Topics for class this week
Tuesday, 2 March 2021, 6:30 PM: Elasticity in movement sequences: finding the ease
Friday, 6 March 2021, Noon: Candombe, milonga and vals: using the music to make your dance elastic
Finding ease in your dance
In anything we do, we want to be strong enough to execute the action we want, but not have it take everything that we have to complete it. There is a balance between effort and ease, not only in tango, but in life. In a culture where more is more, and where looking busy is prized, the idea of less work—is foreign to many of my students. Many Type A people flock to tango, and then injure themselves by trying too hard, and give up, deciding that tango IS too difficult, or bad for the body.
One of my goals in my classes this year is to balance work and ease, stability, and elasticity, so that tango is an activity that benefits the body instead of injuring it. How do we find a balance in our own practice?
Many of you know I am studying to teach yoga as well as tango. In my yoga practice, I have been working on making poses feel easy, light, elastic, and full of breath. I think the same concepts translate well to tango.
Breathe more deeply!
If you have known me for a long time, you have probably heard me coach you to “Breathe!” during a class. I think it is important to tune into your breath for several reasons. First, breathing allows you to engage the “bandhas” (pelvic floor, diaphragm, and vocal cords) that support your core and midline. Focusing on breathing helps to balance the body around its center. It helps to release extraneous muscle tension. It helps you think more clearly. It connects you to your partner and the music better.
Pay attention to your breath as you dance. You do not have to adjust (unless you are holding your breath). Remind yourself to breathe. Feel how the entire body is more elastic and flexible this way!
Relax your connective tissue!
Pushing your muscles to their limits makes the body tire faster, and leads to injuries not only of muscle fiber, but also of connective tissue, which takes a long time to heal!
I tore my ankle ligament playing tennis last summer, and I am finally starting to run again and dream of playing tennis this coming summer. I am still wrapping my ankle to wear heels because of the added stress that pivoting causes, as well as the instability of stilettos vs. the bare foot.
Your connective tissue is wrapped all over your body: fascia, bones, ligaments, tendons—and it is connected together (thus “connective tissue”). I am working being able to feel that layer of my body. It is surprisingly hard! It is much easier to tense the muscles and know where they are but tensing everything is exhausting and can cause injuries.
See if you can relax into your body. How LITTLE muscular work do you need to do to stay balanced and upright? Perhaps a little wiggle in the system may work better than tightness? Hmm? :-)
Your muscles are attached to connective tissue. If you think about lengthening and staying more elastic, it helps connect into this subtle layer. Breathing also helps to find this layer. Do not worry if you cannot pinpoint where you feel the work/relaxing: imagine it relaxing just a little, making your movement more fluid and less stressful. I know, it sounds woo-woo, but I am finding it extremely helpful in my own practice.