Contact Jo for scheduling and arrangements: Email Jo or call: 520-248-4403

Workshop Lesson Ideas

The following are a sample of ideas and concepts. We can adapt all of the following to Vals and Milonga workshops as well customizing classes for specific needs. For the benefit of the student we prefer to build a workshop based around a central theme. Please check out these two samples below that have proven to be very successful.

Space Invasions: Colgadas and Leg Wraps

– Int/Adv

• 3 Steps to Tango Nirvana
• Space Invasions
• Utilitizing the Mini-Colgada
• Boleo – To Lead and To Follow
• Leg Wraps and repetitions

Syncopated Ochos and Sacadas

– Int/Adv

• Walking Sacadas
• Syncopated Ochos
• Walking Sacadas in cross system with syncopated ochos
• Ochos con Syncopa y cruzada sacadas
• Sacadas con syncopa

Foundations for All Levels

The Tango Walk – Advanced Dancers love foundation classes — Why?
Because the Foundation is your bridge to high level Tango. If you were learning a new language would you jump into the Advanced level class without doing the entry level first? No. Common sense tells you to learn the fundamentals first. Same in Tango. We call this an all-levels class because the foundational elements are a pre-requisite to progressive Tango growth. We encourage dancers of all levels to attend this class. We will provide something for any level in this class.

Tongs and Scissors -in- Parallel and Cross System
Maintaining your structure in tango is what drives the energy of the dance. Knowledge of both systems of walking is vital for creating your dance. We will cover how each system provides opportunities for contrasting actions involving ochos, turns and crosses. The techniques for moving from one system to the other and for changing the structure of the dance as you interchange the energy from one partner to the other.

Foundational Figuras
Left-rock Turn, Media Vuelta, Ocho Cortado — these, and others, are the foundational figuras that are entrances and exits to more high level figuras and sequences. After this class you will be able to turn to the left and turn to the right using a combination of these steps with different rhythms and beats. Combined with the walk these steps will provide depth and interest to your dance and is essential for good floor-craft and musicality.

Cross System to Ochos
Demonstrate the meaning of Parallel walking and Cross System Walking. Learn to walk in cross system on both sides of the embrace and how this system induces ochos. Using a simple sequence of steps we will show how easy and useful ochos can be (and fun, of course). How small, big, deep or shallow can an ocho be…the student in this class will find out.

What Ever Happened to the 8-Step Basic
Most people have heard of the 8-step basic but it isn’t always taught in the US as it is in Buenos Aires. We use this foundational basic to show you how it morphs into 8 curving steps that are immediately danceable and more accessible than its linear cousin. In so doing we amplify and strengthen your tango foundation.

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Intermediate Level

3 Steps to Tango Nirvana
Every figura and pattern consists of a combination of 3 steps. If that is the case, then why do we find figura sequences difficult to learn and execute? Because all we see is the figura. Our minds habitually begin a figura with the end in focus. It is the journey that matters and being wholly present along the length of that journey. Join us as we examine these three steps and demonstrate how vital they are to breaking you away from pattern-tango to improvisational-tango.

Transitioning Embrace – The Dynamic Abrazo
The Embrace is not a Static Event. There isn’t just ONE Abrazo, but many positions for the dynamic Abrazo! This is a great class to strengthen the ability to transition your dance frame/embrace as needed to move through standard moves in tango. By the end of the class you will understand how to get energy from the floor to lead the follower in a pivot while learning to lead a subtle weight change by using the energy of the foot and spine.

Ocho Cortado – or- Softening the Angles
Learn the world renowned “ocho cortado” figura while becoming aware of the need for malleability and improvisation. Angularities in the look and feel of your body usually connotes tension and stiffness. It is difficult to correct errors and mistakes if the body is stiff as it dances. We have some fun and fascinating techniques, analogies and metaphors to bring your body into a malleable state so it can easily correct and mold as it moves with your partner through the fun and incredibly lead-able ocho cortado.

Intro to Sacadas
Everybody loves sacadas and wants to learn them and yet, quite often, even after many classes, the dancer still finds them tricky and difficult to execute. Sacadas are walking! Yes, you read that correctly. The purpose of this class is to prove to you that if you are executing a good walk sacadas can happen without effort. We will demonstrate and clarify to you a simple 360 degree walk around that includes 3 sacadas. This is a must do class for everyone!

