tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32860072680654026782024-02-07T23:57:17.976-05:00Tango Therapist's Tango BeatThe 4 M's of Tango: Music, Movement, eMbrace and MindfulnessTango Therapisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12548118004604256736noreply@blogger.comBlogger183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286007268065402678.post-78607347857462247922022-10-22T14:13:00.001-04:002022-10-22T14:13:46.174-04:00Ciò che rende il tango antisociale<p> </p><span id="docs-internal-guid-0570a9b2-7fff-1b3f-a4e7-eacc0d0d356f"><h3 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #d52a33; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ciò che rende il tango antisociale</span></h3><div align="left" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;"><table style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><colgroup><col width="431"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 192.25pt;"><td style="background-color: #fefdfa; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #d52a33; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: 0pt solid rgb(204, 204, 204); display: inline-block; height: 225px; overflow: hidden; width: 400px;"><img height="225" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/38qbQsawlDKkrO4U9Rhe_xo5DPTWK1KT_-tXEvPVKcmCYM8nfjJtSSdxoZxvbDkbNUnuKWuzng2W3lTrwFFlqx_mG7QJKjA47cVxfy5oFDUueaqG0P18vNp6YkOciWrX16DFaOAuAOOlwRTNoVe9lO8vTjPWzqHza262ZQNc5gDr0UcyBO1pH_tEIg" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="400" /></span></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 32.5pt;"><td style="background-color: #fefdfa; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rifiuto, a differenza di paura, tristezza e rabbia sembrano</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">dolore fisico nelle scansioni cerebrali</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fefdfa; line-height: 1.68; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: right;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Traduzioni: </span><a href="http://ctango.ro/2016/06/motivele-care-fac-tangoul-un-dans-antisocial/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #d52a33; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rumeno</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> / Tedesco [in attesa]</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.68; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sebbene il tango sia chiamato </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ballo sociale, troppo spesso alcune milonghe di comunità sono scarsi esempi di comportamento sociale </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">La soluzione richiede un </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">facile </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> cambio di comportamento per quei ballerini nuovi al tango o per coloro che ballano da anni. Quando sento persone che si lamentano delle milonghe asociali o addirittura antisociali, menzionano il carattere delle persone. I problemi di carattere raramente sono il problema. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Il problema è evitare </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(comportarsi come se certe persone non esistessero, come se fossero invisibili). L'autore di solito non sa quanto sia dannoso. Per prima cosa, diamo un'occhiata ad alcune ricerche moderne e vediamo perché è così importante non evitare sia coloro che lo fanno sia coloro che vengono evitati:</span></p><br /><div align="left" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;"><table style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><colgroup><col width="550"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 178pt;"><td style="background-color: #fefdfa; border-bottom: solid #333333 1.4985825000000002pt; border-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); border-left: solid #333333 1.4985825000000002pt; border-right: solid #333333 1.4985825000000002pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #333333 1.4985825000000002pt; border-width: 1.49858pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: -5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Questo è il tuo cervello sul rifiuto (o sul dolore)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: -5pt; margin-right: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 10pt 10pt -5pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: 0pt solid rgb(204, 204, 204); display: inline-block; height: 128px; overflow: hidden; width: 551px;"><img height="128" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/lquUnn_niBgetnqCUcl5z35XofGf9izc_3rB15IRbkXNocCpH7bLeXcY39Qh0Exdhrs90IWi34bLbY1k5kwnbNfpmMtZXR7dJzLj86V63QuwzcpfhQ9qkXJSdL5xdGwAvmHwgGSqbYMtwUJd7hWrX3dWejNXi5PJJt9VnPx0HViJy7yKPcjuB03moQ" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="551" /></span></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: -5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I neurologi sociali</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> hanno recentemente scoperto che le scansioni cerebrali indicano che </span><a href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/03/110328-romantic-rejection-pain-brain-scans-mri-health-science/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">un cervello che soffre di dolore fisico ha lo stesso aspetto del cervello di una persona che è stata rifiutata</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> . </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Altre emozioni spiacevoli, come </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">paura, rabbia, ansia o tristezza non sembrano dolore fisico. I testi stessi del tango si soffermano sul dolore del rifiuto e della perdita. Il rifiuto sociale sembra un dolore nel cervello e diventa insopportabile quando il rifiuto proviene da una persona importante e viene "amplificato" dall'essere evitato da un gruppo, sebbene nessuno in quel gruppo sia davvero vicino. Se l'elusione non necessaria può diminuire nella tua comunità, ci saranno due risultati: meno "dolore" e più piacere.</span></p><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.68; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.68; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">S </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">hunning funziona bene</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> per stabilire il potere in governi o culture tossiche. Anche la tortura funziona, ma ora che lo sappiamo, chi vorrebbe infliggere dolore a qualcuno? Shunning non ha posto è la danza sociale e danneggia la persona che evita gli altri a lungo termine. La soluzione richiede un po' di raffinatezza psicologica e di comprensione delle tradizioni del tango. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.68; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> </p><div align="left" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;"><table style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><colgroup><col width="351"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 203.5pt;"><td style="overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-left: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: 0pt solid rgb(204, 204, 204); display: inline-block; height: 240px; overflow: hidden; width: 320px;"><img height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/cgNfaD42eB5zaAbYyOz3iLcwx57ETjb9AA-655PnG56EGH9teWyBbbyJ3lux5Mt6KZaTUOuA5gJxoJwMrn27C5ve648WR7xDSJr55T5WBpINXoaeS5kicTW8livDk4gixD8trnB4kXGmziTunElfw1tKW0L0lG-N3tnXf8tZTSKKo2bHCEvo4wf1kw" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="320" /></span></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 19.75pt;"><td style="overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 5pt; margin-left: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Questo è il tuo cervello sul rifiuto (o sul dolore).</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.68; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Il problema</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> non sono quelli che evitano! </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Né sono quelli che chiedono e poi si sentono evitati. Il problema è l'ignoranza o semplicemente un malinteso</span><a href="http://tango-therapist.blogspot.com/p/tango-etiquette_10.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> sull'etichetta del tango</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> . Ci sono solo tre volte nell'etichetta del tango in cui dovremmo tacere:</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.68; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 10pt; padding: 2.5pt 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mai chiedere un ballo</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.68; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2.5pt 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mai insegnare mosse a un compagno </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">alla milonga</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> , e</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.68; margin-bottom: 13pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 2.5pt 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mai parlare mentre si balla in una milonga. </span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.68; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Certo, se qualcuno usa la propria voce per chiedere un ballo, </span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">non devi tacere! </span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Se qualcuno ti sta facendo del male fisicamente, non devi tacere. Puoi dire a qualcuno che balli solo con un accordo silenzioso ( </span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">cabeceo/mirada</span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> ). Puoi anche dire a qualcuno che vorresti salutarlo anche se non balli. Non si tratta di "insegnare mosse", ma di esprimere come comprendi l'etichetta del tango. La </span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">credenza</span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> il fatto che non possiamo parlare delle nostre preferenze ci lascia con una scelta molto scarsa: evitare gli altri e fingere che la persona che chiede/insegna/danza-parla non esista affatto. Rifuggire fa male al tuo benessere emotivo, e ora soprattutto perché ora dovresti sapere chiaramente che rifuggire è come infliggere dolore come punizione per la loro ignoranza. Collettivamente, tu e gli altri che evitano questa persona potreste creare (anche se inconsapevolmente) doloroso stress emotivo. Ci sono rari motivi per cui </span><a href="http://tango-therapist.blogspot.com/2011/09/tango-vultures.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #d52a33; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">evitare è appropriato</span></a><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> .*</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.68; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.68; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ecco quattro esempi di incomprensioni del </span><a href="http://tango-therapist.blogspot.com/p/tango-etiquette_10.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">galateo del tango</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> e delle loro soluzioni:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.68; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.68; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Gli ho chiesto di ballare e mi sono davvero divertito. Ora non mi guarda nemmeno". </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Per lo più per ignoranza, le persone chiedono danze. Se gli viene detto di sì, i 15 minuti investiti potrebbero essere molto scomodi per la persona che ha acconsentito al ballo. Il ballerino più esperto ora crede di essere costretto a evitare il richiedente perché qualsiasi sorriso potrebbe portarlo a dover dire di no. Questa incomprensione dei tre esempi di silenzio (sopra) suggeriti in </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">los códigos de tango</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> porta il ballerino esperto a </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">credere falsamente</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">che evitare è "più facile". Non è! Consiglio di memorizzare questo breve copione: "Grazie per averlo chiesto, ma preferisco non ballare con qualcuno quando me lo chiedono". Puoi aggiungere in seguito. "Potremmo eventualmente ballare, ma dobbiamo accettare di ballare con i nostri occhi." Ora, la persona che una volta era ignorante </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">non è più ignorante! </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> E il ballerino esperto non ha più paura di sorridere. </span><a href="http://tango-therapist.blogspot.com/p/tango-etiquette_10.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Etichetta</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> del tango La cultura del tango è vista da alcuni come antiquata, ma non dirigere la saggezza dei nostri anziani, in questo caso, porta a evitare. Il tuo tango è una </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">specie di tango</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> o semplicemente tango gentile, tango sociale?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.68; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.68; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">II. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Ballo da dieci anni ormai, e non voglio davvero ballare con i principianti e le persone che chiedono. Quindi non li guardo nemmeno". </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Non ballare con qualcuno non richiede di evitare. Usa la tua capacità di essere socialmente sofisticato per parlarne con loro. Diciamo che qualcuno con cui non ti piace ballare sta chiaramente cercando di ottenere i tuoi occhi. SORRIDI A LORO! E poi distogli lo sguardo! È così facile! La milonga è un evento </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">sociale </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> . Ci vuole molta più energia emotiva per </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">non</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> sorridere. Alla fine potresti dover parlare con loro del </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">cabeceo/mirada</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> . Illuminali a ciò che vuoi.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.68; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.68; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">III. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Siamo amici. Quando parlo con lei, spesso alla fine chiedo solo di ballare." </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Questo è difficile, ma la soluzione è la stessa. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Evita di chiedere</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> o anche solo di provare a ottenere una distanza ravvicinata </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">cabeceo/mirada </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">anche se sei assolutamente certo che vogliano ballare con te. Il tuo potenziale partner vuole davvero ballare con te? Un partner che </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">una volta </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">amava ballare con te potrebbe non voler più ballare, o non gli piace il modo in cui balli il pugliese, per esempio. Forse più tardi. Forse mai. Quindi non chiedere soprattutto in concomitanza con una bella conversazione. Se combini conversazioni e richieste di ballo, alla fine potresti essere evitato. Se un amico chiede dire: "I principianti stanno guardando; mettiamolo in chiaro </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">cabeceo/mirada</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> e poi balla." Le eccezioni alla regola alla fine ti andranno male."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.68; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.68; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">IV. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">" </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ballava con me, e ora perché non mi guarda nemmeno</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> ?" </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> O peggio: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> " </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cosa c'è che non va in lui? Non mi ha mai, mai guardato o sorriso?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> " La cosa divertente è che se incontri le stesse persone fuori dalla milonga potrebbero essere molto socievoli con te. </span><span style="background-color: #c9d7f1; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Il motivo per cui ciò accade è che in strada </span><span style="background-color: #c9d7f1; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">probabilmente non chiederai loro di ballare per strada! </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">:-) </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> La soluzione: vai dalla persona e dì: "Voglio che tu sappia che non ti chiederò mai di ballare. Mai. Ma quando ti vedo, è bello sorridersi, non credi?" Questo funziona davvero. L'ho detto ad alcune donne che non ballano con me e hanno detto a me oa mia moglie quanto apprezzano avere legami amichevoli con me anche se non balliamo. Va bene per loro. Va bene per me.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.68; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.68; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nessun rifiuto significa più piacere, meno dolore. Il tango sociale è puro piacere.