I was asked to teach a “playshop” for this women- in- tango retreat. After much thought as to what to share with a group of women who know both leading and following roles I decided upon an exploration of a center of driving force in our lives, our pelvis.

The pelvis and tango? Think about it – where do those legs that take you walking originate from? and what about that torso?

The bones of the pelvis.

Can you identify this as being a part of your body?

It has been my experience, both as a modern dancer and in my studies of Mindful Movement (SM), that even an awareness of some of the boney landmarks of the pelvis can improve posture and mobility. Much of my modern dance training was around an awareness of the connection of my sits bones (ischial tuberosities) to the floor and from my coccyx (tail bone) to my head.

My playshop this weekend will be centered around an awareness of the bones of the pelvis and how that awareness can help in our leading and our following.

I presume most of you are sitting down reading this. Let’s try a little exploration. First, uncross those legs. Place both feet on the floor (or change chairs so you can). Can you feel your sits bones on your chair? If you can feel them place one hand at your pubic bone and the other hand on the lower small of your back, at your sacrum. Now, just imagine breathing into both of your hands. Take about 5 deep breaths here or more.

Then get up and go for a little walk. Notice anything?

Sometimes just from feeling the sits bones on the chair the spine straightens out. With time and awareness the legs often find their place in their sockets which allow for greater mobility. The awareness of the dimensionality of the pelvis reminds me that I am not just the front of my body in 1 dimension and that I bring all of me when I move through life – front and back!

I tie this back to tango not just for posture and for walking but also because I have often heard teachers refer to “the hips”. Hmm – where are your hips? What are the hips? I just looked it up – it appears that the “hips” cover a lot of area  – the butt, the top of the legs… to me, who loves details, I want more specificity. Some teachers refer to it meaning the leg joint – the iliofemoral joint and they ask us to walk or to turn with more flexion in this joint. What if you don’t have a lot of movement there in the first place? Could be a challenging movement to find.

I know that followers are also exploring their roles more through the use of their “hips”. This begins a whole new subject for me relating to the planes of movement of the pelvis. 1 is dropping the pelvis – which I believe throws the spine out of whack and influences the leaders connection to the legs and pelvis and has begun to change the embrace in many ways. And the other is the rotation of the legs in the pelvis – which sometimes causes more pelvic tilt anteriorly (which looks like sway back or sticking out the butt).

The body is a fascinating thing, isn’t it? These are just thoughts about the pelvis in dancing. Remember that we are all built differently and I think any dance form invites you to discover who you really are and to share that with the world.

Let me know if you have any discoveries and I’ll share mine when I return.

(Thanks to Gray’s Anatomy and Wikipedia for the image of the pelvis.)

I have a really hard time believing that other female followers are teaching followers to stick their butts out, compromising their lumbar spines and thus the affect is that their bellies now hang over their own toes. If there is a loss of integrity in the core muscles, this posture compromises the spine and the knees and the ankles and ultimately, I believe, the connection.

So I am not asking that followers keep their stomach muscles tightened for an entire milonga! But I am asking that we take some time to remember that there are 2 of you in this beautiful dance and the only one responsible for you is you. Before you jump on me about lead and follow and what the roles in tango are, let us get back to this dynamic posture question.

Posture in tango is a dynamic entity. It is made up of the embrace, the followers’ commitment to a standing leg and a free leg, and her commitment to her partner and to moving/dancing. Within this dynamic posture, even before the 1st step, many things are happening. For example: Do I know my partner? Have we danced before? Is he distracting because he is handsome, smells good, looks like a good dancer and finally asked me? Is he smelly? Am I unsure about my decision to dance with him?

I think as a social dancer we must wipe the slate and focus on the task at hand – dancing and making a connection. And I realize that there isn’t always 1 way to problem solve if things aren’t feeling comfortable. BUT I do believe it is my responsibility (as it is the male or leader) to be the best follower I know how.

Here’s my personal checklist from all my years of dancing (not just tango). The checklist is a partial inventory of images I use to focus myself when dancing. It is heavily influenced by my training with Mindful Movement Master, Pam Matt and Tango Maestra, Graciela Gonzalez, who I am always grateful to for having helped me change my dancing and keep me growing in the dance. A word about the images – let the images do you! That’s all they are – images – so let your imagination enjoy them, your body will do the rest.

