Sunday 18 December 2011

Happy Christmas! Last 2 tango classes of the year, and continuing your learning in 2012

Hello!

I hope you are well, and starting to enjoy Christmas time, without being caught up with the various (often shopping related) stresses that can come with it.

Already the year is almost over and there's only 2 lessons left before 2012!

Monday 19th 8-9:30pm (with dancing afterwards until 11pm), and Tuesday 20th, 6:15-7:30pm.

Both lessons will be for everyone who already has a grasp of the basics. In fact, since they are the last lessons of the year they will be a chance to try some more adventurous and playful movements in tango, with the emphasis on having fun. I hope you can make it! For those who have missed a few (or more) lessons, don't worry, you can still come to this class even if you're feeling rusty.

As usual, the classes will be at Povey's Dance Centre, 159 Shirley Road, Southampton.

Also, Tuesday evening, from 9:30pm we'll be heading to TLC's on Archers Road, for Tracie's xmas tango party. Please join us!

Continuing your learning in 2012

Next year, from 4th January, there will be an improvers/intermediate class on Wednesdays, 8-9:30pm. This class will be for everyone who has done a beginners course and feels happy about walking with the music and doing crosses and ochos. In these sessions you will develop skill in using the more challenging movements in tango, such as secadas, ganchos, boleos, barridas, enrosques and shared axis movements, as well as the more advanced use of dynamics. You will also deepen your understanding of the basics.

So, that's every Wednesday 8-9:30pm, with dancing afterwards. Cost is £8 per lesson (or £30 for a set of 4 sessions). I look forward to seeing you there! So I have an idea of numbers, if you'd like to come to these please let me know, thank you!

New beginner courses in 2012


The next beginner course will start on Monday, January 9th. As usual, 8-9:30pm with dancing afterwards. But it's now 6 weeks long.

This is the link for anyone who wants to book that, or to send it on to a friend:
http://www.tangolingua.com/beginner-tango-course

If you know anyone around the Cheltenham area, or for some reason happen to be moving there, a new beginner course is in the works there too (alongside the advanced workshops I already run in Cheltenham).

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!


I want to thank everyone who has taken lessons over the last year and been a part of Tango Lingua. It's been a great year, both a privilege and a lot of fun for me. I'm looking forward very much to seeing everyone develop their tango over the next 12 months. Remember, sometimes tango feels like heaven, sometimes (hopefully not too often) like hell, but persevere and the dance always has more riches to give, more depths of connection, flow and musicality to offer.

I'd like to share a few thoughts on patience and kindness in relation to tango. As in the rest of life, these two qualities make a huge difference to a fulfilling experience of tango. For the fanatics and diehards, it can be easy to lose touch with the fun side of tango, which is, after-all, a dance. When this happens, patience and kindness to your partner as well as yourself, is often lost with it.

In a myopic focus on 'getting things right', stress and frustration takes over and the fun is gone. But, compounding the misfortune, this kind of stress is less likely to put us in the state of mind where we perform at our best. From my experience, what works much more effectively at helping us perform at our best is being able to accept one particular thing. Namely that learning to dance together seamlessly and in harmony with the music is a process; one which includes, in fact benefits from, 'mistakes' and sticking points.

How does that acceptance of this learning process manifest in the moment of dancing and practicing? Through a calm willingness to try again and be open to change, while keeping a respectful and playful frame of mind, in fitting with the dance, towards your partner and yourself. I think the combination of playfulness and respect results in a particular sort of kindness. This sort is more of an outlook than a set of favors, which is clear when contrasted with the condescending 'oh look how kind I am to dance with you' variety of 'kindness' (which might easily be arrogance). The outlook variety tends to replace judgements about fault or indebtedness, which restrict the ability to keep listening, with more questions.

Of course, the sort of kindness you have, affects the kind of patience you have. If you're just doing someone a favor, then 'patience' is like tolerance, putting up with a bother (and vice-versa, if you think someone is just doing you a favor then you'll more easily grow impatient with yourself and undermine your own confidence). But if you have the kindness that flows from a respectful and playful outlook, then patience can be enjoyed, because you are engaged in the subtle and rewarding, shared process of learning.

I continue to be reminded of the importance of patience and kindness in my own dance, especially whenever I forget it! Just recently at the Tango Feast festival in Torquay, Osvaldo and Graciela were a particular inspiration in that regard. Besides the example they set themselves, just about every workshop they taught they made a point of reminding everyone to have fun with the dancing and trying a technique.

The importance of patience and kindness also applies to the social tango dancers and dabblers who may be experiencing frustration that their progress is slow, or boredom because they are not learning the kind of stuff they see on Strictly. Remember that while tango offers plenty of thrills, the best ones require a bit of digging, and the less frequently you practice, then by necessity, the longer that digging is going to take. If you moderate your expectations in accordance with your commitment, you will be able to enjoy the dance more. So be patient and stay kind to yourself, without judging, and especially not against those who might dance much more frequently.

Finally for those who can't make either of the last two lessons, this Monday or Tuesday, have a great Xmas break and I look forward to seeing you soon in the new year.

Warm regards,
Joe

ps. If any of you have some inspiring personal stories to tell relating to tango, I'd love to hear them. (They don't necessarily have to be related to Tango Lingua courses or classes.) Just email me if you'd like to share.

Sunday 6 November 2011

Important tango updates, including Christmas performance!

Hello!

First of all congratulations to everyone who graduated this week from the beginner course, well done! I'm really looking forward to continuing to see you progress over the coming weeks and months, starting next Tuesday with a visit to TLCs mini milonga.

The next beginner course starts on 7th Nov. For details, testimonials, and booking see: www.tangolingua.com/beginner-tango-course
No need to bring a partner, but by all means invite your friends! (If you bring 3 along with you, you get a free private lesson).

If you've previously completed a beginner course and would like to leave some feedback, I'd really appreciate that. Please use either of these links. It only takes a minute, thanks!
Or other review site of your choice.

Christmas performance! A few students have said they'd like to work on a routine, so I thought how about preparing something for Christmas? Here's the idea: We'll meet once a week for about an hour over the next month and a half and develop a choreography together, which uses the movements you've already learnt and a few new ones. Around mid Dec we'll meet up and perform what we've created. I'll film it and you can invite your friends to watch if you like. It will be a fun collaboration where everyone contributes. (no pressure to be perfect!)