</span></p><br /><br /></span>Tango Therapisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12548118004604256736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286007268065402678.post-39450997438201350302022-10-22T13:14:00.017-04:002022-11-01T13:56:38.534-04:00Tango Etiquette for Organizers<p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXqO0iblTqwa42_Z6GSA73rlKT9MnOyAti4p8YrlrwNuhNpYZqXI3kH_JY4S07RCAI5itOb5P5tBS8NflQ4nGzDyXXrMsPqAJ2IP7uulyUfgcaIzyH6ncHSMsVPUV91Qwq-lTlIY1BhZM26S9-qGuYUsJLh7uUkKl9ZbUtjj0xw6usvQAvLSiqzyP/s459/Greek%20Restaurant.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="459" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXqO0iblTqwa42_Z6GSA73rlKT9MnOyAti4p8YrlrwNuhNpYZqXI3kH_JY4S07RCAI5itOb5P5tBS8NflQ4nGzDyXXrMsPqAJ2IP7uulyUfgcaIzyH6ncHSMsVPUV91Qwq-lTlIY1BhZM26S9-qGuYUsJLh7uUkKl9ZbUtjj0xw6usvQAvLSiqzyP/s320/Greek%20Restaurant.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning etiquette at a Greek restaurant </td></tr></tbody></table><p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span><span style="font-size: medium;">f you want to have examples of the etiquette</span> of good tango organizers, go to a traditional Greek restaurant in Europe.</b><br /><br />Watch how Greek restaurant owners organize things! In my experience, they go around and make sure that everything is going well. The same sort of etiquette happens at milongas of all sizes in Argentina--active oversight and supervision of how things are going.<br /><br />An organizer can make or break a milonga even before the first<i> tanda</i> starts if they are passive and don't consider their crucial role in <i>tango etiquette for organizers.</i> Good preparation includes being excellent communicators to guests and saying what is expected from those who come. Organizers who have a community of dancers who are untrained by their teachers in the <i>códigos de tango</i> may need to explicitly mention what the expected basic code of conduct is <i>before the milonga starts. </i></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">The concept is simple: </span> Wise organizers take care of <i><u>basic</u> <u>needs</u></i>. </b></p><ul><li><b>Temperature: </b> Is it too hot or cold? Men can take on jackets if they are too cold, but women should not have to look like Eskimos so men can wear T-shirts.</li><li><b>Water</b>: Can people hydrate easily and at a reasonable price (or for free)? French restaurants by law cannot charge for tap water. If there is a charge, it should be very little. Hydrate or die.</li><li><b>Food:</b> The best milongas have either some basic goodies out or a bar that serves food for a reasonable price. That's what hosts do. An early milonga after work, perhaps on Friday, needs something to eat. Charge extra! We don't need <i>hangry</i> dancers. </li><li><b>Safety (Traffic control):</b> <b>Wise organizers know<a href="https://tango-therapist.blogspot.com/2012/04/tango-etiquette-pocket-sized-version.html" target="_blank"> dance etiquette</a></b><a href="https://tango-therapist.blogspot.com/2012/04/tango-etiquette-pocket-sized-version.html" target="_blank"> (<i>los codigos</i>) </a>and redirect rouge and dangerous dancers. Also, wise organizers create a good traffic flow by having at least four entry points to the dance floor. Milonga traffic control causes less frustration and is where organizers can shine.</li><li><b>Sleep:</b> Paying attention to sleep is a wise business decision. Starting earlier allows people to travel to your milonga from farther away without reserving a hotel. <a href="https://tango-therapist.blogspot.com/2021/10/are-early-milongas-bad-business-decision.html" target="_blank">Organizers who advertise well in advance that the milonga starts earlier <i><b>and ends</b> earlier </i>are astonished</a> by how their attendance goes up. Also, more organizers are paying attention to a general public understanding of <a href="https://tango-therapist.blogspot.com/2019/06/tangos-worst-health-risk.html" target="_blank">good sleep discipline and the circadian rhythm</a>. Organizers risk a future "super-spreader event" when many people's immune system is compromised by poor sleep. That's bad business. </li><li><b>The need to communicate: </b> This basic need is a bit complicated. It has three parts: The ability to hear at a milonga, the ability to listen (being silent), and the ability to speak. <br /> > <b>Hearing:</b> Could you imagine if the organizer had a single small speaker at an event and you couldn't hear well? Now, imagine being deaf as a permanent condition <i>because</i> of going deaf early from micro-damage from loud music? Unfortunately, nearly every organizer I know is not taking charge of protecting the hearing of his or her customers. <a href="https://tango-therapist.blogspot.com/2012/11/dj-self-assessment-card.html" target="_blank">A good organizer has an app that monitors decibels and requires that DJs do the same</a>. Dancers eventually will stop coming to milongas if they are deaf or have tinnitus.<br /> > <b>Listening:</b> Communicating social etiquette throughout life sometimes means remaining silent more than 50% of the time. That percentage could be 95% at a milonga. Organizers can help at least 70% of listening to happen by insisting on two times to be silent: First, avoiding conversations while <u>standing</u> right next to the dance floor because people are trying to listen to the music. Second, it's best to be silent and not talk while dancing at the same time.<br /> > <b>Speaking:</b> In tango, we request and accept dances without talking; we don't talk while dancing; polite guests don't talk while standing next to the dance floor. So, at least for tango, hearing and listening in silence outweigh the need to talk. Because the main communicator at a milonga is the orchestra!<br /><br /></li></ul><div><b>Those are the basic needs. Additionally, I suggest three issues that are entirely the responsibility of the organizers: </b></div><ul><li><b>Role-balanced events: </b>Etiquette in this post has been suggested as a way to be more socially sophisticated and customer-oriented behavior. Customers want to participate.<b> </b>Marathons and festivals have picked up the importance of role- or gender-balanced events because participation is important for everyone. This participation balance was what one first saw at <i>encuentros. </i>But now there is another etiquette issue for small and balanced events . . . . </li><li><b>Private Events need <u>not</u> be advertised: </b> <i>Encuentros </i>have become very popular; so some <i>encuentro </i>organizers have stopped advertising, making their event a private weekend event. The Newport News <i>encuentro</i> became so popular that Andy made his event by invitation only and did not advertise. This was good tango organizer etiquette because advertising only makes a lot of people sour about trying to get in when they had just a one-in-a-thousand chance to be accepted. </li><li><b>Wise festival organizers focus on dancers and not stars. </b> Would a restaurant owner have a group of his friends take over the ambiance of his restaurant? Nope. In the same way, tango organizers who are wise would avoid having tables for tango stars or special friends right up front near the dance floor. The organizers who are thoughtful put the stars in the back of the room or give them their own room to get drunk and loud as they tend to see the milongas as an after-work affair. Stars don't need their own table near the dance floor; they hardly dance. </li></ul><p><span style="font-size: large;">Organizer Etiquette</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> has nothing to do about "tango police"; etiquette is a natural outcome of being present, mindful, polite, empathic, and as a result, a good business decision.</span> These qualities are only briefly operationalized above. Please add other ideas in the comments or email me at <a href="mailto:mark.word1@gmail.com">mark.word1@gmail.com</a> if you have trouble making a comment. <br /><br /></p><p>Photo credit: <a href="https://www.thetravel.com/top-rated-restaurants-to-try-in-greece/">https://www.thetravel.com/top-rated-restaurants-to-try-in-greece/</a></p><p><br /></p>Tango Therapisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12548118004604256736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286007268065402678.post-42052372302452725882014-07-14T03:54:00.000-04:002019-02-18T21:31:19.487-05:00Tango-Beat's New addressPlease be so kind, and go to <a href="http://www.tango-therapist.blogspot.com/">www.tango-therapist.blogspot.com</a>.<br />
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All blog posts from Tango-Beat in the past are there along with all my new posts starting from February 2012 forwards.<br />
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If you are looking for a certain post, you will find it by<br />
using the search machine at the<strong><span style="color: red;"> top left </span><span style="color: black;">of <a href="http://www.tango-therapist.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tango-Therpist</a></span></strong><br />
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Thanks!<br />
Mark Word <a href="mailto:mark.word1@gmail.com">mark.word1@gmail.com</a><br />
Tango Therapisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12548118004604256736noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286007268065402678.post-13698765803730810242014-07-13T18:20:00.003-04:002014-07-13T18:20:32.835-04:00Tango's Archetypal Leader <div style="text-align: right;">
<i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span>A continued discussion on leading and following . . .</b></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">A</span><span style="font-size: large;">rchetypal</span> leaders are unique.<br />
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In the Jungian sense, the <a href="https://www.google.de/?gws_rd=ssl#q=archetypal" target="_blank">archetypal</a> leader is primal, a single leader whom others emulate. Plato would say the archetypal leader is the "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_Forms" target="_blank">substance of all leaders</a>," and mortal leaders are mere shadows of that substance.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Who is the archetypal leader in tango? </span> <em>La Música</em>. In dance classes we talk in very technical, prosaic terms about roles (leader/follower). The language of art, feeling poetry perhaps <i>must </i>or <i>should</i> put aside in oder to better describe what each person is supposed to do. We talk about duties of "leadership." But in trying to be empirical and exact, I believe we have sacrificed the magic, the art and the poetry of tango. Somehow "leader/follower" become <i>the</i> terms that <i>best</i> describe our magical roles. I question the poetry of these terms, or even the exactitude of these terms. If indeed the music is the archetypal one-of-a-kind leader in tango, now we must find appropriate terms for our roles as mortal tango dancers. Once the music begins, tango's improvisational nature knows no leader but the music, no matter what was said in a class about who leads whom. <em>La Música</em> speaks with the authority and in her own distinct voice--just as any archetypal leader does. Her voice still <strong>dictates </strong>(in a very gentle way) every well-taken step to those who are obedient and have attuned their listening skills to understand her unique voice and language.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Paradox Leadership: The lead that follows</span><br />
Although <em>La Música</em> is the archetypal leader on the dance floor, she is obliged to listen to the needs of the human spirit. Her compelling lead will not reach the human heart nor inspire our hearts to dance if she does not listen! <em>La Música,</em> as magical as she is, will fail if she does not listen to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeitgeist">Zeitgeist</a> of our time, the newest generation of listeners, even (through the DJ or musicians) the very moment at hand. But she does indeed listen! And we call her changes for us (the human spirit and Zeitgeist) "musical periods." Baroque, classical, romantic, impressionist are examples, but in modern times, consider what the "golden eras" or "<i>épocas de oro</i>" mean in the popular music of the last century. The golden era of Jazz, blues, rock, reggae, mambo, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danz%C3%B3n">danzón</a>, for example, are the times when these types of music inspired people to dance. During Jazz's golden age, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnegie_Hall">Carnegie Hall</a> was never the host of jazz musicians who did not make it to this great stage without first proving themselves in dance halls. Interestingly, the Hall itself was saved by Jazz musicians, the new voice of the American music <em>Zeitgeist</em> because the Hall was nearly demolished when no symphony orchestra wanted to play there.<br />
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<em>La Música's</em> representatives in tango are mostly dead and few living composers. In our times the ability to to have a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A9ance">seánce</a> with mostly dead tango musicians is led by a DJ, and we all know that if the DJ is not listening to the feeling of the crowd, and knowing the music well, the milonga will surely fail from this lack of being La Música's <strong>incarnate listener</strong>. The representatives and incarnations of <em>La Música</em>, hold a huge responsibility of listening first and then leading the dancers onto the dance floor. If <em>La Música</em> does not lead and follow in a balanced way, slowly milongas around the world eventually will be emptied of dancers.<br />
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The implications here is that there are overlapping roles for the couple and music. However, if we must come up with rigid terms, I would call music the <i>only</i> leader. Although those dancing have several leading roles, I prefer to call them both listeners. Consider the terms <b>listener-guide</b> (for the traditional <i>rol masculino</i>) and <b>dual-listener</b> (for the traditional <i>rol feminino</i>), who often has to mediate the argument that the listener guide is having with the Leader. :-) <br />
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The object of having different terms is not to destroy a tradition of lead and follow or the attempts of fairness by having inclusive language to describe roles. Tradition and inclusive language are important, but not as noble as the goal is to describe roles that more fairly describe both partner roles in a way that is more exact.<br />
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Beginners have enough of a learning challenge than to give them the idea that one has to lead and the other follow. That learning construct is a damaging message to beginners! One role is overburdened with guiding while still being a blind beginner, and the other is overburdened with listening to timid or contradictory body language of the so-called "leader" and not to the music. Some veteran tangueras I know are still very much over-listening to me, and dance behind the beat because of it. I am absolutely sure that this is the problem of over-listening. At practicas, I have asked women hundreds of times to experiment with the idea of focusing only on the music and attempting <i>not</i> to listen to my body--just the music. <b><i>Voilà!</i> </b> All of a sudden my partners start dancing on the beat and doing things that lead me to new vistas. My theory is that they are finally listening to the Archetypal leader more closely. And isn't she <i>so cool! </i>I like listening to her as the only leader too. Join me?<br />
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As a dance-floor navigator, I am the <b>listener-guide</b>, will you be my <b>dual-listener</b>*? For short, I just drop the first word of listener-<b>guide</b> and dual-<b>listener</b>, and we become the "guide" and "listener." We are both listeners, yes, but with different roles. From comments and discussions, I have come to like these terms, but the dialogue is open. We still have a many centuries of discussion left. It took 17 centuries for the Catholic Church to reject many poorly translated terms from the original languages into Latin. Let's not wait that long! I don't have 17 centuries to wait fro a good translation. <i>Yo tengo prisa. </i><i> ¡Favor de acompañarme adelante con términos exactos!</i><br />
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Leave a comment with your ideas of <u>other</u> alternative and more exact translations from Spanish for lead/follow! (Please <i>not a word</i>, about how much you love the terms <i>lead </i>and <i>follow</i>, okay? This is a "Protestant" discussion forum for heretics only.)<br />
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*<b>The Dual-Listener</b> is an ambassador or mediator between the Leader (<i>La Música</i>) and the guide. However, if the <b>listener-guide </b>is <i>NOT</i> arguing with the Archetypal Leader, then the dual-listener has the very pleasant job of just being present in a wonderful embrace, dancing and listening to the music, rather than attempting to stop a war.<i> </i><br />
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<br />Tango Therapisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12548118004604256736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286007268065402678.post-88033509020706165702014-07-08T05:32:00.003-04:002014-07-11T14:00:24.037-04:00La Música dirije, seis tocan<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "comic sans ms", sans-serif; text-align: right;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="http://tango-therapist.blogspot.de/" style="font-size: small;" target="_blank"> Link to Tango-Therapist (new location of this blog)</a> <a href="http://tango-therapist.blogspot.de/2014/06/one-leads-six-listen.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">English version</span></a> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Siento nuestros pechos, que se llenan del aire<br />
