Recently, a very experienced tanguero friend remarked - with a palpable degree
of nostalgia - how different the tango embrace of porteñas
is, as compared to most Europeans, North Americans, etc. (I was relieved
when he conceded that there were notable exceptions!) He felt that their
embrace “helped create an atmosphere for a brief 3 minute love affair”. They surrender - body & soul - to their
partner for the duration of the tango.
This embrace can
take various forms: left arm over his right shoulder reaching to his left
shoulder; left arm around his right upper arm reaching around his back; etc. It’s not a one-size-fits-all embrace. It has to feel comfortable for both dancers,
and not compromise axis nor freedom of movement. Heights & body shapes will
affect the embrace, but it should feel like a complete embrace. A word of caution: the lady’s left elbow jutting out
like a sharp weapon is a definite no, no – especially on a crowded floor.
Jantango went to the trouble of compiling quite a comprehensive series of photos
of ladies’ embraces & commentary: How
do you hug your dance partner? part 1, part 2 and part 3. Can you see yourself there?
And how do these
embraces work? Here’s a selection of embraces in action at Lujos, one of our favourite Buenos Aires milongas
Just a final
thought: I find that a memorable embrace is not
only physical. It feels like your partner is 100% in tune with you. In this
age of multiple distractions, isn’t that something to be treasured?
Gentlemen, what
type of embrace you prefer?
PP
Very nice post!
ReplyDeleteFor me, the best are "the gripper" and "the normal". They offer a continnue and close contact between the dancers which creats an intimate atmosfere that isolates them from the rest of the world. Anyway I understand that height, many times, rules the type of the embrace.
The embrace of tango is one of the most important things I learned from the milongueros. They are fully present in the moment when they dance.
ReplyDeleteLovely post.
Andy and Jantango, thanks for your comments.
ReplyDeleteIn different words, both of you capture what is special about a really good embrace - the sensation that everything else is unimportant - at least for the duration of that tango.