“Medialuna” mean “half moon” and describes usually a giro (turn) of about 180 degrees and is normally done by the follower using mulinette steps.
[Somtimes the term is also used (in videos and by teachers) to describe a “U” shaped figure that the leader leads around him/her (side – forward – backward – side – forward – backward – see the UI-exercise in the embrace lesson) – but I do not use it in that way in our class]
Since the media luna doesn’t require as much attention on stability, on the mulinette and on the pivot-ing (we focused on that the last two lessons) as a full 360° giro, we can use it to expore other entrances and exits into giros.
It is also another example, that in Tango there is not “the one” way to dance a figure, but potentially unlimited variants of how to enter, do and exit a basic movement with a certain name.
Media Luna to the left from the 3rd lane
Simple version
Leader: Walks into the 3rd lane with his right foot, but turns in on the follower. Now turns the upper body slightly to the left, leading the follower into a side step. Dissociating, the leader further opens the left shoulder to initiate a forward step of the follower – mulinette-mode of the follwer kicks in and the follower does the forward-step, pivots and does a sidestep.
The leader allows that by further opening the left shoulder, but then stops the movement and pivots into the basic position in front of the follower (who closes the feet).
Video: Media Luna to the left
Parada exit version
Same as above: The Leader walks into the 3rd lane with his right foot, but turns in on the follower. Now turns the upper body slightly to the left, leading the follower into a side step. Dissociating, the leader further opens the left shoulder to initiate a forward step of the follower – mulinette-mode of the follwer kicks in and the follower does the forward-step and pivots.
Different: But during the pivot the leader pivots (changing the weight) with the follower and puts his left leg against the axis foot of the follower – signaling a stop (parada) and keeps his left shoulder from further opening. Therefore the follower closes the feet and doesn’t move into the sidestep as above.
If the leader now opens the right shoulder, the follower steps over her/his leg.
Or the leader withdraws the leg and moves into basic position and continues from there.
Video: Media Luna to the left with parada at the end
Forward-ocho exit version
Sub-Variant a: After the forward step
Same as above: The Leader walks into the 3rd lane with his right foot, but turns in on the follower. Now turns the upper body slightly to the left, leading the follower into a side step. Dissociating, the leader further opens the left shoulder to initiate a forward step of the follower – mulinette-mode of the follwer kicks in and the follower does the forward-step and pivots (90° to the left) ready to let a side step follow.
Different: But during the pivot the leader enhances the pivot of the follower using the movement (by another 90° to the left). Now the follower has reversed by 180°. The leader now leads into a forward step (by opening the right shoulder) and into one foward ocho which leads the follower to finish in basic position.
Sub-Varinat b: After the second side step
Same as above: The Leader walks into the 3rd lane with his right foot, but turns in on the follower. Now turns the upper body slightly to the left, leading the follower into a side step. Dissociating, the leader further opens the left shoulder to initiate a forward step of the follower – mulinette-mode of the follwer kicks in and the follower does the forward-step and pivots (90° to the left) to let a side step follow.
Different: The follower does the side step and now pivots towards the back step – which would be a 180° pivot. But the leader stips the pivot after 80 degrees and leads the follower into a forward step and into one foward ocho which leads the follower to finish in basic position.
Media Luna to the right after back ocho
Basic leader remains in-place version
The leader leads a media luna from the backward ocho: Once the back step to the right is finished, the leader doesn’t lead another pivot, but opens the right shoulder to break the ocho movement and create space for a side step. Having understood that the ocho was aborted, the follower does the side step, then a foreward step.
When the follower shifts weight onto the forward foot, the leader stops the energy of the movement, so that the follower stops in basic position.
Leader remains in-place version with forward ocho exit
The leader leads a media luna from the backward ocho: Once the back step to the right is finished, the leader doesn’t lead another pivot, but opens the right shoulder to break the ocho movement and create space for a side step. Having understood that the ocho was aborted, the follower does the side step, then a forward step.
When the follower shifts weight onto the forward foot, the leader uses the energy of the movement over-turn the follower and lead the follower into a forward ocho instead of allowing the side step of the mulinette.
Video: Media Luna leader remains in-place Version with foreward ocho exit
We did it in class until here. Next steps to advance with media lunas would the following (we will do them at some other time):
Dynamic leader turns outside version – with forward ocho exit
The leader leads a media luna from the backward ocho: Once the back step to the right is finished, the leader doesn’t lead another pivot, but opens the right shoulder to break the ocho movement and create space for a side step. Having understood that the ocho was aborted, the follower does the side step, then a forward step.
Different for the leader: While the follower during the back step shifts the weight from one foot to the other, the leader makes a round step with the right foot outside the foot that the follower is leaving
When the follower shifts weight onto the forward foot, the leader uses the energy of the movement over-turn the follower and lead the follower into a forward ocho instead of allowing the side step of the mulinette.
Slow motion media luna after back ocho Video
La Media Luna after back ocho in dance flow
La Medialuna to the right from back ocho – 28 min of detailed discussion of the media luna issues (also relevant for other giros)
Other versions:
Media Luna to the right from a back step of the leader – interesting variant (Video without sound!)
Media Luna to the left from the back ocho with forward ocho exit
Dynamic leader turns outside version – with parada exit – plus technique tipps