Tango is more than just a dance — it’s a captivating expression of emotions and connection between two individuals.

Central to the art of tango is the embrace, a fundamental component that sets it apart from other dance forms.

The embrace in tango is not merely a physical gesture but a profound means of communication and connection between partners.

Let’s explore the essence of tango embrace, its various types, and its significance in Argentine tango.

Argentine Tango and What Sets It Apart

Argentine tango, often referred to as tango Argentino, is a dance that originated in the late 19th century in the neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Unlike other forms of tango, such as ballroom tango,

Argentine tango focuses on improvisation, subtlety, and connection between partners. It is a dance that encourages deep emotional communication through movements.

There are many ways to know if a couple is dancing the Argentine tango. As Harold and Meredith Sears said in “Argentine Tango and the Flirtatious Ocho,” the Argentine tango has unusual head positions.

“Generally, our eyes are not up but are level, or even cast down. He focuses on her right shoulder. She concentrates on and follows his left shoulder, and it is this visual following of the movements of his torso, as much as the tactile lead through the frame, that provides lead and follow in Argentine Tango. Now and then, you might look away. You can even look at your partner and smile — you would never do such a thing in International Tango.”

The Argentine tango also has little rise and fall. Every movement requires dancers to feel like “great jungle cats,” stalking, seeking, and exploring each other. These little rises and falls happen as the leader and the follower “flirt with their feet.” The free leg can swivel, stop, sweep, and do a variety of other motions to tell a story, all done with grace and precision.

The most significant difference between the Argentine tango and other forms of tango is the dance hold. We also call it the embrace or abrazo.

The Tango Embrace

The Argentine Tango Lab in “TERMINOLOGY” defines abrazo as

“The embrace; a hug; or dance position.”

The tango embrace refers to how partners hold each other during the dance.

It can be a dynamic and ever-changing connection that evolves throughout the dance, adapting to the music, the interpretation, and the emotional exchange between the dancers.

In a tango embrace, the dancers typically stand chest-to-chest, with their upper bodies close together and their arms wrapped around each other.

The leader’s right arm gently rests on the follower’s back while the follower’s left arm is placed on the leader’s right shoulder. The remaining arms are extended, allowing for fluid movement and communication.

The Origin of the Tango Embrace

Has tango always been like this? There are no absolute answers to this question or stories and real evidence, but as said by Ivica Anteski in “Dancing in close embrace”:

“…the embrace was created so close and so intimate because tango was created by lonely emigrants.

They arrived in Buenos Aires alone, leaving behind their country, their wifes or girlfriends, their mothers and fathers… Most of them were disappointed: they dreamed wealth, but ended up not even having money to get back home.

Alone and abandoned, they needed the warmth of the human touch… as well as most of us today in the society deprived of real human interaction.”

The Tango Voice in “Variations in the Tango Embrace – ‘Open Embrace’ and ‘Close Embrace’ Styles of Tango: The Evidence from Buenos Aires Milongas” also said that

the embrace of tango social dancing in Buenos Aires was omitted during the reintroduction to North American dancers in the late 1980s and 1990s.

Stage dancers, who typically danced without an embrace, provided the instruction, and some teachers also taught social barriers. However, in the mid-1990s, Susana Miller introduced a stylistic variation of social tango dancing from the milongas of Buenos Aires.

“…characterized in part by maintained chest-to-chest contact; she labeled this style of dancing as ‘milonguero style tango’, to contrast with the label’ salon style tango’ that had been given to the stylistic variation of tango dancing which did not include chest-to-chest contact. These two stylistic variations were also often referred to as ‘open embrace’ and ‘close embrace’ tango, respectively.”

Now, most tango dancers know two types of embrace: open and close. As defined by Dance Facts in “Tango Dance – Types, Techniques and Influence,”

the open embrace is when the couple dances with open space between their bodies.

In contrast,

the close embrace is a chest-to-chest embrace or a more loose upper thigh and hip area.

About this, Tango Voice said:

“Because an embrace requires close contact, the term ‘open embrace’ is an oxymoron and the term ‘close embrace’ is redundant.”

Various Types of Embrace in Tango: Beyond the Inappropriate Language Use

Within the world of Argentine tango, there are various types of embrace styles that dancers can adopt. It is important to note that these embrace styles are not inherently better or worse than one another but rather reflect different interpretations and preferences of the dancers. It is best to approach these styles with respect and understanding of their context.

If we look at tango embrace from the Tango Voice’s perspective and go beyond the inappropriate use of language, there are two main stylistic variants of tango: Tango Estilo del Centro and Tango Estilo del Barrio.

Tango Estilo del Centro, also known as Tango Estilo Milonguero, differs from Tango Estilo del Barrio, which is also known as Tango Estilo Villa Urquiza, through the following:

“…the embrace is maintained between partners throughout the dance, whereas in Tango Estilo del Barrio, although the embrace is maintained during walking, it may be opened temporarily during ochos and giros. In general, there is no stylistic variant of Tango de Salon where partners do not embrace the majority of the time during a dance, although, to be accurate, on rare occasions one may see a porteño couple dancing several centimeters apart throughout a dance.”

