Tango at the Factory

Of the "old guard", only Mike was there. The rest were more or less beginners. No Brian and Suzie (who have a place in Spain, and are organizing a tango week in Cartagena), no "other" Brian or Jane, no Margaret, no John and Kim (who go sailing off Brighton).
For us, it was our normal Sunday. Steve and Atsuko taught front and back balayo and gancho. The "balayo", is the decoration, mostly by a follower, where the leg, whips round in that powerful and erotic style typical of tango, at the arrested execution of a front or back ocho (photo of Ep in high-heels to follow!). For the past few weeks, Steve has taught moves which are difficult to lead with relative beginners. We had three weeks on the "colgado", a twirl round, which Ep and I are beginning to develop, then last week, it was the "enrosque" and "giro", a turning move where the lead is assisted by the follower, a move I've always associated with Steve.
I've always been shy of sacadas and ganchos. These both involve insertion of leg between follower's legs; the sacada involves a weight change, while the gancho leads a kick by the follower, after a flash of knee-curling intimacy. They seem presumptuous and risky to me, with my primal fear of castration.
I look at good dancers who dance first with their partners, second to the music. They take their time, adjusting to their followers. They dance with the poorest and leave them glowing. For me, the poor follower desperately tries to anticipate my lead, apologises and looses what little confidence she had. My problem is that I identify with whoever I'm with, taking on their characteristics, if I'm not careful, things go from bad to worse. At least I avoid making the mistake of actually voicing criticisms; mostly my frustration is within, for being "put-off" by the antics of my inexperienced follower. I know that what I need to do is slow down, dance with the partner, not the music; gain her confidence.
Tango demands many of the skills necessary in life. Consideration for your partner and for other dancers looks so cool. Many teachers emphasize that the leader should "invite" the follower into a move. The follower lingers on the threshold until she is ready; she teases and provokes.
I've found that it encourages good posture. It has made me aware of my bad habit of leaning forward and slouching. The whole idea is to lead with the "frame", for me who tends to be hunched, it's a good lesson.