"Don't get so preoccupied by the icing that you forget the cake." ![]() The above quote is from one of my favourite bloggers Terpsichoral who in a recent blog discusses how we always need to focus on the "cake" i.e., the fundamentals of good technique , rather than get lost in the "icing" i.e., optional technical and stylistic differences. And there are many such differences. To mention just a few...
So how not to get lost and confused in the maze of these differences ? I fully agree with Terpsi's advice to always analyse whether a particular or preferred way of moving in Tango is fundamental or optional.Here's some questions (paraphrased from her blog) to help this analysis...
These questions may seem simple but they are often not so easy to answer. To do so it is helpful to experiment with, and compare, different ways of moving. This requires removing personal biases based on past instruction and habits formed over time. With such analysis is also helpful to become more anatomically aware: to increase our understanding of natural body movement and alignment, and the muscle groups that are activated when we move in certain ways. Unless you are a professional dancer or physiotherapist, all the above ain't so easy! It takes time and effort! Hence the Tango truism that "Tango is a lifelong journey." It is however the very complexity of Tango and the need for exploration that makes this particular dance so enticing to many. It is certainly true that these qualities keep your brain, not just your body, active - yet another health benefit of Tango. So let's embrace Tango in all it's complexity! Make sure to eat plenty of cake The icing do partake by conscious choice not by Pavlovian trait! (Sophia) Related Posts Go here to find out about SoTango's upcoming tango courses - from beginners to advanced levels. Subscribe to the SoTango Newsletter to stay posted on our special events, promos and all-things-tangr |
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