feet.
2. The leader pops the right knee up, and the follower flicks the left foot.

After that, the leader can rotate the follower to the left. Or, the leader can step the follower forward.

About the previous class: [Dance] Argentine Tango group class No. 7

We did Giro (pronounce like "hero"). More specifically, "Giro to the right". The steps are:
1. Step to the left with the left foot.
2. Step forward with the right foot. The right foot should go around the follower and land behind the follower. Keep the center of the chest facing the follower's chest.
3. Pivot to the right on the right foot and step to the left with the left foot. Then pivot to the right on both feet.
4. Step backward with the right foot. The right foot should be in line with the left foot, so that the right foot won't block the follower.
5. Step backward with the left foot. Rotate the upper body to the right.
6. Pivot to the right on the left foot and step to the right with the right foot. The step should be small.
7. Step forward with the left foot, slightly to the left.
8. Step forward with the right foot.
9. Step forward with the left foot and lead to Cruzada.

An important note for the leader is that the leader should keep moving the follower in a straight line. That way the leader steps to the side at step 2 and step 7. There are several options in addition to doing Cruzada ending. They are Cadencia, Molinete or repeating steps from 2 through 8 after doing steps 1 through 8.

The steps of Cadencia are:
1. Step to the left with the left foot.
2. Step forward with the right foot.
3. Step forward with the left foot. (Need to "correct"?)
4. Step backward with the right foot.
5. Step to the left with the left foot. (Back to the beginning.)
This move can be rotated.

If another couple is in the way the following steps help in changing direction:
1. Step to the left with the left foot. (Shift the follower's weight to the right foot.)
2. Pivot to the left.
3. Step forward with the right foot. (This is the new direction.)

Here is how to do Back Ocho:
1. Step to the left with the left foot and close the right foot. Shift the weight to the right foot, but do not let the follower shift her weight. This is called double step.
2. Step forward with the left foot slightly to the left. She will start Back Ocho.
3. Step forward diagonally to the right with the right foot.
4. Step forward diagonally to the left with the left foot.
Steps 3 and 4 can be repeated.

About the previous class: [Dance] Argentine Tango group class No. 6

We did the basic steps and Cadencia at the beginning. For Cadencia, the leader steps forward with the left foot if the follower is in Cruzada. Then, the leader steps backward with the right foot, steps to the left with left foot and closes the right foot. If the leader wants to lead Cadencia before the follower crosses her feet (Cruzada), the leader shouldn't entirely shift his weight to the left foot. Otherwise, the follower may cross her feet. Cadencia can be rotated. It looks like a "Magic Left Turn".

We learned Molinete after that. The steps are:
1. Step forward with the right foot. Pivot on the right foot to the right. Close the left foot but do not shift the weight to it.
2. Step to the left with the left foot. Squeeze the right foot to the left foot and pivot on the left foot to the right.
3. Step backward with the right foot.
4. Step to the left with the left foot.

The routine was like this:
1. Step to the left with the left foot.
2. Step forward with the right foot.
3. Step forward with the left foot and cross the right foot behind the left foot.
4. Pivot on both feet to the right. The follower steps forward, side, back and side.
5. Keep rotating and let the follower step forward with the right foot. During steps 4 and 5, my bellybutton should be pointing at the follower.
6. Step forward with the right foot. The follower steps backward with the left foot.
7. Do 3 more forward steps starting with the left foot.

An option was added to the routine. The leader did Lapiz when the follower did the backward step in step 4. The Lapiz is a movement in which the dancer traces a circular motion on the floor with one foot while the weight is on the supporting foot. The leader used the right foot for Lapiz and kept rotating right after Lapiz. I think the follower did a "forward, side, back, side" pattern twice. The leader ended up with the same foot position as without Lapiz option. The rest is the same.

About last week's routine, the second step of Cadena is step to the right with the right foot while rotating to the left instead of stepping backward with the right foot. So, I should be able to shift my weight to my right foot on the second step.

About the previous class: [Dance] Argentine Tango group class No. 5

I returned to the Argentine Tango class at Starlite. We learned the following moves: Cadena ("chain"), Parada ("to stop"), Ocho and Resolución.

The leader's steps of Cadena are:
1. Step forward with the left foot.
2. Pivot on the left foot and rotate to the left (maintain scissors stance?). I should not shift my weight to the right foot, should I?
3. (Probably shift the weight to the right foot, then...) Step backward with the left foot.
4. Cross the right foot in front of the left foot and rotate to the left a little. Switch the weight to the right foot.

The leader can repeat the above steps. The leader begins with step 1 and the follower begins with step 3 at the same time. Then leader and follower perform subsequent steps accordingly.  As further explanation, after the follower completes step 4, she performs step 1 while the leader performs step 3.

There is an option on step 4. The dancer can do Boleo before switching his or her weight.

Prior to doing Cadena, the leader stepped to the left with the left foot, closed the right foot and shifted the weight to the right foot. And we did Cadena two times. Then. the leader did Parada with the left foot. We would use the right foot if we did Boleo.

After Boleo, we did one Ocho (forward). A follower's move, Media Luna, was taught. This is a follower's embellishment move. It is called Lustrada. The leaders should take time after Ocho, so the followers can do Media Luna. After that, the follower passed her left foot over the leader's left foot (Pasada?). Then, the leader pivoted on the left foot to the left and become parallel with the follower. We finished with Resolución.

