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TOCA STUDENT · Lesson 05 · Kizomba technique

Why your kizomba connection feels heavy, and the three habits behind it

Usually one of three things. You are holding your partner instead of listening to them. You are creating tension before the movement even begins. Or you are using your arms to replace your body.

Dawou Tarraxo, pioneer of Tarraxo. Why your kizomba connection feels heavy, and the three habits behind it

Keep the frame available, not rigid. Let the body carry the intention. Use only the pressure the message actually requires.

Connection should feel informative, not restrictive. If your partner has to work to escape you, the information never arrived.

This is the first thing I fix in a private kizomba or tarraxo lesson.

Why your connection feels heavy, step by step

  1. WHY DOES YOUR CONNECTION FEEL HEAVY?
  2. You may be holding your partner instead of listening to them.
  3. You may be creating tension before the movement begins.
  4. You may be using the arms to replace the body.
  5. Keep the frame available, not rigid.
  6. Let the body carry the intention.
  7. Use only the pressure the message requires.
Which mistake do you recognise?

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This lesson comes from the book

Page 86 of The student's book by Dawou Tarraxo, the TOCA Method page this lesson comes from
The student's book · page 86

The student’s book takes dancers from the first foundations to real feeling. The teacher’s guide gives instructors the structure to pass it on. Both in English, French and Spanish, on Amazon and Apple Books.

The student’s book The teacher’s guide

The method

T O C A

Two bodies. One connection.

TTouchThe connection with your partner. Feeling through contact, never through force.
OObservationListening to your partner’s body, energy and tempo.
CControlMastery of your own movement. Precision without tension.
AAwarenessFull presence: with yourself, your partner and the music.