Argentine Tango

I had my first brush with Argentine Tango today at a trial class at Dance En-motion.

With the propagation of new media, most of us have probably come across tango in one form or another. Argentine Tango is different from Ballrom Tango, which is characterized by the staccato movements and head-flicks whereas the former's defining point is the intricate legwork of the ladies.

ARGENTINE TANGO


BALLROOM TANGO


Other film examples of Argentinian tango will be the tango scenes from Moulin Rouge and Take the Lead.

Initially, I found the posture slightly difficult to adapt to; the slight lean forward as compared to the centering of weight over one's centre of gravity which is common to salsa due to the spinning. In addition, there is no need for body isolation, as tango is a smooth dance in which the couple move as one. It took a little getting used to, to stop myself from isolating my hips as I move.

In salsa, we step our basic forward and backward to the tempo of the music, however, in tango there is no guidelines music wise for the ladies. You have to put your trust, totally in your partner to guide and lead you. The lady has to feel the weight change of the partner, through the points of contact; the arms and hands, and based on that shift her weight too, to react to the next tension push or pull from the lead to either move backward or forward respectively. The total trust I had to put in my partner was really unnerving. It requires so much more faith than bachata.

I managed to catch on after a couple of partner rotations, and boy did I enjoy myself! By trusting totally and reacting simply on tension, the resulting intimacy enjoyed is very satisfying. Unlike salsa, its not about the difficulty of the combos, the number of spins, the styling, rather, its about going on a journey with your partner.

Places to learn Argentine Tango at:
1)Abrazos (Milongas every friday, saturday)
2)Ixi-danza
3)En-motion
4)Jitterbugs
5)Xenbar (Milonga on tuesdays)

*Milonga is a tango social night*



I'm hooked... On Argentinian Tango!