About the previous class: [Dance] Argentine Tango group class No. 4

Here are the steps I learned at the Argentine Tango group class:
1. Move to the left with the left foot.
2. Move forward diagonally to the left with the right foot.
3. Move forward diagonally to the left with the left foot. Send the signal of the Cruzada.
4. Pause and send the follower out. She does the Cruzada. Change the hand position from the follower's waist to under the follower's armpit. This allows more distance between us.
5. Rotate the upper body to the right. The right shoulder needs to be pulled back, so that the follower can move forward. Then, move forward with the right foot and pivot on the right foot to the right (Ocho).
6. Rotate the upper body to the left. Make the follower move forward. Move forward with the left foot and pivot on the left foot to the left (Ocho).
7. Rotate the upper body to the right. Make the follower move forward. Move forward with the right foot and start pivoting on the right foot to the right.
8. Keep pivoting to the right and step to the side with the left foot. Split the weight on both feet, but don't kill the momentum of the rotation because the follower still needs to move to my right.
9. Rotate the upper body to the right. Shift the weight to the right foot?
10. Move the right hand to the follower’s waist. Rotate the follower to the left (Ocho for the follower?).
11. Move forward with the left foot.
12. Move forward with the right foot. Send the signal of the Cruzada.
13. Wait for the follower to finish the Cruzada. No weight change for the leader.
14. Do the Resolución.

About the previous class: [Dance] Argentine Tango group class No. 3

This week's Argentine Tango group class was a little bit difficult for me. At first, we started with the basic steps and modified them. Here are the steps:
1. Move backward with the right foot./Move the right foot backward. (It doesn’t have meaning of shifting the weight)
2. Move to the left with the left foot.
3. Move forward diagonally to the left with the right foot
4. Move forward diagonally to the left with the left foot. Send the signal of the Cruzada.
5. Rotate her to the right. Step to her outside with the right foot.
6. Rotate her to the left. Step to her outside with the left foot.
7. Move forward diagonally to the left with the right foot. Send the signal of the Cruzada.
8. Move forward with the left foot.
9. Move to the right with the right foot.
10. Squeeze the left foot to the right foot.

Today, at the beginning of the routine the leaders moved backward with their right feet. The next three steps, from step 2 to step 4, were the usual basic steps. One of the difficult parts was step 5. Usually, this step is squeezing the right foot to the left foot. A tip the teacher gave us was to rotate follower to the right before moving the right foot.
At first, I couldn't repeat the sequence. I shifted my weight to my left foot when I finished step 10. But, it didn’t seem easy for follow for the ladies. I asked the teacher about this and he said I can move backward with my left foot after step 10 and continue from the beginning. I practiced with several ladies and it worked most of the time.
By the way, the sequence of the last three steps, from step 8 to step 10, is called Resolución.

Then, we did the Boleo. The teacher said this is a move that deceives. At first, we did a simple sequence like this:
1. Move to the left with the left foot and rotate to the left to make the follower swivel to the left. Before she finishes her swivel, rotate her to the right.
2. Cross the right foot in front of the left foot.
3. Move to the left with the left foot.
4. Squeeze the right foot to the left foot.

In step 1, if I wait for her to complete her swivel she may step backward with her left foot (she is pivoting on her right foot), so I should reverse the rotation before she takes another step. This is the "deceiving" part.

After that, we did a combination of Boleo and Espejo. Here are the steps:
1. Move to the left with the left foot and squeeze the right foot to the left foot. Shift the weight to the right foot immediately.
2. Move forward with the left foot and rotate her to the right (Ocho to the back). Squeeze the right foot to the left foot without shifting the weight.
3. Move to the right with the right foot and rotate her to the left. Squeeze the left foot to the right foot without shifting the weight.
4. Move to the left with the left foot and rotate her to the right. Squeeze the right foot to the left foot without shifting the weight.
5. Move to the right with the right foot and rotate her to the left. Then, rotate her to the right (Boleo).
6. Squeeze the left foot to the right foot and shift the weight to the left foot. Cross the right foot in front of the left foot right after the weight is shifted.
7. Move to the left with the left foot.
8 Squeeze the right foot to the left foot.

Steps 3 and 4 can be repeated.

About the previous class: [Dance] Argentine Tango group class No. 2

I started going to an Argentine Tango group class at Starlite. At first, I was not sure how to lead the Cruzada. Cruzada means "crossed"; in this case, Cruzada refers to the position of the legs. I was not sure how my partner was supposed to physically feel when doing this move. The correct way of leading the Cruzada is when the follower's right foot touches the floor, the leader should push her with his right forearm toward the left. This "push" is actually a pulse instead of a continuous push. Also, my parm is on her back, so I can't use my hand to lead this move.
Then, we learned the Cadencia. The Cadencia seemed similar to the Tango Rocks in the American Tango. The teacher said we can put the Cadencia anytime, anywhere.
Tonight's routine went like this:
1. Move to the left with the left foot.
2. Move forward diagonally to the left with the right foot.
3. Move forward diagonally to the left with the left foot. The follower moves her right foot backward. When her right foot touches the floor, push her to the left with the right forearm.
4. Move the right foot close to the left foot. The follower crosses her left foot in front of her right foot. This is the Cruzada.
5. Pivot on the right foot to the left a little.
6. Move backward with the left foot.
7. Pivot on the left foot to the right. Now, the follower is on the left.
8. Move backward with the right foot.
9. Pivot on the right foot to the left.
There were two options from here:
10. Move forward with the left foot
11. Move to the right with the right foot.
12. Move the left foot close to the right foot.
Or:
10. Repeat from step 1.

A Guide to Tango Terminology