Como si fuera el aliento vivo, un dúo de Bandoneones.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">La Música Dirije, Seis Tocan </span></div>
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El bandoneonista toca con tanta pasión,</div>
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Me pregunto si en el éxtasis o el dolor.</div>
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Él y el guitarrista,</div>
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la violinista,</div>
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el pianista</div>
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y nosotros, dos bailarines, somos un sexteto.</div>
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Tocamos sobre el piso pequeño de la cantina</div>
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En nuestro trance hipnótico colectiva, cuatro más dos,</div>
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Juntos damos vida a los puntitos de tinta en el papel</div>
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De un compositor que lloró al oírlo la primera vez</div>
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Su tango pintado en el aire, que nos mueve ahora a bailar.</div>
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La Música había forzado su mano para escribir.</div>
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Ahora él ve a su arte rozar con el arco del violín.</div>
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Llora el compositor mientras el pianista martilla la forma</div>
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De un tango sobre el Yunque del Muse de Harmonía.</div>
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La Música se calienta el acero del fuego de la emoción -</div>
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Pasión, avivó el fuelle del bandoneón,</div>
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Y trajo a la vida por nuestro sexteto, nosotros seis.</div>
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Mi tanguera y yo esculpimos un tango visual,</div>
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Un baile dirigido por la Música misma.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>La Música dirije, seis tocan</strong></span></span></div>
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Sentimos la presencia músicos y cómo nos conducimos,</div>
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Ellos nos admiran -- su obra del arte, moviendo y respirando.</div>
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Como miles antes que nosotros, que representamos a unirse</div>
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Los hombres y mujeres ante nosotros y escultura</div>
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Como co-colaboradores, oyentes, seguidores de La Voz.</div>
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Nos reunimos en momentos secretos privados - dos en una multitud -</div>
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Contiene toda la pasión de cada mujer y hombre</div>
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Que se han celebrado entre sí desde el principio del mundo.</div>
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Estas son las papeles de mujer y hombre que nosotros no escogimos;</div>
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Nuestros papeles de abrazo nos eligieron.</div>
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Ella me abraza y me permite su espacio,</div>
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Siento el ritmo de su corazón.</div>
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Nuestros oídos escuchan la misma voz,</div>
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Cada movimiento que percibimos a través de</div>
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Nuestros dedos, los brazos y los hombros.</div>
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Su cálido pecho contra el mío me guía.</div>
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Todo nuestro ser se funde en conjunto,</div>
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Nuestros auras divinas y terrenales entrelazados.</div>
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Siento nuestros pechos, que se llenan del aire</div>
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Como si fuera el aliento vivo, un dúo de Bandoneones.</div>
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Nos unimos, nosotros seis, </div>
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Para comenzar una nueva línea melódica,</div>
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Una nueva frase musical con su propia historia.</div>
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Su postura me permite tomar un paso</div>
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En un camino que nunca he estado.</div>
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Empujo hacia delante y su cuerpo me dice</div>
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Que ella está presente, cuerpo, alma, espíritu.</div>
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Su embrazo dice: </div>
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"¡Despacio, que te disfrutes de este momento!"</div>
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Liderados por la música, nos unimos al ritmo africano</div>
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Que el guitarrista rasguea en nuestros corazones.</div>
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Mi compañera guía a un nuevo camino,</div>
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Nuevas formas de ser y de sentir,</div>
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Mudarse a viejos sonidos, que nunca antes he escuchado.</div>
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La Música nos detiene en su forma familiar</div>
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Después de una ráfaga de notas de la Variación.</div>
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Ella y yo estamos en silencio,</div>
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Su pierna entrelazada con la mía,</div>
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Como si no me dejara escapar tan rápido,</div>
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Ella nos detiene por unos momentos más como uno,</div>
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Equilibrado y fuerte -</div>
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Una escultura en movimiento ya no se mueve--</div>
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<b>Un monumento al momento.</b></div>
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La miro y silenciosamente asiento con la cabeza.</div>
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No tengo palabras.</div>
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Pero sé una cosa:</div>
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Nunca voy a llamar a una tanguera,</div>
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"La-que-sigue" de nuevo.</div>
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Escuchamos la voz de Música juntos.</div>
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Nos convertimos en uno con la orquesta.</div>
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Nos convertimos en "la seis-que-escuchamos."</div>
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Nosotros, el baile de dos que-escuchan,</div>
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Nos convertimos en La Música hecha carne,</div>
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Sobre una tierra en la necesidad de su mensaje.</div>
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<a href="http://tangounderpants.com/history-of-tango-music/" target="_blank">Photo</a></div>
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Tango Therapisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12548118004604256736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286007268065402678.post-25210949730142474752012-06-09T17:17:00.000-04:002012-06-24T10:50:38.531-04:00Redirection to new address<span style="font-size: large;">Because the former name "TangoBeat" belongs to a New York City firm, I am redirecting you to my blog's new name. Please read the two-step instructions:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">1. Click on the new name here --> "<a href="http://tango-therapist.blogspot.de/" target="_blank">Tango-Therapist</a>." </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">2. When you are at the new web address</span><span style="font-size: large;">, in order to find the exact article for which you were searching, p</span><span style="font-size: large;">ut in the title or key words into the search engine space above left. (</span><span style="font-size: large;">Here is a picture of the search engine you will see, top left of every page on this blog):</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggd0GdX3H790X9yWd3_m2jEcs6C9A6uKXQfWeVRKv3dFe4xbaWJH7Rwr_Xz127yadnkRqGzzwBcHqMOtDmNnadmTAViyMwI7RwVdv-TXBbXKriSe51S6vzGhNlB-qtNVLYwnt4S-0x9NA/s1600/Blogger+search+engine.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggd0GdX3H790X9yWd3_m2jEcs6C9A6uKXQfWeVRKv3dFe4xbaWJH7Rwr_Xz127yadnkRqGzzwBcHqMOtDmNnadmTAViyMwI7RwVdv-TXBbXKriSe51S6vzGhNlB-qtNVLYwnt4S-0x9NA/s640/Blogger+search+engine.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now, put in key words in the upper left box <br />for the article you wish to read.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Tango Therapisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12548118004604256736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286007268065402678.post-65660458632021377782012-04-01T16:31:00.001-04:002022-10-22T15:25:23.341-04:00Trade-Mark TangoBeat from NYCUpdate: 8 July 2014<br /><br />My new address is <a href="http://www.tango-therapist.blogspot.com/">www.tango-therapist.blogspot.com</a>.<br /><br />An owner of a now-defunct NYC company threatened lawsuits if I continued using the name we were both using at first. I write without commercials, without selling classes or my service. <br /><br />You may no longer be able to find this NYC company. If you were looking for TangoBeat from NYC, please visit them if you can find them. They are at <a href="http://www.tangobeat.com/" target="_blank">TangoBeat(TM)</a>.<br />
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However, if you are searching for the tango blog that focuses on musicality and the psychology of tango, my blog now has a new name with all the old articles: The Tango-Therapist: <a href="http://tango-therapist.blogspot.de/">http://tango-therapist.blogspot.de/</a> If you are looking for a particular article from my old web site, please put the name of the article in the top left search machine and it will take you there. A list of the most popular posts are below at the bottom of this post.<br />
<br />Here are a few of the most popular articles now at my new blog address:<br />
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<a href="http://tango-therapist.blogspot.de/p/tango-etiquette.html" target="_blank">Tango Etiquette</a> (a permanent page on the right column of blog).<br />
<a href="http://tango-therapist.blogspot.de/2011/04/being-great-in-your-dreams-tanguero.html" target="_blank">Being Great: In your dreams, Tanguero</a><br />
<a href="http://tango-therapist.blogspot.de/2012/04/follower-job-without-promotion.html" target="_blank">Follower: A job without promotion</a> (a new revision April 2012)<br />
<a href="http://tango-therapist.blogspot.de/2011/07/good-tango-karma.html" target="_blank">Good Tango Karma</a><br />
<a href="http://tango-therapist.blogspot.de/2011/08/tango-and-music-of-spheres.html" target="_blank">Tango and the Music of the Spheres</a><br />
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<a href="http://tango-therapist.blogspot.de/2011/04/if-cello-could-play-violin-poem.html" target="_blank">If the Cello could play the Violin</a><br />
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<br />Tango Therapisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12548118004604256736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286007268065402678.post-16714347438413976902012-03-08T09:46:00.000-05:002012-03-08T10:11:11.212-05:00Please Visit New Address!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SKIU5VwiPpCNR_KYivUZ1R9fUZ7dI0T0qyjWe4yCNTYMFCGYbe9xj3p4L4AAM6gv_vAzUAaEVyzi0vjRGrTo8dhm-h0L8bPiq9IV1fcgwSlNOaSKh9tTD4cSw62bGrfp13liGIBMbiU/s1600/Mark+and+Maria+on+stairs+in+Miami.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SKIU5VwiPpCNR_KYivUZ1R9fUZ7dI0T0qyjWe4yCNTYMFCGYbe9xj3p4L4AAM6gv_vAzUAaEVyzi0vjRGrTo8dhm-h0L8bPiq9IV1fcgwSlNOaSKh9tTD4cSw62bGrfp13liGIBMbiU/s320/Mark+and+Maria+on+stairs+in+Miami.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">My new blog address is:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://tango-therapist.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tango-Therapist.blogspot.com </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please visit me there. All the content from Tango-Beat is still there, but in deference to a company with a similar name (<a href="http://tangobeat.com/">Tangobeat.com</a>), I have changed the name of my blog. Please visit them too -- a great resource but with a very different mission.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-- Thanks!</span>Tango Therapisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12548118004604256736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286007268065402678.post-69626292316260041752012-02-23T06:32:00.001-05:002014-07-08T07:10:39.471-04:00Tango-Beat Blog's Last Entry<br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Tango-Beat</span></i></b>, my blog, has a new name. <br />
<br />
Since 2009 I have been writing a blog, which I thought would be more about music and especially rhythms of tango. Sure, I have written on this, but rarely. It is time for a change, especially because a company called Tango Beat has full rights to that name.<br />
<br />
The new name of my blog is:<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://www.tango-therapist.blogspot.com/">www.tango-therapist.blogspot.com</a>.</span><br />
<br />
I have a new entry there already, called the Essence of Tango, because as I was moving over my blog to the new name, it was a draft I accidentally published.<br />
<br />
PS. If you read the comments, my blog was nearly named "Tango Iconoclast." However, I decided on "Tango Therapist" over "Tango Iconoclast." because I am perhaps the opposite of this. As a few people have pointed out, I am not up to the task of being an iconoclast. That's hard work! And much of what I promulgate is a return to traditional tango because of its therapeutic effect in contrast to an every-increasing love of show-tango and tango-as-tourism. I promote the ideat ideat that a man and a woman taking full responsibility for being present in a dance. This notion is not iconoclastic but the return to the sacred icon that has been shattered by the same producers (or mentality) that is behind "Dancing with the Stars." <br />
<br />Tango Therapisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12548118004604256736noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286007268065402678.post-72530918735992370602012-02-11T06:13:00.000-05:002012-02-11T06:13:05.527-05:00Milonga Lisa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5fHKAinTMdeZlESi_Oghfl2EiS6bUXIfWDa8mtwvp0yZ5Oaxcq0RDYnDeHxAFIxXrh40uu7pIxnCb908CspYKdLw99E1zoyy_oNMESUNP5oK15PM-3tAdayYyBJMzn6Q9NFJ0HwU9wg/s1600/Mona+Lisa+eyes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5fHKAinTMdeZlESi_Oghfl2EiS6bUXIfWDa8mtwvp0yZ5Oaxcq0RDYnDeHxAFIxXrh40uu7pIxnCb908CspYKdLw99E1zoyy_oNMESUNP5oK15PM-3tAdayYyBJMzn6Q9NFJ0HwU9wg/s320/Mona+Lisa+eyes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /><br /><br />My Milonga Lisa*</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The music is fast.<br />I don't push her to take the next step.<br />The music drives her to do that!<br />The music leads -- <br />No, it <u>drives</u> us <i>a la vez</i>.<br />But she stops when my body signals<br />The music's moment of pause.<br />A new phrase takes us back to tempo.<br /><br />At end we stop and laugh<br />Like children who've jumped<br />From a swing to roll on the lawn.<br />We smile as we lie on the grass.<br />The music starts; no time to talk!<br />We run back to swing yet again<br />To the divine voice of <i>La Música.</i><br />My milonguera sits in the<i> Louvre</i> of my mind,<br />The coy woman who has returned my nod.<br />She is my <i>Milonga Lisa</i>.<br /></span><br /><br />*From Wikipedia: "'Milonga Lisa' [means 'Simple Milonga'], in which<br />the dancer steps on every beat of the music; and "Milonga con<br /><i>Traspié</i>," in which the dancer uses <i>Traspiés</i> or<i> contrapasos</i> (changes of<br />weight from one foot to the other and back again in double time or<br />three steps in two beats) to interpret the music. Thus, dynamics may<br />be danced without having to run fast or without the use of much space.Tango Therapisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12548118004604256736noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286007268065402678.post-9988170347322879762012-01-22T14:25:00.003-05:002012-01-23T13:26:45.477-05:00When a tanguera closes her eyes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Navi went with me to every milonga in the Washington, DC. She told me how to get there, and
she never got upset with me if I missed the turn she told me to take. Sure, she would just roll her eyes and say,
“rerouting,” and she’d come up with a route that would fix my mistake. Sometimes she would say, “At the first
possible moment, make a legal U-turn.”
