Another Week Gone Away. Posted on August 12, 2007.

I am still on five nights of tango a week. It is a bit too much. By Friday, I feel exhausted, overdosed, and have to spend the night in. On Sunday, I am tired and sleepy. Perhaps, I have to make changes to my tango schedule.

I used to take Wednesdays off, and go to a milonga on Thursday. Now there is a class on Wednesday night and a practice session with the X on Thursday. As a result, I only can go to a milonga once a week. The rest is practice and classes.

Fortunately, The Wednesday class will be over in 2 weeks. Also, I decided to do something different on Tuesdays. Take a private lesson once in a while, perhaps, then go to a milonga at night.

Yesterday I took a workshop with my teachers. It was very interesting, and challenging. Actually, for the first time it took me quite a few tries before I could do the moves, and some of them, just barely.

We went to a milonga afterwards. The place was packed. For some reason, I was not happy with myself that night. It was strange. I cannot quite put a finger on anything. All partners I danced with were good. I didn't lose my axis. One of my favorite leaders finally stayed with me for more than one tanda. Nothing bad happened over the whole night. Everything was fine. And yet, I left unhappy with how I did.

Granted, I watched very good follows dancing last night, and couldn't help noticing how my dancing was different from theirs. Also, I watched up and coming beginners, and noted how good they had become over such a short time. I really should stop comparing myself to others. I have to remember, I am competing with no one.

Perhaps the fact that I was previously struggling in the workshop affected my mood. Or dancing/ practicing so much with the same people made me a little sheltered. I felt like I didn't want to go out of my comfort zone, suddenly. It was so not like me. Or was I just tired? I danced one salsa, and felt absolutely exhausted. Am I out of shape? I should hit salsa parties every now and then, just for conditioning.

Two more weeks. After that, I will have more time to rest, dance socially, have fun. Until then, I have got to be careful, take it easy, take good care of my feet, and keep my cool.