1. Zip up!
I picture zipping up an imaginary zipper from my pubic bone to sternum. Graciela speaks of 2 centers – 1 below the belly button and the other around the sternum and keeping them equidistant from each other.

2. Up the front and down the back!
Just following the zipper image in the front there is an equal image in the back. Allow the tailbone to lengthen to the floor, as if there was a little weight attached to it. This image has been effective for followers who complain about lower back pain. This image is not about tucking the pelvis; it is about working with your proper body to attain proper length in the muscles.

3. Bigger than you are!
Imagine yourself as being taller and wider than you are. Command your presence through your width and your height.

4. Fountaining!
I often invent new words when I am teaching; fountaining is 1 of them! Imagine that you have a fountain sprouting out of the top or crown of the head and it shoots over your partner’s head. If this image doesn’t work think about dropping your chin and elongating the back of your neck.

5. Encircle the embrace.
Imagine that you are a encircling your partner with the embrace. After all tango is circular!

I have seen much success with these images and I believe they need a class to further explain them and embrace the questions that arise from working with them. I hope that Followers in this dance feel supported and STAND UP for themselves in a graceful and elegant way.

For more information or advice on being a Follower contact me: daniela@accesstango.com
 

In designing the workshops I had a few goals in mind:  continue to promote tango, encourage the continued study of the dance form, focus on technique and challenge those dancers who have been dancing or studying for awhile!

In order to continue to promote tango we are offering a fun casual evening Introduction to Argentine Tango course which I have named: Date Night an Introduction to Argentine Tango. This will be a course for those wanting to check out the dance form, like dipping your toe into the pool before diving in. Rommel and I will be teaching some fundamentals of the Argentine Tango as a social dance.  You can bring a date or a friend or come solo. There will be a Free Raffle so tell your friends.

Friday August 19th and Friday August 26 for Date Night!
7:00pm – 9:00pm $15 per person or $25 per couple includes a free raffle and snacks.

After attending Date Night consider coming back for the BEGINNER’S WORKSHOP on Saturday, August 27 – 12:00pm – 2:00pm. This workshop will be a continuation from the Intro and will add more tools to your tango toolbox to practice.
$20 per person or $35 per couple

And for those who are no stranger to the dance we have a short 2 hour FOLLOWER’S TECHNIQUE class. I know the struggles of the follower role in this dance so let’s build some tools and some understanding of how the beautiful body is to function on the dance floor with any lead. Class includes a warm-up and exercises for creating pretty feet and balanced posture.  Wear comfortable clothes and bring soft shoes, practice shoes or even socks. 

Saturday, August 20 – 2:00pm – 4:00pm for FOLLOWER’S TECHNIQUE
$20 per person

On Sunday, August 21st and Sunday August 28th Rommel and I will be sharing some fun ADVANCED COMBINATIONS for the Social Dance Floor from 12:00pm – 2:00pm.
$20 per person or $35 per couple per class

Pre-Registration is always appreciated – call 602-743-8560 or email: daniela@accesstango.com

In Summary – Workshops in August hosted by accesstango taught by Daniela Borgialli and Rommel Oramas

Friday, August 19 – 7:00pm – 9:00pm DATE NIGHT an Introduction to Argentine Tango. Including FREE Raffle
Saturday, August 20 – 2:00pm – 4:00pm FOLLOWER’S TECHNIQUE: Improve your dancing and get answers to those questions about balance, posture and clarify any unclear feedback that you have received.
Sunday, August 21 – 12:00pm – 2:00pm ADVANCED COMBINATIONS for the TANGO SALON with Rommel Oramas and Daniela Borgialli
Friday, August 26 – 7:00pm – 9:00pm DATE NIGHT an Introduction to Argentine Tango. Including FREE Raffle
Saturday, August 27 – 12:00pm – 2:00pm BEGINNER’S WORKSHOP
Sunday, August 28 – 12:00pm – 2:00pm ADVANCED COMBINATIONS for the TANGO SALON with Rommel Oramas and Daniela Borgialli

http://tangofest.events.asu.edu/

3 Great Reasons to attend the Festival:
1) TEACHERS
2) PRICE
3) SUNNY ARIZONA IN APRIL and for some of us, it’s right here!!

