From the Paul Vladimirski's "Follower Empowerment Survey of Feb 2010"

"When a leader protects the follower it provides an environment conducive to refined and sophisticated movement by both dancers. Leaders more concerned with their own steps than the dynamics of the floor create a tension in the follower. I prefer dancing with a partner that knows when to dance small on a crowded floor than one that dominates the floor with large and intricate steps. Dancing complicated figures on a social floor demonstrates little understanding or appreciation for the more refined elements of Tango and the safety of a partner. I prefer a safe, steady, dependable lead along the line of dance to random, intricate steps that move against or randomly across the line of dance. A leader who leads a huge boleo that causes me to strike another dancer can ruin an entire night for me."

"The true elegance of Tango can only happen when a leader allows the follower time. It is not necessary to step to each beat of the music. It is not necessary to speed from figure to figure. Tango is something two people share; each needs time to do so and a leader needs to understand that a follower needs time. When a leader dances in a way that does not allow a follower time to start or complete a movement that leader is selfish. A leader that does not provide the follower opportunity to embellish and adorn is egotistic and self-centered. A skilled leader will not only provide a follower time, but will lead a follower in movements appropriate to the skill of the follower."

"The initial embrace is so very important to me. It sets the tone for the dance. I know from the moment of the embrace if the leader will dance alone, or if we shall dance as a couple. I know from the first steps if the leader will dance dangerously or recklessly so that I am in danger of injury and frightened for my safety. I also know, from the initial embrace and very first steps, if the leader will allow me the confidence and self-esteem to be a full partner in the dance. No follower enjoys a leader attempting to impress the floor and in so doing ignores the follower."

"She will accept that sometimes s/he will lead things that I may not understand, and that when this happens, it is best not to repeat the move. I have had partners on occasion who will attempt something unknown to me, and instead of recognizing this, accepting it, shifting gears, and putting me back in my comfort zone by returning to something familiar (because empowerment, for me, comes from trust in the leader and confidence in myself), she or he will keep doing the same lead over and over, expecting a different outcome. With each attempt, I become more stressed out, more flustered and frustrated, and consequently, less able to follow."

"She must give me time and room to play. By this I mean the leader should not treat tango as a monologue. It is a conversation. If I feel that I am being heard, I am empowered."

"Embrace me as I am the most precious woman in that moment, feel my body where my blood is flowing toward...and hold me through out dancing without hesitation, never let go, but keep distance and create our space from among others."

"When the leader is musical and can give the follower time to do flourishes to the music.  It feels very relaxing to the follower to know she can trust the leader.  And empowers her to do more.  To take some risks and have fun."

"If he or she connects to the music and can dance in it and interpret our dance with it, I feel like I am an instrument in the music and I am amazed at how powerful I am.  This too, can happen with very little “repertoire” in patterns or steps. "

"If a leader "feels" the music and can lead me into various interpretations of it (off beat, syncopated, leading me into following a different melody and perhaps beat sequence than he is doing, etc.), then I'm a really happy and an empowered dancer. If we feel the music in the same way, it's a really incredible experience - the best of the best."

"Leaders have been taught different ways to embrace followers (and visa versa) and of course, there are different styles of the embrace. But again, for me, independent of the style, an embrace is most comfortable when the leader does not hold me too "tight", no matter where on my back he holds me. It throws me off balance; it strains my back; it makes me arch, etc.."

"Good leaders can dance around the level of skill of their follower.  If their follower is not confident doing crusadas, they do something else.  They find the moves that their follower is comfortable with and make the experience pleasant for both."

"Confidence--this is not just the confidence of knowledge and skill the leader posses.  But the confidence to move forward with energy, even if it is just a simple walk.  Knowing their own true selves and not relying on validation from others.  Not having a need to show off, leaders are confident in themselves and their ability and focus on making it a pleasant experience for their partner.  There is also the confidence/humility one needs to make a mistake and still move so fluidly and seemlessly so that it doesn't feel like a mistake.  Nothing feels so awful as receiving someone's bad vibes because they are frustrated with their (or your!) moves on the floor. "

"Moving at an appropriate pace according to the music with sensitivity to pauses (almost nothing worse than a leader who tries to rush you through soft melodies and d'Arienzo pauses)"

"To empower a follower is to give her time.  Time is not always given; we must rush from one figure to another.  A leader must finish the figure and allow it to settle and make a statement before moving to the next.  To give a follower time is the ultimate gift of empowerment.  With time we become confident and begin to embellish and begin to explore the possibilities.  Giving us time allows us to give the partnership a new dimension.  Suddenly it is not all about the leader and what he can do, it becomes a partnership that creates a conversation between two people."

"To empower a follower is to protect her on the floor. To feel safe allows us to relax and focus on the partnership rather than what is around us.  To know that a leader is in full command of the floor and his surroundings makes all the difference to us.  Again, for a follower to realize that her safety is a priority for the leader will allow her to relax, focus and maintain the conversation and succeed."

"To empower a follower is to connect physically and emotionally yet at the same time allow her space and freedom.  It’s a delicate balance that not all have mastered.  So many times I am locked in an embrace that I cannot break free.  I danced with one of my favorite leaders recently and reflected on why I love to dance with him.  When I was in his embrace it was soft and not forced.  I felt the connection and allowed him to lead yet I was given space to follow without being pushed.  The lead was clear and I was comfortable and happy to follow the lead given to me.  I made the choice and I chose to follow because it was comfortable and I believed and trusted the leader.  The leader empowered me to choose."

-Paul Vladimirsky.

Painting by Erika Oller - Body Heat.