The same applies to Argentine Tango. There are way more than steps happening in Argentine Tango .

In the end tango is seeing clearly your body in relation to itself, gravity, time and space and then its juxtaposition and relationship to your partner’s position in time and space. First you accomplish the forward lean and walk. Then you are be amazed how many movements and steps suddenly open up to you. You master a small element in posture and juxtaposition and twelve Argentine Tango steps all fall into place at once.

First you see you have to see and fully observe your own position in Argentine Tango; all the way to the discrete state of your being, recognizing all parts of your body and its appendages as you flow through space and time with the music.
Then you see your partner and respect and observe their position in its discreet state and movement all through and during movements of Argentine Tango.

These juxtapositional elements are quite complex; the dynamic relationship that we have with each other, the music, the floor, the crowd and time and space are staggering. Actually it is quite amazing that we have brains that can make these computations so easily – and here is the key word: after – after we have the muscle memory and know exactly what our own body is doing, everything gets easier.

Take heart here. There are folks in the Tuesday Advanced Argentine Tango class that have been dancing 5 to 10 years.

And there are those that regularly attend the Argentine Tango Foundation Class that have been dancing just as long.

Argentine Tango is a slow burn. Lots of reinforcement and lots of practice. I have seen many Argentine Tango instructors try but I have yet to see anyone come close to creating a short cut to Argentine Tango

Argentine Tango is a journey that will last you a life time. There is no destination and there is no hurry. Take your time, learn a good Argentine Tango foundation and praise yourself for your efforts! Argentine Tango is a worthwhile journey.

Love Light & Gratitude,
Rusty

I am writing you from Australia after a long stint in the bush, sorry about the delay

All of the tango instructors I know of in the Tucson area are on this site. We will be back and doing some group classes in Saddle Brook in October just click the calendar forward to October to see the days and times:
http://tucsontango.com/

Good suggestion. When I get a minute I will make a note for the page that clarifies this potential issue. As of now, there are no age restricted milongas! You can atend any of the milongas now listed on the calendar. If I list any in the future that have an age restriction, I will be sure to say so!

Thanks for writing!

–
Love & Light,
Rusty
“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” ~Harold Thurman Whitman~

Tango is such a personal experience. But I believe that in the continuum of tango aficionados . . .

There are those who dance something like tango (and sometimes even to tango music!);
There are those who dance tango (some do it very well);
There are those who simply…tango (ahhhh!).

Oh, yes, there is a difference! I strive to simply…tango. If dancing is what you think is important there are other guys in town who perhaps dance better than I do. But for me as a man tango is first and foremost about embracing a woman, heart to heart, feeling her softness against me, experiencing the feel and smell of this feminine creature as a woman first, then, as a dancer second. Then, it’s about protecting her on the dance floor as we move together in the crowd, becoming one entity with four legs, touched (I hope) by the same sentiments coming through in the music and lyrics.

But that’s me…..maybe not you. For you it may be first about…dancing. I think that the more you’ve experienced pain and loss in your life the more you’ll feel tango as I do. The more you have seen of authentic social tango, especially in Buenos Aires, the more you will discern “good tango” from “good dancing.”