It's open to anyone who has completed the beginner course. If you want to be a part of this (or have any questions) please let me know asap - and when you'd be available for practice. I need to know this week.

Your introductory tango guide: I've prepared a little guide for new and existing students, which aims to explain what this wonderful dance is and how it works. In it you will also find some practical tips for your individual and partner practice. 
Download it here (it's free) :  http://www.tangolingua.com/downloads

Continuing your learning: Learning Tango can be compared to learning a musical instrument or another language - you can communicate, express yourself and have fun with it early on, but to really get to grips with it requires plenty of practice (and a bit of patience). So, where to after the beginner course? 

Thus far I've been running further classes from 9:30-10:30pm on a Monday, but I know this is a little late for a lot of people. So I'm asking you, when would you like to take 'improver/intermediate' classes? Based on your answers I'll re-arrange the beginner course and my individual lessons to suite the majority of existing students, because it's important to me that you have the opportunity to progress and enjoy tango to the fullest.

If you're interested in continuing your learning of tango please reply with your availability for a weekly class:

Mon  6:30-8pm, 7-8:30pm, 7:30-9pm, 8-9:30pm
Tues 6:30-8pm, 7-8:30pm, 7:30-9pm, 8-9:30pm
Wed  6:30-8pm, 7-8:30pm, 7:30-9pm, 8-9:30pm
Thur  6:30-8pm, 7-8:30pm, 7:30-9pm, 8-9:30pm
Fri    6-7:30pm, 6:30-8pm

Simply copy and paste the above days and times and remove the ones you can't make. For instance, if the only times you can make are Monday from 7pm, Thursday from 7:30pm and early Friday evening then you'd have:
"Mon  7-8:30pm, 7:30-9pm, 8-9:30pm
Thur  7:30-9pm, 8-9:30pm
Fri    6-7:30pm"

So, for people who have already completed the beginner course, or who have been dancing regularly for a good few months please let me know when you'd like have a weekly class to take your tango forward. (Note, you wont need to come with a partner.)

Focus on practice: It's important to practice what you've learnt, besides just taking lessons, so I'll be reorganizing the evening which future classes for improvers will take place on, so that I'll be free to practice with people after the class, and people can just dance with each other, without another lesson going on.

Special introductory event: I'm running a 'tango taster' event with an evening Milonga on 12th November at the Art House café in Southampton. This is for complete beginners to have the chance to get a little flavour of what tango is about and have some fun. If you know someone who might like to do that, please pass the details on!  http://www.thearthousesouthampton.co.uk/whatson.htm It's £5 for the 2 hour workshop from 5-7pm, and a donation for the milonga from 7:30pm. The milonga is open to everyone!

Take care,
Joe

ps. If anyone is around Cheltenham on Sunday 30th Oct, I'm teaching a full day's workshop for people with at least 1 year tango experience. If you're interested in attending, see this page: http://www.tangolingua.com/workshops/cheltenham-oct

Tuesday 27 September 2011

Thoughts on getting dances when visiting other tango scenes

You're traveling to some tango event, a special milonga or festival perhaps, and it's not your usual scene. You hope to have a lovely time with lots of beautiful dances, but you know either from friends or your own experience, the local scene is a little elitist or cliquey. What do you do?

The classic approach of cabeceo (combined with showing your stuff during a tanda with a friend to the locals), while excellent in many ways, can fall on its face sometimes – especially on a crowded or poorly lit floor, or where the locals seem to have little curiously about visiting dancers.

Here's what has worked for me. I'm inspired to write about it here because of the ongoing stories of friends who have trouble getting dances when traveling (despite being lovely dancers). Does it work 100% of the time? No, often enough I don't get to dance with who I most want to dance with, and this approach does require a certain amount of pro-activeness. But the approach is simple, and does make the difference between a disappointing night of watching and hoping, and actually getting some good dances and making new contacts with people you may enjoy more dances with in future.

It really is quite simple. When at the milonga and you've had a chance to look at who's dancing here's how it works:

  1. Look around, see someone standing or sitting down you might like to dance with and talk too.
  2. Casually walk over to them, smile and say hello. Choose to ignore any initially cool response and remain bright and friendly.
  3. Make attempt to start conversation and built a rapport, e.g. “How's your evening going?”, “Is this your local milonga?”, “What do you think of the music this evening?”, “I noticed you dancing earlier, I like how you express the music” (if that's true). While you do this, remain relaxed and friendly. Do not initially invite them to dance, focus on building a rapport and enjoying the interaction.
  4. If you find you're getting on well with them, and you feel like dancing ask: “I was wondering, would you like to dance with me?” or such like.

If at step 4 they decline, don't take it personally. Consider they may be tired and wanting a break, or waiting for a particular partner and don't want to miss a window of opportunity. They might also not be feeling very good about their dancing that evening. There could be many reasons which have little to do with you. So, then you can say “it was nice talking to you, maybe catch you later” and go repeat the above process with someone else. On the flip side, if you try to start a conversation in a relaxed and friendly way and you continue to get a cold response, you may decide that actually you'd prefer not to dance with that person anyway, at least when they're in that kind of mood.

But wait, isn't that a bit manipulative? Starting a conversation with the pretence of asking for a dance? Well, if you couldn't care less what the person is saying and you only want to get a dance then sure. But if you are interested in making a genuine connection which may turn into a lovely dance then it's a very natural and intelligent thing to do. Since you're at a milonga where many go to meet new people, what could be more natural than starting a conversation, and since you're at a milonga what could be more natural than inviting someone to dance who you've just had an enjoyable conversation with? You are simply helping to create an opportunity that wasn't there before.

What if you really would much prefer to dance rather than talk? Then perhaps – in situations where the usual approach (see top) isn't working well – consider the conversation as a natural prelude to the dance, which serves (in part) a similar purpose as the tanda with a friend which allows the locals to see how you move. Try to enjoy it for its own sake as well as for the dance opportunity it creates. This isn't about being anyone's best pal, it's simply about showing a respectful interest in another person's state of being, and other areas of their life should the conversation go that way.