She was delighted when I made a “creative” U-turn because we were back on
track. Then in December, I asked her to
close her eyes, and as a surprise I sent her off on a cruise to Germany. She was totally surprised that she woke up in
a whole new world. She only could tell me longitude and latitude of where I was. Her whole reason for
being is know where she is and to help orient me. But once awake she didn't know where she was! </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
Navi was really upset with me. She was hyperventilating, but I did my best to speak slowly and in a low, soft voice, which calmed her down. I told Navi that I would soon get a new CD of German maps. "Navi, you are smart," I said. Soon you will memorize all the new maps." I assured her too that she can take me to all my milongas
again. <br /><br />What seemed to please her most was that I told her that she now knows
what it is like to be a tanguera! “When a tanguera really likes the way I dance," I told her, "She closes her eyes and she is totally surprised when she opens her eyes and she is in a place she did
not expect. Then I know that I have done
a good job of letting her be 100% a women but at the same time let her embody the music so deeply
that she forgets that she is mortal for 15 minutes.” Navi
thought about that. She didn’t say
anything, but I knew that she liked the idea of being my tanguera. She no longer was upset with me.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Now, I have another problem.
When I put in the new GPS CD into her memory, she told me in an especially sexy voice as we had arrived at a milonga in Heidelberg something that haunts me. She never addresses me personally, but in Heidelberg in the shadow of the city castle she did: “Mark,
I don’t want to wait for you in the car this time.
Can you take me in? I want to be
your tanguera. I want you to hold me in
your arms and I will close my eyes the way you told me the tangueras do. I would sometimes just forget where I am."<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Even my psychiatrist (a tanguera) doesn’t believe me that my navigation system
is jealous. I am worried. Will Navi stop taking me to
the milongas? Will she take me somewhere, getting me lost forever? Navi and I have become close, but what can I tell her? I cannot tell yer, "You are a navigation system, you cannot be my tanguera!"<br /><br />Being a tanguero seems to
get more complicated the longer I dance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>Tango Therapisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12548118004604256736noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286007268065402678.post-22381414880486806472012-01-16T11:32:00.000-05:002012-01-17T11:52:26.813-05:00Music Workshop: Tango and its African Roots<b>Preface to the Post: </b> This article is on musicianship for tango dancers, and may not be easy reading. My poetry and prose on the psychology of tango are usually easy reading; so please don't give up on me because of a few posts on musicianship! However, I feel that if you take the time, that it will open your mind to the very roots of tango. And there are elements of psychology/sociology to this post in that many have devalued tango's roots via a lack of psychological insight. Maybe it is slow reading, but I hope this discussion will open up your appreciation of why tango moves your heart and your body to move when the now-dead tango musicians begin to play. Pour yourself some coffee and read slowly, and forgive me if I lose you for a few moments. If that happens, stay with me. Get a general picture of the origins of tango and that will open you up to much more later. I have four videos to share -- it's show and tell: Not hard at all!<br />
<br />
Let's start off inductively by seeing and feeling: Listen to this folk music (zamba argentina) with dancers very much not in folk costumes! The music is in 6/8 (very much like the feel of 6 in tango's <i>vals</i>). Sometimes you will see the dancers feet dancing on the pulse like <i>vals</i> (1**4**/1**4**:||) but often when they are going faster they will dance variations off of tango's most important rhythm (1*3*5*/1*3*5*:||). More on this rhythm later, but it is the center of what I want to convey to you as being very important in tango's most primal rhythmic expression.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IIwcpTlcQKw" width="420"></iframe>
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<br />
Here is the more traditional not-in-high-heels <i>zamba argentina </i>and you can see the footwork I mentioned above:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fTFSpt0oaPY" width="640"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
Although the majority of musicians and dancers have a love affair with the melodic, harmonic and instrumental influences of Europe, the fact is that tango would be nothing without its heart -- its rhythm from Africa.<br />
<br />
<b>Our Lack of Psychological Insight:</b><br />
I see this huge silence about Africa as a <i>typical devaluation of Africa</i>. Nothing is new about European influence on misunderstanding the value of Africa and its inhabitants. Without devaluing Africa, the European slave trade would not have been possible. Are we all educated and now we are over this devaluation? Well, let me ask it this way: Is the Civil Rights struggle over? Latin America is particularly blind to its own racism, so please don't turn to people from South America for their opinion to find "openness" -- their devaluation of tango's influence is particularly "European" and denied in spite of many glaring facts. Argentina prides itself on being the "most European" Latin American country, especially being the only Latin American country with so few people of African heritage (less than 3%). So I would fully agree that indeed, Argentina is the "most European," which may include some the less positive things that Europe has imported to the Americas -- its ongoing ignorance and value of Africa's influence.<br />
<br />
Surely you have heard the term"Afro-Cuban music"! Have you ever heard of "<a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/argentina/090810/afro-argentines-assert-identity-culture" target="_blank">Afro-Argentine</a>" music? <br />
<br />
Sorry, that was a trick question. Of course you have heard Afro-Argentine music. Not only have you heard Afro-Argentine music, <b>you dance to it at every milonga and in <i>every </i>traditional tanda. </b> [Please visit the link on the term "Afro-Argentine" <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/argentina/090810/afro-argentines-assert-identity-culture" target="_blank">here</a>].<br />
<br />
I wrote an earlier musical workshop article on <a href="http://tango-beat.blogspot.com/2011/11/music-workshop-thinking-in-six.html" target="_blank">thinking in six</a>. The post was on the <i>vals</i> and I even used Baroque dance to show how the <i>vals</i> is really in six. However, as I wrote that post, only then I remembered about my earlier discoveries as a Latin percussionist: Most well-known Latin American music (<i>son, mambo, salsa, merengue, samba, bossa nova, cha-cha-chá </i>to name a few) came out of the sacred 6/8 rythyms of Africa. <br />
<br />
Let me give you the most important example, the 6/8 rhythm that created <i>salsa, mambo, son, merengue, cha-cha-chá, cumbia</i> and others. They all first started like this in 6/8: <b>1*3*5*/*2*4**:|| </b>This part of my show-and-tell story needs you to clap! If you start out slow and then eventually get it up to tempo, you will find yourself miraculously clapping out the most popular clave-rhythm in all Latin American music, which is also miraculously NOT in 6/8. The first time I did this I was dumbfounded!<br />
<br />
The preceding rhythm is today called the "son clave" (from the Cuban music called "son," a slower version of mambo). The word "<i>clave</i>" comes from the word for wooden dowels (<i>claves </i>or "nails") slaves used to play the rhythms of their homeland. The dowels held together the crates the slave dock workers unloaded from European ships. Later, during and after the chaos of the Haitian's war against the French colonists, some slaves escaped to Cuba taking their <i>clave </i>rhythms with them as their only baggage. In Cuba, then, we really do not have "Afro-Cuban" music. Really, the black Haitians musical inventions in the new world was Afro-French to be fair to Europe's important influence with their music in Cuba.<br />
<br />
Again the rhythm above was in 6/8 as: <b>1*3*5*/*2*4** :||</b> which is often reversed to <b>*2*4**/1*3*5* :|| </b>This reversed clave-rhythm will have to be a later discussion because it is the most important development of the most dancable music in tango's Golden Era. (I hope that perks up your interest for a later post).<br />
<br />
Tango has only the first part of the rhythm above, which gives tango the drive that it has: <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">6/8: 1*3*5*/1*3*5* :|| </span><br />
<br />
When you put this rhythm into straight time it turns into something close to the original as 3/3/2 (1**/4**/7*). Especially in tango nuevo, one hears the 1, 4 and 7. What gringos often don't hear in most Latin American rhythms is that <i>the "clave" rhythm never goes away. </i>In fact it is omnipresent and responsible for the melody along with what is being played for syncopation around this rhythm. If you don't hear it, I believe that you<i> feel</i> it and it is what drives you to love tango. I have heard tango musicians and teachers talking about syncopations that show up in the music, but they are not aware of the underlying rhythm that has generated these syncopations.<br />
<br />
What I hope to demonstrate here is that this feeling of 6/8 is actually behind the pulse (heart) of tango. So how is it that <i>vals</i>, which is essentially in 6, is "European" as so many claim? If you wish to get at the primal tango, listen to tango´s "<i>vals cruzado</i>"! The <i>vals </i>often explicitly expresses the 1*3*5*/1*3*5*:|| of the original tango rhythm from Africa. I have been saddened to experience in my discussions with some tango musicians and vocalists that the majority see the <i>vals </i>as hardly being tango at all but "European." This is simply ignorance of the facts. I more recently have come to see that the <i>vals</i> is more primal and directly connected to tango than any other expression of tango. The "cruzado" of the <i>vals cruzado </i>is the crossing rhythm of a <i>vals </i>within a <i>vals</i>. Nothing is further from the truth that the <i>vals</i> is "kind of like a Viennese waltz," as I have heard musicians claim. To me this is just another devaluation of the African link. Being aware of this rhythm makes my <i>vals</i>. So far, I have not heard any complaints. Instead, I experience some some huge smiles and laughter from the pure joy that the <i>cruzado </i>brings to the dance. The steps seen in the <i>zamba</i> above (1*3*5*) are applied to what the musicians are doing in the <i>vals</i>, and it has a feeling of flying. <br />
<br />
Let me give you another example, this time from Gotan Project. This piece (below) is also in six. The key to it goes back to our primal rhythm of 1*3*5* :|| But this time they ingeniously slow things down and drop the 3 on the first measure and the 5 on the second measure. So here is how it looks: 1***5*/1*3*** :|| Practice clapping that rhythm very slowly and then you can clap it to Gotan Project below. I promise it will be fun, and get you back to your African roots.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YYHTcnvi_1w" width="640"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
I started this blog idea from a question of my <i>conocido</i>, Andreas, in Germany. He heard the above music as being divided into two measures of 4/4 + 2/4. His question gave me the idea of showing how important 6/8 is to most Latin music. Did I say Latin? Much of jazz, fusion, funk, soul and rock take from this rhythm. The clearest examples of this rhythm in today's music is hip hop and<i> regetón, </i>which have this 6/8 rhythm of |1*3*5*:|| as their base). The later two types of music may have come dircetly from modern Angola's popular and very-much-analogous to tango music and dance, called <i>kizomba</i>. <br />
<br />
Warning label on the <i>kizomba </i>video clip below: Tanger@s who love nuevo may never want to dance tango again after seeing this dance from Angola. Second warning: Do not let your children see this next demo unless they are over 21. <br />
<br />
If you hear hip hop in the background, maybe you will also notice the same slower milonga rhythm. Nothing is new under the sun. Here we have the old African roots, now (or still) being danced like condombe/tango and with the same rhythm. Interesting. ¿No?<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QwOGQhl3Ofw" width="640"></iframe>
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For those who see this as a mix of sensual Latin and tango dances combined, do not forget where <i>kizomba </i> comes from: Africa. The heart of our tango, and the Afro-Argintine music that forces you to get up and dance. <br />
<br />
Finally, ask yourself why you feel impelled to dance when tango plays? Is that the European influence or the African that does that? I really cannot answer that question for you, but for me, it is NOT the European influence.<br />
<br />
PS:<br />
My next blog will be on the great dancing and people I have met in Germany. Thanks for sticking with me.Tango Therapisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12548118004604256736noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286007268065402678.post-73703106119654732312011-12-24T17:39:00.001-05:002011-12-24T17:39:49.085-05:00When a Tanguero Falls in Love<br />
<br />
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Harbor</b><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>W</b>hen I discovered the harbor of
your heart,</span></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was after a long voyage from
across the ocean,</span></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">I did not know I was even getting
close to discovering you</span></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">Until I first spotted gulls that
guided me</span></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">To the continent of your
character.</span></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><b>I </b>saw your smile, a waterfall on
your coastline, </span></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">And the sound of its soothing
power</span></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">Was the first time I heard your
voice.</span></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">On I sailed and I saw the curves
of your mountains,</span></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">The flowing rivers of your long
hair.</span></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><b>S</b>uddenly a breath-robbing view
overtook me –</span></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">Your harbor, your heart.</span></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">I felt immediately safe there.</span></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">I could see your harbor had no
hidden shoals,</span></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">No murky waters and unknown
dangers.</span></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><b>Y</b>our harbor is clear.</span></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">I can see to the bottom.</span></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am hypnotized by the
playfulness</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">Of the dolphins that play in
the waters of your soul.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">I see that they are your
youthful spontaneity.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><b>Y</b>our harbor lulls me with waves of hope.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">Your harbor is my place of refuge,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">A weary vagabond sailor on a
ship,<br />Once a captain, but now alone, afloat,</span></span></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; unicode-bidi: embed; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">With tattered sails and no crew.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: large;"><b>W</b></span><span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: large;">hen I discovered the harbor of
