Tango moments

An often asked question is: Why do you do tango? There are several answers to the question, depending on the person, but in North America and other non Latin American cultures, the answer is probably that something is missing in the culture - the emotional warmness from physical contact with others. We innately seek this contact in our lives, and so tango fulfills us. Ultimately, we are all looking for a feeling from dancing. That feeling nourishes our spirit, and really is essential to all of us. Tango is very special and unique. Other dances may allow you to have a partner in your arms, but the feeling is not quite the same.  Of course, the feeling we get from tango may not always be a blissful one, however, on a given night, with a given partner, a special connection may be formed where one (or both) of the couple is transported and the divine manifests itself through the dance. It's called the Tango Moment, and dancers live for it. Some, so much that they will keep coming to dance, even though the connection with many of their partners is not giving them this tango moment. The tango moment is fleeting, and elusive. 

So how do we achieve a tango moment? How do we give someone else the experience that they desire? In this dance, ones personality comes forth whether they know it or not. We all transmit information to one another at a subconscious level, and in tango, people become even more sensitive to these transmissions. So perhaps the best suggestion to improving your connection to someone, is to improve your self outlook, but also to embody compassion and feeling for your partner. Years ago, I talked with Argentine master teacher Alicia Pons through a friend who translated. We talked about the feeling of the tango. I was new to dancing, and here was a woman who had been dancing for literally decades, with the best milongueros of Buenos Aires, imparting some details. I told her that I played an instrument, and that to me, tango was much like music, it could be done mechanically, but great music was always played with feeling. She replied 'Yes!! It is this way with all great arts, and tango is the same.' Earlier, we had danced. I was a neophyte and hardly able to do her justice, but it was an opportunity to dance with someone special, so I asked, and even though the form was probably not good, the spirit of much feeling was transmitted. Near the end of our conversation, my friend and translator parted with us to return to the dance floor. Alicia's english was very limited, as was my spanish. But, she said 'remember,' and then switched to Spanish: 'Tango es en el corazon.' Tango is in the heart. 'Aqi' she said, and tapped her chest. Si Senhora, I replied. Tango es en el corazon. Then, she offered the kindest praise that a Milonguera could. I will never forget Alicia, for her grace and compassion both on and off the dance floor, and, because, she was one of my first 'Tango moments.'