Here's another way of looking at it: If the person you're talking to sees tango in large part as a socializing activity then there's a fair chance they'll welcome a friendly conversation - it's part of why they go to the milongas. On the other hand, if the person you're talking to is one of the more hardcore tango crowd, they may not actually have much of a social life, in which case meeting someone new and having a friendly conversation could be quite welcome to them while they're not dancing. It's a win-win scenario, surely?

Why does this approach work?
  • If you have the communication and listening skills to strike up an enjoyable and relaxed conversation with someone, that's a good sign you'll be fun to dance with – even if you don't have stacks of tango experience.
  • Some very crowded, busy or stressful living environments tend to thicken the ice around people. You might consider a city such an environment. This could mean it's more difficult to engage in positive eye-contact with people from some tango communities. Taking an extra step to break the ice with conversation can overcome that factor.
  • In certain tango scenes a mindset can develop which emphasizes a pecking order of dancers and leads to people taking the dance and themselves rather seriously – to the detriment of their own evening as much an anyone else's. Starting a friendly conversation can sometimes interrupt that pattern of thought.

Maybe you have some more theories on why this approach works, or other effective strategies (beyond the obvious ones of dressing nicely, taking care of personal hygiene, and of course improving your technique)?

Please let me know how you find the above approach!

(ps. If you find it challenging to start conversations with people you don't already know, you may find some useful tips and insights here: www.healthylovingrelationships.com)

Monday 8 August 2011

Tango Lingua Introduction to Tango (working draft)


Welcome

Tango is simply the fullest, deepest, most beautiful dance I know, so it is a pleasure to be writing this short introductory guide to it for you. If you have a copy of it in your hand, then it’s likely you’ve already dipped your toes into this world of tango, or are about to. I hope you find this guide helpful and that you continue on to experience more of the unique riches that tango has to offer.
If you are fresh to tango, some of the following content may not make a lot of sense to you. This guide is intended for you to be able to refer back to as you go through the beginner course and continue your learning.
Warmly,
Joe Hudson

What is Tango?


Tango is a dance where two people come together in an embrace and move to the music, seeking harmony with it and with each other. Tango is improvised and open ended, and can be different things to different people. But it also has a distinct flavour, which comes both from the music and from the set of stylized movements which have evolved over the generations as part of the dance.
The dance of tango, as legend has it, began in the slums and brothels around the port of 19th century Buenos Aires. The dance that arose was the fruit of both immigrant and native cultures. There were influences from Africa, Europe, and Latin America, including Cuba, Uruguay, Brazil, Spain and others, as well as Argentina.
From the early 20th century, tango spread out across the capitals of Europe and the United States, developing as it went. Today tango continues to evolve, both in Buenos Aires, which is still considered to be the tango capital of the world, and in tango communities across the globe. Naturally there are different styles of tango, but if you know one well it is not so hard to pick up another. At Tango Lingua we focus initially more on the modern ‘nuevo’ style.
Tango is a deep yet hugely accessible dance. Deep, because it is about closely and sensitively connecting with another person. Consequently there is so much of human experience and emotion that can be shared and expressed through this dance, and there is always more to learn. Accessible for the same reason; that quality of connection is something that we all seek in our lives, and so tango has something to offer anyone who is open to exploring and sharing that connectedness. The techniques you learn and the practice is there only to help you in that aim. Anyone who can walk in a straight line and is willing to listen can learn to tango.

The leader and follower

In tango one person ‘leads’, while the other ‘follows’. In truth, to fully experience the joys of this dance, the leader must also be a follower, and the follower a leader.
But in simple terms, the leader’s role is to invite the follower to take the next step, while ensuring it is safe to do so and that the space isn’t blocked by other dancers. The followers role is to listen to the leader and answer their invitations.
If the leader invites while also listening attentively to how the follower is responding then the dance will become more connected. Similarly if the follower responds to the leader invitations while trying to stay present in the embrace, then the dance will become more connected. If both leader and follower do these things, then each can become more trusting and confident in their own movements and their partner’s. The result is tango magic, a state where you move in improvised harmony together, guided only by touch and the music.
Some people hear the terms ‘leader’ and ‘follower’ and assume tango is about one person telling someone else what to do, or shunting them around the dance floor. This couldn’t be further from the truth when it comes to the kind of tango which Tango Lingua aims to teach. A good leader is a good listener, and never dictates a movement, only invites and awaits whatever response is given. A good follower is not silent, but gives their own creative input to the dance, and gives a confident presence in the embrace, while trying to move in harmony with their partner. In this kind of tango, a dance is a two way conversation between leader and follower.
Notice above the leader is not referred to as male, or the follower as female. Both roles can be enjoyed by either gender. While traditionally men lead and women follow (in tango at least), and the majority seem to prefer it that way, it is not uncommon to see women dancing with women or men with men. When learning, it can be very helpful to practice some of the opposite role to the one you’re focusing on. Doing this will help you develop your tango connection and sensitivity skills.

Some basic principles

Tango is made up of a few pieces, that when learnt and brought together truly bring the dance to life. Here is an outline of those pieces with some guidance on how to develop them in your own dance.

The embrace

Tango is danced by two people in contact. This contact is referred to as the embrace. It is through this embrace that you are able to move in harmony with someone, purely by touch. The magical sense of connection in tango comes from a certain quality in the embrace.
Tango can be danced in a range of open and close embraces, according to preference and the music.
Imagine you are hugging someone who you feel trust in and warmth for. Imagine the quality of contact that your bodies share in this natural gesture. There is a certain ‘presence’ and sense of connectedness that comes from your bodies pressing together. If you were merely standing together and patting each other on the back, without that positive, fully engaging contact, it would feel like a much lesser, more distant kind of hug in comparison. It is by giving this positive contact that you make it clear that you want to connect with someone, and it is by receiving it that you can be clear that someone wants to connect with you.
Going from the hug described above, with a few adjustments to hand position, what you have is a close embrace which you can dance tango with. It is this quality of contact which allows two people to communicate clearly with each other in a physical and musical way. This means you can open out the embrace, so that your chests are no longer in direct contact, and still keep that quality of firm, positive presence that says ‘I want to connect with you’.
The embrace should be comfortable at all times and (with certain clear exceptions) your posture should be well balanced and upright, while keeping your neck, shoulders and breathing relaxed.