Tango Voice also said in “Tango Estilo Villa Urquiza” that the embrace of the Villa Urquiza style involves a posture that tends to be more upright, making the embrace looser. The arms are less extended around the partner, allowing a more effortless opening for ochos and turns.

Therefore, the variations of dance holds in tango depends on the position of the arms, hands, head, and constancy. Generally, you can do a high embrace, mid-level embrace, low embrace, V-embrace, or open hold, depending on the position of your arms.

Various Types of Embrace in Tango: The Way Most of Us Understand

Beyond the specific embrace styles mentioned earlier, several common variations and interpretations of the tango embrace are widely practiced and understood within the community. Ivica Anteski defined the following to simply categorize the different interpretations of embrace:

Real Close Embrace

A Real Close Embrace is a tight and intimate hold between the dancers. In this embrace,

the chests are fully pressed against each other, allowing for a deep connection and precise leading and following.

The dancers’ bodies are in constant contact, creating a sense of unity and harmony.

Fake Close Embrace

A Fake Close Embrace is a more open hold where the dancers maintain a slight gap between their bodies.

While it may appear close to the untrained eye, more space between the partners’ chests allows for a freer range of movement and individual expression.

Open Position

Open Position is a more relaxed “embrace” where the partners maintain a comfortable distance between their bodies.

Ivica Anteski doesn’t call it an “embrace” because torsos have no physical contact. The couple only communicates through their hands.

Learning Tango in “Argentine Tango Syllabus: Section A: The Embrace” also listed some common types of embrace that tango dancers can use. They include the

“Airport Hug,” with contact along the upper body, solar plexus to solar plexus.

The “Looser Hold” is when the contact is along the length of the “inside” arm (man’s right arm, lady’s left arm),

while

the V Embrace: “Angled” is when there is closer contact on the man’s right.

This v-position is best for rotation-based movements.

Lastly,

we also have the “Practice,” with your hands on each others’ shoulders.

This type of embrace is only useful when practicing concepts such as dissociation.

What Is the “Right” Embrace?

The many types of embrace can confuse new dancers, leading to the question, “What is the right embrace?” Some may think getting an answer will lessen the confusion. However, there is no definitive answer to what constitutes the “right” embrace in tango. The choice of embrace style depends on various factors, including personal preferences, the music being danced to, the level of intimacy desired, and the specific context of the dance.

In tango,

the embrace is a means of expression, and different embrace styles offer different possibilities for communication and movement.

It is crucial to be adaptable and open to exploring various embrace styles, as this versatility allows dancers to connect with a broader range of partners and adapt to different tango environments.

The Meaning of Embrace in Tango

The embrace in tango goes beyond physical touch; it represents a deeper connection between dancers.

It is a language that allows partners to communicate emotions, intentions, and musical interpretations. The embrace is a vessel for expressing vulnerability, trust, and empathy. Through the embrace, dancers can share a unique and intimate experience on the dance floor. As said by Pablo and Anne in “What Is Happening In the Tango Embrace”:

“When you’re dancing, so much is happening in your embrace. Those watching can’t see it… it’s just for you and your partner to feel. The connection, the feeling of trust, the desire to express more together, the subtle exchanges on how we feel the music…

The embrace is the most courageous thing, the maximum that we can give, the foundation, and it’s what makes tango so special and unique.

It is no coincidence that it is done before dancing. It is so because without the embrace, there is nothing to start from: it is the starting point for everything else.”

Should You Master Your Tango Embrace?

Mastering the tango embrace is a continuous journey that requires time, dedication, and practice.

Developing a strong embrace allows dancers to better connect with their partners, interpret the music, and express their emotions. A well-executed embrace enhances the dance experience, creating a more harmonious and satisfying connection between partners.

As said by Paul Yang in “Close Embrace and Open Embrace (II)”:

“In such closeness the two partners literally feel each other’s body, hear each other’s breath, smell each other’s odor and sense each other’s impulse. They rely on each other for balance and support. Because there is no distance between the partners, their movements are a lot more compact with intent physical interactions. The man leads the woman with his torso against her torso so he does not need to use his arms and hands. The woman receives the lead with her chest. She closes her eyes, surrenders herself to him, relishes the caress of his body and enjoys his attentive ride. It is a very comfortable position in which to be and to dance.”

Mastering the tango embrace cultivates essential qualities such as empathy, trust, and respect.

The close physical proximity and intimate connection required in tango demand high sensitivity and awareness of one’s partner. Through the embrace, dancers learn to listen and respond to each other’s movements, creating a harmonious and collaborative dance partnership!

Conclusion: Embrace Tango

To many,

the tango embrace is the heart and soul of Argentine tango.

It is a unique and profound way of connecting with another person, allowing for the exchange of emotions, musical interpretation, and non-verbal communication. As dancers embark on their tango journey, exploring and understanding different embrace styles is essential, always approaching them with respect and an open mind.

So, whether you prefer the intimacy of a close embrace, the freedom of an open position, or the versatility of different embrace styles,

the key is to embrace the essence of tango itself — a dance of passion, connection, and shared emotions.

Let the tango embrace be your gateway to a world of profound communication and artistic expression on the dance floor!

WHERE TANGO BEGINS: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE TANGO EMBRACE