The history of tango itself is a testament to the dance’s power to draw in those searching for a romantic connection or companionship — after all, tango began with the lovesick porteños who always seem to be wooing women.
Read MoreDespite the melancholy and unrequited affections narrated in its songs, Argentine tango remains characterized by its ability to draw people together… and also pull them apart.
From the get-go, it’s easy to see how Argentine tango as dance may be a vehicle for repairing marital breakdowns. The dance’s sensual nature and its need for close physical contact can be the first step in bringing couples together into a loving embrace that lasts even after they’ve left the dance floor.
The physical contact that may be absent in the home or in the bedroom can be safely and respectfully re-established through tango, as the dance becomes a space in which trust and cooperation are encouraged.
Read MoreTango, for one, is far from the monotony of the treadmill, making it a more sustainable form of exercise and ideal for weight management across generations. It provides a total body workout – enhancing cardiovascular conditioning, increasing flexibility, and building muscle strength and tone, not to mention stronger bones and reduced risk of osteoporosis.
Read More“But, with Chicho, around this time, with only six months of study, he was amazing as a tango dancer. After that, I think he left acting, music, and everything else. He became so obsessed with the tango — I will always remember one day, in my studio, he looked at me very seriously and said, ‘Gustavo, what are we going to do with this!? This is such an amazing way of making art, we must do something really great with this, something HUGE!!!’ And he got very excited, very crazy in telling me this, and, well, in that moment our story really began.
Read MoreAesthetically speaking, tango is a beautiful dance. Not only is this evident in how tangueros and tangueras dress, but in the movements themselves.
Read MoreElegance and sophistication are exhibited by both partners. Thus, for tango to be beautiful, the dancers must also feel beautiful — which is what many women tend to feel, whether they lead or follow.
When asked about why they are addicted to Tango, self-proclaimed Tango addicts have a myriad of intriguing responses. Some answered that it was because of the interaction with the opposite sex. Another referred to Tango as his "quasi-religion" and described it as the artistic expression and freedom he needed to cope with all the order and humdrum of his daily life. One even compared Tango to fishing as a form of meditation.
Read MoreIn the sphere of Argentine tango, Newton’s Third Law can very much apply to the interactions shared by both leaders and followers, wherein each one gives and receives “force.” However, this term should not be mistaken as having the intention to coerce or intimidate. Rather, the concept of “force” in Argentine tango simply translates to the leader’s suggestion or proposal to execute a move and a follower’s response in favor of or in opposition to that suggestion. This dynamic, while applicable to many steps and counterpositions, may be best exemplified by the boleo.
Boleo is a beautiful figure, BUT… Remember a couple of things - Tango is created by two - Leader and Follower. Follower shall use the brain and know better NOT TO execute the high boleo, even if lead, in the crowded Milongas. The leader shall use his smarts to NOT TO lead it, or lead it in a way that does not pose the danger to other couples, or at least have an understanding of WHY the Follower refused the boleo
Read MoreThe team (in the case of Argentine Tango - the couple) needs to fully understand the overarching strategy. WHERE are we going and WHAT are we trying to achieve. Then the HOW becomes the tactic, a small step that is easy to execute once understood and agreed upon the common goal.
Read MoreLooking at the translation, “Por Una Cabeza” is a song that compares one’s addiction to horse racing to an addiction to women. It talks about how the man, from whom the song’s perspective is based, is constantly beleaguered by his enchantment of different women whose passing glances and momentary displays of supposed affection are enough to make him swoon and “gamble” away his love.
Read MoreBut the constant support, never-ending compensations for each other tiny mistakes - makes the dance glorious. You made a mistake together and you feel glorious because often the mistake leads to the discovery of a new path, new way, new purpose.
Read MoreArgentine Tango is an art that anyone can master, with a little practice and coordination. Whether you want to impress a partner, keep fit and dance at the same time, or just explore a fun and rewarding hobby, the tango could well be for you. Dancing the tango can even become a spiritual experience, as we explored recently in our article How the Argentine Tango Connects to Spirituality.
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