21 posts tagged “ocho”

In the beginner class, we did the following routine:
1-5. Perform Basic Steps from 1 to 5.
6. The leader faces the Line Of Dance. Step forward with the left foot.
&. Pivot on the left foot to the left about 90 degrees. Keep the follower's orientation to the leader the same while pivoting. Face the center of the room.
7. Step to the right with the right foot.
8. Correct the left foot and shift the weight to the left foot.
9 (= 1). Step backward with the right foot to the right and start rotating to the left.
&. Pivot on the right foot to the left.
10 (= 2). Take a little backward step with the left foot. Pivot on the left foot to the left until the leader faces the Line Of Dance.
11-16 (= 3-8). Perform Basic Steps 3 to 8.

We also did the following routine:
1. Step backward with the right foot.
2. Step to the left with the left foot.
&. Correct the right foot and shift the weight to the right foot. Rotate the upper body to the left to lead the follower into Back Ocho (to the left).
3. Step forward with the left foot to the follower's right to step the follower backward (left foot).
&. Correct the right foot. Rotate the upper body to the right to lead the follower into Back Ocho (to the right).
4. Step forward with the right foot to the follower's left to step the follower backward (right foot).
&. Correct the left foot. Rotate the upper body to the left to lead the follower into Back Ocho (to the left).
5. Step forward with the left foot to the follower's right to step the follower backward (left foot).
&. Correct the right foot. Rotate the upper body to the right to pivot the follower to the right.
6. Step to the right with the right foot to step the follower backward (right foot). Correct the left foot.
7. Step to the left with the left foot to step the follower forward (left foot).
8. Pivot the follower on their left foot to the left (Planeo). Correct the right foot.
9. Step forward with the left foot (Basic Step 6).
10. Step to the right with the right foot (Basic Step 7).
11. Correct the left foot (Basic Step 8).

See the video of the performance by the teachers:

In the advanced class, we did the following routine:
1. Step backward with the right foot.
2. Step to the left with the left foot.
3. Step forward with the right foot to step the follower backward (left foot).
&. Correct the left foot and shift the weight to the left foot to lead the follower to shift their weight (to their right foot).
4. Step backward with the right foot to step the follower forward (left foot).
5. Step to the left with the left foot to step the follower to the right (right foot).
6-7. Perform steps 3 to 4.
8. Step to the left with the left foot to step the follower to the right (right foot). Move the right foot to touch the inside of the follower's right foot.
9. Rotate the upper body to the left to lead the follower into Boleo (the follower pivots on their right foot to the left).
&. Unwind the rotation a little, then rotate the upper body to the left again to lead the follower into the 2nd Boleo.
10. Unwind the rotation to pivot the follower to the right. Continue to pivot the follower to lead into Amague.
11. Pivot the follower on their right foot to the left.
12. Step the follower backward (left foot). Step forward with the left foot and perform Sacada with the follower's right foot.
&. Pivot on the left foot to the left.
12. Step backward with the right foot to step the follower forward (right foot).

See the video of the performance by the teachers:

About the previous class: [Dance] Nora's Argentine Tango No.34

In the beginner's class, we did the following routine:
1. Step backward with the right foot.
2. Step to the left with the left foot. This step can be smaller than step 2 of the usual Basic Steps. Close the right foot to the left foot and shift the weight to the right foot.
3. Rotate the hips to the left. Step forward with the left foot to the left side of the follower.
4. Close the right foot to the left foot, pivot on the left foot to the left and step to the right with the right foot.
5. "Lift" the follower? Pivot on the right foot to the left and step backward with the left foot. This backward step should not change the distance between the dancers because the follower pivots counterclockwise on their right foot while the leader is stepping backward (Calisita). The follower extends their left foot forward while they are pivoting (Planeo).
6. Step backward with the right foot to pivot the follower.
8. Step backward with the left foot to pivot the follower.
9. Step backward with the right foot to pivot the follower.
10. Close the left foot to the right foot and keep pivoting the follower until the follower faces the leader.
11. Step forward with the left foot to step the follower backward (right foot).
12. Step forward with the right foot to step the follower backward (left foot).
13. Move the left foot forward to cross the follower's feet.
14. Step forward with the left foot (Basic Step 6).

See the video of the performance by the teachers:

We did the following routine in the advanced class:
1. Step backward with the right foot.
2. Step to the left with the left foot. Close the right foot to the left foot and shift the weight to the right foot.
3. Rotate the follower to the left a little. Step to the left with the left foot to move the follower backward (left foot). Squeeze the right foot to the left foot.
4. Pivot the follower on their left foot to the right (Back Ocho). Step to the right with the right foot to step the follower backward (right foot). Squeeze the left foot to the right foot.
6. Pivot the follower on their right foot to the left. Step forward with the left foot to move the follower backward (left foot).
7. Squeeze the right foot to the left foot. Pivot the follower on their left foot to the right. Step the follower backward. Start performing Rulo.
8. Step the follower to the left (left foot).
9. Step the follower forward (right foot). Catch the follower's left foot with the leader's right foot and raise their foot.
10. Return the follower's left foot to the floor and catch the follower's right foot with the leader's right foot and push the follower's right foot to their left foot.
11. Shift the follower's weight to their right foot. Rotate the follower to the right. Shift the weight to the right foot and lead the follower into Gancho.

