Issues of Balance and Lightness in Dance

The sensation produced by changes in the body's position and movement is known as the sense of equilibrium. This sense is governed by the semicircular canals and vestibule in the inner ear. When these organs are impaired—due to illness, medication, or alcohol abuse—balance becomes difficult to maintain. Fortunately, balance can be improved with practice. Female gymnasts, for instance, perform challenging routines on a balance beam. Acrobats depend on finely tuned equilibrium to walk the high wire. Similarly, experienced dancers develop a refined sense of balance that allows them to execute complex movements with control and grace.

In bicycling, wheels help maintain balance; in dance, it’s the legs and precise steps. All tango dancers require a good sense of equilibrium, but this is especially crucial for the woman, who responds to the man’s lead. The man guides her by slightly shifting her body in the intended direction, but how far she moves is determined by her own ability to maintain balance. If she steps outside her stable range, she risks falling. A falling woman relies on the man for support—making herself feel heavy. While appropriate reliance enhances intimacy, constantly clinging to or tightly gripping the partner can be burdensome. A key principle for women in tango is that maintaining one’s own balance is essential to feeling light. Those who habitually rely on their partner’s support may never fully develop their equilibrium.

Tango introduces a unique challenge in balance because the partners lean into each other, forming an A-shaped frame—a mutually supportive structure. A novice woman may not realize that her role in maintaining this frame is as important as the man’s. If she leans back, she may pull him off balance. This is especially common with women who are uncomfortable with close physical contact.

Conversely, some women lean too much on the man and become heavy. Dancing in a leaned posture requires strong back muscles. A woman with a weak back may struggle to maintain this position, especially if the man holds her too low or too tightly. Experienced dancers apply a balanced resistance to the forces from their partner—meeting the man's chest pressure outward and arm tension inward with symmetrical control. Too much resistance, however, can make the woman feel heavy. Balance in dance means maintaining stillness, moving at a constant speed in a straight or curved line—not engaging in a tug of war. A woman must be mindful of how much resistance she applies to avoid becoming a burden.

Inexperienced dancers often rely too much on the man to initiate and drive movement. Lacking confidence or technique, they may hesitate or grip tightly with their arms and hands, which again contributes to heaviness. To feel light, a woman must be self-activated rather than passively moved. Skilled dancers achieve this by using the strength of their standing leg to propel themselves, much like a self-propelled lawnmower—allowing them to feel light and responsive. Still, it’s important to strike a balance between being active and remaining receptive to the lead. A woman who moves too independently can make her partner feel like they’re dancing on their own.

Men also have responsibilities when it comes to balance and lightness. They should avoid pressing down on the woman's waist, as this can restrict her movement. A tall man leading a shorter partner should guide with his stomach rather than bending his torso, which can force her bend backward—especially difficult if she lacks core strength. As a woman's strength and balance improve, she may be able to handle more pressure and lean more into the man to expand her expressive range, even inviting support at the waist. However, men should be cautious about imitating the techniques they see advanced couples use. What works for experienced dancers may not suit every partner. Tango offers many styles and variations; the best approach is always the one that suits both partners' abilities and comfort.