As tango dancers we need to consciously control the way in which we move from axis to axis and consciously change the way we would otherwise habitually walk. 

When we learned to walk as a very young child, we would put both feet on the floor and hold on to something to keep our balance. As our confidence and skill improved, we could stand on both feet without holding on to anything. Even now, as we walk, we unconsciously seek the next opportunity to stand on both feet.

The 'unconscious' or autonomic control of walking and balance is governed by the cerebellum and in the same way that it was 'programmed' with the means of control through intense repetition or conditioning via a traumatic event (like pain caused by falling over), the only way to 'unlearn' or change the programming is to apply (a) intense repetition in the long term or (b) supreme effect with the 'conscious' mind or (c) conditioning with trauma. Before my hip operation, my brain was conditioned by the trauma of pain from certain dancing actions and I learnt anew how to move to avoid pain.

If you feel like being more extreme in your exercise regime, you could reprogramme your cerebellum using trauma by putting a coin or small object in your shoe that causes mild pain if you step incorrectly. The choice is yours, and I urge you to use common sense if you experiment with this method to avoid injury.

A novice dancer needs to evolve his/her walk even further and learn to step onto and balance confidently in axis on one leg, keeping most of their weight over the front of the standing foot to enable pivoting on the ball of the foot. 

toe. The dancing foot remains very close to the floor which is the source of the dancers power, axis and balance. Use this contact with the floor to aid the standing leg. This is the collected or neutral position (i.e not involved with moving axis across the floor) that forms the start and end on every step. 

Tango is always completely improvised and spontaneous, with both dancers reacting to the dynamics of each other, the music and the dance floor. In order to invite a partner to dance into the next safe empty space, one, or both dancers may need to change direction quickly and elegantly. This is only possible if we are standing on one leg, in balance over the ball of 

the foot with the dancing leg collected in the neutral position (see above). Engaging the whole body to stay balanced, and poised ready to move to the next step.

Exercise:

Walk like a big cat stalking its prey. As you walk, soften your knees to actively engage all the muscles in your legs as you move. With each step, place your weight immediately onto the ball of your foot. Try not to place your weight on the heel first. If you are working in a group, choose a 'victim' to stalk and follow their every move, walking from single axis (balancing on one foot in the neutral position) to the next single axis. When you need to change direction, try pivoting on one foot in a smooth and balanced way. Make every step a precise move into axis and balance on one leg. 

For classic and modern tango music reference with clear, simple walking rhythms to accompany the above exercises, take a look at my online juke box. I have listed classics, like Por Una Cabeza (you can hear a sample of this at http://tinyurl.com/jafrn).

This link takes you to the Apple iTunes site where I suggest you search for these tango orchestras from Argentina.
Francisco Canaro, Carlos di Sarli and Juan D'Arienzo. There is a particularly good album for novice dancers called Tango - the Original(s), Vol. 1.

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If you have enjoyed reading this article, please check out other commentary on the process of learning (and the challenges of teaching) tango.