See the video of the performance by the teachers:

About the previous class: [Dance] Nora's Argentine Tango No.17

In the beginner's class, we did the following routine:
1-5. The same as the Basic steps.
6. Rotate the body to the left to unlock the follower's crossed feet.
7. Step backward with the left foot. Squeeze the right foot to the left foot without shifting the weight. Lead the follower into Ocho.
8. Step forward with the right foot. Squeeze the left foot to the right foot without shifting the weight. Lead the follower into Ocho.
9. Step backward with the left foot. Bend the left knee and squeeze the right knee to the left knee. Pivot on the left foot to the right until the right ankle touches the follower's feet. Lead the follower into Ocho (Parada).
10. Rotate the body to the left so that the follower steps over the leader's right foot. Then rotate the follower to the left. The dancers face each other.

We modified the routine from step 9. It goes like this:
9. Step backward with the left foot. Squeeze the right foot to the left foot without shifting the weight. Lead the follower into Ocho.
10. Step the follower forward and lead the follower into Ocho (the follower pivots on their left foot to the left). At the same time, step to the right slightly forward with the right foot in between the follower's feet and shift the weight to the right foot (Sacada). Pivot on the right foot to the left. The dancers face each other.

We did the following routine in the advanced class:
1-4. The same as the Basic steps.
5. Hook the right foot behind the left foot. Rotate the body to the left to unlock the follower's crossed feet.
6. Step backward with the right foot slightly to the right. Move the follower forward so that their right foot steps in front of the leader's right foot. Pivot on the right foot to the left once the follower shifts their weight to the right foot and pivot the follower on their right foot to the left. Squeeze the left foot to the right foot without shifting the weight.
7. Step forward with the left foot. Step the follower backward (left foot). Pivot on the left foot to the right once the follower shifts their weight to the left foot and pivot the follower on their left foot to the right. Squeeze the right foot to the left foot without shifting the weight.
8. Step the follower backward (right foot). Step forward with the right foot and land in between the follower's feet (Sacada). The dancers face the Line Of Dance.
9. Step the follower forward (left foot). Pivot on the right foot to the right and step to the left with the left foot and land in front of the follower's left foot.
10. Pivot on the left foot to the right. Pivot the follower to the right on their left foot. Step to the right with the right foot. Point the right toe to the right. Step the follower backward (right foot).
11. Shift the weight completely onto the right foot. Start rotating the body to the right. Pivot the follower to the left on their right foot and step the follower to the left (left foot) (this looks like Contra Molinete).
12. Step the follower forward (right foot). Step forward with the left foot in between the follower's feet (Sacada). Rotate the follower to the right on their right foot (the follower's rotation is about 270 degrees). The dancers face the Line Of Dance.
13. Step forward with the right foot. Step the follower forward (left foot).
14. Pivot the follower to the left on their left foot and step the follower backward (right foot). Step forward with the left foot.

See the video of the performance by the teachers.

About the previous class: [Dance] Nora's Argentine Tango No.14

We did an accelerated move and Traspié with Ocho.
The accelerated move goes like this:
1. (S) Step backward with the right foot.
2. (S) Step to the left with the left foot.
3. (S) Step forward with the right foot.
4. (Q) Step forward with the left foot.
5. (Q) Close the right foot to the left foot and shift the weight.
6. (S) Step forward with the left foot
7. (S) Step to the right with the right foot.
8. (S) Close the left foot to the right foot and shift the weight.

S: Slow
Q: Quick

We did Traspié with Ocho before and the move is the same. See blog entry titled "[Dance] Nora's Argentine Tango No.6"

One of the teachers, Ed, told me how to lead Molinete. The steps go like this:
0. Shift the weight to the left foot.
&. Pivot on the left foot to the left. Use the right forearm to rotate the follower to the right. The dancers face the same wall. Put the right foot forward. Don't shift the weight yet.
1. Move the follower forward using the right arm. After that the right arm should be relaxed to give the follower some room to move.
2. Open the left shoulder to the left. Move the follower to the left.
&. Shift the weight to the right foot. Start pivoting to the left.
3. Pivot on both feet to the left. Keep the weight on the right foot. Sweep the left foot to the left, then squeeze the left foot to the right foot. No weight change necessary.
4. Push the left foot forward in between the follower's feet and touch the follower's left heel. Lead the follower into Ocho (counterclockwise).