What an amazing line-up of teachers. I think the best teachers all in one place:

Tomas Howlin – I have taken classes with Tomas many times over the years. He is a student of my dearest maestra Graciela Gonzalez. Tomas has so much to offer and does so with whit, charm and sincerity.

Shorey Myers – I remember Shorey from festivals way back! I have seen her grow in her dedication and drive to understand this dance and its music. SHE IS my most FAVORITE DJ! I AM REALLY EXCITED TO HAVE HER HERE IN PHX!

Homer and Cristina – This lovely couple are not new to Arizona or to ASU. They have generously come to share their love and professionalism with the students of ASU and Flagstaff. The always wow the ASU students and inspire them. I know you will love them too.

Eric Lindgren and Rebecca Rorick Smith – I met Eric in Buenos Aires several years ago and fell in love with his dancing! I had seen videos of Rebecca and admired her from afar and didn’t officially meet her until recently. They come with a wealth of information. They are a tall couple and I know that all tall students will benefit from their perspective as well as their beauty. I took class with them recently and found the class completely fun and relaxed! I look forward to having them here as well.

TANGO 101 for NEWBIES

Beginner TANGO 101 -  At a bargain price – this is the time to get your non-tango friends TANGO-ING!! 

There is something for everyone at this Festival:
classes for all levels, 
great teachers,
the weather,
the company,
the milongas,
the next great ASU T-shirt,
the Tango JAM for all musicians to participate,
Tango Rapper Momo Schmitt
LIVE MUSIC!

COME JOIN US AT THE 1ST ARGENTINE TANGO FESTIVAL HOSTED BY ASU ARGENTINE TANGO CLUB!

PRICES:

for TANGO 101 – All Weekend Pass for NON-STUDENT Includes ALL Tango 101 classes (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), Tango 101 milonga (social dance), and admittance to watch Tango Festival Performances Saturday night (around 10:00pm) for $55

Regular Festival pass (not Tango newbies) Includes ALL classes, milongas, practicas, welcome event, music jam session, and tango-yoga. (Not included: Sunday Family Dinner, Thursday Milonga, T-shirt) for $150

Classes start at 1:30 and will be held at: Priya Pilates & Fitness 2050 Yavapai Drive, Suite 3A Sedona, AZ 86336

1:30pm – 2:45pm
“From the Followerʼs Perspective”
3:00pm – 4:15pm
“Advanced moves for Social Dancing”
4:30pm – 5:45pm
“Milonga: Understanding and Playing
with the Rhythms”
Practilonga at 7:30pm

We will have our Tango Shoes for sale and will do a raffle and a performance!!!

$10 for Practilonga $30 for a single class $55 for 2 classes includes Practilonga
$80 for 3 classes includes Practilonga

I am happy to announce my Tango Tours for 2011 and also happy to have Rommel Oramas join me once again; his assistance is invaluable in these tours.

We have 3 choices of tours this year: Mendoza – Vino y Tango, Buenos Aires 10 day Cultural Immersion; and NEW this year, Buenos Aires 8 day Tour de Lujo.

In chronological order:

MENDOZA – Vino y Tango  May 19 – May 24, 2011 $900

Buenos Aires 10-day Cultural Immersion Tango Tour May 25 – June 4, 2011 $1700

Buenos Aires 8 day Tour de Lujo June 6 – 14, 2011 $2350

Non-refundable deposit of $500 due March 15th to hold your place.  First come first serve. 
Tours do not include airfare, tips, and Reciprocity Tax to enter Argentina of $131 (paid at EZE airport)

I look forward to 2011 in so many ways and so should you!

1) 3 TANGO TOURS TO CHOOSE FROM!
We will be offering 3 tours this coming year for tango lovers.  The Mendoza – Vino y Tango tour: 5 days in Mendoza Argentina exploring wine country.  The 10-day Cultural Immersion Tour – 10 days in Buenos Aires and the 8-day Tango Tour de Lujo. Each with a different pocketbook and objective in mind.

