Shared Axis in Close Embrace

Description

In their Shared Axis in Close Embrace class, Hugo Patyn and Celina Rotundo teach advanced levels of exercise and combination for sharing an axis with a partner. The idea of a shared axis is for partners to move together without adjusting the frame between one another. Learn to connect with your partner in a shared axis and perform an advanced combination in this position.

This is an advanced level class.

Technique Segment

In the technique segment, Hugo and Celina start by guiding you in shoulder and feet exercises. These rotations help to improve posture and loosen up muscles that will be needed for the precise footwork of sharing an axis in close embrace. Next, they lead you in side steps into ochos while parallel to a partner. In this position, the focus is on ankle rotations and weight-distribution. Later you will try this same exercise once more in a close embrace while focusing on upper body isolations. This exercise is great for connection and peabody.

Hugo discusses what a leader should focus on while sharing an axis in close embrace. They should lead precise direction changes and pivots for their partner with upper-body isolations and weight shifting. Hugo reminds leaders to focus on facing their upper body in the direction they wish to pivot or travel. Celina then lead followers in an axis pivot exercise with a chair. This helps followers balance their axis while keeping a straight back and a forward axis tilt. These exercises are great practice for the change of axis lesson in the next segment.

Steps Segment

Hugo and Celina start the steps segment of the class with a simple cross-system step of rocking forward and backward with a partner. In the exercises for this step, the focus is on foot positioning and weight shifting in a pivot. In this position, the leader creates a “foot sandwich” with his partner that makes the close embrace even more intimate. This position naturally forms a shared axis between partners.

Next, Celina walks followers through foot positioning and directions in this step. She shows that as a follower, you will start with your ankles together and feet in second position. Throughout this pivot, the follower should focus on collecting and using contra-body movements.

After practicing these steps once more, you will try to do the steps all together with one flow to a slower song. As the lesson continues, the difficulty increases as a more complicated full spin and collection while facing the line of dance is added. As these steps increase in complexity, it is crucial to focus on connection and embrace while spinning together. The idea of a shared axis is for partners to move together without adjusting the frame between one another.

Hugo and Celina describe what the leaders and followers should focus on while performing this combination and adding in a full or half turn. Hugo describes to leaders how to properly make weight distributions and transitions to make the spins and pivots as smooth as possible. Celina explains that the leader uses the follower’s energy to lead, whereas the followers focus on weight-distribution and connection. Celina emphasizes that trust in a partner is crucial for a smooth tango.

In the final resolution portion of this combination, the follower is in the cruzada position. The cruzada gives both partners the freedom to add in their own footwork combinations. Hugo and Celina show you how to add a cross and gancho with a sacada to bring the partners back into a close embrace.

Conclusion

Together, you will practice this three-part combination of turn, remove, and resolution into one smooth tango with a shared axis in a close embrace.

Learn more about Hugo and Celina on their website.