My left arm

My left arm

I am fond of my left arm, I have had it almost 78 years. It is not quite as good as the right, I cannot throw with it, but it is a good match!

Now what is its use in tango. I keep it in place, elbow down, hand in line with my chest and I aim that it only moves as an extension of the movement of my chest. 

I don't think of my left arm as being inert. The woman hangs her coat on a chair and then hangs her limp right arm on my left arm. The dead fish syndrome. The two limbs do not communicate.

NO! My left arm is an organic part of me, alive and thriving! It is part of the embrace along with chest and along my right arm with right hand on the woman's back (clothed, I hope!). As there is a tension between our bodies which provides the major part of the lead there is a tension between our hands. As I turn my chest, so my arm exaggerates that movement but if the follower is genuinely following, she will not feel that as a push, her arm will be moving with her body, just maintaining the tension between us.

 I have seen YouTube videos of a Pablo Rodriguez who continually pumps with his left arm as if his partner runs on a clockwork motor and he is desperately winding her up. I guess that is a style and maybe it is fun, but I don't like it. 

There are a number of dancers who have their left elbow at shoulder level with their hand at their neck. This means that their elbow is rigidly supported and capable of breaking bones in another person. I do not regard that as a style. It is a belligerent act, designed to frighten other dancers and ensure space, as leaders will keep their partners safely out of the way.