Le Pied est de retour. Posted on June 18, 2008.

I went to the best milonga in the city last night.
I came early and stayed till the very end.
I could not believe the amount of the good time I was having. I had never danced as much at that place as last night. It is mostly frequented by teachers and dancers of similar level, so the crowd is highly selective and competitive.
Of course, last night the demographics were favorably skewed. The festival is going on, and there are visitors. I started the night with three leaders from a famous out-of town tango community. All three were completely different one from another, and all were fabulous dancers. Then a local leader who I had been eyeing for a while finally asked me, and showered me with compliments. After that, several other favorites with whom I do not have a chance to dance often, took me to the floor.
I believe that the lessons of my first teacher kicked in. In general, I felt more connected to my partners, more in control. The music was all classic, very familiar. I am not sure how great my dancing was, looking objectively, but everybody seemed pleased, and I was on a cloud nine.
At some point I sat down next to my friend, and commented to him about how great everything was going for me that night, and how unexpectedly lucky I was getting such fabulous partners there, of all places.
The friend replied. "You so underestimate yourself. You have to know that you are a very good dancer. A star, you will become, perhaps, in two or three years. But right now already, your dancing is great. Everyone dancing with you, if he understands anything about tango, should see that, and realize that you are absolutely special. It is not a compliment. I am telling you the truth. I want you to remember that. You are an amazing dancer."
Listening to him go, I thought I was going to cry. These words meant a lot to me. Having somebody to tell you things like that sometimes is more valuable for your dancing than taking lessons.
I really want to live up to his words.
It was a very happy night.

2010 Update: This post is dedicated to Mari from Texas. May you have lots of happy tango!

Adelante. Posted on June 9, 2008.

Another lesson with my regular teacher. We went non-stop for an hour.

Dissociation of the body gets to a new level. Now it is not just "body first, legs follow". The body has to twist from top to bottom gradually, first the torso, then hips follow, then legs and feet. And delay, delay, delay (I keep throwing the hips, and hence, the weight, into the step too soon). The teacher says that will make me more musical.

Now, I have been working on my forward steps in particular. Again, I have to delay, keep my weight back longer. But the "going" foot slides forward at the same time, without any weight on it. Same thing, doing paradas. Also, I have to listen for the lead always, in stops and pauses, too
Another reminder is about using the inner edges of the feet, and turning the feet outward.

In sacadas, sometimes, I throw my feet around too wide (not mention too soon). I have to aim for the collect position.

In general, as usual, I have to think "standing foot" and "being with the leader", "not going away too soon". Even more so when the music is fast.

After the lesson, I was fairly a mess, and didn't dance very well at the party later that day. I have to make a note about not blaming myself too much for not dancing well when I am tired, or when the partner is tired, unfocused, nervous, or just not doing a good job for whatever reason. It happens, and it is not necessarily my fault. And it is not at all the end of the world when the dance does not go too well.

In general, I believe, dancing goes better with everybody more or less. I feel more in control and less tense. It would be nice to make a video to see if it looks any different on the outside.

However, from time to time I have to remind myself to relax. I am getting a little too preoccupied by hard work and practice. I should just put on a nice dress and go dance carefree, sometime soon.

With no futher ado. Posted on May 11, 2008

I took a private lesson with my first teacher today.

I plan to do it more regularly from now on.

I believe he is the one who teaches me the best how to follow, and how to connect with my partner.
I will take lessons from other instructors occasionally, so they can teach me other things, or rather, same things under a different angle.

The refrain of the lesson was a familiar one: "slow down".

First I have to move my torso as a reaction to the lead. Then goes the foot, where the leader is sending it. And then, shift my weight, as much as he wants me to. A lot of delay. Keep my weight on a standing foot longer. Oftentimes I keep shifting my weight too soon.

I have to watch for those repetitive movement. Keep connection through them. When they cease, the point of connection often shifts. Also, the point of connection shifts throughout the movement, and as the leader makes transitions from steps to steps. I have to find it, and keep my weight forward and in the middle of that point.
The position of my hips plays a role.
Also, turn the foot more outward.

On forward steps, keep the foot behind, and let the leader pull it "from the hip".
Use more contra-body motion.

In fact, the teacher didn't say explicitly, but I figured out, I have to move my torso more, turning and twisting it here and there. And also, release the close side of the embrace when the connection point shifts more toward the open side of the embrace. When the leader lets me go, I got to do the same.

We will also work on my musicality in the future. I need to figure out how to follow the lead, and move to music at the same time. So far the teacher said that when I follow the lead comfortably, I will be able to add my own, since I am listening to the music as well.

2010 update. Some questions I was asking then seem so strange to me now. For example, "follow the lead, and move to music at the same time". What did I mean? Why in the world was that a problem?? :)
I guess the two years (precisely 2, wow) that have passed since did not go to waste after all.

Directions. April 20, 2008.

I have to look inside myself, not outside. Nothing will come from the outside, nothing external will do any good if I don't have what it takes, what I need, within myself.

I have to look forward, not backward. Dwelling on in the past only holds me back. Turning to the future will make me move on, progress.

Spring Breakthrough. Posted on April 19, 2008.

I am getting over, slowly, but truly.

Practice sessions with my second, and now only, partner, have become more or less regular. And fruitful.
I have taken too many classes and workshops lately. That made me too preoccupied with technique. I almost forgot how to relax, stop judging myself. How to just dance and enjoy. Dress up, show off a beautiful pair of shoes, watch the couples dancing, drink some wine, gossip, be in love with a person I am dancing with... be in awe with tango.

All in all, things are going well.
The next assignment will be to keep it balanced, not compromise either social aspect or technical improvement. One-two lessons/workshops, one-two practice sessions, and a couple of milongas a week, perhaps even just one. That adds up to 3-5 nights a week. That would be my schedule from now on.

For my future private lessons, I am thinking to ask the teacher to work with me on timing and musicality. "Slow down" doesn't do it anymore. I need to know when and how to accelerate, without jumping the lead. Also, how to interpret different kinds of music by moving different ways.
One of the local maestros already gave me a glimpse onto this topic. But I need more detailed instructions.

Back to my sense of humor.

Sad. Posted on March 26, 2008.

Lately, my first tango partner hasn't got the best of my dancing.
Perhaps, he's even got the worst.
My best goes to others nowadays.
Things being that way, it occurred to me tonight that he will probably never find out how good of a dancer I've actually become.
And that makes me sad.

Le Plan. Posted on March 23, 2008.

N more weeks.
Don't say anything. No matter what happens. Just don't. Keep quiet, friendly, and neutral. Do not offer comments of any kind. Silence is gold. You will appreciate it later.
Do not ask for anything. The less movement, the better.
Do not take offense. Do not take anything personally. Or, at least, do not voice it now. You will have a chance to revenge later.
Avoid (or physically remove yourself from) hurtful situations. If not possible, distance yourself emotionally.
Ignore. Focus on yourself. Stay on the lookout for new and exciting things for yourself.
Just wait. Be patient.
Observe and have fun from that.