For the follower, the steps go like this:
0. Shift the weight to the right foot.
&. Pivot on the right foot to the right.
1. Step forward with the left foot. Then pivot on the left foot to the left.
2. Step to the right with the right foot. Then pivot on the right foot to the left.
3. Step backward with the left foot.
&. Step to the right with the right foot.
4. Step forward with the left foot.

Then, the move can finish like this:
5. Open the right shoulder to the right. The follower steps over the leader's left foot.
6. Shift the weight to the left foot while pivoting on the left foot to the right. The dancers face each other.
7. Close the right foot to the left foot and shift the weight to the right foot.
8. Finish with the Resolución.

About the previous class: [Dance] Nora's Argentine Tango No.10

We did Ocho with a variation for the leader. The steps go like this (steps from 1 to 5 are the same as the basic):
6. Rotate the upper body to the left a little so that the follower can unlock the follower's crossed feet.
7. Step backward with the left foot. Lead the follower into Ocho (clockwise). Pivot on the left foot to the right and twist the right foot to the right. Then touch the follower's feet with the outside of the right ankle. The left knee can be bent.
8. Wait for the follower to complete the move. Rotate the upper body to the left. The follower will step over the leader's right foot. Shift the weight to the right foot.
9. Finish with Resolución.

In Milonga, we did the basic steps. They go like this:
1. Step to the left with the left foot.
2. Cross the right foot in front of the left foot.
3. Step to the left with the left foot.
4. Close the right foot to the left foot.

I learned how to rotate with the following steps:
1. Step to the left with the left foot.
2. Cross the right foot in front of the left foot.
3. Step forward with the left foot.
4. Pivot on the left foot to the left and step to the right with the right foot.
5. Step backward with the left foot.
6. Step backward with the right foot.
7. Pivot on the right foot to the left and step to the left with the left foot.
8. Pivot on the left foot to the left and step forward with the right foot.

The teacher mentioned that I should always move down the line if I want to rotate.

About the previous class: [Dance] Nora's Argentine Tango No.9

We did Cadencia and Giro. The routine with Cadencia goes like this:
1. Step to the left with the left foot.
2. Step forward with the right foot. Do not shift the weight to the right foot completely.
3. Shift the weight to the left foot.
4. Shift the weight to the right foot.
5. Step forward with the left foot.
6. Close the right foot to the left foot.
7. Step forward with the left foot.
8. Step to the right with the right foot.
9. Close the left foot to the right foot.

Cadencia consists of steps 2 to 4 above.

The routine with Giro 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. Start rotating to the left.
4. Pivot on the left foot to the left and step to the right with the right foot. Keep pivoting on both feet to the left if necessary.
5. Step backward with the left foot.
6. Step backward with the right foot slightly to the right.
7. Pivot on the right foot to the left and step to the left with the left foot. This step is small. Prepare to slow down for the next step.
8. Step forward with the right foot. Do not shift the weight to the right foot completely. This is the beginning of Cadencia.
9. Shift the weight to the left foot. Move the follower forward. Rotate the upper body to the right and lead the follower into Ocho.
10. Shift the weight to the right foot. Move the follower forward. Rotate the upper body to the left and lead the follower into Ocho.
11. Step forward with the left foot.
12. Step to the right with the right foot.
13 Close the left foot to the right foot.

On step 9, if the upper body rotation is performed while the follower is still moving forward, the follower will perform side step instead of Ocho. So, finish moving the follower forward, then lead the follower into Ocho.

About the previous class: [Dance] Argentine Tango group class No. 20

We did Ocho, Sacada and Contra Molinete. Steps 1 to 5 are the same as the basic steps. The routine from step 6 for Ocho goes like this:
6. Rotate the body to the left.
7. Step backward with the left foot. Squeeze the right foot to the left foot.
8. Lead the follower into Ocho (clockwise).
9. Step forward with the right foot. Squeeze the left foot to the right foot.
10. Lead the follower into Ocho (counterclockwise).
11. Step forward with the left foot.
12. Step to the right with the right foot.
13. Close the left foot to the right foot.

Next, we did Sacada and Contra Molinete instead of Ocho. The routine from step 6 goes like this:
6. Rotate the body to the left.
7. Step backward with the left foot. Squeeze the right foot to the left foot.
8. Pivot on the left foot to the right. Step forward with the right foot in between the follower's feet (Sacada).
9. Pivot on the right foot to the right and step forward with the left foot outside (to the right) of the follower.
10. Rotate the upper body to the right and rotate the right foot along with the upper body. Step on the right foot. The follower performs Molinete. Keep rotating the upper body to the right.
11. Unwind the rotation.
12. Step forward with the left foot.
13. Step to the right with the right foot.
14. Close the left foot to the right foot.