2) BORGIALLI TANGO SHOES ON THE ROAD!
Rommel Oramas and I will be taking the Soy Porteno practice sneakers on the road this year.  We will be visiting several festivals across the country and we are looking forward to bringing some comfort to your feet!  We will also be unveiling the Borgialli Tango Shoe website with shopping and logo.  VERY EXCITING!

3) MORE CLASSES!
Besides my classes at Scottsdale Community College and ASU this semester, I will be teaching my FUNDAMENTALS CLASSES in January.  ALSO, Fridays January 21, 28 and February 4th Rommel Oramas and I will be teaching ADVANCED CONNECTIONS WORKSHOPS at the Art of Dance in Scottsdale.
I will also be teaching in Jerome, Arizona in February!

4) ASU TANGO FESTIVAL APRIL 1, 2, 3
I am really excited for this festival. Not just because it is on my home turf! or is being hosted by my students or because I will be teaching at it! but MOST IMPORTANTLY the selection of teachers are some of the best teachers in the US (Canada)!  This will truly be a learning and sharing weekend.  Please join us…  Housing hosts and group rates available. 

Happy NEW YEAR!  May all you wish be fulfilled!

Aja Fenn and Andrew David Burt will be joining us from their Australian and European Tango Teaching Tours.  I have known both of them for many years both socially and dancefully!  I am really happy to have them here….

They are here for 6 weeks.

More information – classes, etc will be announced in the coming days and weeks…

We know you will be very excited and enthusiastic to share with them.

As some of you already know, I was teaching in Las Cruces / El Paso on November 20 – 23, 2009.

I flew into El Paso and had a delightful lunch with Joanie (dancer, owner of El Paso Ballroom Dance Academy) and John (lovely student).  Joanie had a great day planned for me:  privates and a little performance with Tommy at the milonga that evening. 

On Saturday and Sunday in Las Cruces, we worked our buns off in 3 hour sessions.  Even though both session were very mixed levels I continued to encourage all levels to work with their partners and to execute what they did know effortlessly.  As I always have stated you start with what you do know, or that which makes sense and you build from there: adding on 1 piece at a time, always making sure that you and your partner are still on the same page, or on the desired foot, might be the better analogy!  This is always a challenge, I suspect for most teachers, trying to keep "everyone" entertained and challenged.  But I also know that it is up to the student to keep challenging themselves as well. 

Everyone was incredibly nice, open, generous of spirit.  I am so grateful to everyone who worked very hard to make my trip possible.  I think I even have to go so far as to thank Will S. since he’s the first one from Las Cruces who drove to take a lesson from me, first contacting me in November 2008.  So thank you Will for helping to introduce me to your now former community!  Jack and Karen and Cris and Nicky came soon after and how wonderful to watch them grow as dancers and to have them as friends too! 

It was great to share dances with Tommy, who has a nice sense of the music and was totally fun even if his ribs were hurting him.  I hope he is feeling much better.  Joanie really knows her students (I think this is a sign of a good teacher) and was very kind to set up privates and bring some of her students to Las Cruces for the weekend.  It was so nice to "talk shop" with her.

I have received some of the feedback that Nicky has gathered and forwarded to me and it sounds like most everyone had as wonderful a weekend as I did.  I will go back and look forward to it enthusiastically.

Thank you LAS CUCES and EL PASO!!!!

Daniela did a wonderful job connecting with the attendees. She was very
positive and extremely talented. The way she explained moves was exceptional. I truly think I now have enough confidence to tackle the dance that I once disliked very much.
Daniela has wonderful energy, an engaging teaching style and did a great job of addressing skills for all levels. I’m happy that so many of our Las Cruces dancers attended and feel that our community will be strengthened due to the experience.
I was quite pleased with the workshop with Daniela. I thought it was a great success. We had all levels of Tango background and knowledge. It was interesting to see how everyone worked together to learn and improve on this most wonderful dance.
I really enjoyed the weekend workshops and feel like it was time and money well spent. I found Daniela to be a delightful person to be around and appreciate the way she presents the dance, making it not only a good learning and practicing experience but a fun time as well.
I think that it was refreshing, educational, and good for our developing community to have a playful voice like this here— one, who, at the same time, comes with recent experience of how the thing is being danced in Buenos Aires.