Mari Travels with Tango

According to one theory of life, there are only two basic emotions; love and fear. All the other feelings, cravings, itches and grievances are just their little cousins, brought about by circumstances and personal histories. Although they are certainly also present elsewhere, tango brings us in frequent contact with both of these primal forces. Fear is present in many forms: in the basic fear of being left out, of not getting the dances we want, of not being good enough, of not being heard and understood as we really are. There is also the most primal fear of all, that of being hurt. Although the risk of physical injury certainly diminishes with experience, it never completely disappears, and the occasional rough tanda with an insensitive partner serves to remind us of its existence. Obviosly, there is also the fear of psychological or emotional pain, caused by unmatched desires, unpleasant experiences, or rejection. Luckily, there is also ample opportunity to epxerience love on the da...

  In each tango embrace, there is a whole Universe. A microcosm of sounds, sensations, scents and sights only to be found in that unique combination of two people coming together from their respective life situations, personal tragedies, triumphs or challenges. What happens within a tango embrace is sometimes pleasantly familiar, like seeing an old friend and picking up the conversation from where you left it. It presents you with the wonderful sensation of feeling totally accepted, of knowing with absolute certainty that those tens of times you have danced in the past will carry you through any eventual bumps on the road. Or, it can be a delightful journey of discovery with a total stranger, starting with caution that quickly gives room to the joy of connection and exchange of silly ideas. This reminds me of those days in your childhood when you made a new friend at the playground with whom it was easy to play from the start. Just like some interactions outside the dance floor, so...