Embrace
Argentine Tango Embrace
In social dance, dancers often switch between Open Embrace and Closed Embrace, depending on the figures. Reverse Embrace is used in performances.
Open Embrace
Man' R arm is under Lady's shoulder blade, not too high.
Lady's left upper arm connects on top of Man's R arm. Lady's LH is on behind Man's shoulder. Lady's left fingers in relaxed closed position., can articulate a bit.
Lady waits till Man's put up his LH (Man's arm is a little more than 90 degrees out.). Man rotate his LH with palm facing her face. Lady puts her hand a little higher and then moves down to close her RH with Man's LH.
The hands should not be above her chin, which will tilt her weight and cover her face.
Lady's RH, wrist and arm in a flat line, not twisted/broken at wrist. Man does not put his little finger onto Lady's wrist.
Hands in middle of the two bodies, about shoulder level.
There is open space between Man and lady.
Closed Embrace
Lady feels very up and rib cage lifted. Left side is connected with Man's R side, lifted, not pushing. Shoulder pulled back (open shoulder blade), do not put a lot of weight on Man.
Man feels his chest goes under a bit and then lift up.
Lady's forehead may be touching Man's face, but do not put a lot of pressure. But do not "look for connection" with the head.
Depending on how partner fits together, Man's R arm may wrap about behind Lady's back, R hand is under Lady's R shoulder blade.
Lady and Man is in a slightly V shape.
Do not:
Do not close/collapse ribs
Do not put shoulder in front.
Do not collapse onto partner, which makes Lady heavy to Man.
Do not push Lady's hand down.
"Milonguero style" (which is close-embrace tango dancing) is not "hanging on" each other.
Lady always feels lifted, not collapsed. shoulder back, open.
Do not put weight on your right hand, pushing down Man's LH. Do not dig your nails into Man's LH.
Do not put her hand in front of Man's arm, or on top of shoulder, or behind his neck.
Do not dig fingers into leader.
3 Lady's head positions (looking slightly downward, but do not break the neck to make face go down). Do not flipping head back and forth, to left and to right.
Straight forward: 12 o'clock. Make sure Lady does not close her R shoulder. R shoulder still down and back.
Slightly to R.
A little more to R: 3 o'clock.
Changing between Closed Embrace and Open Embrace:
Keep the left arm shape, Lady slides the L arm up and down Man's R arm to change between Open and Closed Embrace.
To change from Closed to Open Embrace:
Man rotates to his left first (move torso/body, do not just move L arm, keep arm/hand in middle of two bodies). This sends Lady's L shoulder blade back.
Then, Man moves his R shoulder blade back. Lady let go of her L arm, allowing L arm to slide.
To change from Open Embrace to Closed Embrace:
Man moves his RH around Lady's back. Lady closes her left side to Man. Lady's R side stays.
Reverse Embrace
Mostly used in choreography and stage performance.
Shadow position, where Lady's is right side in front of Man.
Lady's LH connects to Man's LH. Man's center/chest is on Lady's shoulder blade. Lady pulls back L shoulder blade, giving Man connection.
Man's R arm is under Lady's R arm, Man's RH is under Lady's chest. Lady's RH rest on top of Man's RH.
Lady elongates the neck.