Adornos

In this first video, we focus on the fundamentals of foot, leg, and body placement. We pay
special attention to the roles of the standing and free legs. We explore how to position the foot
when decorating, study simple embellishments for walking, and build a solid technical
foundation for precise, elegant, and well-integrated adornos.

The basic step with the cross is one of the most popular tango dance moves. We explore a
variety of embellishment options you can incorporate and experiment with.

The parada (stop) is a great opportunity for decoration. We explore a variety of embellishment
options and examine the role of the embrace in communicating with the partner.

Ochos are used very frequently. Depending on the speed and length of the steps, there is a
range of embellishment options available for forward and backward ochos, such as fluid and
rhythmic ones.

In this video, we review the basic giro and then learn to add adornos while pivoting forward
and backward. Using the momentum of the free leg while embellishing creates a fluid, natural,
and beautiful motion.

The calesita (carousel) is a great opportunity to add embellishments: it’s our time to shine! We
will explore various adorno options and discuss the different ways to start the calesita.

The ocho cortado is a great rhythmic figure on which to add adornos. We will learn the proper
timing and explore a variety of embellishments at different points in the step to add style and
character to your dance.

We look at four of Maude's favorite embellishments, ranging from simple to complex.