Musings on Tango, Sensuality and Spirituality
Non-verbal communication is a skill taught in a tango class Constance Brissenden MARCH 1, 2023 Aydan Dunnigan-Vickruck discovered tango more than 20 years ago. Ever since, he has used this complex and sensuous dance to explore feelings of connection both with his wife, Patricia Dunnigan, and with others in his dancing and teaching. In the … Read more
Is my body my friend? My teacher? My guide? A trickster? Can I create with my body? Communicate through my body? Express my inner self? Can I love my body?…love with my body? These questions have pursued me throughout my conscious life – in and out of relationships, in and out of the church, on … Read more
There is a common centre in each of us where we meet at a deeper level, … the point at which we converge, … the ambiance in which we float. Teilhard de Chardin Knowing and being known – in equal measure. This is the culmination of the human quest, our spiritual journey. It is through … Read more
“Life is like a rond de jambe: Everything will go in continuous circles. Everything should move continually, even when you are still.” —ballerina Michaela DePrince, quoting her favourite advice from teacher Charla Genn “Will you, won’t you, will you won’t you, will you join the dance?” Lewis Carroll, Song of the Mock Turtle. The universe … Read more
Of Love and Fear “Over the years I have come to the conclusion there are only two reasons people do things: fear or love.” Sister Julienne, Call the Midwife. Community has been one of the great casualties of the pandemic. With the advent of the virus, we were prohibited from all social interaction – from … Read more
You may say I’m a dreamer, well I’m not the only one… (Imagine, John Lennon). Perhaps we are all dreamers. Perhaps that is what makes us human: seeking, searching, imagining, reaching for the beyond. We are mythmakers and storytellers. This is how we make sense of our lives, marking the lessons learned, tracing a trajectory … Read more
Love seeks a face The question came up again at our cozy Tango gathering: “Isn’t it a little frivolous, maybe even disrespectful, to be dancing in these dark times?” I posted a link in my blog last week to a very inspiring video clip of tangueros dancing in the streets of Kyiv, which I encourage … Read more
Air raid sirens were near constant and Russian troops were on the outskirts of the city, but that didn’t stop some people in Kyiv from dancing….“Ukrainians know freedom is the most important feeling. Staying, dancing, enjoying life, is about protecting that.” Read the full Article from the Guardian. Dance expresses so vividly the indomitable human … Read more
Does this happen? On occasion? Rare occasions? In the zone. Those experiences where the dance happens to you rather than you creating it. Lost in the moment. Caught up in, even consumed by the motion and the music. You are your partner are merged, blended, one spirit. You are not thinking, barely even aware. Nothing … Read more
My daughter phoned me the other day, asking the question that is troubling most of us these days, “What can we do of consequence to quell the rising tide of madness around us?” At this moment, her chosen craft of musical theatre is seemingly rendered irrelevant, almost irreverent by the brutality of war. The wisdom … Read more