Comments on: How to Inspire Tango Dancers Worldwide http://www.tango-blog.com/tango-talk/how-to-inspire-tango-dancers-worldwide Sun, 15 Aug 2010 12:48:25 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Karen http://www.tango-blog.com/tango-talk/how-to-inspire-tango-dancers-worldwide/comment-page-1#comment-1801 Karen Thu, 06 May 2010 07:23:00 +0000 http://www.tango-blog.com/?p=2321#comment-1801 Who : Me What : I was flying back from London to Johannesburg in 2003 and watched a movie called "Assasination Tango" with Robert Duvall. It was the first time I had seen this thing called Argentine Tango and I was so taken by it that I started looking it up on the internet - specifically to find a local teacher. Where : At a gym about 5km from my house with a teacher called Nathan, who is still my teacher today. When : November 2003 Why : I am hopelessly addicted. I did stop for a few months due to pregnancy, but was back in full force a couple of months later. Now I have to juggle my tango fix with a husband and small child, so don't dance as often as I would like. I also ended up having a bunion op last year due to too much dancing in high heels and I am still in recovery 5 months later. I can still only dance in flat shoes. I had to stop dancing altogether for four months to give it time to heal - incredibly frustrating. How : To all the ladies out there - especially if you are prone to bunions - save those high heels for special dances only and wear low heels more often - you could save yourself a lot of foot pain. Who : Me
What : I was flying back from London to Johannesburg in 2003 and watched a movie called “Assasination Tango” with Robert Duvall.
It was the first time I had seen this thing called Argentine Tango and I was so taken by it that I started looking it up on the internet – specifically to find a local teacher.
Where : At a gym about 5km from my house with a teacher called Nathan, who is still my teacher today.
When : November 2003
Why : I am hopelessly addicted. I did stop for a few months due to pregnancy, but was back in full force a couple of months later. Now I have to juggle my tango fix with a husband and small child, so don’t dance as often as I would like.
I also ended up having a bunion op last year due to too much dancing in high heels and I am still in recovery 5 months later. I can still only dance in flat shoes.
I had to stop dancing altogether for four months to give it time to heal – incredibly frustrating.
How : To all the ladies out there – especially if you are prone to bunions – save those high heels for special dances only and wear low heels more often – you could save yourself a lot of foot pain.

]]> By: TangoHamster http://www.tango-blog.com/tango-talk/how-to-inspire-tango-dancers-worldwide/comment-page-1#comment-1659 TangoHamster Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:48:52 +0000 http://www.tango-blog.com/?p=2321#comment-1659 Who: An unknown couple. Ten years ago, I was taking the "Ballroom for Boneheads" class, the following class was Tango. The couple was warming up, simple stuff, and it was captivating. They were actually dancing with the music, not just a series of patterns & steps. What Motivation: I'd always loved music, and dabbled in social dance. The complexity of Tango music hooked me. Where: I started at the local Practicas, followed quickly by many, many classes. When: Three years ago, I tore my achilles tendon. After spending 6 weeks in a cast, it was time to take up Tango. One part PT, one part socialization. Why: I stick with it because of the community. The amazing generous souls that have helped me go from a dorky beginner that had no balance, to a dorky intermediate with better balance :). I also stick with it for being totally 'in the moment', a mini-vacation from all the noise in our heads. And the simple fun of creating art with somebody, there's nothing to hang on the wall at the end of the dance, but sometimes you just know it's beautiful. How: My takeaway lesson: (As a follow) Patience. Listen to your leader one step at a time. Practice: Those drills really do help, even if they're boring. Have fun! Because really, we're playing with other people. Who: An unknown couple. Ten years ago, I was taking the “Ballroom for Boneheads” class, the following class was Tango. The couple was warming up, simple stuff, and it was captivating. They were actually dancing with the music, not just a series of patterns & steps.

What Motivation: I’d always loved music, and dabbled in social dance. The complexity of Tango music hooked me.

Where: I started at the local Practicas, followed quickly by many, many classes.

When: Three years ago, I tore my achilles tendon. After spending 6 weeks in a cast, it was time to take up Tango. One part PT, one part socialization.