Movement

There would not be much of a dance without movement. In tango generally steps are made on the beats of the music, or with the melody. The music is a guide for both leader and follower.
In tango, a step is not just a step. It is a consequence of a couple moving together. By focusing on the togetherness of the movement, there arises infinite possibilities for playful improvisation. What this means is that a step could begin, and then stop half way, change direction or change speed. The step is only a consequence of leader and follower staying connected. Tango is an improvised dance.
There are a few habits of mind and body that will help you stay connected with your partner, all of which are covered in detail in Tango Lingua classes. Here are some of them in summary:

Stillness

The idea is that maintaining an inner calm, avoiding rushing, or thinking you have to catch up, it is easier to stay connected. A key way of finding this ‘stillness’ is to focus your attention only on the physical connection of the embrace and the music, while looking after your posture and balance – so that your body can enjoy a sense of stillness (even in movement) along with your mind.
As a leader, remember no matter how fast or large a step you lead, always leave time to listen to how that lead is being followed, before moving through the step yourself. Never force your follower to move.
As a follower, remember whenever a lead is not clear is it invariably better to remain still until it becomes clear, rather than try to guess. If the lead it clearly felt, but the movement unfamiliar, allow yourself, with good balance posture, to move according to how your body is invited, trusting it will be safe and being open to new possibilities.

Balance

If your own balance and posture are stable and strong then you are better able to move in harmony with your partner and the music, and to give the positive presence in the embrace that allows the connection to be maintained. Aiming for that inner sense of stillness will help you find your balance, but there is no substitute for training and practice.
An alarming number of people spending most of their waking hours sat in a chair. This is not a natural state, we are built to move. The result is that our natural physical balance and posture deteriorate. However, regular tango technique practice will fix that right up. During the warm-ups and also in the lessons you will do a serious of repetitive movements. Practising those regularly and attentively, between classes, will help.
Here are some useful concepts and practices relating to posture and balance in tango related movement. There are always exceptions in tango, but these are good general rules:
* The floating head. Standing still, position your neck to that you head is perfectly balanced over your shoulders. You should be able to feel a sense of lightness and relaxation in your neck muscles. This is the ‘floating head’. How keeping that sensation, position your shoulders and chest so that it is perfectly balanced over your hips, with a straight back. Now try to keep that balanced upright posture while walking and dancing.
* Align your core. Your ‘core’ refers to the postural muscles around your trunk. When these muscles are engaged, you are stabilised and it becomes easier to balance. Think about drawing in your lower abdominals and muscles around your hips to do this. Aim to only allow rotational movements of your core, around the axis of your spine, rather than bending from side to side, or back and forth. Having this core stability also makes it much easer to keep the sense of connection in the embrace.
* Brushing knees. When walking, generally aim to brushing your knees together, or very close, between each step. The reason for doing this is that it helps you to walk in a straight line, aids stability and looks elegant. It is also one of the consistent elements of tango movement which facilitates improvisation.
* Chest is free, hips in line with knee. In tango there is something called ‘disassociation’ (nothing to do with psychoanalysis). This means your upper body turns in a spiral fashion, not as a rigid block. When you turn your waist and chest will begin the movement, starting with your chest. But your hips will stay facing in the direction that your legs are currently pointing – until you are balanced on the ball of your foot and ready to turn. The reasons for having your chest free, and keep your hips in line with your knees is because this is both an efficient and elegant way to turn (and lead turns). With practice it allows the speed and degree of turn to be precisely and effortlessly controlled.
Stand facing a wall, feet together and arms out to the side. Slowly turn from the chest and waist in one direct, while keeping your hips perfectly facing the wall, not moving an inch. Do both sides several times, until you feel a comfortable stretch. You will feel your oblique muscles working. The spiral you’re creating with your chest, waist and hips is how you should aim to turn while dancing.
* Find your axis before your hips turn. Imagine your are making a turn where your foot will pivot on the floor. The preferred way to pivot is on the ball of your foot (not the heel where you risk hurting your knee or the heel sticking). In order to pivot on the ball of your foot in a controlled and balanced way, you must first have all your weight on the foot, before it pivots along with your hips.
Now to string it all together, to a make a turn, first extend your leg and begin to transfer weight in order to make a step. As you do that begin turning your chest towards the side of your body with the leg forward. Now when all your weight is on the ball of your front foot, simply release the back foot and allow your hips to catch up with your chest, like a spring unwinding. As your hips turn, be sure that your front knee stays in line with them.
* Stepping into the ground. Walking is the most common and some would say the most enjoyable element of tango. This is one idea that helps balance or ‘groundedness’ while walking, and also presence in the embrace. Imagine that instead of stepping on the ground, you are stepping into the ground with each step, say 4 or 5 inches. With each step, press into the ground with your feet, and try to maintain the pressure through the whole step. As the front foot does this you will notice the back one does it too. Observe the difference to how firmly rooted to the ground you feel while walking and ‘stepping into the ground’.
When you offer a firm presence in the embrace, allow the ‘resistance’ to come up from your connection with the ground, rather than from tensing your shoulders.

Presence

You are connected with someone when you feel their presence. If you do not feel their presence you cannot move in a connected way (at least in tango) together. Some dancers prefer a heavy or firmer kind of presence, others light, and all shades between. It’s a personal choice, although it’s easier to begin with a firmer kind of presence.
One way of understanding this concept of ‘presence’ is to imagine you are standing comfortably up to the shoulders in water. When you are still, how do you feel? Light with just a gentle pressure from the weight of the water. Aim to have that same quality of presence you have with the water against your skin, when standing still in the embrace.
Now, back in the water, imagine stepping forward, back or to the side, how does it feel? Suddenly you feel the weight of the water much more as you try to move through it. There is an inertia when you start to move, then a steady resistance as you continue, and, if you stop suddenly, also momentum as the water wants to continue moving in the direction you sent it in. All of this you feel very clearly through your body. This felt presence of the water as you move through it is a completely natural consequence of your movement. Aim to have that same quality of presence with your partner when you move with them.
Notice when you are in water the stronger or faster your movements, the more strong the resistance of the water becomes. The water yields to your movements, but it mirrors the energy in them too. So when you’re ‘being like water’ (while keeping a good posture, of course), aim for this yielding yet mirroring quality. Remember, if you move into water it never runs away from you, and if you draw back through it, it never runs after you. It always reflects back the energy your give it.
Naturally the qualities of stillness, balance help you to provide this quality of presence in the embrace.

