About tango
Tango is a partner dance from Buenos Aires, Argentina. It can be a
very sensual and seductive dance; it can equally be playful and light-
hearted, serene and relaxed, subtle, showy, flamboyant and fun!
difference between Argentine and Ballroom
About our classes and style of teaching
Our classes are relaxed and friendly, with a wide range of students
from all ages and walks of life. We usually have a good balance of
men and women, and you’re welcome to come on your own, with
friends or with a partner (we always swap partners during the lesson
as this helps everyone learn more quickly).
It’s really important to us that our teaching is clear and structured, so
you come away really feeling like you’ve mastered something new –
from beginner levels right to advanced. We have four different class
levels every evening (3 levels on Tuesdays), with a clear curriculum so
you learn at a level that’s right for you with other people of the same
level (click here to find out about the class structure). Our team of
teachers give clear explanations of all the moves, and are on hand to
give personal feedback and tips throughout the lessons.
Rather than teaching sequences that you can only really do with other
people from your class, we emphasise teaching popular tango
elements that you can easily lead or follow wherever you dance
throughout the world. We show you how to improvise confidently and
creatively by joining moves together, so you never feel stuck or
embarrassed on the dance floor.
Even after your very first lesson you’re invited to stay and dance –
there’s a warm and friendly atmosphere where you can dance with
other people from the classes or ask the teachers to help you out with
anything you’re not sure about.
Some tango terminology
We use the Spanish words for many of our moves, so if you're
confused about any of the terms check below!
barrida (or llevada) a sweeping motion where one partner's foot
sweeps the other's foot
boleo (or voleo) throwing or swiveling one leg with the knees usually
placed one behind the other; a boleo may be done with the toe
touching the floor or higher
cadena a chain movement across the floor in a circular motion; one
partner displaces the other partner's leg and rolls across the front of
their body; the other partner continues the motion
calecita carousel; the merry-go-round; a figure in which the man
places the woman on one foot then dances around her while keeping
her pivoting on her supporting leg (sometimes referred to as 'the
stork')
enrosque to coil, twist, or screw; to spin on one foot while hooking the
other foot behind
gancho one person interupts the motion of their partner's free leg,
creating a hook
giro a turn, usually with the woman walking around the man with the
foot pattern 'back, side, back, forward'
lápiz pencil; a circular figure executed with one foot drawing on the
floor
milonga 1) the music of a dance that preceeded the tango, usually in
2/4 time, quicker and more upbeat than tango 2) a social event where
people go to dance tango, milonga and vals
ocho eights; pivoting forward or backward with the feet together
during the pivot and extended during the step
ocho cortado cut eight; a traditional step originating from the standard
ocho being danced in a confined space
parada a stop
pasada to step over
sacada a displacement; to step into the space vacated by your
partner, often by moving your partner's leg out of the way gently with
your own
sandwichito one partner's foot is sandwiched between the other
partner's feet
vals a waltz, danced to tango music in 3/4 time
Tango is a partner dance from Buenos Aires, Argentina. It can be a
very sensual and seductive dance; it can equally be playful and light-
hearted, serene and relaxed, subtle, showy, flamboyant and fun!
difference between Argentine and Ballroom
About our classes and style of teaching
Our classes are relaxed and friendly, with a wide range of students
from all ages and walks of life. We usually have a good balance of
men and women, and you’re welcome to come on your own, with
friends or with a partner (we always swap partners during the lesson
as this helps everyone learn more quickly).
It’s really important to us that our teaching is clear and structured, so
you come away really feeling like you’ve mastered something new –
from beginner levels right to advanced. We have four different class
levels every evening (3 levels on Tuesdays), with a clear curriculum so
you learn at a level that’s right for you with other people of the same
level (click here to find out about the class structure). Our team of
teachers give clear explanations of all the moves, and are on hand to
give personal feedback and tips throughout the lessons.
Rather than teaching sequences that you can only really do with other
people from your class, we emphasise teaching popular tango
elements that you can easily lead or follow wherever you dance
throughout the world. We show you how to improvise confidently and
creatively by joining moves together, so you never feel stuck or
embarrassed on the dance floor.
