Tanguera 3.0

As my 2 year anniversary in tango approaches I realize that my tango universe has changed a lot. Here's the progression so far.

Tanguera 1.0 - Infancy Stage

I was so excited about everything tango! The shoes, the people, the clothing, workshops, festivals, blogging, planning trips to BsAs, practicas, and milongas!! I was all tango all the time. I wanted to learn as much as possible, as fast as possible, so I can get as good as possible (terrible sentence structure I know but you get the point). I had a crew of dancers and we went ready to tackle the NYC dance scene - Miss Parisian, Miss Eyez, Miss Gold Star, Miss Stiletto, Miss Venus, Ms. Coco Caliente, Mr. H&IS, and Miss Network.

Downside: Lack of dance opportunities

I was so happy with tango but I rarely had an opportunity to dance with people consistently. I saw my friends improving and I felt like I was being left behind.

Tanguera 2.0 - Adolescence

In this stage I began to realize that when people don't dance with you or you get the 'thank you' too quickly you need to work on your technique. So I dove into taking privates, more group classes, drills, and exercises for strengthen my ankles & feet. I stopped trying to go to EVERY milonga and started selecting milongas that I really enjoyed. (Sad to admit that I still counted how many tandas I danced in an evening) I also increased my attendance at practicas. I really wanted to get as many bugs out of my dancing as possible. The payoff wasn't immediate (hence the lack of blogging) but gradually my dancing began to improve.

Downside: Money & Time. Pouring this much of myself into my passionate hobby took an incredible amount of time and money. I pushed myself physically to exhaustion from lack of sleep (working full-time and holding down a full-time tango addiction is draining) and my body and relationships paid the price for my neglect. My finances - - acckk!! My financial planner hid his surprise when we reviewed my spending with thinly veiled contempt....

Tanguera 3.0 - Young Adult

This is where I'm at now. I have a few favorite milongas that I enjoy. Not because I get to dance all night but because I love the DJs. I have grown to really love the music. I don't count tandas any longer instead I wait for the people that I really enjoy dancing with to show up at a milonga (and sometimes I'm surprised and delighted when I dance with a stranger). I still work on improving technique (darn it why can't I get that leg extension problem beat) but now I'm really focused on connecting with my partner and the music (and relaxing when I dance). I've experienced what a tanda can feel like when I'm able to connect and I strive to make each moment that special.

I haven't brought a new pair of shoes in months. I have one faithful pair I'm wearing until they fall apart. They are comfortable, supportive and not too painful on the eye.

Downside: Lack of tango crew and injuries

Tango Crew: The tango crew I learned to dance with has mostly moved on with their lives. New hobbies, marriages, jobs, life, and tango frustration have effectively dissolved the Beginner's Tango Crew. As a result, I've gotten used to going to milongas alone. I will sometimes bump into people I know but the post-milonga diner recaps are a pleasant memory. Most Saturdays I walk / run to the train station alone with my dance shoes, oversized tanguera luggage-like handbag, humming Pugliese or Di Sarli.

Injuries: All this practice and work on technique has a cost (OUCH). I have scars on my feet from ankle straps pinching after 3 hour classes, inflamed IT bands in my hips, sore feet, etc... I've started taking pilates to strengthen my core, meditating to soothe my soul, and Spinning to burn off any stray calories.

Overall I've loved my tango journey. It's been filled with ups, downs, embarrassing moments, tango crushes & heartbreak, laughter and tears but I've learned so much about myself, the community I dance in, and the people that make NYC tango great.

Ciao,

Pantina