Valuable lessons from BsAs

I have been meaning to write a summary of my experiences of BsAs. This is a quick attempt to try to capture some of the most important lessons (majority below is from the classes I took) I learnt during the one-month stay.

• Dance freely. This is a concept I cannot stress enough. In particular, 1) Not to feel constrained to dance in a particular style and 2) not to be afraid to make mistakes – they may lead to new “creations”. And, as a teacher I respect highly put it succinctly, “to dance you need to move!”
• For leaders: allow your partner the freedom to move and express herself, through your embrace (which by the way does not mean opening the embrace if you are already in close embrace… :shocked:) and the next point.
• Follow your follower – physically, not just some mental delusion…
• Listen to your partner. Respond to her mood, energy and musicality. For followers, assert yourself in this equal partnership we call tango.
• Dance with passion. Move only when you feel compelled to do so because of the music.
• Patience. This applies not only in developing navigational skills in crowded conditions but also in learning and adapting to every new partner you dance with.
• Most importantly of all, have fun in every dance! Go with the energy you feel on any night, whether it’s high or low.