Has anyone here ever left tango for a period of time?
- Thread starter NZ_Guy
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Mario7
Member
there were six months when I practised alone and didn't go to the one local milonga... I just didn't like the scene for some reason which I now forget why...now the same town I live in, has three weekly milongas, lots more dancers and the dancers have really gotten good over the past couple of years... by good I mean that they have great embraces, walk well and walk forward as followers..keep their own balance..allow me to go onto their left side without balking, giro clockwise nicely, etc etc... love it !
Consuela
Member
I was away recently for four months, because I had a knee operation. At first it was nice to have a little break, and change of pace, but after six weeks I began to feel quite low, and just didn't feel like being around people. Hobbling along to a milonga just to sit and chat with friends only made me feel more glum. Seeing everyone having fun while I could only watch did nothing for my mood! I only began to feel like my old self after I'd had my first practica, a class and a milonga. What can I say? It's an addiction. ;-)
I had a 8 month break. I just didn't enjoyed at that time. I had too much tango. So some break was needed. There was a festival in a fancy hotel in my home town. So I went to see the dancing hall and meet some dear tango friends. 
I am now careful how much tango I put into my life.
I am now careful how much tango I put into my life.
I did not chose to leave the tango. The tango chose to leave me.
But, I plan on starting up again when summer ends. I always found that attendance was greatly reduced during the summer. And, I had other stuff to do.
But, I plan on starting up again when summer ends. I always found that attendance was greatly reduced during the summer. And, I had other stuff to do.
LadyLeader
Forum Master
I think I have actually left tango only once and that was because of a surgery near my right shoulder. At that time I was still following and as follower you have less control over the forces your body will meet. I do not remember that there was any distress or something during that period - I can think it was a relief because I could focus on other things I was interested in. There is a clear memory about the surprise about my skill being actually better after 3-4 months of absence. It was as if my body and mind have had time to sort things out and therefore I got better dances.
During last years my attraction to milongas has worn out. I maybe plan to go to a place but there is no guarantees that I actually will arrive there: the clothes are ready, I have had a dinner but still I choose the couch and a book. That did not happen ever before. But I still train myself, read, write and talk about tango as many hours as before.
During last years my attraction to milongas has worn out. I maybe plan to go to a place but there is no guarantees that I actually will arrive there: the clothes are ready, I have had a dinner but still I choose the couch and a book. That did not happen ever before. But I still train myself, read, write and talk about tango as many hours as before.
Someone mentioned to me the the tango festival was last weekend. I hadn't even noticed. That was probably one of several reasons why I went to the practica yesterday for the first time since spring; even though it was a warm, sunny day, something that becomes quite rare around here this time of year. It worked out pretty well for me. There were even women who were interested in "close embrace," but obviously hadn't worked on it much or had lessons in "weight sharing," or, an "energized embrace."
newbie
Well-Known Member
Early July, so that's a couple a months now. It's not that I left really, more like the tango left the surroundings. More specifically there are eight milongas today but I won't assist any coz'
Three are during the afternoon
One ends up too early, that would mean one hour subway for half this time in the milonga
Two is for the happy few, you need to know the teachers, they will give you the door code.
One is specifically for beginners.
One is a half-outdoors place with concrete floor.
One is too late, nothing really starts before midnight
Yes that's more than eight but one of them qualifies for two no-nos.
Three are during the afternoon
One ends up too early, that would mean one hour subway for half this time in the milonga
Two is for the happy few, you need to know the teachers, they will give you the door code.
One is specifically for beginners.
One is a half-outdoors place with concrete floor.
One is too late, nothing really starts before midnight
Yes that's more than eight but one of them qualifies for two no-nos.
TomTango
Active Member
I usually dance 3 nights a week, and encountered a similar phenomena when I took a week off. Has this happened to anyone else?
Explore
Member
I had the opportunity two months after doing ballroom classes to go to free Argentine Tango lessons. The girl I date is a silver level ballroom dancer (with some AM comps under the belt) and finds out about all these little gems.
I did not go back after the third. It is not the people, they are pretty cool and one lady gave me my first pair of men's dance shoes there that she had left over at the house. I still use them as I go into my fourth month of ballroom. Man, what a difference they make over regular shoes!
The reason I left is because it is steep learning as a complete newbie and I was already having to wrap my head around swing, rhumba, cha cha, foxtrot, waltz and Argentine Tango on top of that is just too much. I felt my brain would explode. Also, in my area of Baton Rouge/ New Orleans, there is not a huge scene around here (at least not that has been revealed) to practice it. I felt it would be more in my interest, for the time being, to take groups at the studio I am at.
I did not go back after the third. It is not the people, they are pretty cool and one lady gave me my first pair of men's dance shoes there that she had left over at the house. I still use them as I go into my fourth month of ballroom. Man, what a difference they make over regular shoes!
The reason I left is because it is steep learning as a complete newbie and I was already having to wrap my head around swing, rhumba, cha cha, foxtrot, waltz and Argentine Tango on top of that is just too much. I felt my brain would explode. Also, in my area of Baton Rouge/ New Orleans, there is not a huge scene around here (at least not that has been revealed) to practice it. I felt it would be more in my interest, for the time being, to take groups at the studio I am at.
One woman this Sunday was talking about how hard AT was, but added that she keeps coming back.
I'm not convinced that I am any better now than I was... how long ago?
I think that I am benefiting from the lack of the "familiarity breeds contempt" effect.
Right now there are three women who seem to appreciate the level I am at. And, my gosh, they are even willing to take constructive comments! Dancing milonga with the one woman went well when I told her that if she took short steps on each beat, and didn't have to keep up with my possibly longer steps because, if she took smaller steps, I would feel them and stay with her; went pretty well. It was pretty rewarding when after one song she opened her eyes - yes, she was dancing eyes closed - looked right at me, and got a big smile on her face.
At least yesterday there was quite a surplus of women in attendance. We'll see how long that lasts.
One more thing... We were shown what I consider to be a show type move, because it involves a fair amount of room and is done stationary, using a back ocho followed by the man stepping into a "sandwich," then a step behind, then leading the woman to step forward over the joined at the feet extended forward legs. I pretty much got it the first time, then encouraged my partner to get it done in time with the music. That was fun.
I'm not convinced that I am any better now than I was... how long ago?
I think that I am benefiting from the lack of the "familiarity breeds contempt" effect.
Right now there are three women who seem to appreciate the level I am at. And, my gosh, they are even willing to take constructive comments! Dancing milonga with the one woman went well when I told her that if she took short steps on each beat, and didn't have to keep up with my possibly longer steps because, if she took smaller steps, I would feel them and stay with her; went pretty well. It was pretty rewarding when after one song she opened her eyes - yes, she was dancing eyes closed - looked right at me, and got a big smile on her face.
At least yesterday there was quite a surplus of women in attendance. We'll see how long that lasts.
One more thing... We were shown what I consider to be a show type move, because it involves a fair amount of room and is done stationary, using a back ocho followed by the man stepping into a "sandwich," then a step behind, then leading the woman to step forward over the joined at the feet extended forward legs. I pretty much got it the first time, then encouraged my partner to get it done in time with the music. That was fun.