Tango Soul newletter july 3 rd 2014

July 3, 2014

Walking to The Cross " To Cross or Not To Cross ? That is the Question " Naming a concept can produce a habit that may be undesirable

The “basic step” of Argentine Tango , the 8 step figure of the cross , the signature step that has been and continues to be taught in tango academies all over the world has been the hallmark of the teaching offered to the novice student of tango . Almost taken as dogma , “ The Cross Step “ has 1

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infiltrated the collective unconscious of the global tango community as the most important step to be learned as one steps into Tango 101 courses. The question is : Does the Cross Step really exist ?

To answer this question , we must turn to the essence and identity of tango : The Walk"

The cross is contained within The Walk and is therefore redundant" Does The Cross Really Exist ?

As we define something or give it a name , we run the risk of producing an entity that is separate from everything else , independent of the whole , the true essence. We put it in a “box� so to speak isolated from the rest.

This is exactly what happens when 2

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we learn the “Basic 8 count Cross Step “ as a predetermined sequence or a figure . We run the danger of executing reflex type of movements based on learned neuronal circuitry which defines the sequence of movements . As it is true for all body reflexes , once a reflex action is elicited , there is no turning back . The “ Basic Cross Step “ has become one of these hard wired , almost “reflexive “ actions that are executed by many even in the presence of well intentioned leaders . If tango is based on authentic communication skills with the other , then , there can be no room for automatic reflexive behaviours where true listening cannot occur . "

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The cross is contained within the walk and is therefore redundant.

Since improvisation is based upon moment to moment listening skills between two individuals , then a good subtle lead can naturally create a Walk to the Cross . The good leader creates a subtle change in the trajectory of the walk so that the relative placement of the follower’s feet is reversed at the end of the walk relative to the beginning of the walk . During this journey , each step that is led becomes part of the whole which is the walk and nothing is assumed or questioned . Therefore , the question of “ to cross or not to cross “does not truly exist if one is true to the essence : The Walk!

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