you heart,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">I watched in wonder, and then
impulsively,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">I dove into the waters of your
soul,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">And played with the dolphins.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was not a Cortez who came to
conquer a continent.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Y</b>our continent, waterfalls,
terrain, rivers, clear waters – </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">And especially your harbor –
conquered me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>Tango Therapisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12548118004604256736noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286007268065402678.post-16844241987068779592011-12-10T07:52:00.001-05:002011-12-24T17:40:24.363-05:00Returning from War in my Tango Uniform<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>The following story is fiction with a high percentage of truth. Find what seems to be true to you. This is a story about finding liberation from jealousy and possessiveness. (I originally wrote this in 2009 while living near Ft. Hood, Texas).</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifN6bdCDnRC-s7H2cA0gUzJk5p9FIZcwqaUTfs584pg8P56TnpBjFwCJNSSlIzpmBqCoHL9JFmYHJs6WSlF3ic1Xs4RzfEOIubJQAEs4-yWuErsofGslmHnt_Ft5cCSkXjjG7xCDZahI/s1600/Christmas+tree+in+Iraq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifN6bdCDnRC-s7H2cA0gUzJk5p9FIZcwqaUTfs584pg8P56TnpBjFwCJNSSlIzpmBqCoHL9JFmYHJs6WSlF3ic1Xs4RzfEOIubJQAEs4-yWuErsofGslmHnt_Ft5cCSkXjjG7xCDZahI/s320/Christmas+tree+in+Iraq.jpg" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It wasn't the prettiest tree, <br />but we guarded it well</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The hardest thing for me to be deployed was not getting shot at. Having near-miss IED explosions that dazed me were horrifying too, but the hardest thing was to be away from my fiancé. I wanted to believe that she was being faithful, but there were so many stories of women cheating on their men. “Teresa was different,” I would tell myself. “She has true class and culture. She wouldn't do that.” But over and over we would hear about affairs that were being firmly denied, and the facts came in that were undeniable. Although it was against regulations, we even had access at S-2 to use satellites to go look at our homes. I had heard stories of guys who could see the pickup trucks parked out in front of our homes, and later the denials over the phone. Soldiers went home for two weeks of home leave, and they had their stories too. Infidelity was our obsession. <br /><br />Although it was against regulations, Specialist Gaffney in the S-2 shop went and took real-time photos of everyone's home near Fort Hood. He was in our platoon, and decided to do us all a favor. One evening he handed out "pictures of home" to everyone in the platoon. I told him that he could be busted to private for that. "The intelligence satellites are to keep us alive from deadly threats, not to see who is sitting on your porch at home, Specialist!" But then, I couldn't help but look at the photo. Teresa's car was there. No pickup truck in sight. I didn't bust Gaffney to private, but he had extra duty and a counseling statement. If the captain had known about it, he would have had an Article 15 and lost rank for sure. I was easy on him because he just was being stupid and wanted to help everyone in his own 19-year old way. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The winter sun on Teresa's car near Fort Hood made<br /> it look like a pickup truck at first glance. </span></td></tr>
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<span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Since learning tango with Teresa, my fiancé, I noticed the word "tango" being said all the time in Iraq. In the military if you are spelling something out on the radio or even in person, you don't say "t" but "tango." Also, everyday I would hear someone saying “Tango Uniform” for this or that, meaning "broken." For example, over the radio, we would hear that a vehicle had broken down and was irreparable: “Call out the wrecker, it’s Tango Uniform.” In reality “Tango Uniform” means "T.U." for “tits up” (that is, flat on your back). Radios, vehicles, even relationships were "Tango Uniform" -- ruined by infidelity or some other thing. The first sergeant even said at chow, “My marriage is Tango Uniform." I would have thought that the young marriages would be the most fragile, but officers and senior enlisted soldiers had the highest statistics for relationship casualties. The rear detachment commander had checked the First Sergeant's fears of fidelity. At chow Top lowered his head and told me, "Yeah, she's cheating on me. My kids even know the guy, and he’s sleeping in my bed.” He told me that he didn't want to go back because he was afraid he’d kill them both, leaving his children without parents – one dead and one in prison. I felt sorry for Top because he would never confide in the chaplain or -- God forbid -- go to the behavioral health tent. He'd just suffer on his own, and maybe he'd join the other soldiers on the growing list of soldiers at Fort Hood who had consummated their deep pain with a murder/suicide. I didn't let my mind wonder about this. I couldn't report the top NCO for pondering murdering his wife, but if it happened, I knew that I would never be able to get that out of my mind.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Instead, I preferred to think about good reunions. I preferred to imagine having Teresa in my arms again. Before I left for Iraq, Teresa and I had taken some dance classes and we loved it. First we loved salsa the most. But then we discovered Argentine tango. We were getting pretty good at it before I left. To keep me up on my tango, Teresa has been sending me videos of “tangueros” dancing, and I even practiced by myself whenever I had a moment by myself. I loved to watch, but again, the atmosphere of distrust made it very hard for me not to feel jealous and wonder if some sultry tanguero was slipping off with her after a dance. I wondered if she were happily “Tango Uniform” with him in bed and that our engagement also might be sadly "Tango Uniform."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Next to my cot, I always had a stack of her letters that always started, “Dearest <i>Tanguero Adorable</i>…” She often wrote about being true to me. She affirmed her maturity, her own self-worth and of course, our love. I hated that I still had my doubts. But I did. The negative thoughts would come to me and whisper, “A lot of women were saying this, and they were off doing the wild thing.” But one thing she said really made me believe her. She told me over a crackling long distance conversation, “Sweetheart, you know, if a lot of these women had a way of getting their need for touch met, then they might find it easier to be faithful. Tango allows people to get an important need met—the need to be touched. And if they had any sense of culture and self-discipline they would feel no need to go beyond that.” That sounded genuine. I also was able to dance a few times and feel what Teresa was talking about. There was dancing at a large FOB not far from our sector in Baghdad, and they had salsa dancing there. I found myself feeling so much better after that dance, and even more committed to Teresa. The magic of music, dance and human touch fulfilled me. I didn't have to go beyond that.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is where the driver should <br />maneuver with "back ochos."</span></td></tr>
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<span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Close to the end of our deployment after I came back from a mission with my platoon, the commander was standing there, and I thought there was bad news. We all fear last minute tragedies in theater or back at home at the last minute before returning. It seems like shit happens all the time at the very last minute of a deployment. We were supposed to come home on the 10th of January, and we didn’t have much time left in country. As I had suspected, the commander had bad news. “The XO's team just missed running over an an IED, and he’s being MEDEVAC’d to the hospital in Baghdad. He’s doing okay -- nothing really serious, but that means that you’re going back early as the rear-Detachment commander instead of the XO,” he told me. That meant that I’d lead the forward party to help prepare for the return of soldiers back home at Fort Hood. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">My emotions were properly dampened as the commander told me. First of all, the XO and I were close friends. We were in the officers' basic course together; so this was terrible news, but at the same time I knew that I would be home for Christmas. It is probably impossible for most people to understand that this actually 99% <i>bad news</i> that I would be home for Christmas. I felt like a traitor to my platoon, getting to go back early. I felt humiliated telling the soldiers under me, and all the while I was so happy to be leaving that hell hole and see Teresa. I was totally conflicted in my feelings. But if I had been given the chance I would have stayed. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Like it or not, I was going back in time for Christmas. I also decided that I would not tell my family or even Teresa. I felt sort of ashamed that I was coming back. I was also dreading my return to my fear of what I might find remaining of my hope of marrying Teresa.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="apple-style-span">What would I find? Intellectually, I knew that everything would be okay, but I had these great fears in my gut too -- fears that seemed deeper in my gut than the the dangers of going "outside the wire" on a mission.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="apple-style-span"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="apple-style-span">When I arrived I had to go through lots of briefings and medical screens like everyone else would have to do in January. But on Christmas Eve, I would be free. I knew where Teresa would be from our conversations -- at a Christmas Eve tango party. So I put on my dress blue uniform – the only thing I had at my locker at work. I drove down to the University of Texas in Austin. The UT Ball Room was down I-35, sixty-something miles from Fort Hood, where the milonga was being held. I put on an overcoat so as not to cause a scene when people saw me in uniform at the dance.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="apple-style-span">It took a while for me to spot Teresa. She was dancing with a handsome man, and I felt my face turning red. I stood in the back, and no one seemed to even notice me. I realized that I was spying on her like Specialist Gaffney's eagle-eye from through the stratosphere. I knew it was wrong for spying, and I deserved extra duty like I had given Gaffney. Also, I felt this mad jealousy well up in me because they were chest to chest, and he danced so well. She looked so satisfied in his arms. I had a feeling of great sadness at first: Like a little boy who was watching his best friend run off with someone else. Then I fought back the rage and jealousy. I tried to stay in the shadows of a far corner but I was sure that my red hot face would surely alert everyone that I was there. Certainly someone would ask, "What's burning!" The striped sides of my dress blue uniform pants surely would give me away if I tried to escape now as the tanda ended.<br /> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />As people were leaving the dance floor, I spotted Teresa coming my way. My stomach twisted and my hands were sweaty. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="apple-style-span"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="apple-style-span">An older gentleman stopped her with a nod of his head. Another song started and they danced. She had not recognized me. The man was old enough to be her father. Wow, he was good. He made the younger man look like a klutz. Although they danced simply, people stopped to watch them. Teresa and he looked as if the music controlled them, forcing them to dance so wonderfully. Teresa looked like she were in some sort of tango Nirvana, and I realized that it was the music, the touch, the moment that was filling her soul. I felt this … this … huge well-spring of emotion, of love, of trust. She wasn't in heaven because of that old man but because of the power of the embrace, the music and joy of movement, just as she had said before.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAASJ4c9X6lss5KWDzI0bBwSzMfIBzm6AAY__JXZh_ck2k4kP2ospZ5-9ae9LjNW60l7RPc94X8IJ4Gj-l4qQnLpITUjyDsNnVquw5bl104lPc1H4R8S_NNphOWSDyXSqneUbjh73OMJc/s1600/Tango+uniform+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAASJ4c9X6lss5KWDzI0bBwSzMfIBzm6AAY__JXZh_ck2k4kP2ospZ5-9ae9LjNW60l7RPc94X8IJ4Gj-l4qQnLpITUjyDsNnVquw5bl104lPc1H4R8S_NNphOWSDyXSqneUbjh73OMJc/s320/Tango+uniform+1.JPG" width="320" /></a><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">As if I did not even choose to, I felt my overcoat fall to the floor around my feet. People were leaving the dance floor, and someone said, “Teresa! My God, he’s back!” </span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="apple-style-span">Teresa's tanguera friend was pointing with one hand and the other was over her mouth, realizing how loud she had said it. The room went dead silent. Everyone started clapping, and Teresa came running to me, with a crowd behind her. She melted into my arms. She was crying. Others stood by and gave me hugs like I was their long lost friend. “Thank God you’re back. Teresa has told us so much about you; it’s as if we have known you forever,” an older woman told me, holding onto my hand like my mother would.</span><br />
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<span class="apple-style-span">This is the tango community: A bunch of people who touch each other as if this were what human beings do best.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="apple-style-span">The music started again, and she led me out onto the floor. I felt so self-conscious at first. It was like a wedding dance and we were the only ones on the dance floor.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-U4UkpL8A0y9yfSqNe55roP5Jum8eUPuH8sm0Q4pYeJvnc5HIE8mkaeHwfe_C2BuwPex-g4u6GZZ5kIP0fQV6f63wuvNh7XMDKjsFZc1ib0kztkAYWIyYwg1tjKFSBqVITBkIABciNg/s1600/Tango+Uniform+in+movement.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-U4UkpL8A0y9yfSqNe55roP5Jum8eUPuH8sm0Q4pYeJvnc5HIE8mkaeHwfe_C2BuwPex-g4u6GZZ5kIP0fQV6f63wuvNh7XMDKjsFZc1ib0kztkAYWIyYwg1tjKFSBqVITBkIABciNg/s200/Tango+Uniform+in+movement.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I just tried to do what I had seen the older man doing, listening to the music and letting the music move my feet. I danced simply, but it felt like I was on a level that I had never had experienced. It was the embrace, Teresa melting into my soul.</span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-bFL4QPgvtNyNvXHFhDnuP1Y9pS1Kmk-Pu-tOkh7bSme_K0HccZ9Yg_9r-8fccsNbgAt3q16KN1-IGta6JhKZRpS3T6etMFkPnZlqWXk5m4lw7ZC7MTsVCbe5T_CXqAkSI_f3I12czk/s1600/Tango+Uniform+gancho.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-bFL4QPgvtNyNvXHFhDnuP1Y9pS1Kmk-Pu-tOkh7bSme_K0HccZ9Yg_9r-8fccsNbgAt3q16KN1-IGta6JhKZRpS3T6etMFkPnZlqWXk5m4lw7ZC7MTsVCbe5T_CXqAkSI_f3I12czk/s320/Tango+Uniform+gancho.JPG" width="240" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">
<span class="apple-style-span">My engagement and my love for her were all saved from my worries of catastrophe and hurt at that moment. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="apple-style-span"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="apple-style-span">Now when there is a military event, Teresa does no longer calls my uniform my "Dress Blues"; she calls them my "Tango Uniform" because of our reunion dance in Austin. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I am reluctant to tell her what "Tango Uniform" really means.</span><br />
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<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Post Script:<br />