About the previous class: [Dance] Nora's Argentine Tango No.7

We did Ocho. The routine 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. Hook the right foot behind the left foot.
5. Rotate the body to the left a little. Then, step to the right with the right foot to move the follower forward. Lead the follower into Ocho (clockwise). Squeeze the left foot to the right foot without shifting the weight.
6. Step to the left with the left foot to move the follower forward. Lead the follower into Ocho (counterclockwise). Squeeze the right foot to the left foot without shifting the weight.
7. Step to the right with the right foot to move the follower forward. Lead the follower into Ocho (clockwise). Squeeze the left foot to the right foot. Shift the weight to the left foot (Double Step).
8. Step forward with the right foot diagonally to the left. Move the follower forward and rotate the follower to the left.
9. Finish with Resolución.

We changed the routine from step 7. The modified routine goes like this:
7. Step to the right with the right foot to move the follower forward. Lead the follower into Ocho (clockwise). Squeeze the left foot to the right foot without shifting the weight.
8. Step to the left with the left foot. Step the follower forward. Squeeze the right foot to the left foot without shifting the weight.
9. Step to the right with the right foot. Move the follower backward. Squeeze the left foot to the right foot without shifting the weight.
10. Step to the left with the left foot. Move the follower forward. Squeeze the right foot to the left foot without shifting the weight.
11. Step to the right with the right foot to move the follower backward. Lead the follower into Back Ocho (counterclockwise). Squeeze the left foot to the right foot without shifting the weight.
12. Step to the left with the left foot to move the follower backward. Lead the follower into Back Ocho (clockwise). Squeeze the left foot to the right foot without shifting the weight.
13. Step to the right with the right foot to move the follower backward. Lead the follower into Back Ocho (counterclockwise). Squeeze the left foot to the right foot. Shift the weight to the left foot (Double Step).
14. Step forward with the right foot.
15. Finish with Resolución.

Steps 8 and 9 are optional. Back Ocho can be started right after step 7.
I think that I can lead the follower into Molinete from step 14.

About the previous class: [Dance] Argentine Tango group class No. 19

We did Ocho and Gancho.
The routine with Ocho goes like this:
1. Lead the follower into Cruzada. Hook the right foot behind the left foot.
2. Rotate the upper body to the left a little. This upper body rotation creates an offset between the dancers, so that the follower can step forward more easily. Rotate the body to the right to step the follower forward. Lead the follower into Ocho (clockwise).
3. Step the follower forward and into Ocho (counterclockwise).
4. Step the follower forward and into Ocho (clockwise).
5. Repeat step 3.
6. Step forward with the left foot.

We changed the above Ocho routine like this:
1. Lead the follower into Cruzada. Hook the right foot behind the left foot.
2. Rotate the upper body to the left a little. This upper body rotation creates an offset between the dancers, so that the follower can step forward more easily. Rotate the body to the right to step the follower forward. Lead the follower into Ocho (clockwise).
3. Step the follower forward with the left foot. Step forward with the right foot in front of the follower's right foot. Lead the follower into Ocho (counterclockwise).
4. Step the follower forward with the right foot. Step forward with the left foot in front of the follower's left foot. Lead the follower into Ocho (clockwise).
5. Repeat step 3.
6. Step forward with the left foot.

Then change the above routine for Gancho. It goes like this:
1. Lead the follower into Cruzada. Hook the right foot behind the left foot.
2. Rotate the upper body to the left a little. This upper body rotation creates an offset between the dancers, so that the follower can step forward more easily. Rotate the body to the right to step the follower forward. Lead the follower into Ocho (clockwise).
3. Step the follower forward with the left foot. Step forward with the right foot in front of the follower's right foot. Step the follower backward with the left foot. The follower will perform Gancho.
4. Step the follower forward. Shift the weight to the right foot. Rotate the follower to the left.

About the previous class: [Dance] Argentine Tango group class No. 17

Today, we did the same accelerated move as last week. The accelerated move is called Corrida. It means to run.
After that we did a move with back Ocho for the follower. The steps go like this:
1. Step backward with the right foot.
2. Step to the left with the left foot. Close the right foot to the left foot. Once the heels are closed, rotate the upper body to the left. Also shift the weight to the right foot.
3. Step forward with the left foot to the outside of the follower. Close the right foot to the left foot. Once the heels are closed, rotate the upper body to the right. Do not shift the weight to the right foot.
4. Step forward with the right foot to the outside of the follower. Close the left foot to the right foot. Once the heels are closed, rotate the upper body to the left. Do not shift the weight to the left foot.
5. Repeat step 3.
6. Repeat step 4. Then, stop the body rotation. Rotate the body to the right. The follower will perform Boleo.

The steps are not completed yet. The class ended in the middle of the routine. I hope they will teach us the remainder of the routine next week.

About the previous class: [Dance] Nora's Argentine Tango No.3