"Organic" Back Sacada in Slow Motion.

Homer recently taught this movement at La Pista in San Francisco (http://tinyurl.com/8q2rnz). Unfortunately I gather there was no video of the class. So it was decided to use my existing video of the class to help explain the material.

I've slowed down the essential key movement that demonstrates the "organic" back sacada to help illustrate the underlaying principles that are involved here. I'll let the blog entry above talk about that, please go read and watch the video above, as well as the related videos in this entry.

On a Personal Note: At about a year into my tango experience, with lots of tango miles under my belt at that point, i had taken this class in early 2007, and had promptly forgotten it almost immediately. It wasn't until almost a year later, when I unearthed the video I'd shot of the entire class that would later change my dance in ways I hadn't even begun to realize. The underlaying principles here at work are very simple, and for most leaders is seemingly incredibly difficult when in fact that's not the case at all. The reason this piece of vocabulary will be difficult for most leaders will be the simple fact that you never learned to follow! By stark contrast, a follower who is just beginning her journey to leading will easily master this piece of vocabulary because she's mastered the underlaying principle: The Ocho. Leaders if you want this toy in your toolbox of flashy vocab, you MUST MUST MUST a.) learn to follow and b.) Master your ochos!

Let me be clear that while this is a flashy move, that should only be performed after LOTS and LOTS and LOTS (and did I mention LOTS ?) of practice before you take it out on a social dance floor, this piece of vocabulary is just an expression of an underlaying principle, how to Ocho. All back sacadas use this principle.

Lastly, there are 2 things that Homer alludes to in this class but does NOT make clear. He may have the last time he's done this class, but when I took the class and its in the video out-takes that I have, it isn't: 1.) The follower's embrace will help you to perform this movement. She acts as a stabilizing force at the point of translation into the 270 degree pivot. However the more skilled you become the less important is. 2.) While Homer makes this look so frakkin simple, and fluid and easy. Its anything but. Don't let him fool you. It looks simple, and it is IF and ONLY IF you have mastered your ochos, specifically your back ochos.