This story is of course fiction, but so true about soldiers, love, trust and what tango has to offer the world.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Photo credits:</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Link to IED explosion is <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?q=IED+explosions&hl=en&gbv=2&biw=1138&bih=499&tbm=isch&tbnid=sywj6XXcwKwktM:&imgrefurl=http://www.pnl.gov/nationalsecurity/explosives.detection/&docid=k_RGfSg5dmKK0M&imgurl=http://www.pnl.gov/nationalsecurity/images/ied_image.jpg&w=274&h=196&ei=j2DjTrqcIozvsgawosWkCQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=883&vpy=234&dur=178&hovh=156&hovw=219&tx=118&ty=106&sig=106012480788834473750&page=2&tbnh=124&tbnw=185&start=10&ndsp=11&ved=1t:429,r:10,s:10" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />Older gentleman photo: Visit </span></i><a href="http://practimilonguero.wordpress.com/page/4/">http://practimilonguero.wordpress.com/page/4/</a><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The photo of Salado, TX was from Google Earth.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; white-space: nowrap;">All photos with the "tango uniform": Izabella Tabarovsky, Washington DC</span></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; white-space: nowrap;"><br />
</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Photo models:</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Dina Dalipagic and some unknown tanguero in uniform.</span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />Note: The "Tango Therapist" now resides in Germany. He is father of two sons who live in Germany. Besides being a lover of Argenitine tango and a tango blog writer, he is a therapist for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and family problems (now in Germany) and is a lieutenant colonel in the US Army Reserves, Medical Service Corps.</span></i>Tango Therapisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12548118004604256736noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286007268065402678.post-53464181133249420352011-11-23T14:30:00.001-05:002011-11-30T14:24:38.315-05:00Tango: Balm or Addiction?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kfK0TQfPQa2MPEKVSPY621TJ5Itt1isTtPQnliRGN0gXQ4VLp1OsDCWUy_gkbASqIqLhjNk2LV50NNRhIj02fPplBYTh_trt6EZkEvKiFRf6lgKY9d7jPDs6yhiSPrq3Quk3aGTMtK4/s1600/cool_water%252C_sawtooth_wilderness%252C_idaho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kfK0TQfPQa2MPEKVSPY621TJ5Itt1isTtPQnliRGN0gXQ4VLp1OsDCWUy_gkbASqIqLhjNk2LV50NNRhIj02fPplBYTh_trt6EZkEvKiFRf6lgKY9d7jPDs6yhiSPrq3Quk3aGTMtK4/s1600/cool_water%252C_sawtooth_wilderness%252C_idaho.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I am Addicted to Air,Water and Tango</span><br />
<br />
<br />
I am addicted to air.<br />
I try not to breathe but I just cannot seem to stop.<br />
I am addicted to tango.<br />
She and I synchronize our breathing.<br />
We find a breath that defines the music as us.<br />
This breathing addiction consumes me.<br />
<br />
I am addicted to water.<br />
I can go for about a day, but I give up.<br />
I am addicted to tango.<br />
The fluidity of movement washes over my soul.<br />
I feel like I am truly alive and this fluidity purifies me.<br />My addiction to fluidity of motion consumes me.<br />
<br />
I am addicted to food.<br />
I can go without food during a fast, but I become weak.<br />
I am addicted to tango.<br />
The community of tangueros and tangueras nourishes me.<br />
I realize how much I am hungry for connection.<br />
My tango-fast cannot last. I am am addicted.<br /><br />
I am addicted to shelter.<br />
I try to be out in the open and rely just on myself,<br />
But I become cold and wet or too hot, and give up my quest.<br />
I am addicted to tango.<br />
The world pelts me with cold rain or I wilt under its stress.<br />
I try to be just myself, but I find myself once again seeking shelter<br />
In her embrace. I admit it -- pure addiction.<br />
<br />
The embrace is my air -- call it an obsession if you wish.<br />
The musical fluidity of movement is my water, truly my weakness.<br />
The community of dancers my nourishment -- my addiction, I guess.<br />
Tango's gestalt is my fortress, in the great hall we dance.<br />
I am addicted, you might say...<br />
<br />
But I say I am surviving life -- if joy be "survival."<br />
Join me in my "addiction."<br />
Come get your fix.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Photo credit: <a href="http://www.allbestwallpapers.com/waterfall_wallpapers.html">http://www.allbestwallpapers.com/waterfall_wallpapers.html</a><br />
<br />Tango Therapisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12548118004604256736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286007268065402678.post-10644478807298142482011-11-19T11:21:00.001-05:002011-11-19T19:32:25.496-05:00The Healing Embrace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">T</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ango</span> can be just a dance. It can be much more. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LQS0gDKNUZ-jS7h0oiDo9SrLgUw1aOjUOGdEJo6IYRRRyI_xW73-UfMgqEiKmFN0_Spg4nslzkniaXoVzAaSArov7i_K-hI-RpsKTsLJfiCbAqhGtFa-ov-ERdzsv0B8FUF9RtMtFes/s1600/Mark+and+Meryl.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LQS0gDKNUZ-jS7h0oiDo9SrLgUw1aOjUOGdEJo6IYRRRyI_xW73-UfMgqEiKmFN0_Spg4nslzkniaXoVzAaSArov7i_K-hI-RpsKTsLJfiCbAqhGtFa-ov-ERdzsv0B8FUF9RtMtFes/s320/Mark+and+Meryl.PNG" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">West End Library <i>Practica</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When I am present, I feel a transfer of information. More than just a transfer, I feel an understanding, an empathy. But it's only when I am present. Listening.<br />
<br />
I have experienced this myself, but it has been validated in movement therapy (tango therapy). When I was working with a combat veteran and his wife, using the therapy protocol I am developing. We worked on two psychological traumas. One was with his father's abuse and the other nearly dying in combat. In the first case, she felt the hatred leave his body. "His body vibrated, and I knew that he had forgiven him," she said. Immediately he felt sorry for his father who never got to know three grandchildren and his amazing wife. In the combat trauma resolution, he felt that his wife fully understood his experience. That is what many vets NEVER feel -- they do not feel anyone could understand them, especially their partners.<br />
<br />
I feel this transfer of information only when I am listening for it. It makes sense, right? If someone is talking to you, and you are not listening, what do you hear? Even if you half-way hear what they are saying, there will be misunderstandings. So try listening. I find it easy to forget to listen. So I practice! Non-auditory communication is an art, whether it is in "listening" for visual body communication or "listening" through the embrace. <br />
<br />
Let me give you an important personal example: A while ago when I got a new job, I organized a farewell luncheon at a salsa lounge, which provided a fajita buffet for us. A semi-professional dance friend of mine came and taught my colleagues how to salsa, and we demonstrated a tango, a <i>vals</i> and a <i>milonga</i>. After eating, I danced with many colleagues, but when nearly everyone was gone, I got a chance to dance with a person at work whom I did not trust -- a chance to <i>dance with the enemy.</i> My work colleague was once a dance instructor. We had endured a long difficult relationship, but after everyone had left and I was about to get in my car to leave on a 3-day drive to my new job, <i><b>she</b></i> suggested we dance a salsa. I suggested a tango. We danced well, although she had never danced tango.<br />
<br />
The dance was very healing for me -- I think for both of us. Dancing with her had a lasting effect on me because much was forgiven through our embrace. It was as if I knew how she felt. Immediately I felt an enemy had been destroyed through mutual compassion. <br />
<br />
I cannot speak for her, but for me a lot of animosity melted at that moment. <br />
<br />
Some say that tango is only a dance. It can be much more.<br />
<br />
<br />
Photo credit: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eddie-Arrossi-Photography/95714952801?sk=info" target="_blank">Eddie Arrossi</a>, photographer and tanguero, Washington, DC<br /><br />
For friends in DC, here is Eddie's link to that event -- the anniversary practica celebration: <a href="http://www.eaphoto.com/works/2011/library" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.eaphoto.com/works/2011/<wbr></wbr>library</a>Tango Therapisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12548118004604256736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286007268065402678.post-32449131305898233462011-11-16T01:06:00.001-05:002011-11-19T19:32:52.344-05:00In favor of bad technique<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-72eb9hOyOx-Vcu90sHLMJPNEjyC6Q-Q9Wgr8day0YA6a1EvVdLvriJZ9kCU-LCMK8Qz_HInq8Khtw-KVF_wd8YBjrwry6Q_SF1Wb2LS0_tO2nrvcZtsXo4lU30FSPTKvA7oqQb-OIfs/s1600/Tango+Stilleto+woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-72eb9hOyOx-Vcu90sHLMJPNEjyC6Q-Q9Wgr8day0YA6a1EvVdLvriJZ9kCU-LCMK8Qz_HInq8Khtw-KVF_wd8YBjrwry6Q_SF1Wb2LS0_tO2nrvcZtsXo4lU30FSPTKvA7oqQb-OIfs/s320/Tango+Stilleto+woman.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ladies, you will need technique classes to wear these.<br />
But why would you?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">H</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ow important is technique?</span> As Dieter, a tango teacher in Germany once said, <i>"In Tango, Technik ist alles. Alles!</i>" We would never say technique is <i>everything</i> for art or for making love, and so such a statement does not work in tango either. The technique-is-everything notion is doubly erroneous for tango. Isn't tango is a combination of art and making love?<br />
<br />
Maybe the question about technique's importance should not be <i>how</i> but rather <i>why</i>: <br />
So <i>why </i>is technique important? Technique as expressed in ballet and stage tango is for the wrong reasons and is a dead end. Technique, I believe, is a way to enjoy our art throughout our lives. Sure, without technique, a dancer or any artist becomes limited in their own expression, but if given a choice, I am in favor of bad technique over a lack of artistic expression or passion for the divine spark within one's partner. <br />
<br />
Before the technique nuts hunt me down, torture me with high-flying <i>boleos </i>and <i>gancho</i> me to death, hear my story:<br />
<br />
As a musician I was a technique nut. My teacher was a technique nut. Ron Falter was a clinician for Ludwig Drum company, and he would go all over the country giving drum clinics on technique. So I was his disciple -- probably his most devoted disciple. We were like Gnostic musicians, he and I. The only portal into the Truth of Music was through technique. <br />
<br />
<b>The end of Gnostic-Musicianship</b><br />
As a young teen, I was always hanging out on the university campus where I took music lessons. One day, I walked into the University band room, and a cohort musician, Brian, was there playing very well with the varsity University Jazz Band. I realized something at that moment. His teacher was a learn-by-doing teacher. Technique was secondary to playing a lot. This was the moment of my musical enlightenment, my epiphany. I was no longer a technique Gnostic. I slowly broke away from my teacher. I played with a lot of musicians. That is where I really learned to be a musician and not a technician. <br />
<br />
I moved to San Francisco, and joined the Eddie Money Band. Everyone in Eddie's band took lessons. It was <i>the assumption</i>. At the time, I thought I had graduated from music lessons; so this was an important moment in the art school of life -- always have a coach. Eddie's outgoing drummer recommended Chuck Brown, who was the most renowned teacher in the Bay Area. But Chuck Brown seemed to be more of a technique freak than my first music guru. However, since Chuck was sought out by famous drummers, I was resigned to believe technique-Gnosticism was a fact of life. <br />
<br />
However, unlike all the other students I knew, Chuck Brown did not have me focusing on technique so long. I am not sure why. His technique was remarkably different than Ron Falter's. I was not eclectic. I fully learned to devote myself to play with Chuck's powerful method. But soon we went on to other things in fusion and jazz music. Along the way, however I learned something about technique that I had never realized: It is not to play faster or be more awesome; technique is to help with endurance and avoid injury. I remembered that the drummer who had recommended Chuck Brown to me had told me said that he would have had to give up playing had he not learned Chuck's technique. This was the essential lesson on technique!<br />
<br />
Technique was indeed essential, but why!? What I learned about music from him transformed the way I played. I believe that Chuck Brown's influence may have made me the close embrace tanguero that I am. Before Chuck Brown, I had double basses, flipped my sticks high into the air. I had seven tom-toms and 6 cymbals. I was a show drummer from a show-drummer gambling casino town. After my lessons with him, I most often was playing on a small drum set -- both in size and the number of drums. Through technique, I had a large sound but on small drums. My transformation was towards music and less towards show, and I no longer had back pain. I played powerfully, without pain and with endurance.<br />
<br />
I still have the show-drummer in me. And I sometimes feel like a racehorse inside of the <i>milonguero</i> outward covering. But being "tasty" and going small takes discipline and a reverence for the music. From Chuck, I learned that no note (or step) should be taken without it being essential. Count Basie would say, "It is not what you play, man; it's what you don't play."<br />
<br />
To a ballerina who has become a great tango dancer, she would define technique and "bad" technique differently than someone with no ballet background. She gets her accolades from the moves most unlike tango and most like ballet and gymnastics. But remember that as gymnast or a ballerina she must retire early because she will be broken by her technique for show. The toe shoes must come off. To me, tango is about life-long artistry and social connection, not about being awesome while you are young and able. <br />
<br />
I learned that technique life long artistry until we die from Chuck Brown. But even if technique helps us to preserve ourselves, that is not everything either! Art and passion and making love always come first to the <i>milonguero</i>. <br />
<br />
Sure, I have the highest value for technique. But I am fully aware that "Technik ist<b> nich</b>t alles. <b>Nicht</b> Alles!"<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Photo credit for ballet tango stilletos -- yes ladies these shoes are for sale. <a href="http://www.thisnext.com/tag/ballet-boot/">Buy them here</a> but wear them only at home or over at his place. NEVER walk in them, okay? ;-)Tango Therapisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12548118004604256736noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286007268065402678.post-50626135694403072092011-11-12T18:48:00.001-05:002011-11-19T19:32:52.353-05:00Wanted: Tango Percussionists<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3M64pU0_Ads-ZCy0S17KSNAft6zpL0H-DklSKPLo7nrteq_VfMJjhITnUsLRNNjiV0WPNIPWQLAg44JxxO4swCoM4s9oB-XNj528SFhYT7DfO-P0cMAlfPMyPIc4OY_ncd6bbYCmlHkw/s1600/marks+blog+6+foot+pedals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3M64pU0_Ads-ZCy0S17KSNAft6zpL0H-DklSKPLo7nrteq_VfMJjhITnUsLRNNjiV0WPNIPWQLAg44JxxO4swCoM4s9oB-XNj528SFhYT7DfO-P0cMAlfPMyPIc4OY_ncd6bbYCmlHkw/s320/marks+blog+6+foot+pedals.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One example of using one's feet for percussion.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The word </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">tango</span>, </i>like he word <i>milonga,</i> can mean several things. <i>Tango</i> once meant a drum or a place where blacks would meet and dance to the drum beat. Tango is still that. But where are the percussionists now? Every instrument in tango is used as a percussion instrument. Name one that is not! <br />
<br />
Okay, give up? Every instrument is used at times in a tango orchestra to slap out a rhythm. The string section tends to use the handle or back of their bow to do it. Everyone else uses their hands except the pianist to tap on their instruments. The piano itself is, of course, a percussion instrument because the strings are struck with hammers. That accounts for all the percussionists, right? No!<br />
