In 2004, I saw the late great Carlos Gavito perform in Buenos Aires. I still cannot forget the emotion I felt. At that time he was so weakened by illness and surgery that he needed assistance just to walk.. There was no trace of the poise and elegance he once displayed as the star of Forever Tango…
“Competition dance and milonga dance are not the same.”
“‘Competition dance’ and ‘milonga dance’ are not the same.”
I have heard this quite a few times lately. Is it true? Probably. Many teachers offer competition-preparation classes. If the two are the same, we will not need these specialized classes…
Tango in Seoul has Somehow Gone Backwards?
A friend of mine came to Seoul to dance. He had visited many times before, so he knew us well. Afterwards he said to me the tango here has somehow gone backwards. Now on the dance floor, there is more hugging and less dancing…
Are You Dancing Blind? How to Use Visualization for Tango
Why is leading so difficult to learn?
Many men cannot see their partner in their mind.
In other words they are dancing blind.
In this video we talk about how visualization can help your dance.
Specifically we discuss how to visualize your partner’s steps, embrace, and hips.
Posture for Women’s Embrace
– The posture may look diagonal, but it is vertical
– Equilibrium between hip and upper body
– Correct embrace contact point
– Heel should be down and heavy
– Keeping your posture when you dance
Do I Feel Heavy to My Partner When I Dance?
– Dancing heavy and body weight are not related
– To avoid feeling too heavy, focus on moving together with your partner
– Be sure to relaxing your knees
– Slouching posture also contributes to heaviness
– Being as light as possible is not a good thing
As Long As It Suits Your Fancy
My mindset was rather simple when I started dancing. I found a teacher I liked and learned from him. I was aware that different teachers taught in different ways, but I did not worry about not being able to dance with students of other teachers. I thought if I were good enough, I should be able to dance with anyone. Later I discovered that I was learning “Tango Nuevo,” which was the fashionable way of dancing at the time…
“Can Tango Musicality be Taught?” And Other Questions
In this video we answer some more questions from our viewers:
– Practicing by ourselves is boring. What can we do?
– Can musicality be taught?
– I have danced for 3 years. I have already learned many figures. But I feel limited in my dance. What shall I do?
“I Don’t Like Women Doing Adornos,” Plus Other Questions
In this video we answer some real questions from our viewers:
– My body condition fluctuates a lot. How can I always dance well in the milonga?
– I don’t like women doing adornos. Am I a male chauvinist?
– How can we learn tango quickly and avoid making a lot of mistakes?
How Come There is no Tension in Your Embrace!?
Yombom is an avid tango dancer. He goes to milongas five to six times a week. He takes tango classes from many teachers, including us. In class, he genuinely tries to understand what we say, practices hard, and asks questions. Somehow we started talking online. He asks me more questions about tango, and I try to answer him as best I can…
How to Use Our Knee Correctly for Tango
Here are some great tips for using our knee to dance tango:
– What is the correct alignment and position for the knee
– How to relax our knee to absorb impact
– How to use our knee to walk and to pivot
– How to use our knee to move our free leg
– How to practice by ourselves
How to Practice Walking
1) Practicing by ourselves vs. practicing with a partner
2) What step size should we practice?
3) Bent knee vs. straight knee, toe vs. heel
4) Study what the upper body should do
5) More momentum, more stable
6) How does your walking fit the music?
How Can Women Get More Out of Group Classes?
What should women do when they feel they cannot learn in group classes?
For example, when the man cannot lead the pattern well and the woman cannot practice her part?
Here are some tips:
– Learn how to respond to different situations
– Learn how to give permission
– Learn how to be calm and comfortable
– How to learn from partners who are not easy to dance with
Is Keeping Your Balance Difficult?
Many women find it difficult to keep their balance.
Here are some tips to help you with your aixs:
– Learn how to use the embrace to make yourself more stable
– Do not move before the man
– Start your movement from your body, not from your leg
Let’s Look Inside the Tango Embrace – Part 1 & 2
Part 1 – Why is the embrace difficult to learn?
Part 2 – How can we make the embrace better?
The Truth About Women Technique Class
Does women technique class really work?
Why is it not effective?
How can you make it work for you?
Let’s find out!
What Exactly Is Pushing the Floor in Tango?
In tango we are supposed to push the floor all the time.
What does that really mean?
And why is it a good thing to do?
Tango is Different from Other Dances
Florencia already had a lot of dance experience when she started tango.
But she had a hard time with it in the beginning.
Find out why, and how she overcame the challenge!
Women Need to Listen to Tango Music Differently
Some key points about how women should listen to the music when they dance.
Do You Want Magic Tango Connection?
Someone I know has been dancing for a year and half. He has felt this magic tango connection a few times. He wants it to happen more often. What should he do? This video will tell you a few helpful things!
Am I Ready to Dance Tango with Women Yet?
Sometimes beginners wonder when they will be ready to dance with women. They want to take more classes so they become good dancers first. But it is not how it works. Leo had the same experience when he was a beginner.
Do your feet hurt when you dance tango?
If your feet hurt when you dance here are some good tips!
How to Listen to Tango Music?
There are 3 ways to practice listening to music. Find out which way is the best.
Woman Right Shoulder Pain
Do you have right shoulder pain when you dance? Here are some tips!
Tango Middle Age
I have already danced for 20 years. It is only appropriate to call myself tango middle-aged. I no longer watch tango videos every day, nor go to milongas five or six times a week. I miss those days on occasion…
What a Stuck-up Place
“This place sucks. I have been to many milongas but I haven’t seen such a snobbish place. They never even look at the newcomers,” he said with an angry voice. “It can be a little rough if you don’t know anybody,” I replied…
Dancing in the Dark
Once a student asked me for help. I danced with her and gave her some advice. At the end I felt she was worrying too much about her technique, so I said, “Technique takes time. It’s ok if you don’t do it perfectly…
You Dance Like a Feather!
“Can you check if I am pushing you when I do giro?” I tried some medio-giro with this student but there seemed to be no problem.
“It seems fine. Why are you asking?…
Andrea
I met Andrea Missé and Javier Rodriguez right before I moved to Seoul. How did they change my tango? Why did we invite them to Korea to teach? Andrea passed away a few years later. What does her legacy mean to me?
Tango in Seoul Is No Longer a Community
I have a Korean friend who lives in San Francisco. He comes back to dance from time to time. Recently he came back again and visited many milongas. Before he left he said, “Tango in Seoul is no longer a community, it is a society…