The music

Music is a source of inspiration, a provider of rhythm and a bridge on which you meet with your partner to dance tango. The traditional music of tango evolved along with the dance, in Buenos Aires, arising (like the dance) from a mix of musical styles. Today, tango being a global phenomenon, people dance it to all kinds of music, from scratchy old recordings of classics, to contemporary artists, and even mainstream pop. (Although many still hold the classic music from the ‘golden era’ of the 1930’s – 1950’s dearest to their hearts, for its unique rhythmic and melodic richness, and its cultural connection with the dance.)
It is not necessary to know the music you’re dancing to well, to dance well, but it can certainly help, especially with the more traditional music. Of course, knowing the music well is one of the joys of the dance, where certain pieces or artists become like friends you’ve created many happy memories with. The more you practice the more familiar you’ll find the music becomes, and the easier you’ll pick up new songs to dance to.
After you’ve been dancing tango for a while, you’ll find that whenever you hear something you could imagine tangoing to, your mind will often do exactly that, if not your feet too. True tango addicts can be spotted while doing their shopping, stepping in time and ‘decorating’ to the musack – but those are the ‘serious cases’. It does go to show though that tango becomes something within you, and that if you can walk to a piece of music then you can also tango to it.
There are broadly three types of music to tango to: ‘tango’, ‘milonga’ and ‘vals’. Milonga is the quickest and oldest in the world of tango, and tends to be danced with the most regular step in 2/4 time. Tango has more variation in rhythm and tempo around a 2/4 or 4/4 time. It also varies more in emotional character, despite the predominantly down-beat lyrics of much of the traditional tangos, which reflected the mood and struggles of the times. Vals is the tango equivalent of waltz music, and has 3/4 time. All three categories can be traditional or contemporary in style.
Dancing tango to a live band is highly recommended and quite a distinct experience from dancing to recorded music. With live music there is not only a connection between dance partners, but also between the dancers and the musicians, which can greatly enhance the experience for everyone.

Setting out to learn

Perhaps now you’re excited to jump in and experience what tango is all about. Or perhaps you’re feeling a little apprehensive that tango might be too challenging, or more than you bargained for, either from what you’ve read here, or elsewhere. Every beginner will have their own reaction to the idea of learning tango and everyone learns in different ways and at different rates.
But let me try to make one thing clear; while in many dances two people move together in a connected way, in tango this connectedness is the heart of the dance itself. To truly move in harmony with someone else is a skill akin to speaking a different language or playing a musical instrument. As a language of physical connection, it’s one we all speak at least a little of, but for tango this skill must be developed. So then learning tango well takes some time and lots of practice. Providing you can understand that, and don’t judge yourself for not being ‘fluent’ after a few weeks, then the learning process can be tremendously enjoyable! It really can be like discovering a whole new world and side of yourself.
In a culture awash with instant gratification and constant marketing that lets you know you’re somehow not good enough (unless you buy something), tango can challenge the patience or self-confidence of many. But there are rich treasures there for those who are willing and open minded enough to learn.
After a Tango Lingua beginner course you’ll know enough to be able to practice with others or go to a social tango dance. Further instruction is available for those who wish to deepen their knowledge and refine their skills. But finally, before you start, please consider that tango can be particularly addictive. Your life may not be the same after starting this journey!

Tuesday 26 July 2011

Dance Argentine Tango in Southampton - 8th Aug

5 week tango dance course:
  • Learn tango, an exciting, elegant and creative dance like no other!
  • Improve your well-being and fitness, learn a new skill, have fun and meet interesting people
  • Learn how to move with connection, forget your stresses and let the music take over
  • Cost: £39 per person (including 90 minutes, free practice time after the classes)
Courses will be held at the Povey's dance centre, 159 Shirley Road, Southampton, SO15 7RX
Monday evenings, 8pm - 9:30pm
{
Classes are friendly and relaxed, complete beginners welcome.
You don't need to come with a partner, and there's no need to remember lots of steps. Just come along and try it out!
Two left feet? Don't worry! Many people feel the same when they start. Satisfaction guaranteed!   *
{
  

Learn to dance tango - express yourself, move with connection, forget your stresses and meet interesting people.

Course starts on Monday 8th August, (and generally on a 5-6 week rolling basis). To find out more, just take a look at our website: www.tangolingua.com or send us a message on the contact page.


To book right now and secure your place you can pay here
(you'll see a message if there are no places left):




For lessons, please wear comfortable clothing you can move easily in and non-marking shoes which you can easily pivot on (suede, leather or plastic soles are a good bet).


(If you're thinking 'hmm tango => slick hair, starched collars and competitions' then you're probably thinking of Ballroom tango. This is the modern form of Argentine tango, a completely different kettle of fish. Forget what you've seen on TV, this is the real thing. Dance for hours that feel like only moments, and then be left with a warm smile that lasts for hours more - that's tango!)

* full refund given if you're not happy with the course, minus hall costs of £4 per session.

Wednesday 29 June 2011

A special event, what's it like to be afraid, and a new tango course!

First off, there's a fun filled event coming up on the 9th July in Winchester, with a tango performance by yours truly and partner. If you want to come you need to book by this Friday. Scroll down for more
details on the special event.

NEW 5 WEEK BEGINNER COURSE!
Yes, it's that time again to announce the next Tango Lingua beginner Argentine tango course! Starting 4th July, Independence Day for some, tango day for others. In fact, learning tango (not to stretch the comparison too far) is a wonderful way to gain more freedom of self-expression and connection, and certainly a cause for celebration.

The beginner course is designed to be fun, relaxed, and to give you the skills, experience and confidence you need to start enjoying social tango dancing. It's also a great way to meet people, learn more about yourself, and forget any stresses you may be having in day-to-day life.