<br />
There are some percussionists who are often not recognized in the orchestra:<br />
<br />
<b><i><u>You</u></i></b> are that percussionist in the tango orchestra! A dancer is a percussionist, and the floor and partner is his or her instrument. I do not mean this in a poetic way. This is literally true. Anyone striking any object to create or play along with music is a percussionist.<br />
<br />
I invite you to stop dancing and join the tango orchestra as a musician!<br />
<br />
A good place to start is to<b> stop taking classes on musicality </b>-- well, not quite. How about at least thinking about these classes as musicianship classes? Musicality classes are for people who are trying to understand music as outsiders. How about being a musician? Be an insider -- a musician, not a dancer hoping to understand music from the outside!<br />
<br />
Musicianship is not for advanced dancers. It is for everyone, because in reality you and I are not "just" dancers if we are <i>tangueros/-as</i>. I think it is too easy to be a sloppy musician if we do not really join the band. Don't leave it up to the pianist or <i>bandoneónista</i> to be musical! It's your job too! That is, it's your job to be musical if you have dedicated yourself to join the orchestra as a tango percussionist. Maybe it is not a conscious thing, but I think the best social dancers are percussionists.<br />
<br />
As a jazz drummer, I played many different objects with both feet and hands (see the photo above). As a tanguero, I use only my feet and legs. I sweep (barridas), make grace notes (toe taps), and establish clear rhythms in synchronization to the music. Besides the floor, there is my tanguera. She bushes me, taps the side of my foot, scadas me, ganchos me. We are the <a href="http://tango-beat.blogspot.com/2011/04/if-cello-could-play-violin-poem.html">cello and violin playing each other</a>. As instruments of music, I am hers and she in mine as living, breathing instruments.<br />
<br />
When I embrace another tango percussionist on the dance floor (a tanguera), I hope our goal will be to join the orchestra as musicians and not as dancers. Anyone can get up and move, but can we embody the music as musicians? I imagine that she and I have joined the orchestra as percussionists in the <i>orquesta que no es típica</i>. The floor is our percussion instrument. We do not dance<i> to the music</i>, we play <i>in the orchestra. </i><br />
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Won't you join the orchestra? When we all join the orchestra, we become the community tango orchestra. All the milonga spirits -- African diaspora slave musicians, European immigrant tango musicians and composers -- will be smiling. If you have joined the orchestra, then you have come home to what tango started as. Tango is a drum. Be a tango percussionist and join the orchestra.<br />
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Photo credit:<br />
http://www.drummagazine.com/lessons/post/foot-pedal-fanatic/<br />
<br />
Next blog: As tango percussionists, we will explore why "percussion" technique has nothing to do with how good you look or how awesome you play. <br />
<br />
Also planned: Legato percussion -- tango percussion plays with and stretches time one moment and establishes the beat at another. This is what I call "time keeping" vs "lyrical percussion." It is important to know when to make these transitions within a song. And it is easy. It is not just the woman's job to be lyrical or the man's job to be the time keeper.Tango Therapisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12548118004604256736noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286007268065402678.post-69165797780346333282011-11-11T01:37:00.001-05:002011-12-11T10:27:12.882-05:00A-Theist Tanda<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDAZFoqawEUlJtvG-G3QDRHoEtbe6kDQtJk9GjPXAaGCC6vhm_QyUlfBPI4wTL_-oORANN1RADE5rdXBa-mtre0Awh9JpCaGGozswOh5KseOh51-a0dJMssOvrJ8L003pa-erHqkT3jY/s1600/bereavement-griefsupport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDAZFoqawEUlJtvG-G3QDRHoEtbe6kDQtJk9GjPXAaGCC6vhm_QyUlfBPI4wTL_-oORANN1RADE5rdXBa-mtre0Awh9JpCaGGozswOh5KseOh51-a0dJMssOvrJ8L003pa-erHqkT3jY/s1600/bereavement-griefsupport.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What is more powerful than an embrace? <br />
Words?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i>“People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child -- our own two eyes. All is a miracle.” </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">― </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9074.Thich_Nhat_Hanh" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Thich Nhat Hanh</a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The <i>vals</i> played. I always wonder what makes the <i>vals </i>feel so divine. She snuggled up. A familiar embrace. I felt a difference. We danced. The first song ended. I usually do not talk much between songs, but I asked, "Something is on your mind," I can feel it in your body.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />"My good friend died in a car wreck."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />"Oh no! I am so sorry to hear that."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />"And we were in an argument before she died. . . . I feel terrible . . . . and I wish I could have told her that I loved her before she died. I keep having nightmares about her." She paused and then began to cry.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />"Did you know her family?" I asked. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />"Yes, very well. We lived near each other. They are like second parents to me."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />We danced again. I held her now in a different way. I danced in the simplest way I knew possible and embodied the music. She cried in my arms.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The </span></span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">vals</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> stopped.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />"How well do you know her character?"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />"She was like a sister."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />"Then you know what her character would say to you now, is that right?"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />"She would say that she loves me, and to go on with my life."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />"Can you do that?"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />"I don't know."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />We danced again. I held her again, leaving room for her friend's character to speak with her. Her balance was sometimes a bit off, although that never happens with her. I knew she was having a conversation. The music stopped.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />"Can you do what you know she is asking you to do -- to love her and go on with your life?"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />"Yes."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />"I suggest you pray for her parents. It's harder for them than for you, I think."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />"I know it is hard for them. But you know I am an atheist."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />"Of course I know that. But that is the best prayer. If you ask that God to be with her parents, God will hear your pray perhaps more than anyone who is a believer."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />"How's that?"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />"Because I have an idea that God tires of having so many friends who want his riches and eternal life. God might feel like the rich kid on the block. Everyone loves him because they want something from him. If you don't want these things, I think your prayer goes on top of the pile to be answered. Your friend would like this too."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />"Yes, she would."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />We danced.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />This time I held her and a certain energy went between us. I cannot explain it. But I have an idea that her prayer had a lot of power that night. No adoration. No riches. No request for eternal life as a special favor for believing in God's holy Awesomeness. Just "be with her parents, God, will you?"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />And I said the atheist prayer too: "No special bargains, God. Be with these bereaved parents! Be with my friend! And if you won't be, I will be with them in my heart . . . b</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">ecause this is the way you made me and put room in my heart."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br /><br /><i>Cortina.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Afterword:</b> Events and details are changed to protect the identity of this person and her grief. I cannot tell you if the parents felt God's presence, but the nightmares stopped. <br /><br />The miracle is the embrace, the music, and the walk that embodies the music. If these do not lead to peace and the miracle of life, I am not dancing tango. Thich Naht Hanh said it so well. <i>Tangueros</i> and <i>tangueras</i> know of the miracle and joy of life better than many.<br /><br />This story appears today on Veterans' Day for a special reason. The person who died was a young veteran. The risk of death and serious injury of veterans is 10 times the risk than in a combat zone during the first six months after they return. The price of war is far greater than what the general public knows. And if we did know, I believe we would all be fierce Warriors for Peace. <br /><br />Happy Veterans' Day.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?q=bereavement&num=10&um=1&hl=en&rlz=1G1ACAWCENUS392&biw=1138&bih=535&tbm=isch&tbnid=XsBvJHaOzFmKMM:&imgrefurl=http://www.hospiceofhuntington.org/bereavement/&docid=dd_4hwqLx15BjM&imgurl=http://www.hospiceofhuntington.org/themes/site_themes/hospice/images/bereavement-griefsupport.jpg&w=250&h=208&ei=asy8Tv3RI4Lv0gG19ZDMBA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=901&vpy=206&dur=12225&hovh=166&hovw=200&tx=162&ty=104&sig=106012480788834473750&sqi=2&page=1&tbnh=151&tbnw=182&start=0&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:0">Photo credit</a> link.Tango Therapisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12548118004604256736noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286007268065402678.post-20077128781309138692011-11-08T22:04:00.000-05:002011-11-19T19:33:44.322-05:00Do not walk away! (poem)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfScPUCRmsWBvCWFZiGDra_adVWJnDA1xYhrBboUPa4nlVQT3EjXxIA63Yqy430C3v7y_i-wzM_ye0pI_v0HNMoWtMIn2NC8wOW4hta23IyXL6LtJ_fVsZdQCsWbshgwrNWOq7Iv-F4-0/s1600/Do+not+walk+away+from+the+dance+in+you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfScPUCRmsWBvCWFZiGDra_adVWJnDA1xYhrBboUPa4nlVQT3EjXxIA63Yqy430C3v7y_i-wzM_ye0pI_v0HNMoWtMIn2NC8wOW4hta23IyXL6LtJ_fVsZdQCsWbshgwrNWOq7Iv-F4-0/s1600/Do+not+walk+away+from+the+dance+in+you.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">D</span>o not walk away from her.<br />
Turn back! Ask her to dance!<br />
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You promised her you'd find her.<br />
Yes, it took so long -- a whole life.<br />
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But if you hold her, she won't need her cane,<br />
And you will drop yours.<br />
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The<i> bandoneón</i> will play<br />And restore the lost years.<br />
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Do not walk away.<br />
Turn back! Ask her to dance!<br />
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<br />Tango Therapisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12548118004604256736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286007268065402678.post-25849204731470642022011-11-06T01:58:00.000-04:002011-11-19T19:32:52.333-05:00Music Workshop: Thinking in Six<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVdZnkq1HHpq30LiN_5NkE8oVfJV54WjKSUUxmISwft0ODs-mOoa3oioHXhhGWonLXPR0mIUwt1Ot5J_FmckYnBi7yhEuNWvhJVUj3h_gkcbrDeZbAdYJTj49p4fNRLladq13fibWwMU/s1600/Johann_Sebastian_Bach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVdZnkq1HHpq30LiN_5NkE8oVfJV54WjKSUUxmISwft0ODs-mOoa3oioHXhhGWonLXPR0mIUwt1Ot5J_FmckYnBi7yhEuNWvhJVUj3h_gkcbrDeZbAdYJTj49p4fNRLladq13fibWwMU/s320/Johann_Sebastian_Bach.jpg" width="259" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">J.S. Bach: Handing over a minuet to Anibal Troilo<br />
to add the <i>cruzado</i>. See the smirk on his face?</td></tr>
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<br />Today's workshop is on the vals.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Our goal </span>is to improve our ability to improvise away from the pulse in three, and understand the African cross rhythm (<i>cruzado</i>) that makes the tango waltz (<i>vals cruzado</i>) so unique and fun for dancers.<br />
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A waltz or "vals" in Spanish has 3 beats per phrase, right?<br />
<br />
Well, that is the smallest view of what the <i>vals</i> is.<br />
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Six better describes the vals.<br />
<br />
If we were to compare <i>vals</i> to a language, then a word is 3 beats, a phrase is 6 and a sentence is 12 beats. Just like in language, when you first went to school and learned about words, phrases, sentences and paragraphs, you were already practicing these things without knowing what they were. Similarly, you may be doing very complex steps in your <i>vals</i>, but perhaps it will be helpful now that you are more advanced to understand more about what you are doing. The more long-range goal is for tango dancers to construct poems and short stories that delight their partners via knowing musical phrasing.<br />
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So let's get started.<br />
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I am going to start with an example out of Europe to help demonstrate thinking in six, but the objective is not praise the huge and known influence of Europe but to uncover the African "<i>cruzado</i>" rhythm. On our way to Argentina, we are going to start in Europe, go to Africa and then use the trade-winds to land in Buenos Aires.<br />
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The <i>vals cruzado</i> is a waltz within a waltz from Africa (3 beats against six), but Europe had a similar phenomena that did not make it to Argentina: The Baroque dance and music (below) is also in six-beat phrases. In the following example, if one thinks in 6, notice what happens on 2 and 6! This is a common form of Baroque dancing in which dancers bob down on the beats 2 and 6 of each phrase.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4yurw5Cf4HY" width="420"></iframe><br />
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As I mentioned earlier, if you count in six, they are bobbing slightly down on 2 and 6. That is the typical cross rhythm of their dance. The "cruzado" (meaning cross) is a sub-rhythm of the Argentine <i>vals </i>that at times is found also in Baroque, but Baroque was not the "<i>cruzado</i>" (cross rhythm) influence -- Africa brought that influence. In Latin percussion we call this counter rhythm the "<i>trecillo</i>" -- a part of the Afro-<i>clave </i>rhythm of nearly all of the forms of music in Latin America, including tango. The <i>cruzado</i> started in 6/8 sacred rhythms in Africa. I will write more about that later in a blog in which I will demonstrate the African influence with instruments and the Afro-<i>clave </i>in other forms of Latin American music as it relates to tango.<br />
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Many people, including musicians, are not aware <i>intellectually </i>of this sub-rhythm; so let me explain: The <i>vals cruzado</i> has a waltz within a waltz. Sometimes it is very explicit, sometimes subtle, the <i>cruzado</i> (cross rhythm) is always there, and is the distinctive element of what makes the vals the "tango waltz" -- also called the <i>vals criollo</i> from its African roots. To be sure, many musicians do not seem to know this, but it is nonetheless the fact. <br />
