THEYoung people also like tango. In addition to being increasingly widespread in Italy, the average age of those who dance it has dropped, so much so that, throughout Europe and in our country, schools dedicated exclusively to people aged 18 to 35 have been created. On the occasion of World Tango Daywhich is celebrated onDecember 11thlet’s find out why it conquers people’s hearts, even before their bodies.
Tango: how to start
«Tango has a history and culture that are very fascinating. Just like other dances, especially if performed as a couple, it brings both physical and mental benefits. It has its own charm, a particular scent and is also considered one of the most therapeutic dances. In recent years it has become such a fashionable style that milongas can be found in all cities. The milonga, in addition to being the “sister of tango”, or a dance at a faster pace, is also the place where you meet, dance and have tango lessons. It’s open to everyone, even beginners,” he explains Simone Di Pasqualedancer and technical commentator on the dance floor of dancing with the Stars.
Physical and mental commitment
«It’s a dance suitable for everyone, even to the over 50s. TO physical levelIndeed, It’s not that challengingbut on a mental level yes, since we dance improvising. People meet in milonga by chance and they are chosen thanks to a glance, the mirada. There is one rituality between male and female very interesting. He is the man who invites. The woman is sitting in a corner and, when she receives her gaze, if she supports him and nods her head it means that she accepts. At that point the man gets up and invites her onto the dance floor. They must dance at least three tangos together. At the fourth song there is the so-called curtain, the music changes to a Latin dance or a swing which serves to separate the couple. Two people who had never seen or met before, after dancing together, thus have the opportunity to introduce themselves and then choose whether to break up or dance together again. The rule says that it must change, but you can choose to stay» continues Di Pasquale.
The role of the couple
«In order to tango, both members of the couple must know the postural codes which allow the man to lead and the woman to enrich the dance with the movement of her arms and legs. In fact, one is needed correct posture and you have to be able to transmit movement through a hug. It’s not that easy to get started, since there is a very important physical impact: we hug each other and must therefore be ready to exchange perfumes with other people. And for some, physical contact can be a limit. Once you accept these few but important rules, dancing becomes a philosophy of life. Each partner must find their own balance to then bring it into the couple. Must knowing how to listen to the other, not anticipating, leaving time for the woman to perform the step and then bring her back to him. It is true that man chooses, but woman enriches with her steps. A bit like in life”, underlines the expert.
The importance of the partner
«It’s a game of geometry: the man must know in advance where he wants to take the woman in rotation. Music, of course, plays a fundamental role. In tango there’s a lot of head. You have to stay focused on your body, on the person you dance with, on their steps, on physical contact. Step by step the breathing of man and woman merge, as well as fusion occurs between the two bodies. Man rediscovers his historical role as conductor, which he knows how to protect and guide, the woman chooses and lets herself be ledand with her hands and feet she expresses her femininity. But it doesn’t necessarily have to go deeper: after having danced three tangos he can decide to finish and wait for the next invitation to take to the dance floor”, concludes Simone Di Pasquale.
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