Argentinean Dance Classes

The signature dance of Argentina is Argentine Tango. Argentinean dance on the whole is often associated with a steamy style that the tango is all about. One cannot think of dance in Argentina without thinking of the tango. It is a fairly old dance. Detailed instructions on the tango are found in books dating to the turn of the century. In 1911-1925, books named eight different figures or parts of the tango. These include corte, paseo, la marcha, ocho, grapevine, ruedas, media luna, and molinette. Today only five of these figures are still in use in the Argentine Tango.

To know just how popular this Argentinean dance is, look to how much information there is available about how to do it. There are many hundreds of books and DVDs available that teach the Argentine Tango or specialize in some part of the tango. It is one of the most popular dances for couples there is. It can also be helpful to seek out a dance class at a dance studio to learn how to tango since it is a complicated dance. Personal instruction at a dance school will help to ensure that students have proper positioning, which is important to the tango.

The three basics of Argentinean Tango are axis, steps, and embrace. Axis is when the legs are more or less perpendicular to the floor. There are two axis positions which include having one or the other leg slightly cocked.

This position is called position normal or el eje. Off-axis is when the legs are at an angle to the floor. There are also two off-axis positions. One, called Carpa, is where the legs of the individual dancers are far away from each other and they lean their upper bodies and hips in toward each other. Colgada position is the opposite of Carpa. The feet of the couple are right next to each other and the upper body and hips lean away from one another.

The embrace is how the couple holds each other. Argentinean Tango can vary from an open position where the couple is at arm's length. Or the embrace can be closed where the couple dances chest to chest. The tango can be danced in any embrace either open, closed, or anywhere in between. The embrace can determine what types of steps and movements are possible to do during the dance. The steps of the tango start with an eight count basic. Many embellishments can be added to the basic.