Advancing: The couple takes a step in which the leader steps toward the followerâs space
Alignment: Standing straight, balanced, feet underneath you
Close Embrace: Embrace with continuous flat frontal contact between torsos/upper bodies
Closed Side/âDarkâ Side: The side of the embrace that youâre hugging each other. Leaderâs right, followerâs left.
Crossed System: When both are stepping with their LEFT legs, OR with the RIGHT legs.
Double-Time: Twice as fast as the walking beat, usually counted ONE TWO THREE or THREE FOUR ONE.
Downbeat: The walking beat of the music, usually counted ONE, THREE
Downstream: Going with the line of dance, e.g., counterclockwise
Extension: Uses base leg to stretch free leg, before committing weight
Far Side: The side of the ocho-erâs body thatâs further away from the partner.
Follow the Follower: Steps to a place that factors in followerâs interpretation of lead
Follow the Ronda: Able to advance in a single lane without passing, bumping, or stalling others
Followerâs Default: The followerâs grapevine, including the followerâs cross which is understood to happen automatically unless interrupted
Followerâs Power: Making decisive, active steps once committed - moving with conviction
Following vs Guessing: Kinaesthetically feeling whatâs needed to stay with leader
Free Leg: The leg that doesnât have weight on it
Frontality: Continuous facing from hips up, hold partner in front of you
Handward: Going in the direction of the opened side of the embrace.
Hugward: Going in the direction of the closed side of the embrace.
Inline Step: When one partner steps directly into the space vacated by the other partnerâs extending leg.
Invitation: Invites follower to extend, before moving
Near Side: The side of the ocho-erâs body thatâs closer to the partner.
Opened Side: The side of the embrace where youâre holding hands. Followerâs right, leaderâs left.
Outside-Partner Step: When one partner steps into the space that is to the side of both partnerâs legs.
Parallel System: Any situation where the leader steps with LEFT and follower with RIGHT, OR vice versa.
Practice Embrace: Asymmetrical embrace with square shape
Practice Hold: Holding each otherâs elbows, with leaderâs arms underneath.
Quality of Touch: Arms and hands are light, supporting presence that is comfortable for partner
Retreating: The couple takes a step in which the follower steps toward the leaderâs space
Standing Leg: The leg youâre standing on
Stillness: Able to wait, pause for as many as 8 beats
The Embrace: Softly v-shaped organic shape that emerges from holding each other close; flexible and adaptable in proximity, allows for rolling, continuously changing to allow for room for expression.
The Pivot Before The Step: A balanced pivot with legs together that prepares lower body for step
Upstream: Going against the line of dance, e.g., clockwise
If you have suggestions for improving this mission, please submit an issue on GitHub and include the mission number. For anything else incluing new mission ideas, sharing your experience, or your interest in learning to teach this manual, get in touch via email.