Barefoot Embrace

A philosophy, not a dress code

Práctica Etiquette & Code of Conduct

Our Ethos

We believe the práctica is at the heart of learning and developing Argentine Tango and other dances of the close embrace, such as Forró and Kizomba.

We believe that classes, prácticas and dance evenings each have a different and important role in developing our skills as dancers and the ritual of dancing

We are an LGBTQ+ inclusive, gender-fluid dance space. Leading and following are not assigned according to gender. We encourage everyone to explore both roles, believing that understanding each enriches our dancing.

The Class — Learning

Classes introduce us to different techniques, movements and approaches to the dance. Different teachers will have different methods and interpretations, and exploring these differences can enrich our dancing.

The Práctica — Exploring & intergrating

The práctica is where we take what we’ve learned into our own dancing. It is a space to experiment, repeat movements, ask questions, make mistakes and develop our technique and musicality, individually or with a partner.

Classes introduce us to new ideas, movements and techniques, but it is through practice that we integrate these into our dancing, develop our musicality and discover our own dance.

The Dance Evening / Milonga — Dancing

The dance evening (or milonga in Tango) is where we come together to dance what we know, rather than practise what we don’t yet know.

It is not a place to teach, correct or apologise for our dancing. We leave the analysis and correction behind and enjoy the dance, the music and the connection with our partner.

We believe all three are important, and that recognising their different purposes enriches our dancing.

Our Practice Space

We want to create a generous and supportive environment where dancers of different levels can work on their dancing, respecting one another’s choices, boundaries and ways of learning.

We love dancing, and believe that maintaining the particular ritual and ethos of the práctica enriches the dance itself.

---

Code of Conduct For the practica

Because Tango and other dances of the close embrace involve close physical contact, consent, mutual respect and etiquette are particularly important.

Before attending the practica we ask participants to consider the following principles . You will be asked to confirm your agreement to each as part when you first join a class or practica .

Práctica Etiquette & Code of Conduct — Booking Questions

1. Purpose of the Práctica: Do you understand that the práctica is a space for experimenting, making mistakes and developing your dancing, individually or with a partner, rather than a social dance evening?
2. Consent and Invitations: Do you agree to check consent before entering a close embrace and respect everyone’s right to accept or decline an invitation without explanation?
3. Reporting Concerns: Do you agree to inform the Close Embrace team if you witness behaviour that appears to disregard another dancer’s consent?
4. Gender and Inclusivity: Do you agree to respect dancers of all genders and sexual orientations, and recognise that leading and following are not assigned according to gender? Everyone is encouraged to explore both roles but is free to choose which role they practise.
5. Personal Hygiene: Do you agree to take reasonable care to minimise body odour and be considerate about perfumes and strongly scented products?
6. Feedback and Teaching: Do you agree to take responsibility for asking for feedback on your own dancing, and to check what others would like feedback on before offering advice, rather than giving unsolicited teaching or correction?
7. Private Tuition: Do you understand that private tuition is different to a guided practica and is arranged separately from the práctica subscription?
8. Teachers and Solicitation: Teachers attending the práctica who are not affiliated with Close Embrace should refer any enquiries about teaching to the Close Embrace team, rather than soliciting teaching work themselves. Do you understand and agree that this is a matter of professional courtesy and respectful etiquette?
9. Respecting the Practice Space: Do you agree to help maintain a welcoming, supportive and non-judgemental environment, respecting how others choose to practise?

Final Declaration

I confirm that I have read and understood the full Práctica Etiquette & Code of Conduct and agree to follow it when attending Close Embrace prácticas.