FEARFUL? READ THIS
If you like the idea of dancing tango, but the fear of being humiliated or looking like a fool is stopping you, the feeling can be a little like wanting to reach out for an elegant bowl filled with the most delicious food you've ever heard of, but not doing so because you'd have to first traverse a hall filled with banana skins, wearing greased shoes, while a line of friends and colleagues look on with a mixture of bemusement and mirth... Maybe whatever's in that bowl isn't worth it, you might think. But fear not! The teaching environment is very friendly and supportive. The aim is purely to support everyone through their own learning process, working together and accepting that people naturally learn in different ways and at different speeds. Everyone is a beginner once, and if you feel drawn to tango in your heart, then you have it within you to learn to actually do it! Satisfaction is guaranteed.

Read the great reviews from people who have already done the course:
http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/tango-lingua-southampton
http://maps.google.com/maps/place?q=tango+southampton&hl=en&cid=15166592016778738632

BOOKING YOUR PLACE
If you'd like to book a place on the beginner course starting this Monday, it's still not too late! Just go to:
www.tangolingua.com/contact
and click on the 'Buy Now' button. When you complete the quick checkout process your place will be automatically confirmed. It's just £39 per person for the whole 5 week course. You do not need to book
with a partner. Satisfaction guaranteed!

FURTHER LEARNING
More people now are wanting to develop their understanding of tango beyond the beginner level. Currently there are non-beginner classes running from 9:30 to 10:30 every Monday. These are drop in classes, just come along and join in. (If there's a particular aspect or kind of movement within tango you'd like to focus on, drop me an email and I'll see what I can arrange.)

WHERE AND WHAT TIME IS IT HAPPENING?
Currently all tango courses and classes take place at the Povey's Dance Centre, 159 Shirley Rd, SO15 7RX, Southampton. Beginner classes go from 8pm until 9:30pm each Monday, with free practice time after that.

A SPECIAL EVENT
As mentioned at the beginning of this email: On Saturday 9th July, an evening of dancing, fun and laughter, a charity event with a Soul and Blues Brothers theme featuring 'The Groove Brothers' - a Smooth Soul vocals and saxophone duo playing the stirring sounds of Motown and great soul favourites that you can dance your heart out to! Also, there will be a Argentine tango demonstration by Emma GS and Joe Hudson so please come along and support this event which is in support of The Alliance for Fibromyalgia, ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The venue is the Twyford Parish Hall, Hazeley Road, Twyford, SO21 1QY, 7.30 pm till late. Tickets are £12 including food (this is either a vegetarian or non-vegetarian option so please specify this when booking). To reserve your ticket, please contact Opal Webster-Phillip on 01962 878803 by the end of Friday 1st July. Opal needs to know numbers by then to allow for food catering.


Thursday 9 June 2011

Fuertes Raíces (strong roots) Tango kata

[update: I've now developed a new and much improved version of the kata, please see new post for videos!]

I've been thinking for a while that a kata would be a very useful teaching and practising tool for tango. But I've not seen one anywhere yet. It's fairly common for teachers to use relatively short sequences that (hopefully) encapsulate some principles of tango. What I have in mind though is a more comprehensive sequence of movements specifically designed for retaining and passing on tango knowledge. (You may have guessed by this point that I have a background in martial arts.)

This first one is a solo kata. Obviously tango isn't so often a solo activity, and I intend to develop pair katas soon, but one of the prime uses of katas is to be able to practice when you don't have a partner, so I hope this will be useful for that.

I've called the kata 'Fuertes Raíces' meaning 'strong roots', reflecting the intention of the sequence. Performed uninterrupted it takes between 6 and 8 minutes, which includes a minute of improvisation. I guess with a class, and stopping to re-examine some steps and give instructions it would take closer to 15 minutes. I'll be posting an example performance video soon. I expect I'll break it up into 2 or 3 stages for teaching and assessment purposes.

Specifically this kata tests: balance, control of weight, basic technique of stepping, double time, crossing, pivoting, giros, enrosques, plus improvisation.

I expect to refine the kata over time, and your feedback is very welcome!

Fuertes Raíces Kata ('strong roots' kata)

Start standing straight, relaxed but with good posture. Heels together, toes slightly apart.

Balance

Change weight to left leg.

Right leg makes circles with toes pointed. Start with knee raised making circles in the air, slowly lowering leg to make circles with toes gliding over floor. Left leg slowly bends to allow right leg to make bigger circles. Core and chest should be still.

Repeat on other side, with left leg making circles.

Stepping

Change weight to left leg, extend right leg to the front, side then back, without transferring weight, collecting between directions and extending leg so that it is straight.

Extend right leg as before to the front, side and back, but now with a weight transfer to make a forward, side and back step, coming back to the same point between each step. Look for level shoulders on all steps.

Repeat above two steps on other side, extending now the left leg.

Using the above stepping technique demonstrate two slow and continuous forward steps followed by two back steps, starting on the left leg.

Repeat above step, starting on the right leg.

Demonstrate with double time. Repeat the above two steps with a [* * _ * *] (double, rest, double) rhythm, where the second step of the double time is a weight change without extending the leg. This means the leg that extends is the same for both actual steps.

Demonstrate the above principle with side steps, starting on the left leg. Two steps in each direction.

Demonstration a continuous 'double time triangle'. Step to the left, change, step forward right diagonal, change, step back right diagonal change and repeat triangle 3 times. Then again but starting with stepping to the right.

Crossing

Weight on left leg, heels together, take right foot and cross over the front of the left foot to bring toes together with roughly a 60 degree angle between heels. But do not transfer weight. Bring right foot back to normal standing position.

Repeat above step but now transfer weight back and forth four times but without uncrossing.

Repeat step before last, but now transfer weight and uncross to complete 'the cross'.

Repeat above three steps on the other side with the left foot crossing over the right.

Repeat the above three steps, but now with crossing behind. Look for the height staying the same as the back cross is made and the standing foot is raised to the ball to make space for the crossing foot. Crosses should be slow and controlled.

Now chain 4 front crosses together from standing and then 4 back crosses all at a faster speed.

