Ask Maleva: A Tango Advice Column

Head Pressers: The Forehead Incursion


Return to Main Maleva Advice Column Page

Dear Maleva,
I'm a tango dancer; only 1+ yr under my belt, but I dedicate two nites a week to dancing tango. Lately I've notice when dancing close embrace w/women, several have placed their forehead against my forehead and that is how they prefer to dance close embrace. Is this a new style? I find this type of dance quite uncomfortable, and if I try to put my head to the side they resist and continue to place their forehead right against mine. I'm thinking they do this is because they are trying to minimize body contact with their dance partner, yet experience a "close embrace". I personally think this is a ridiculous way to dance and will refuse to dance w/anyone in the future who does this. What are your thoughts?
Thanks,
-Tanguero from California


Dear California Tanguero

No this is not a new style, the forehead dance is actually quite an old style! If you watch videos of people dancing anywhere in the world, including BsAs prior to 1995 you will see most doing this forehead tango. Lets call it the Por Una Cabeza style.

I had a similar question about which way to turn the head from a lady a few months back- you can see my answer here:

Which Way Do I Look??

So for your question, I decided to get the guys' perspective: I asked 2 different leaders for their take on which way a follower should turn her face. I think the consensus between the two of them is that there must never be any tension in the neck for either person, whichever way they look. And I personally think that in general it is more comfortable to connect the soft cheek bits than the bony forehead bits. Read on below for the responses from my 2 guest 'Malevos'.

* * *

Malevo #1's Response

Dear Head-Press,

I agree with you, what you described is not the way to dance close-embrace. I don't mind a face connection, but only if it happens naturally after we've already connected sternums. Sometimes I never even get to touch the follower's cheek, like if she is busty for example. As for direction, she can look either way as long as there is no forward push of her head. If her head is relaxed and our heads touch, it feels good. Basically, tension and tango do not mix. Some follower's have a way of looking to the right and making it feel nice. Omar Vega once told me that the lady should look to the right because she should look at the leader's heart.

-Malevo #1

* * *


Malevo #2's Response

Dear Southern Cali-forehead-nicator,

I have been pondering your inquiry into the dreaded Forehead Incursion, in which one or the other of the partners usurps the other's head space. I pondered for, oh, about twelve point oh six nanoseconds, and this is what came to mind:

The forehead incursion is not a new phenomenon, as can be witnessed by observing many, many, many old photos of tango in it's early years. It could be said that the forehead-to-forehead contact was incidental or staged for the camera, but I think we can realistically infer that head butting is not new to tango.

It is myth that one must touch another's head to inspire or develop intimacy. It is also a myth that as we close the embrace, our heads naturally come together. On the emotional plain, intimacy in this country is often depicted as a kiss, i.e., head to head contact. It is a natural tendency for us tangueros to make the emotional leap to touching our faces or heads in a quest for said intimacy, passion, desire, call it what you will. The problem is that connecting the heads with any but the lightest touches, ANY stress at all in the neck, will automatically disengage the true place of intimacy, the heart. And how many times have our (better) tango teachers told us to lead and follow with our chests? There is a reason beyond just acting macho and having sexy pectoral muscles, and that is to open your body to the possibility of intimacy.

The main issue is balance. If I push your head, even lightly, eventually you will move to protect your neck. I manipulate your balance at the highest point in your body, you head. If you push back, we are fighting a war, albeit a small war, but a war of necks just the same. Our ability to step down onto the ground with energy and intention is lost. Our subtle balance muscles in the back, neck, and legs are no longer of use to us because we are using them for purposes that that they are not intended, i.e., bracing against our partner. And any subtlety in turns is lost the instant we connect our heads. I make my connection in the chest, while relaxing my legs (stiff neck = stiff legs, I promise you) and ask my body to talk to her body, not my chin ramming her forehead into submission.

Be aware leaders AND followers of you neck and it's little stresses, and I guarantee that you will improve your dance 3.625 fold in the first week alone!

So this is a VERY brief look into the realm of the embrace, particularly the intimacy of it. I believe that we should look for the path that leads us to stress-free living and stress-free tango. Women who "seek out" my chin for guidance do not get another dance from me. Cruel? Perhaps. Selfish? Yes. Self preserving? Above ALL ELSE, thank you. How can I offer you the best dances that I've got in me if I have to suffer for it? And why throw away all of those great yoga classes that I paid for...!

-Malevo #2