I have taken ballroom lessons for about 18 months. Sometimes I have a really hard time with connection. Most of the time its the hardest part for me. I recently began Argentine Tango lessons and for three weeks we have been working on connection, and building understanding of the subtle movements that allow a man to truly lead. So here comes the question. My argentine instructor says that when you are to the left, like the woman is in ballroom, that you have broken connection and the lead disappears. I do feel the difference. How do I get the same electricity and body awareness that allows the same flavor of connection in ballroom dancing? If anyone has any advice on connection...I'd love it. I know its important and I am sure many of you have worked through it and know the secret.

"My argentine instructor says that when you are to the left, like the woman is in ballroom, that you have broken connection and the lead disappears. I do feel the difference. How do I get the same electricity and body awareness that allows the same flavor of connection in ballroom dancing?"

You each have to improve your perception of the other. You can sort of accomplish connection by being firm, but it really works a lot better when you both "listen" to each other. Then the leader needs to be clear, but doesn't have to be forceful. Similarly, the follower needs to be clear in not letting her contact parts become inconsistent from her center (which would make it hard for her leader to tell where her center is), but she doesn't actually need to firmly hold a fixed position of her body.

Belyo. In the Argentine Tango the lady must be square and as you say not to the mans right as in ballroom. One excercise that does help is the Lady at arms length puts her two hands on the centre of the man's chest and walks backwards or forwards around the room.
The man has no hold making sure that even when you turn the lady is still square in front. The lady actually pushes against the mans chest with a fair amount of weight. To turn to the left both together you will find it is necessary to bring the right foot to the left foot change direction and step through. The ladies stance is on an incline. The head is well forward of the body. The legs are very straight, and straight when they step backwards. There is no flexing of the knees here. This is the insructions given in my first class ever.

Dear Belle, Let me qualify my answer as I am not an Argentine instructor. I have had similar questions asked of me numerous times. My experience has been that if the man holds his right elbow up and away from his right side,whether he prefers to hold you in the normal right hand to left shoulder-blade position or further down toward the small of the ladies back, you will be able to be led by keeping your hips tucked under and "feeling" for your partners right hand with the left shoulder blade or your partners right "inside" arm. This is has proven to be trememdously helpful to my students(American & International) to be able to feel their partners lead. One last thing, I work with my female students to practice resistance through their right hand so that the feeling is one of "a flexible steel cable through their & (their instructors) top line" I hope this helps you to better understand connection and hold.
Respectfully,
Tom Ramon Owner
www.aodmt.com

Ballroom hold and connection and Argentine hold and connection are simply two different things. They create different lead-follower interactions, each appropriate for the specific dance.

I don't think there is a secret. It's something that can always be improved. It's a combination of your own posture and your responsiveness to your leader.

A couple things will help--pull your lats down and slightly "around" to the front (the lats run diagonally) and contract your center a bit. Make sure your weight is solidly over your foot with each step. Then you just need a solid but flexible arm connection.

BTW, have you had any luck finding a new teacher?