Pivoting

Weight on left leg, extend right foot to begin a step, transfer weight completely while turning upper body to the right and keeping hips facing forward. Do not collect left leg, which should be straight and foot facing slightly outward. Return to standing on left leg.

Repeat above step but now collect left left and untwist, creating a smooth 180 degree turn.

From that position repeat above two steps with the left leg making the forward step.

Repeat the above three steps but with back steps.

Using the above pivoting technique, demonstrate 4 sets of 180 degree smooth forward and backward ochos.

Repeat the above step but now with moving 90 degree forward and backward ochos, keeping the chest facing forward throughout the movement.

Giros

Using the above pivoting technique demonstrate giros, first clockwise, then anti-clockwise. Perform three each way, starting with a side step. Keep regular pace with chest facing into the centre of the giro.


Combined pivoting with crosses (enrosques)

Forward step with the left foot, into a 180 degree turn with back cross enrosque, stepping out along the same line with a back step onto the left foot. Look for smoothness and control.

Repeat above step from current position stepping with the right root.

Repeat above two steps but with a forward cross enrosque. Look for the turn being generated from the enrosque movement.

Improvisation

30 - 60 seconds of improvisation, incorporating the elements of walking, weight changes with double time, crossing, pivoting, giros and enrosques. Personal expression encouraged, needn't be 'tango as we know it', so long as the aforementioned elements are shown, and some thought given to flow and good posture.

Monday 16 May 2011

Learn Argentine Tango in Southampton - beginner course starts 23rd May and 4th July

5 week tango dance course:
  • Learn tango, an exciting, elegant and creative dance like no other!
  • Improve your well-being and fitness, learn a new skill, have fun and meet interesting people
  • Learn how to move with connection, forget your stresses and let the music take over
  • Cost: £39 per person (including 90 minutes, free practice time after the classes)
Courses will be held at the Povey's dance centre, 159 Shirley Road, Southampton, SO15 7RX
Monday evenings, 8pm - 9:30pm
{
Classes are friendly and relaxed, complete beginners welcome.
You don't need to come with a partner, and there's no need to remember lots of steps. Just come along and try it out!
Two left feet? Don't worry! Many people feel the same when they start. Satisfaction guaranteed!   *
{
  

Learn to dance tango - express yourself, move with connection, forget your stresses and meet interesting people.

Course starts on Monday 23rd May, then again on 4th July (and generally on a 5-6 week rolling basis). To find out more, just take a look at our website: www.tangolingua.com or send us a message on the contact page.


To book right now and secure your place you can pay here
(you'll see a message if there are no places left):




For lessons, please wear comfortable clothing you can move easily in and non-marking shoes which you can easily pivot on (suede, leather or plastic soles are a good bet).


(If you're thinking 'hmm tango => slick hair, starched collars and competitions' then you're probably thinking of Ballroom tango. This is the modern form of Argentine tango, a completely different kettle of fish. Forget what you've seen on TV, this is the real thing. Dance for hours that feel like only moments, and then be left with a warm smile that lasts for hours more - that's tango!)

* full refund given if you're not happy with the course, minus hall costs of £4 per session.

Wednesday 30 March 2011

Learning to dance Tango in Southampton, but don't have a partner? Read this

If you've been thinking of trying out tango (or rather Argentine tango), you'll already have an idea of how exciting and fun it can be. But making that first step and starting classes can be daunting, especially if you don't have a partner.

Lacking a partner to learn tango with, you may be worried about having to stand out in the class, or having to do leading if you want to be a follower (or vice versa), which you may feel shy or awkward about. Just those fears may be enough for that initial enthusiasm for learning tango to give way to frustration and disappointment - if you decide to give it a miss, for lack of a partner. But it doesn't have to be that way!

This post is intended to set your mind at rest and explain why 'no partner', needn't be an obstacle to learning the wonderful dance of tango. The main points:
  • Tango Lingua courses are structured so that everyone is engaged in learning for as much time as possible, whether with or without a partner. There is no standing out, just because you didn't come with a partner.
  • Sometimes you will have the opportunity to try a little bit of the opposite role. This does not mean you have to give up being a follower or leader as your main role. There are several advantages to experiencing a little of the other role. Firstly, it can be a lot of fun! It also helps everyone to practice more, and it helps you understand the dance better.
  • If you're someone who feels a bit 'weird' about sometimes trying some leading if you're a woman, or following if you're a man, don't worry! This feeling is soon forgotten as you become engaged in learning, helping others to learn, and having fun.
Are you going to let the lack of a partner stop you from enjoying tango? Why give in to that frustration and disappointment? Tango Lingua beginner courses are fun, friendly and relaxed. They are focused on involving everyone, with people working together to support each other's learning. The teacher is also there to make sure everyone is able to learn.

Another concern for some people is that, if they don't have a partner, will they actually have anyone to dance with, once they've learnt the basics? The answer is 'Yes they will!' In most tango social dances (milongas) in the UK (and also in other countries) people happily dance with people they don't know, and there is no expectation to come with a partner. If you have a reasonable grasp of the basics and are friendly and respectful, then you have a high chance of getting dances!

If you have any questions about Tango Lingua courses in Southampton, just fill out the contact form at: www.tangolingua.com/contact

Monday 21 March 2011

new beginner tango course in Southampton, 11th April

5 week tango dance course:
  • Learn tango, an exciting, elegant and creative dance like no other!
  • Improve your well-being and fitness, learn a new skill, have fun and meet interesting people
  • Learn how to move with connection, forget your stresses and let the music take over
  • Cost: £39 per person (including 90 minutes, free practice time after the classes)
Courses will be held at the Povey's dance centre, 159 Shirley Road, Southampton, SO15 7RX
Monday evenings, 8pm - 9:30pm
{
Classes are friendly and relaxed, complete beginners welcome.
You don't need to come with a partner, and there's no need to remember lots of steps. Just come along and try it out!
Two left feet? Don't worry! Many people feel the same when they start. Satisfaction guaranteed!   *
{
  
To book, just fill out the contact form at: www.tangolingua.com/contact
(Please bring correct payment on the first day.)

Learn to dance tango - express yourself, move with connection, forget your stresses and meet interesting people.

