Moving through life: Reflections on Week 1 of Learning Tango

It is the winter semester of 2023 and I am in Argentina studying tango (the dance, the music, the history). There much to learn and I'd like to share some of what I'm learning with you. But first, some advice, the same that my professor shared during my first class: "wear tango glasses" because "tango is in the air."

In tango, there are two roles: that of the leader and that of the follower. After the first week of classes I started understanding, even feeling, the importance of each of them.

In the role of the follower, you need to learn to listen to the signals from your partner. You need to have enough awareness of your body and the leader's body to pick up on subtle changes and invitations. You also need the ability to trust. You need to give up control and trust the leader to be your eyes, even when the leader is a stranger. However, despite giving up control of the steps, the follower still has an active role in the dance. As the follower, you must be present, firm, and yet at the same time flexible.

In the role of a leader, you need to learn how to invite the follower to move, without too much pushing but with enough pressure that the signal can be felt. You also need the ability to make choices. The leader must simultaneously think about their own steps and the followers' steps at least a moment before they happen. The leader cannot be indecisive or they will give the wrong signal and lead the follower to disconnect from them. The leader must feel where their partner is (this helps when adjustments or re-balancing is needed), while paying attention to the room and to the music.?

In general, I’ve been thinking that learning tango is like learning how to move through life. When you start tango, you get to see who you are based on what you find easy and what you find hard. I know the follower role is easier for me because when I was younger I went where I was told to go. If I didn’t like it, it wasn’t my fault. But, I've learned a lot in these past 2 years now I’m working to take more control of where I am, that means it would be best for me to practice the leader role more.

I believe, however, the best case scenario is when I perfect the qualities of both roles and am able to switch between the two easily. I want to be able to trust and to be trustworthy,? to be decisive and to be able to give up control, and to know when to switch between the two roles. In tango it’s simple, if my left hand is out I am the leader, if my right hand is out I am the follower. In life, I think it’s not so easy.

What are your thoughts about this? Have you ever tried dancing tango?

Hi! Thanks for reading :) I'm Janet and here's my website. (It's a museum of art) Feel free to explore!