Why: I stick with it because of the community. The amazing generous souls that have helped me go from a dorky beginner that had no balance, to a dorky intermediate with better balance :) . I also stick with it for being totally ‘in the moment’, a mini-vacation from all the noise in our heads. And the simple fun of creating art with somebody, there’s nothing to hang on the wall at the end of the dance, but sometimes you just know it’s beautiful.

How: My takeaway lesson: (As a follow) Patience. Listen to your leader one step at a time. Practice: Those drills really do help, even if they’re boring. Have fun! Because really, we’re playing with other people.

]]> By: Catherine Ryder http://www.tango-blog.com/tango-talk/how-to-inspire-tango-dancers-worldwide/comment-page-1#comment-1657 Catherine Ryder Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:18:53 +0000 http://www.tango-blog.com/?p=2321#comment-1657 Aloha Jonsie, would love to dance with you! You said it well with your reasons why, all of them, I especially like "get lost in time" and 'feel a part of something bigger than me." Catherine Aloha Jonsie, would love to dance with you! You said it well with your reasons why, all of them, I especially like “get lost in time” and ‘feel a part of something bigger than me.” Catherine

]]> By: jonsie http://www.tango-blog.com/tango-talk/how-to-inspire-tango-dancers-worldwide/comment-page-1#comment-1656 jonsie Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:30:55 +0000 http://www.tango-blog.com/?p=2321#comment-1656 * Who (got you started?) Me * What (was your motivation to dance?) To meet women * Where (was your first experience?) In a dance studio * When (did you decide to take the plunge?) It wasn't a plunge,and it wasn't a decision. It was more like a gradual ingestion/integration into my person. One day I woke up after I don't know how many lessons and practicas and milongas, and realized, "this is something I cannot see myself not doing". Like the 30 thirty year old tattoos on my arms, it simply has become a part of my life by default. It is now a part of who I am, not the whole, but an important. * Why (have you quit or stuck with it?) It fulfills a deep in me to be able to create something, to socialize, to make human contact, to fit in, get lost in time, have some fun, feel apart of something bigger then me, learn and experience the traditions, the music, meet new people, to experiment artistically and emotionally, explore myself, dance just for the hell of it, quote a phrase" boldly go where no man has gone before", constantly search for the perfect dance......... * How (can someone learn from your experience?) By dancing with me........ * Who (got you started?) Me
* What (was your motivation to dance?) To meet women
* Where (was your first experience?) In a dance studio
* When (did you decide to take the plunge?) It wasn’t a plunge,and it wasn’t a decision. It was more like a gradual ingestion/integration into my person. One day I woke up after I don’t know how many lessons and practicas and milongas, and realized, “this is something I cannot see myself not doing”. Like the 30 thirty year old tattoos on my arms, it simply has become a part of my life by default. It is now a part of who I am, not the whole, but an important.
* Why (have you quit or stuck with it?) It fulfills a deep in me to be able to create something, to socialize, to make human contact, to fit in, get lost in time, have some fun, feel apart of something bigger then me, learn and experience the traditions, the music, meet new people, to experiment artistically and emotionally, explore myself, dance just for the hell of it, quote a phrase” boldly go where no man has gone before”, constantly search for the perfect dance………
* How (can someone learn from your experience?) By dancing with me……..