Course starts on Monday 11th April (and generally on a 5-6 week rolling basis). To find out more, just take a look at our website: www.tangolingua.com or send us a message on the contact page.

For lessons, please wear comfortable clothing you can move easily in and non-marking shoes which you can easily pivot on (suede, leather or plastic soles are a good bet).


(If you're thinking 'hmm tango => slick hair, starched collars and competitions' then you're probably thinking of Ballroom tango. This is the modern form of Argentine tango, a completely different kettle of fish. Forget what you've seen on TV, this is the real thing. Dance for hours that feel like only moments, and then be left with a warm smile that lasts for hours more - that's tango!)

* full refund given if you're not happy with the course, minus hall costs of £4 per session.

Sunday 13 February 2011

new beginner tango course in Southampton, 28th Feb

5 week tango course:
  • Learn to dance tango in Southampton. No prior experience necessary, all welcome.
  • No partner required, but you're welcome to bring one or invite friends. The ethos of the beginner course is to work together as a group and support each other's learning.
  • The lessons will run from 8pm-9:30pm at the Povey's dance centre in Southampton, each Monday. www.tangolingua.com/find-us
  • Free, 90 minute practica after each lesson.
  • Cost: £39 per person.
At the end of this course you will be able to dance basic tango in a social setting. But more than that, you'll have a taste for the truly magical quality of connection and movement that tango can bring.

Satisfaction guaranteed! If at the end of the course you're not happy, you get a refund*

To book, just fill out the contact form: www.tangolingua.com/contact
(Please bring correct payment on the first day.)

For lessons, please wear comfortable clothing you can move easily in and non-marking shoes which you can easily pivot on (suede, leather or plastic soles are a good bet).

Learn tango this year - express yourself, flow in the moment and the music, forget your stresses and meet interesting people.

Course starts on Monday 28th February. To find out more, just take a look at our website: www.tangolingua.com or send us a message on the contact page.



* full refund given if you're not happy with the course, minus hall costs of £4 per session.

Sunday 30 January 2011

drop-in classes

Hi!

You can now come to tango classes on a one at a time basis, without pre-booking, or signing up for a course. The drop in sessions are on Monday evenings, 9:45-10:45pm at the usual place, Povey's dance centre in Southampton.

No partner required for the drop in classes. The content will be focused on the fundamental components of connection and movement in tango (going into more detail than in the beginner course), moving then into progressively more advanced and expressive applications in the dance. The level of detail and challenge of each class will be catered to the class participants. Cost per class, per person: £7

If you're a complete beginner, see the latest posts on this blog for the next beginner course dates.

A note to everyone coming to Povey's at the moment: Even with the heating on, you may find it still a little chilly, so please bring some warmer clothes to dance in.

Sunday 23 January 2011

new tango classes in Southampton from Tango Lingua

the latest info from Tango Lingua:
  • 5 week beginner/refresher tango course: Starts this Monday, 24th Jan, at Povey's dance centre, Southampton. To join in, arrive for 8pm. Classes are friendly and relaxed. No need for a partner or to remember lots of steps. If you want to find out what tango is all about and experience the magical quality of connection that it offers, this is the course for you. Feel free to bring friends to take part or just to watch. For full details, see: http://tangolingua.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-beginnerrefresher-course-starts.html
  • Core skills tango classes: If you've enquired about tango classes beyond the beginner level, this is an opportunity to get some more advanced teaching. This new format will run on a drop-in basis. No need to book, just come along on the night. No partner required. Classes will be approximately 60 minutes and run from 9:45pm until 10:45pm, each Monday at the Povey's dance centre, starting this week. The content will be focused on the fundamental components of connection and movement in tango (going into more detail than in the beginner course), moving then into progressively more advanced and expressive applications in the dance. The level of detail and challenge of each class will be catered to the class participants. Cost per class, per person: £7
  • Private lessons: One-to-one learning, the fastest way to progress your tango. There are currently some slots available on Saturday evenings. Please email me if you'd like to book one. Cost: £35 per hour.
  • Class notes: I'd strongly recommend keeping your own notes on your tango learning, but if you'd also like to read some notes I've made on some of the classes I teach, you can find them on the Tango Lingua blog right here.
  • The practica: You may have noticed that the classed are at the same time as the practica (practice session). For now, the space will still be available for those who just want to do their own thing, with the understanding that the music may stop and start according to the class material and providing we can all work together without getting in each other's way too much. As demand for the practica rises I may make alternative arrangements for a second day, just for freestyle practice. If you're keen on having a second day and would be attending on most weeks, just let me know.
For directions, see: http://www.tangolingua.com/find-us

Thursday 6 January 2011

New beginner/refresher tango course starts 24th Jan!

5 week tango course:
  • Learn to dance tango in Southampton. No prior experience necessary, all welcome.
  • No partner required, but you're welcome to bring one or invite friends. The ethos of the beginner course is to work together as a group and support each other's learning.
  • The lessons will run from 8pm-9:30pm at the Povey's dance centre in Southampton, each Monday. www.tangolingua.com/find-us
  • Free, 90 minute practica after each lesson.
  • Cost: £39 per person.
At the end of this course you will be able to dance basic tango in a social setting. But more than that, you'll have a taste for the truly magical quality of connection and movement that tango can bring.

Satisfaction guaranteed! If at the end of the course you're not happy, you get a refund*

To book, just fill out the contact form: www.tangolingua.com/contact
(Please bring correct payment on the first day.)

For lessons, please wear comfortable clothing you can move easily in and non-marking shoes which you can easily pivot on (suede, leather or plastic soles are a good bet).

Learn tango this year - express yourself, flow in the moment and the music, forget your stresses and meet interesting people.

Course starts on Monday 24th January. To find out more, just take a look at our website: www.tangolingua.com or send us a message on the contact page.



* full refund given if you're not happy with the course, minus hall costs of £4 per session.

Sunday 2 January 2011

first Monday practica of the year!


Happy New Year to everyone! The first Monday practica of the year is this Monday, 3rd January.

Povey's dance centre
159 Shirley Road,
8-11pm.

£4 per person, every Monday, everyone welcome (please spread the word). Come and do your own thing. Assistance available on request.

For directions see: 

See you there!