On tango happiness and belonging, or why and how to connect
We all come into tango for different reasons. But many, if not most of us remain because of connection. Connection is a powerful and truly beautiful thing, and it’s also the driving force for belonging. Many scientific studies have determined that human’s most basic need is a sense of community. We simply can’t be happy or even function on our own. People who have been deprived of communication for too long experience actual physical suffering, on top of facing complex psycho
Magic, fun and life transformation, through tango.
Not that long after starting to dance tango, I found myself in Rome, in company of loud and cheerful Italians, sitting in a small restaurant in the centre, eating so much (and so cheap) that my body was about to explode, trying to keep up with a conversation without understanding a word of what they were all saying, all at the same time, all 10 of them. No matter what topic was suggested, within three minutes it magically transformed itself into debates about best pasta, pizz
Are you sometimes wondering if you should continue dancing tango? Read this.
This is one of my very first photos in tango. I had been dancing for about 2.5 years then. And I was absolutely not sure that I was an amazing dancer. Millions of doubts and voices telling me I wasn't good. I continued nevertheless. I recently lost a student. We as tango community recently lost a wonderful and exceptionally talented dancer. I could see he would have been able to have a bright and versatile future in tango, in dance. But he quit. He had been dancing for a coup
In Search of New Inspirations
Tango is my life. Sounds pompous but it's true. I've quit my architecture career to dance, teach, and live tango, because I love it and I believe I can share something wonderful with other people through my tango. I am completely happy and in love with this dance, this experience and grateful I am able to live my dream (since I was a baby, my dream was to be a dancer. Many years later, after a detour through sports and architecture, I am actually a dancer, finally!) But of co
The Most Powerful Thing in All of Tango
I remember it like it was yesterday. We were dancing. The connection was divine. Music was like pulse in our bodies, part of us. It was one of the best dances I’ve ever had. It was so good that I had to sit down and “breathe” a bit afterwards. I was almost moved to tears, and thanked tango gods for sending him my way. What was so special about that dance, you’d ask? What did he do? And I’ll say, “nothing”. Absolutely and literary NOTHING. The dance had moments when he didn’t
Active Following: a Way to Express and Connect or a Distraction?
A few days ago one student of mine asked me to write an article on active following. What is it, how I understand it and what it gives us. It's great to see people interested in my take on active following, as I am a big proponent of it! What is the difference between “active” and “normal” following? For me, following IS active. I personally can not distinguish between the two in my dance. But I understand how different it can be for different people. And I notice how differe
Dancers of movement, music and feeling. Who are you?
Have you ever noticed that with some people we dance “moves”, with others - “music”, and then also now and then we encounter people who dance “emotions”? What does it all mean? We are all very different in tango. One of my most favourite things ever about tango is how diverse we are. I know surgeons, artificial intelligence researchers, air traffic controllers, opera singers and recently met a historical precious stones expert, among countless other occupations. The beauty of
Follower and Leader discuss their views on Connection. Let's Make It Personal - Episode 6
We had a chat with Olga and Vicente to get two people's views on what's important for a good connection in a couple. The chat was productive and we will have more videos coming! Wonderfully filmed and edited by Michael Nikolai (thank you!!!) #Dancing #TangoBody #Partner #Technique #Tango #Socialtango #Improvement
Where is your limitation? Or how far can you go in tango?
Ever since my earliest childhood, I wanted to be a dancer. I was fascinated by ballet. I wanted to be like them, like those graceful, weightless fairies. They didn't take me to ballet school though. When I was still a toddler, they could already see I would be tall, and refused me. Despite all my desire, I could not overcome my limitations. Nowadays, I am still a dancer, even though I never did ballet. On top of being tall, which in itself is a challenge in ballet and in tang
From Beginner to Advanced. Some thoughts about “levels” in tango
You like tango. You have been dancing for 3 years. You attended many many classes, you dance socially once or twice a week, you participate in many international events. You can do complex figures, colgadas and your boleo is high. You dance a lot and successfully and generally enjoy your tango life. Are you advanced? Or you like cooking. You have been cooking for yourself once or twice a week. You can do omelette, boiled potatoes and even tasty fried chicken. You invite frien