]]> By: Panayiotis Karabetis http://www.tango-blog.com/tango-talk/how-to-inspire-tango-dancers-worldwide/comment-page-1#comment-1655 Panayiotis Karabetis Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:40:32 +0000 http://www.tango-blog.com/?p=2321#comment-1655 @Stephanie - I'd love to run across statistics on <a href="http://www.tango-blog.com/tango-talk/i-quit-dancing-tango-and-life-got-worse" rel="nofollow">how relationships lead people to Tango</a>! You're right, it's not an obsession as much as it's a way of life – a psuedo-religion, if you will. @Mari - Doctor knows best, right? You and I would benefit from discussing the effects of Tango on chronic pain. I'm forced to sit out on a lot of dancing because of my hip pain and that scares me. Please ask Eleanor if she has a quote for that. :) @Eeleen - The dance is like opening a flood gate, isn't it? The music's ups and downs correlate directly with your changing moods and make you feel like you have a friend. Do you think of your dance floor as a collection of balanced people that welcome you with open arms? @Catherine - Small world, I was a massage therapist for two years. A better understanding of the human body comes with the territory for both fields. Kudos to you for attending milongas as a single; your adaptability will become nothing short of amazing, my dear. Oh, just a heads up: something you said will be used in the <a href="http://www.tango-blog.com/tango-talk/i-quit-dancing-tango-and-life-got-worse" rel="nofollow">next blog post</a> ;) @MK - Isn't it miraculous how abandoning personal-space issues changes all aspects of your life? Freedom seeps in. I, too, was inspired by a demonstration and, the more I think about it, the effects have lasted to this day (and that was three years ago). A big thank you to you all for participating so far. Someone, somewhere, is benefiting from knowing your story! @Stephanie -
I’d love to run across statistics on how relationships lead people to Tango! You’re right, it’s not an obsession as much as it’s a way of life – a psuedo-religion, if you will.

@Mari -
Doctor knows best, right? You and I would benefit from discussing the effects of Tango on chronic pain. I’m forced to sit out on a lot of dancing because of my hip pain and that scares me. Please ask Eleanor if she has a quote for that. :)

@Eeleen –
The dance is like opening a flood gate, isn’t it? The music’s ups and downs correlate directly with your changing moods and make you feel like you have a friend. Do you think of your dance floor as a collection of balanced people that welcome you with open arms?

@Catherine –
Small world, I was a massage therapist for two years. A better understanding of the human body comes with the territory for both fields. Kudos to you for attending milongas as a single; your adaptability will become nothing short of amazing, my dear. Oh, just a heads up: something you said will be used in the next blog post ;)

@MK –
Isn’t it miraculous how abandoning personal-space issues changes all aspects of your life? Freedom seeps in. I, too, was inspired by a demonstration and, the more I think about it, the effects have lasted to this day (and that was three years ago).

A big thank you to you all for participating so far. Someone, somewhere, is benefiting from knowing your story!

]]> By: mk http://www.tango-blog.com/tango-talk/how-to-inspire-tango-dancers-worldwide/comment-page-1#comment-1653 mk Thu, 17 Dec 2009 05:19:37 +0000 http://www.tango-blog.com/?p=2321#comment-1653 Who - saw a demonstration in my city and thought I think I want to try that. What - I just wanted to learn how to dance and the people I met seemed non-threatening and easy going. Where - a dance studio When - 2 years ago or so. Why - the more I do it, the more I want to learn and the more I love it. It's like an onion, the more you peel, the more layers there are. How - If I, who does not particularly like people in her personal space, can tango with all manner of people, anyone can do it. Who – saw a demonstration in my city and thought I think I want to try that.
What – I just wanted to learn how to dance and the people I met seemed non-threatening and easy going.
Where – a dance studio
When – 2 years ago or so.
Why – the more I do it, the more I want to learn and the more I love it. It’s like an onion, the more you peel, the more layers there are.
How – If I, who does not particularly like people in her personal space, can tango with all manner of people, anyone can do it.

]]> By: Catherine Ryder http://www.tango-blog.com/tango-talk/how-to-inspire-tango-dancers-worldwide/comment-page-1#comment-1651 Catherine Ryder Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:11:42 +0000 http://www.tango-blog.com/?p=2321#comment-1651 Who (got you started?) - Three of my massage school instructors were dancing tango, there seemed to be a compelling community here, and I was intrigued. What (was your motivation to dance?) - I was already a dancer, a solo dancer who performs improv or choreography. The idea of partner dancing was something I had never tried, a total challenge. I thought, if I can learn to dance with another person, maybe I could learn to be better in personal relationships, too. Where (was your first experience?) - a group class at a Community New Age center. When (did you decide to take the plunge?) HMMMM When? 2.5 years ago - or, another way to put it, was, after every class in the beginning, I went thru a whole litany of agonized "why am I doing this???" and "I don't HAVE to do this" mind chatter. And every time I would find myself back in tango class, determined, and always feeling like I was terrible at it, that the teacher hated me, etc. etc. and back I would come. Later things got better, I found other teachers, took privates from a great lead, etc. But I have yet to have a partner. I go to classes and milongas as a single and that is really difficult. Never know if you will have a partner or who it will be. Why (have you quit or stuck with it?) The feeling of moving in space together synchronized with another human being and the music is just pure bliss. I can forget so much of the other stuff in my life. I think if the Titanic were sinking, we would all be dancing tango, just like the band that didn't stop playing. How (can someone learn from your experience?) Just know that if something is worth doing, it is worth working for. Something like that. Perseverance, determination, desire. You won't learn it in 6 easy lessons. You have to put forth EFFORT. It will take you thru your stuff. You will learn a lot more than just the dance. Psychological stuff. Scary stuff. Relationship stuff. Stuff about yourself and how you learn and what your blocks are. Not for the weak and lazy. Who (got you started?) – Three of my massage school instructors were dancing tango, there seemed to be a compelling community here, and I was intrigued.