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Percussionists (tango dancers) need to know about these rhythms. You are percussively expressing yourself, striking your instrument (the floor) as a part of the tango orchestra. So my fellow percussionists, if you think in 3, a waltz has its emphasis on the first beat of each group of three (1**/1** etc.). If you think in 6 beat phrases (as the above dancers above have to), the same emphasis is 1**4**/1**4**). You will feel he musical phrasing more easily if you feel this in six. Practice counting at times when you are listening to the <i>vals</i>.<br />
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Now let's add the African influence, also called the <i>trecillo,</i> by dancing on 1*3*5*/1*3*5*/1*3*5*/etc. <br />
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For those used to watching young, flashy dancers, the following clip with very few views on YouTube will not be immediate appealing. However, this older couple are truly dancing 3 against six many times. I found this video clip because I was looking for someone dancing to Anibal Troilo's "<i>Un Placer.</i>" I discoverd Héctor and María Eugenia, dancing in this clear example of a very explicit <i>cruzado</i> rhythm in the vals. Check this out!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/HKc-IlazODA" width="420"></iframe>
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<br /><br />Now, go back and start a little before the 1 minute 30 mark. Here you will see how Hector does not only the <i>cruzado</i> against what she is doing but he has a very nice poetic pause in the middle of it all. Wonderful! Then keep going until the end of the song which ends with the <i>cruzado</i> being slammed out by the orchestra throughout the whole last phrase. <br />
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Okay, one more?<br />
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Here is a wonderful example of this within a <i>vals</i> with "percussionists" Julio Balmaceda and Corina playing the dance floor. Please focus again, just for this workshop, on counting in six. If you pay attention you will observe many times when they both dance this <i>cruzado, </i>the cross-rhythm, together or when one does and the other stays with the bass (1**4**/1**/4**).<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LgJS7UYeBbE" width="420"></iframe>
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I recommend that you go back and look at watch him at the 56-second mark stay in the cross rhythm (1*3*5*/1*3*5*/1*3*5*/etc.) for a long while as she stays in the normal vals rhythm (1**4**/1*34**/1**4**/etc.).<br />
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This weekend, if you are out dancing, pay attention to the Saints watching over the dance floor -- all the dead musicians that have made your world of dance and music so enjoyable. Among the many friendly spirits will see many great Argentine musicians. Behind them you will see a guy wearing a really cheesy wig. That's Bach. And if you really pay attention, when he watches <i>vals cruzado </i>he is smiling a lot more than usual. Among the friendly spirits, please pay attention to the African drummers who are playing the <i>cruzado</i> rhythm -- the three African beats playing against the six European beats of the <i>vals cruzado</i>!<br />
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Photo credit: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Johann_Sebastian_Bach.jpg">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Johann_Sebastian_Bach.jpg</a><br />
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Tango Therapisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12548118004604256736noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286007268065402678.post-74349349066927966212011-11-04T00:40:00.000-04:002011-11-19T19:32:25.529-05:00Wanted: Tango Teacher in Heaven<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZyW1CSxi5DTPNhHDR8HWnAYfyInQklISn4BfRL9IUteFHHcP_9pms2z3oCvxKFPTudjsmPRoQA9IBcD0oHu_GUUFQfNmscqFvysxYwOzQxx-gf6o2P3M-u3A0CSpZIoAAfa7HqNU-_9w/s1600/Anne-Sophie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZyW1CSxi5DTPNhHDR8HWnAYfyInQklISn4BfRL9IUteFHHcP_9pms2z3oCvxKFPTudjsmPRoQA9IBcD0oHu_GUUFQfNmscqFvysxYwOzQxx-gf6o2P3M-u3A0CSpZIoAAfa7HqNU-_9w/s320/Anne-Sophie.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Laura Peligrino</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">Earth and Heaven<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When a <i>tanguera </i>is taken from our arms<br />
We know she will be at home in heaven.<br />
Tango friends know more than most<br />
What heaven on earth feels like <br />
in our blood,<br />
in our sinew,<br />
in our feet.<br />
The music declares order and meaning in the universe.<br />
The embrace speaks heart to heart for those who listen.<br />
The movement creates the <i>musica humana</i>.<br />
<br />
When her family assembles to mourn her,<br />
They will embrace each other more that day.<br />
They will do what we do all the time.<br />
Those who loved and honored her most<br />
Will feel the power of the embrace to say<br />
What a million words cannot.<br />
They will know what we know each day.<br />
<br />
We can only guess at the depth of their loss<br />
But over many miles we reach out with our thoughts.<br />
And if we could, we would embrace them and share their grief.<br />
<br />
In heaven the angels needed a Tango Instructor<br />
They did not ask if it were okay with us.<br />
But we know that she will teach them well<br />
To experience <b>Earth-in-Heaven</b> <br />
As she helped so many experience<br />
Heaven on Earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
Mark Word<br />
in Memory of Anne-Sophie </span>Tango Therapisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12548118004604256736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286007268065402678.post-1905054443152561542011-10-29T17:05:00.001-04:002012-08-26T03:29:25.364-04:00FDA Warnings on Tango<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjoRjPw5TgM41fTHDNS-yOmmcTpqQhX6vC5vQ3Z_4A_hdHQsQYdQdIdc7QKLICDJ94buJA5zITvc1wR0bEMNK0Z14c7WnNlxR5FIDd-AgjpNwXE_NqBZc0Jo0zI0nPYp2j58IrbOKI3iA/s1600/stage+tango.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjoRjPw5TgM41fTHDNS-yOmmcTpqQhX6vC5vQ3Z_4A_hdHQsQYdQdIdc7QKLICDJ94buJA5zITvc1wR0bEMNK0Z14c7WnNlxR5FIDd-AgjpNwXE_NqBZc0Jo0zI0nPYp2j58IrbOKI3iA/s1600/stage+tango.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warning: <b>Your</b> stage tango may be<br />
hazardous to <b>my</b> health.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">dreamed last night</span> that an advertisement for Argentine tango was on television. It was wonderfully done. <br />
<br />
The couple was all alone on the dance floor as others watched them. The camera panned across the adoring faces of those watching. Then I saw close-ups of the dancers' feet, a shot of their hands together and moments of passion expressed on their faces. The dancers dramatically displayed well rehearsed moves that needed no lead-and-follow because they had learned patterns they had practiced over and over.<br />
<br />
At the end of the advertisement, the tango scenes continued with wonderful moments of ecstasy and grace, but a hurried voice mentioned all the side effects that the Federal Drug Administration had required the tango industry to include:<br />
<br />
"Side effects include loss of friends," the mumbling voice quickly said, "loss of money and harm to others. Many tango students report that they eventually only horrify good dancers on the social dance floor. 50% of those who buy this product report that they experienced the side effect of endangering others on the dance floor. The other 50% were simply unaware of how much they were endangering others."<br />
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Of course this was only a dream.<br />
<br />
But I invite you to watch the faces of those new to tango, watching social tango dancers. Now look at others who have been dancing for a while also watching. Everyone seems to be looking at the same couple, who briefly look up to see who is paying attention. The beginners are watching and hoping that they one day can do the cool moves too. Tango dancers trained in emergency medicine are watching in case they are needed to help those who might become injured. Others are horrified and are watching as if they were stuck watching a B movie -- tango without laugh-tracks to cue the audience when something is meant to be absurd or funny.<br />
<br />
Before the FDA gets involved, don't you think it is time to require a product claim for tango? For those teachers who are selling showmanship tango for social dancers, shouldn't a side-effects warning be required? Stage Tango on the social dance floor, like all ego-enhancing drugs, should have a warning.<br />
<br />
One must weigh the benefits against the side effects.<br />
<br />
<br />
Photo credit: <a href="http://www.verbum.biz/blog/?paged=2">http://www.verbum.biz/blog/?paged=2</a>Tango Therapisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12548118004604256736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286007268065402678.post-16501149792616309682011-10-28T16:26:00.000-04:002011-11-19T19:33:44.318-05:00Techno-Tanguera[Note: A cheesy poem for a cheesy subject.]<br />
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<br />
I left my smart-phone gladly at home.<br />
Without a phone, I am free to roam.<br />
<br />
It was the smart-thing gladly to do.<br />
But now tangueras tonight are few.<br />
<br />
The <i>cortina</i> plays, her face is alight<br />
With a new text from a friend tonight:<br />
<br />
"I wish I were dancing like you!"<br />
Absent now are techos two.<br />
<br />
As both are in their smart-phone dance.<br />
I just stand here with no chance.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://tango-beat.blogspot.com/p/los-codigos-tango-etiquette-made-easy.html">Tango etiquette</a> may change over time, but as it now stands, not only in Buenos Aires but also in all the world, it is considered poor manners to be on a phone or texting at a milonga. I suggest leaving the room if you have to text your children on directions to make macaroni and cheese, and other extremely important communications like this. Men... please leave your phone in your car. If you are on-call, as I have been, put the pager or a slim phone on vibrate and in your back pocket. Just warn the woman if it is in your jacket or (not recommended) front pocket!<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Photo credit: <a href="http://mobileupdatecenter.com/mobile-news/facial-recognition-smartphones/attachment/smartphone-face-recognition/">http://mobileupdatecenter.com/mobile-news/facial-recognition-smartphones/attachment/smartphone-face-recognition/</a></span>Tango Therapisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12548118004604256736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3286007268065402678.post-80619552102211167462011-10-26T00:36:00.000-04:002011-11-19T19:38:04.077-05:00Why she is smiling in his arms?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have rarely</span> felt envy in dancing. I love watching people who can dance better than I. But the other night I felt envious of a guy dancing with a tanguera I know pretty well. I saw the person I practice with dancing with a new guy in town and she was smiling with him in a way that she rarely does with our dancing. We were not connecting at all that night. It was really terrible in fact. Partly, the floor was too slippery for the leather shoes I had on. But it only got worse.<br />
<br />
Finally, I made a comment that we were not connecting well that night. She said that it was because I was too interested in my own steps rather than hers. The most hurtful critiques are the ones we fear are true. Really, am I that bad? Maybe, but it is also a slap in the face to have to take the full blame for the disconnect. <br />
<br />
I felt that she had broken a sacred agreement and an important element of tango etiquette not to critique your partner on the dance floor. I had, of course, opened the door by commenting on OUR dancing that night.<br />
<br />
I was ready to walk out the door. I was fuming and mad at myself for being envious of him doing such a great job of making her smile so wonderfully. It seemed that she had been frowning the whole time with my dancing that night.<br />
<br />
I did not leave because I had so many friends I wanted to dance with. My dances with them were wonderful. I was smiling a lot. Finally, I danced with a short Chilean woman who hardy was getting to dance at all that night. The dance with her was absolutely wonderful. I hope my practice partner wasn't watching. I was smiling just too much! But when I did start dancing with my practice partner, we were once again tuned and we were both smiling.<br />
<br />
What happened that night?<br />
<br />
The next day, I read an article, called <a href="http://psycnet.apa.org/?&fa=main.doiLanding&doi=10.1037/0022-3514.92.6.990">"Misunderstanding the affective consequences of everyday social interactions: The hidden benefits of putting one's best face forward"</a> by Dunn, Elizabeth W., et al. in the American Psychology Association's <a href="http://www.apa.org/">PsychNet</a> online resource.<br />
<br />
The authors would have done better research if they had been tango dancers. Tango shows us that we humans do better with our close relationship when we interact with strangers. Perhaps this psychological phenomenon is similar to biological in-breeding. Once we become "familiar" (from the word family), dancing can become stale without outside influences. On a social level, people learn a lot about themselves and their own creativity by having interactions with strangers. However, when people are asked to rate the enjoyment of an interaction with a close person versus "that stranger over there" the participants in a psychological study found that they over-rated the enjoyment they would have with someone they know, and under-rated the enjoyment they thought they would have with a total stranger.<br />
<br />
I think that people who really love tango and are couples or practice partners should take note. It is good for your dancing, your relationship and your dance progress to dance with others. The thing we learn the most is that what works with strangers, works with those closer to us. If we treat friends and family with as much attentiveness and simple respect, great things happen. When the researchers instructed people to put as much effort into their close partner as they did with the stranger, the interactions with the partner was much better.<br />
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Since that time, we talked about the disconnect, and I found out that a milonga she feels I try out too many things. I told her that I was afraid I was boring her. She just wanted to get in a groove and enjoy things that are know to work, and then apply the millions of variations of these simple elements to the particular orchestra being played in that tanda.<br /><br />Then last night something very remarkable happened. The music was playing all by itself at the practica when I came in and no one was there. I danced by myself. It was euphoric. She arrived and we danced. We had classes we wanted to review, but we just danced and danced and danced. I cannot tell you which cloud we danced on, but it was past cloud nine. Others came and all tandas I had were this way last night -- absolutely heaven on earth. <br />
<br />
No -- even better than heaven on earth. The angels were envious as they watched that night.<br />
<br />
I turned and told one of the angles. "There is no reason to be envious. You might want to try what I did. Dance with a stranger."<br />
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Note: Dunn was co-other with Biesanz, Jeremy C.; Human, Lauren J.; Finn, Stephanie.<br />
Source of reference with link to the original work from the American Psychology Association's:<br />
<a href="http://psycnet.apa.org/?&fa=main.doiLanding&doi=10.1037/0022-3514.92.6.990">http://psycnet.apa.org/?&fa=main.doiLanding&doi=10.1037/0022-3514.92.6.990</a><br />
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Photo Credit: Woman smiling <a href="http://www.helltodanaw.com/tag/dating/">http://www.helltodanaw.com/tag/dating/</a></div>
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