You'd be surprised. One of the ladies at the practicas ( who I'd say is about early 30s ) told me her safe space is dance partners who are above the age of around 60. They often won't try stuff that makes her back hurt for days afterwards. So there is still market value in you by just being older.
That'll be the next thread: How to die in tango! Two dancers in my scene I knew well died on the dance floor. I was present when one of them died. And looking back, memorial milongas are quite common in my scene. We also attend the funerals of tango dancers. The second ever tango event of my life was a funeral. I've written here before about how I stumbled into a milonga by chance and became a tango dancer. The organizer and tango teacher present buried his wife, with whom he used to teach, the following weekend. She had died of cancer. Of course, I also went to that funeral 25 years ago.
I think it was more along the lines of less aggressive leading that wouldn't make her past sports injuries worse
A poor (wrong!) abrazo for a volcada, or even what some call a volcadita, can do that! Poorly led voleos can also be bad.
No, usually its the simple basic stuff that ruins your dance partner's back.
I suppose such a thought only occurs to someone who already has a ruined back.
No, not at all. I see many examples among older tango dancers who are physiologically healthy, but nevertheless have atrocious technique on the dance floor. And they had that "problem" 25 years ago as well. They simply didn't work on posture and movement coordination. Conversely, dancers with a high degree of movement quality retire faster. Unfortunately steamrollers seem to be much more durable.
Not at all. Dance is an area of recreational activity and, even when younger, you become aware of what may stop you earning your daily crust. You become aware of warming up before activities (and 'warming down'). You become aware of injuries from activities like soccer, hiking and skiing - especially when colleagues fall.
And, as a leader, it's necessary to be cautious with followers who may not have the technique or vocabulary. Useful to observe and develop as you move through the dances of the tanda.
Yes, please spread the gospel! I have large dissociation ability, but if someone expects me to lean forward in a tight embrace AND pivot, they hurt me. It does, however depend on how high up the leader’s arm around my back is.
No, please don't spread such nonsense. If I'm dancing in a restrictive close hold and notice that a follower tries to twist her entire spine from C4 to L4, I immediately release the hold. Then I firmly grasp the follower firmly on both shoulders without any slack and say: dissociate only in the lumbar spine. Everything else hurts me! Dancing shouldn't be torture. And those two professional dancers don't seem to be professional at all (given, you have accurately summarized their comment).
Sorry, you're just plain wrong. And, if that's your perspective, maybe the cause of some injuries to some followers. Some leaders can make it torture for followers. You may adapt sufficiently; others don't.