Vortex of hell
A couple of years ago, Esteban and Evelyn (visiting teachers from Uruguay whom I personally feel the Tango dancers in Singapore have been very fortunate to have returning to Singapore annually since 2002) taught a series of classes concerning the proper embrace techniques, dancing in crowded spaces as well as various aspects of social etiquettes suitable for milongas. For example, as an exercise, we were made to dance in a (for us at that time) constricted space, using chairs to form artificial boundaries. During these classes, Esteban also highlighted the importance and in fact the necessity of striving, wherever possible, to dance along the outer edge of the dance floor.
Old timers
Can’t really remember where or how I found the following link, just noticed (a few minutes ago as a matter of fact) that I’d bookmarked it somehow. Here you can find some really vintage video clips (dancing as well as orchestras from the Golden Age). By the way, quicktime player is required.
Feedback loop
During one of the recent practica sessions, as I was commenting to someone (in response to her reaction to my lead) that my dancing appeared to be slowly but surely taking on different characteristics, it occurred to me that this transformation coincided with the increased teaching responsibilities. The need to teach has forced me to critically examine how I perform certain actions, in order to isolate and emphasize specific elements as well as to conjure up exercises which hopefully can speed up the learning. In particular, I feel that I have benefited greatly from my own interpretation of the “power walk” – leading with emphasis on chest while holding back the legs. I guess this is the result of unconsciously concentrating on certain characteristics in my walk, leading, etc!?
Unwarranted attention
Frankly I am more of a reserved type and have never been one to seek the lime light. However, with increasing amount of time spent on Tango in an instructional role, i.e. initiated a guided practica session as well as taking over (temporarily) recently a Tango class while the usual instructors went on holidays, all of a sudden I am standing out from the crowd. As a result, nowadays I cannot but help feeling that whenever I take to the dance floor, certain amount of attention will be directed at me and my teaching partner.