Musings on Tango, Sensuality and Spirituality
Dance naturally promotes health; we all notice the improved posture, circulation, balance, and muscle tone that dancing brings us. But the growing practice of Argentine Tango has led medical researchers to discover added health benefits specifically linked to this particular dance practice: Parkinson patients, for example, responded better to tango than to standard physiotherapy (Hackney, … Read more
What to do? My daughter phoned me the other day, asking the question that is troubling many of us, “What can I do of consequence with my life to counter this rising tide of madness around us?” Her chosen craft of musical theatre seems socially irrelevant. In such times of political and social upheaval and … Read more
Changes I notice as I age: One is slowing down. Slowing down is not necessarily a drawback. In fact, in this age of frenzied lifestyles, it could quite well be considered a desirable adaptation. Some of this slowing down is of necessity, with my body stiffening or energy failing.But another part of it is choice. … Read more
My hunch is that Einstein’s thinking, certainly his imagination, was affected more by his musicianship than his experiments. In truth, his theory of special relativity, that time and space are not absolute but relative to one’s perspective, was imagined long before it could ever be proven, perhaps while playing his violin or out on his … Read more
A comment taken to heart … “Dancing with you is like a meditation. It’s like dancing tai chi.” So said my partner at the end of the tanda. Maybe not everyone’s high water mark, but it is mine. Who would have thought? Though I started practicing Tai Chi in the late 90’s, a few years … Read more
Changes I notice as I age: One is slowing down. Slowing down is not necessarily a drawback. In fact, in this age of frenzied lifestyles, it could quite well be considered a desirable adaptation. Some of this slowing down is of necessity, with my body stiffening or energy failing.But another part of it is choice. … Read more
Speak to me gently, softly. Caress me. Move me. Sway with me. Coax me to relax into the shape of what you know and who you are. Invite me to breathe into the space between, inhale deeply the fragrance of connection, taste the deliciousness of moving together. This is the giving and receiving. This is … Read more
Facebook friends never die – apparently. I received a birthday notification the other day of a friend who had died the year previous. Um. A little weird. A message from beyond? Actually, I appreciated the reminder of his exceptional life, his resilience and his courageous battle with cancer. Although I hadn’t known him long, … Read more
Can Argentine Tango help in gender transitioning? About a year and a half ago a friend of mine disclosed that they were transitioning gender from male to female and invited my support. I suggested learning the follow role in Argentine Tango as a way of exploring gender dynamics and feminine sensitivities. This is our conversation after … Read more
How to keep your thinking out of your dancing. “We practice technique to get to know our own bodies. And then we take what we know of ourselves, our movements and musicality onto the dance floor to join up with our partner.” Carolina Bonaventura, milonguera y profesora. Me first? Who knew? Sure, there was always … Read more