What (was your motivation to dance?) – I was already a dancer, a solo dancer who performs improv or choreography. The idea of partner dancing was something I had never tried, a total challenge. I thought, if I can learn to dance with another person, maybe I could learn to be better in personal relationships, too.

Where (was your first experience?) – a group class at a Community New Age center.

When (did you decide to take the plunge?) HMMMM When? 2.5 years ago – or, another way to put it, was, after every class in the beginning, I went thru a whole litany of agonized “why am I doing this???” and “I don’t HAVE to do this” mind chatter. And every time I would find myself back in tango class, determined, and always feeling like I was terrible at it, that the teacher hated me, etc. etc. and back I would come. Later things got better, I found other teachers, took privates from a great lead, etc. But I have yet to have a partner. I go to classes and milongas as a single and that is really difficult. Never know if you will have a partner or who it will be.

Why (have you quit or stuck with it?) The feeling of moving in space together synchronized with another human being and the music is just pure bliss. I can forget so much of the other stuff in my life. I think if the Titanic were sinking, we would all be dancing tango, just like the band that didn’t stop playing.

How (can someone learn from your experience?) Just know that if something is worth doing, it is worth working for. Something like that. Perseverance, determination, desire. You won’t learn it in 6 easy lessons. You have to put forth EFFORT. It will take you thru your stuff. You will learn a lot more than just the dance. Psychological stuff. Scary stuff. Relationship stuff. Stuff about yourself and how you learn and what your blocks are. Not for the weak and lazy.

]]> By: Eileen Pall http://www.tango-blog.com/tango-talk/how-to-inspire-tango-dancers-worldwide/comment-page-1#comment-1650 Eileen Pall Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:52:43 +0000 http://www.tango-blog.com/?p=2321#comment-1650 Who got me started - I watched the movie "Shall we dance?" (JLo/Gere version) and I was captivated by the intensity of the Tango scene. What was my motivation- I was an emotional wreck after my son left home, leaving only a note on the kitchen counter. I needed an escape from reality. Where - Princeton University When - Spring 2006 Why I stay with it - I have stuck with it because it give me such joy - the challenge, the connection, the music. It has given me the opportunity to start to feel my emotions again. How can someone learn from my experience - Trust that Tango can help you emotionally because of the need to trust and connect with people in order to dance. The Tango community offers a safe place to meet people and to just have fun - something that you may not feel you have in your home/work life. Who got me started – I watched the movie “Shall we dance?” (JLo/Gere version) and I was captivated by the intensity of the Tango scene.

What was my motivation- I was an emotional wreck after my son left home, leaving only a note on the kitchen counter. I needed an escape from reality.

Where – Princeton University

When – Spring 2006

Why I stay with it – I have stuck with it because it give me such joy – the challenge, the connection, the music. It has given me the opportunity to start to feel my emotions again.

How can someone learn from my experience – Trust that Tango can help you emotionally because of the need to trust and connect with people in order to dance. The Tango community offers a safe place to meet people and to just have fun – something that you may not feel you have in your home/work life.

