What is it to be mature in this dance? Everytime I review the journey I wonder over and over again how I could have possibly danced last year, how anyone could have enjoyed dancing with me, with that funny embrace, that un-disassociated upper body, that off balance ocho.
Yet the breakthrough seems to be sustained over the last year. After getting a full ass-kicking going to to the Istanbul Tango Marathon, a revelation of sorts with TC's teaching, a continued involvement in shaping and crafting the scene for KL tango, I have settled into a relatively peaceful place with this dance. I also attribute this highly to Yoga having helped me stretch out some previously un-stretchable parts and helping the balance tremendously.
Deep diving in the bio-mechanics of this dance, into the music and the history, just bringing myself out of the fog of unawareness and bliss. This is where the true complexity of Tango unfolds itself. Much like a baby becomes a toddler who transforms into a teenager and then an adult, we are only as mature as the stage and experiences we expose ourselves to. Unfortunately Tango is also like wine, it is impossible to rush the maturation progress without having put in the miles and encountering the experiences that change your perception of what this dance is to you and to the people you interact with.
What do you want to show them about yourself? What do you want to take from them? The only way to do so is to work on yourself, your dance, awareness, appreciation and interpretation of what is being shown to you by the range of teachers, friends and partners. It's tiring to sustain this dance in a community that is small, but it is this passion that drives us to want to continue to bring people in, to maintain a sense of non-judgement. For the seniors, to inspire, enlighten and bring the new ones on the journey and to be an influence. For ourselves, to recognise that we are toddlers too, barely matured and to always keep the sense of being humble, being open to learning, and being open to criticism and judgement of ourselves.
Yet the breakthrough seems to be sustained over the last year. After getting a full ass-kicking going to to the Istanbul Tango Marathon, a revelation of sorts with TC's teaching, a continued involvement in shaping and crafting the scene for KL tango, I have settled into a relatively peaceful place with this dance. I also attribute this highly to Yoga having helped me stretch out some previously un-stretchable parts and helping the balance tremendously.
Deep diving in the bio-mechanics of this dance, into the music and the history, just bringing myself out of the fog of unawareness and bliss. This is where the true complexity of Tango unfolds itself. Much like a baby becomes a toddler who transforms into a teenager and then an adult, we are only as mature as the stage and experiences we expose ourselves to. Unfortunately Tango is also like wine, it is impossible to rush the maturation progress without having put in the miles and encountering the experiences that change your perception of what this dance is to you and to the people you interact with.
What do you want to show them about yourself? What do you want to take from them? The only way to do so is to work on yourself, your dance, awareness, appreciation and interpretation of what is being shown to you by the range of teachers, friends and partners. It's tiring to sustain this dance in a community that is small, but it is this passion that drives us to want to continue to bring people in, to maintain a sense of non-judgement. For the seniors, to inspire, enlighten and bring the new ones on the journey and to be an influence. For ourselves, to recognise that we are toddlers too, barely matured and to always keep the sense of being humble, being open to learning, and being open to criticism and judgement of ourselves.
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