Space Invasions Part I
Invade and conquer!!! Discovering, recognizing and using the ladies single axis to create powerful turns. There is only a matter of inches between a sacada and a colgada. Discover how sharp and tight your turns can be based on how, where and when you invade the ladies space.

Barridas and Frenos
Recommend that this class follows the Intro to Sacadas class. Utilizing all the techniques learnt in the Foundational and Sacadas classes we will show you how naturally and organically barridas can happen. We will show you a specific figura that terminates in a freno allowing the follower to develop her gracefulness and musicality.

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Advanced Level

The Advanced Tango Walk
So your walk is good? 9 Ways of walking with the line of dance in parallel and cross system. Seldom is the class advanced enough to cover all 9 in an hour and a half – no matter how far we get this is a fun and challenging class for the advanced leader and follower. We begin with a brief demonstration of all 9 ways of walking forward. Then we introduce the music a couple of quick walking exercises slowly we start taking the walk to a higher level covering first parallel and then cross system… and to think all we are doing is walking with line the of dance.

Dancing in the Dark – Said with tongue in cheek…
Sometimes we call this class “Dancing in the dark.” Since the groovy stuff happens on the closed side of the embrace where we have no vision only a sense of feel and fortified confidence that can only come from practice.

Using very fundamentally basic steps we build and improve our foundation as we string together some simple events that are all from the basics (LIKE THE 8 STEP BASIC) that in another context might seem complex but turn out to be very simple since they can be built one step at a time bases on what the learner already knows. We keep this so poignantly connected to the foundation of tango that if you have been moving in tango for a few years these movement/sequences will stay with you forever. There are several fun ways to end this class depending on the level of comprehension of the class.

Space Invasions Part II
Continue the saga of mystery and adventure. Learn to invade with confidence, power and grace. Advanced concepts for utilizing foot juxtaposition for creating advanced colgadas and tight, sharp turns.

Ocho Atras to Enganches – Dancing to the Soft Spot
How to dance ochos right where you stand. By the end of the class you will create cleaner and clearer communication between you and your partner(s). You will learn a simple and relaxing figura that will ultimately create a clearer, cleaner connection when dancing at milongas. Depending on class advancement this exercise can easily become a displacement into a rear volcada – but doesn’t have to end anywhere in particular!

“What Ever Dude!” -or- Being Ready for the Surprises Improvisation Brings
By its very nature improvisation welcomes surprise and yet, by its very nature surprise often causes one to flinch or tighten. We explore the availability of mistake and surprise utilizing exercises and homemade surprises to show both leaders and followers how to be prepared to go where the movement takes them.

Many Facets of Ocho Cortado
Stimulus, musicality, entrance and exit strategies. Barridas, Gyros, Amagues, Walk Around & Reverse, Repetitions and Reversals coming from both sides. Using ocho cortado as a launching pad for other movements and figuras. Dozens of ending and transitions are available here depending on the level of dancers in the class.

Body Molding and Shaping
Teaching some fun steps and then rewinding the tape. Steps that can’t be done backwards are usually flawed as they move forward or they would be easily rewound. Learning to dance more accurately and aware of the discreet state of ones being as you move through three dimensional space and time means everything in how you convey your movements or interpret the movements of your partner. For instance where was your head dangling as you lead or followed that particular move? Where was your shoulder, the angle of your back, pelvis… etc…?

Utilizing the Mini-Colgada
Colgadas are typically used to create large expansive spins or reverse moves, however there is ample room for very small colgada like movements that open windows of opportunity in moments of improvisation. This class is designed with exercises and movements to sharpen the response time and the approach to conveying and interpreting smaller colgadas – which are much more usable at crowded milongas.

Boleo -to lead and to follow
Learn what it takes to lead and execute a boleo softly, musically and with minimum effort. Learn to identify the ladies axis, how to capture it, revolve around it and develop dynamic energy to match the dynamics of the music. Includes circular and linear boleos.

Leg Wraps and Repetitions
Using techniques from boleos we introduce you to smooth and luscious leg wraps that are effortless and sensuous. Being able to repeat a leg wrap drastically increases the musicality available to your leg wraps.

In addition to the above: Advanced Sacadas, Colgadas, Volcadas and more that we can customize to suit your community needs.

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We love to teach what you love to learn: Argentine Tango!

Email Jo or call: 520-248-4403

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