Tango is not only a fascinating dance but also a fascinating philosophy, culture and lifestyle. The search of tango is the search of connection, love, fellowship, unity, harmony and beauty, i.e., an idealism that is not consistent with the dehumanizing reality of the modern world. The world divides us into individuals, but tango unites us into a team. In tango we are not individualists, feminists, nationalists, Democrats, Republicans, etc., but interconnected and interdependent members of the human family. Tango calls us to tear down the walls, to build bridges, and to regain humanity through altruism, connection, cooperation, accommodation, and compromise. It is a dance that teaches the world to love.



January 14, 2025

Contra Body Movement in Dance


I didn't pay enough attention to contra body movement (CBM) until I saw the following video. Although this video is about ballroom dancing, I believe tango dancers will also benefit from it.




CBM is an essential concept in dance that refers to the action of turning one side of the body toward the opposite moving leg. For example, when the right leg moves forward, the left side of the body turns slightly toward it, and vice versa. This natural, counterbalancing action is not unique to dance - it is present in many everyday activities. When walking or running, for example, the slight rotation of the torso toward the forward-moving leg helps maintain stability and propels the body forward efficiently. Similarly, swimmers use CBM to create streamlined motion through the water, while cyclists rely on it to maintain equilibrium and power. These everyday examples demonstrate how CBM is deeply ingrained in human movement.

In ballroom dancing, CBM often refers specifically to shoulder movement, because the coordinated shoulder sway of the two dancers is a visual sign of their CBMs. Unlike in everyday activities, in dancing this shoulder movement is exaggerated to increase the artistry of the dance. The quality of the dance depends largely on the dancers' understanding of CBM and whether their shoulders spin consistently. When both partners maintain perfectly matched CBMs, their movements become balanced, coherent, and beautiful.

Similar situations also occur in tango when dancers execute movements that involve dissociation, such as turning around each other, walking alongside each other, zigzagging, changing position from one side of the partner to the other side, and much more. Dancers must keep their shoulders facing each other as parallel as possible in the dance no matter how complex the movements. Those who follow this rule perform much better than those who do not keep their shoulders parallel.




This coordination relies heavily on the suppleness and responsiveness of the dancers. Tension disrupts harmony. It acts as a barrier, halting energy rather than generating it. In contrast, movement is what truly creates energy. Dancers' suppleness and flexibility enable them to respond effortlessly to their partner’s movements, helping maintain natural flow. The secret to preserving harmony in motion is not resisting but “going with the flow.” A supple, flexible body - particularly in the upper structures - allows dancers to adapt to each other's movements without resistance. This adaptability plays a pivotal role in maintaining a harmonious connection between partners.

Therefore, dancers must find the balance between technical precision and responsiveness to their partner. Correct movements are not just about meeting technical standards; they are about creating a harmonious partnership that embodies perfect coordination between partners. The art of CBM is a vital skill that enables dancers to move as one. By mastering CBM and embracing suppleness, dancers can perform in harmony, coordinating their movements to increase artistry and create a much more visually captivating dance.





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