]]> By: Mari http://www.tango-blog.com/tango-talk/how-to-inspire-tango-dancers-worldwide/comment-page-1#comment-1649 Mari Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:51:27 +0000 http://www.tango-blog.com/?p=2321#comment-1649 * Who got me started - several people kept mentioning it but the last person that suggested I take it up is a psychotherapist - so if he thought it was a good idea, why fight it? * What was my motivation - So many things. My chronic pain was getting worse and I was starting to have to limit my activities because of it. That made me feel so isolated - but the idea of going to gym sounded awful. It took free classes at the university where I work to get me to actually try it. Maybe the biggest thing was reading the quote from Eleanor Roosevelt: "Do something every day that scares you." So I did. * Where was my first experience - the Union Show Room at the University of Texas. * When - 10 months ago. * Why have I stayed with it - A friend has said that it fits in with Maslow's hierarchy of needs and I think he's right. Stephanie's right - not an addiction, not an obsession - it's simply foundational to my sense of wellbeing and connection. * How could someone learn from my experience - If there is anything to be learned from my experience it's mainly to do with dealing with pain. I couldn't walk around the block 10 months ago without feeling winded and sore. Since then, I've had weeks where I've danced 20 hours. I was filled with anxiety, fear over pain, embarrassment at not doing something well - you name it. Not only is it possible to get through all of that - but it is so more than worth it. It's better than I ever thought it would be. All I can say is every day that you wait to start tango, is another day you'll regret not having started sooner. * Who got me started – several people kept mentioning it but the last person that suggested I take it up is a psychotherapist – so if he thought it was a good idea, why fight it?

* What was my motivation – So many things. My chronic pain was getting worse and I was starting to have to limit my activities because of it. That made me feel so isolated – but the idea of going to gym sounded awful. It took free classes at the university where I work to get me to actually try it. Maybe the biggest thing was reading the quote from Eleanor Roosevelt: “Do something every day that scares you.” So I did.

* Where was my first experience – the Union Show Room at the University of Texas.

* When – 10 months ago.

* Why have I stayed with it – A friend has said that it fits in with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and I think he’s right. Stephanie’s right – not an addiction, not an obsession – it’s simply foundational to my sense of wellbeing and connection.

* How could someone learn from my experience – If there is anything to be learned from my experience it’s mainly to do with dealing with pain. I couldn’t walk around the block 10 months ago without feeling winded and sore. Since then, I’ve had weeks where I’ve danced 20 hours. I was filled with anxiety, fear over pain, embarrassment at not doing something well – you name it. Not only is it possible to get through all of that – but it is so more than worth it. It’s better than I ever thought it would be.

All I can say is every day that you wait to start tango, is another day you’ll regret not having started sooner.

]]> By: Stephanie Baron http://www.tango-blog.com/tango-talk/how-to-inspire-tango-dancers-worldwide/comment-page-1#comment-1648 Stephanie Baron Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:12:36 +0000 http://www.tango-blog.com/?p=2321#comment-1648 Fun! Can't wait to read Mari's :) * Who - my brother had started 6 months before. * What - focusing on something else than the divorce I was going through. * Where - in my parents's kitchen, with my brother. * When - over 2 years ago. * Why - I have no idea whatsoever. It seems I don't really have a say. I go through cycles of complete de-motivation but I keep with it. I spend money on classes several times a year. I don't know why. I don't want to perform or teach... It is awfully cliché but Tango chose me. If I'd had my say I would only do Yoga... It's not addictive, it's not an obsession (anymore), it's just part of me. * How - We all need to make our own experience. I don't believe anyone can learn from what I've lived so far. Just maybe don't give in the myth that women compete in any way. Not true at all. Fun!
Can’t wait to read Mari’s :)
* Who – my brother had started 6 months before.
* What – focusing on something else than the divorce I was going through.
* Where – in my parents’s kitchen, with my brother.
* When – over 2 years ago.
* Why – I have no idea whatsoever. It seems I don’t really have a say. I go through cycles of complete de-motivation but I keep with it. I spend money on classes several times a year. I don’t know why. I don’t want to perform or teach… It is awfully cliché but Tango chose me. If I’d had my say I would only do Yoga… It’s not addictive, it’s not an obsession (anymore), it’s just part of me.
* How – We all need to make our own experience. I don’t believe anyone can learn from what I’ve lived so far. Just maybe don’t give in the myth that women compete in any way. Not true at all.

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