Posts in Tango Knowledge
Tango Walk: Why So Much Attention?

In most partner dances, choreography is what makes the dance something to behold. This can often be observed through elegant steps or grand, sweeping movements of the body. Figures and complicated steps are practiced over and over, giving a regular onlooker the impression that dancing is all about bombastic or sophisticated gestures.

Because of this, many believe that for one to dance effectively, one must be fit or athletic, with the ability to move differently on the dance floor than they do in everyday life. To some degree, this is true.

Yet, strangely enough, Argentine tango is so rooted in its humble beginnings that even the foundation of what is considered good tango dancing is the very thing one does every day: walk.

Read More
Where Is Mauricio Castro and What Happened to His Unique Tango Discovery Method?

Various other tango personalities emerged over the years, Among these tango dancers and teachers was Mauricio Castro, who is most notable as the founder of Tango Discovery — a unique method of dancing and teaching tango. However, a cursory internet search of his name strongly suggests that Mauricio Castro and his work might have suddenly disappeared.

This then begs the question: where is Mauricio Castro, and what happened to his unique Tango Discovery method?

Read More
Tango and Ballroom Tango - Evolution and Mutation of Argentine Tango

The forms of Tango are like stages of a marriage. The American Tango is like the beginning of a love affair when you are both very romantic and on your best behavior. The Argentine Tango is the next stage when you are in the heat of passion and all kinds of emotions consume you. The International Tango is like the end of the marriage when you are staying together for the sake of the children.

Read More
All You Need to Know Before Starting Your Beginner Argentine Tango Lessons

There’s always something inherently exciting about trying out a beginner course, and tango lessons are no exception. Many aspiring tangueros and tangueras would rush to tango classes with little to no knowledge about what to expect. On the one hand, this kind of attitude keeps one’s excitement intact, especially for those who are rather fond of surprises. On the other hand, not knowing anything about Argentine tango before taking beginner tango lessons may lead to some measure of disappointment in the long run.

Read More
Is Tango an Addiction? - Argentine Tango debates

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 More
Volcada Versus Colgada - What's the Difference?

When encountering the term axis, one would likely associate it with the rotation of planets or variables in mathematics. In studying tango, however, one would be surprised to know that axis is a recurring term, with the concept playing a significant role in both balance and movement.

Read More
All You Have To Know About La Cumparsita - the most famous argentine tango

La Cumparsita is widely viewed as the anthem of tango music. Originally composed by Gerardo Hernan Matos Rodriguez in 1917, the 100th anniversary of La Cumparsita was marked by tango concerts and all sorts of tributes in 2017.

Because of its ability to tug at the heartstrings, whether one encounters the original or revised lyrics, it would not be surprising at all if La Cumparsita remains popular for another hundred years or more.

Read More
Tangasm - Have You Had One?

Perhaps, it is the very nature of tango as an improvisational dance that fosters this idea that it is a sensual — even sexual — experience. The freedom with which we can move while dancing the tango is the kind of liberation that is absent in the daily lives of many people, especially to those whose careers demand intense compartmentalization of time and activities.

Read More
All You Need To Know About Boleos, Voleos, but Not Boleros

In 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 More
Smart Leadership Is About Knowing How To Make Your Team Align With Your Goals. Sounds Like Tango? Well — It Is!

The 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 More
“Por Una Cabeza” - Why Everyone Dances To This Song and Why You Might Not Want To

Looking 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 More
Positive and Negative Influences of Wearing High Heels in Argentine Tango

The prevalence of high heels in fashion, as well as in intimate dances like the Argentine tango, has often been associated with female sexuality.

This popular notion is largely based on the theory that this specific type of footwear holds a measure of transformative power that could affect a woman’s level of attractiveness, much in the same way dancing the Argentine tango could evoke feelings of being desirable.

Read More
Mindfulness, Meditation and Tango Dancing

Although it is common knowledge that dancing has mood-enhancing benefits, increases serotonin and cognitive functions, and reduces stress levels – this is particularly true for the combination of Tango music and partnered dancing. It delicately reveals personal emotional and physical challenges while cultivating intense awareness that has a therapeutic effect and improves people’s emotional state (Bongard & Kreutz, 2009).

Read More
What's behind the gates - your guide to ULTIMATE tango on-line

When you finally brave into the world of online courses you may discover that they actually work pretty well. Especially if you have a partner ready and willing or if you yourself love to work toward continuous improvement.

There is a scary moment of starting where you have to navigate through the unknown labyrinth of registration, choosing the course, and then figuring out what to click and how to access the content.

Read More