Fun, fearlessness, and freeing each other this lunar new year

“Tango isn’t somewhere out there - tango is the dancers who dance it.” - Pablo Veron

“Distinguish yourself from other dancers by looking and moving like you. Keep everything you do light and playful. Think, feel and believe you are doing it just for the fun of it.” - Mauricio Castro

Happy lunar new year, tango friends near and far!

What are we tuning into collectively in the tango world this year? How can we amplify each other’s passion instead of squashing it — what if we really committed to liberate one another? Judginess will always be there, in the form of social media and people who seem to know what’s “right.” But the effect of focusing there is stagnation and narrowness and same old same old meh meh meh. Let’s bring forward sources of joy, inspiration, interest, and excitement when we gather. Let’s welcome big mistakes and bigger learning. Most of all let’s explore how we can have and create fun together, every time we gather this year.

The year of the horse is a time of courage and liberation. I’m excited to share opportunities to align with the energies in the zeitgeist, and amplify the spirit of the artists quoted above, as we dance into this new year.

To do this, I believe we need to uplevel our inner game of tango as well as our outer game!

Your thoughts profoundly impact the quantity and quality of dancing that is available to you. Judgmental thoughts are one of the most common ways we limit our access to the spirit of tango.

A judgmental thought answers the question: “What kind of person is this?”

“She is elitist”
“He is a creep”
“They don’t understand tango”

A discerning thought answers the question: “Based on what I’m seeing, how do I choose to relate to this?”

“She is elitist” → “She seems to enjoy time with her close friends; I will seek an introduction.”
“He is a creep” → “He has a different concept of appropriate intimacy than I do; I will inform him that he may not do that again.”
“They don’t understand tango” → “I wonder what tango is like for them and what I could learn from their approach.”

Last weekend at Bomba Tango Marathon, we began an exciting conversation about how to transform judgment into discernment. It felt so consequential that Elaine Chiu of Che Tango and I have decided to make this available to social dancers beyond the event. Join us for a workshop on Essential Distinctions for Social Tango Dancers: Judgment, Discernment, and Praise, coming up February 28th.

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What does it look like to seize your agency in practice?

Everywhere I travel in the U.S., I hear the same old story. Teachers trying to spark people to “really practice” at práctica, but the underlying structure, design, and music of prácticas don’t support real investigation.

And, most dancers don’t have any approach for how to practice beyond the old line “So, what are you working on?” Sure, it’s great to find what your partner is working on, but it’s more catalytic to come to práctica with an authentic investigative agenda.

Which is exactly what the card deck tango sequence generator helps us do! Although the game is still pretty underground (mostly used at private practices & house milongas) there are some prácticas like the one here in beautiful Toledo that are a perfect, open-minded setting for experimental exploration.1

If you’ve been trying to revitalize your approach to practicing this year, check out the ideas in this practice blueprint and see what it sparks for you!

Download the tango practice blueprint

Today I am filled with so much gratitude to be connected in friendship to people who are enacting lovingkindness every single day as they navigate the complex waters of this world — while tenderly mothering community, embracing beloved partners, and showing deep self love. Community organizers are heroes y’all! Hug one today!

P.S., If you’re in Portland, Oregon at Valentango this weekend, members of the newly forming Tango Guild are organizing a women’s meetup on Sunday, February 15th. Reply here and I’ll be happy to get you the details!