You’ve mastered the basics of Tango—the embrace, the rhythm, the simple walks. Now, it’s time to refine your movement, deepen your connection, and add elegance to every step. This guide focuses on three pillars of intermediate Tango: the walk, turns, and connection. Let’s dive in.
The Art of the Tango Walk
The walk (caminata) is the soul of Tango. At the intermediate level, it’s not just about moving forward—it’s about control, musicality, and intention.
- Posture: Keep your axis slightly forward, chest lifted, and core engaged. Imagine a string pulling you upward from the crown of your head.
- Footwork:
- Roll through the foot—heel to toe for leaders, toe to heel for followers.
- Keep steps close to the floor; avoid bouncing.
- Practice Drill: Walk in parallel lines (leader’s left, follower’s right) without an embrace, matching your partner’s pace. Focus on silent, gliding steps.
Mastering Turns (Giros)
Turns add dynamism to your dance. The key is balance, pivots, and shared momentum.
Pro Tip: For smooth turns, keep your chest facing your partner as long as possible—only your feet should pivot early.
- For Leaders:
- Initiate turns with a clear intention in your chest, not just your arms.
- Use the “sandwich” technique: step around your follower while maintaining frame contact.
- For Followers:
- Stay on axis—avoid leaning into the turn.
- Pivot on the ball of your foot, keeping free leg close (enrosque).
Exercise: Practice the ocho atrás (back ocho) in slow motion. Pause at the pivot to check alignment.
Deepening Connection
Connection separates mechanical dancing from Tango emocional. It’s a dialogue without words.
- Embrace: Adjust for comfort—close embrace for intimacy, open for dynamic moves. Keep shoulders relaxed.
- Listening: Followers, resist anticipating; Leaders, leave space for your partner’s expression.
- Breath: Sync your breathing to stay attuned. Exhale on pivots or pauses.
“Tango is two bodies moving as one mind.” — Unknown
Bringing It All Together
At the intermediate level, Tango becomes a meditation. Practice these elements separately, then integrate them:
- Drill walks to different rhythms (vals, milonga).
- Add turns during cortes (pauses) in the music.
- Dance with eyes closed once per song to heighten connection.
Remember: Progress is in the quality of movement, not complexity. Now, go dance!
