You can’t dance tango if you can’t invite someone to dance with you. Men do invitations by cabeceo, women invite by making miradas. Sounds simple, but we are not simple machines and when you get in the complex world of milonga it can get really messy. And, it seams to me, for some women there is some extra complexity… I think this is result of the lack of information and help from their teachers or experienced dancers. So, I decided to help you by writing this article and I promise you at the end you will have some answers to your questions about the mirada game…. Or maybe, more educated questions, but I am sure you will get closer to a smoother milonga experience. We were drinking prosecco … [Read more...] about Mirada tips from experienced milongueras
Five simple lessons about tango styles
What is tango? I don’t believe that there is a consistent definition of what tango is. It is so personal that only relevant question should be “What tango is for you?” Some people come for the connection others for the passion; some come for the acrobatics other for the elegance; some come for sensuality, others for the friendships. There are so many preferences, so many layers and combinations. In this article I am going to share with you some lessons I learned about personal tango styles. “Do you know what just happened?”, she said with offended look on her face. “He just told me not to lean on him, because I limit his movements.” She was a friend of mine with whom we decided to travel … [Read more...] about Five simple lessons about tango styles
Most common mistakes in apilado
Dancing apilado is not the first idea that comes in mind to many people when they think about creating a more pleasant embrace or deeper connection. This is because there aren’t many teachers helping them learn how to avoid mistakes when they try to lean with their partners. I really hope that this article and other similar online materials can be a good starting point on your journey to discover the experience of apilado tango. A month ago I received an email from John, a reader who said he agrees with many things I write, but he didn’t liked that I use Gavito as an example of apilado dancing. “His so-called apilado is a commercialized exaggeration for show, not an example to be followed … [Read more...] about Most common mistakes in apilado
Apilado!
Last month when I wrote the “My mission” page I wanted to explain to my readers why I am working on Tango Mentor, what is the purpose of all these articles and pictures? I didn’t expected that I will have to explain it this directly… and even more I didn’t expected some people to become so emotional about it. Since many of them took time to write long comments to my article about close embrace, for sure they deserve answer – please consider this article as the answer. The styles and the dogma When Canadian Steve Collins entered the world of big international ski-jumping competitions, his competitors questioned whether he should be allowed to the big hill. He was so small and so young. He was … [Read more...] about Apilado!
Dancing in close embrace
There's no real tango if there's no real embrace. Yes, I am one of those hard core huggers: if there is no real embrace I prefer not dancing at all. Let me start this with the question what is the origin of the embrace? Why is it the way it is? Well, there are many stories about this and not real evidence for any of them, so you can pick and choose. Me own choice is the story that Osvaldo Natucci told to Monica Paz's "Practimilonguero": that the embrace was created so close and so intimate because tango was created by lonely emigrants. They arrived in Buenos Aires alone, leaving behind their country, their wifes or girlfriends, their mothers and fathers… Most of them were … [Read more...] about Dancing in close embrace
Beginners no quitting guide to tango
No matter if you are just one of many beginners or have somewhat experience, you should not neglect what is important in your dancing. Getting back to the basics is always a good idea. In this article I will try to summarize the four most important things you should focus on – they are derived from my own experience and from the experience of other experienced dancers. “It was you who get me continue dancing. Without your help I could never get where I am now.”, she said after our last dance, which surprised me. I didn’t do anything special… at least it felt this way because for me it was not an effort. But, for her, as a beginner, it was a huge support. But what I did? Basically I placed … [Read more...] about Beginners no quitting guide to tango
