Argentine Tango

Ever since I saw Evita starring Madonna, I have always wanted to learn Argentine Tango.

By happenstance, before I left for my trip, we ran into some old international ballroom dance friends at dim sum one day, they have started learning the Argentine Tango. They also went on a trip to Buenos Aires and told us about their adventures.

While I was gone, Paul decided to take some lessons. When I returned, I took a lesson last Sunday. Learning the Argentine Tango for the woman is much easier than for the man. For one thing, all the woman has to do is let the man lead.

However, being an international ballroom dancer, we are visual learners and we are technical in our steps. For Argentine Tango, the woman just have to listen to the beautiful Tango music and wait and only move once we feel the lead from the man. It is much HARDER to do than instructed.

Our instructor, Clary told me to close my eyes and just follow the man's lead after he showed me the back moving step. At first, I did not believe him and I keep looking at my feet to make sure I am stepping back correctly - which results with many stumbling steps. Finally, I closed my eyes and I felt like my feet is instantly lighter and I can move easily across the floor.

Closing my eyes reminds me of all those Trust Excercises from leadership or team building seminars where you close your eyes and fall backward and hopefully someone will catch you.

For a control fanatic like myself, closing my eyes, and depending on not just my partner but strangers to lead me around the floor on the first class was a big step for me. Maybe I have grown as a person and learn to trust the person I am dancing with not to let me fall flat on my face?

I can't wait for the next lesson, unfortunately, Clary is on vacation until end of November, I guess I just have to practice with my eyes closed for the next few weeks.