Even after your very first lesson you’re invited to stay and dance –
there’s a warm and friendly atmosphere where you can dance with
other people from the classes or ask the teachers to help you out with
anything you’re not sure about.
Some tango terminology
We use the Spanish words for many of our moves, so if you're
confused about any of the terms check below!
barrida (or llevada) a sweeping motion where one partner's foot
sweeps the other's foot
boleo (or voleo) throwing or swiveling one leg with the knees usually
placed one behind the other; a boleo may be done with the toe
touching the floor or higher
cadena a chain movement across the floor in a circular motion; one
partner displaces the other partner's leg and rolls across the front of
their body; the other partner continues the motion
calecita carousel; the merry-go-round; a figure in which the man
places the woman on one foot then dances around her while keeping
her pivoting on her supporting leg (sometimes referred to as 'the
stork')
enrosque to coil, twist, or screw; to spin on one foot while hooking the
other foot behind
gancho one person interupts the motion of their partner's free leg,
creating a hook
giro a turn, usually with the woman walking around the man with the
foot pattern 'back, side, back, forward'
lápiz pencil; a circular figure executed with one foot drawing on the
floor
milonga 1) the music of a dance that preceeded the tango, usually in
2/4 time, quicker and more upbeat than tango 2) a social event where
people go to dance tango, milonga and vals
ocho eights; pivoting forward or backward with the feet together
during the pivot and extended during the step
ocho cortado cut eight; a traditional step originating from the standard
ocho being danced in a confined space
parada a stop
pasada to step over
sacada a displacement; to step into the space vacated by your
partner, often by moving your partner's leg out of the way gently with
your own
sandwichito one partner's foot is sandwiched between the other
partner's feet
vals a waltz, danced to tango music in 3/4 time
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This page was updated on 30/12/07
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| oktango@tangoinlondon.net Frances 07946 471635 |
Testimonials about our classes
We hope you find what you're looking for at
our classes. You can see what other people
like about our way of teaching by clicking
here.
How long does it take to learn?
Once you’ve got the ‘tango bug’ you’ll learn
very quickly, and it helps build confidence if
you can come to the classes regularly so you
build on what you learn – and especially if
you stay to have a dance with people
afterwards. As a rough guide, you can expect
to be confident at the following levels through
taking our classes:
Level 1 2-6 classes
basic social dance
Level 2 10-30 classes
good social dance with some lovely moves
Level 3 15-45 classes
confident social dance with elegant style and
good partner connection
Level 4 1-3 years
advanced social dance with fluidity, complex
moves and excellent technique
Click here to find out more about what you’ll
learn at each level.
Some tips to help you
If you want to move through the levels quickly,
we can show you some things to practice at
home. As a reminder, here are some basic
principles to help you develop good style,
posture and balance.
We hope you find what you're looking for at
our classes. You can see what other people
like about our way of teaching by clicking
here.
How long does it take to learn?
Once you’ve got the ‘tango bug’ you’ll learn
very quickly, and it helps build confidence if
you can come to the classes regularly so you
build on what you learn – and especially if
you stay to have a dance with people
afterwards. As a rough guide, you can expect
to be confident at the following levels through
taking our classes:
Level 1 2-6 classes
basic social dance
Level 2 10-30 classes
good social dance with some lovely moves
Level 3 15-45 classes
confident social dance with elegant style and
good partner connection
Level 4 1-3 years
advanced social dance with fluidity, complex
moves and excellent technique
Click here to find out more about what you’ll
learn at each level.
Some tips to help you
If you want to move through the levels quickly,
we can show you some things to practice at
home. As a reminder, here are some basic
principles to help you develop good style,
posture and balance.
- use a mirror to practice if you can
- relaxed and upright posture
- look straight ahead rather than at your
feet! - keep the toes turned out
- brush the knees and ankles together
when moving, keep them together
when still - improvise by yourself to different types
of tango (and other music) - only move if you’re balanced
- stretch the leg fully before transferring
weight - always keep all your weight just on one
foot - firm but light embrace
- lead confidently and decisively (for men)
- wait for a clear lead (for women)
- move anticlockwise on the dance floor