Life Lessons

Unveiled Through
The Art of Tango

Tango is a beautiful dance that goes beyond the movements and melodies. It teaches us valuable principles that can be applied to various aspects of life. One of these principles is the importance of connection.

I referred to Tango as “The game of two” because it has two roles – a leader (or I prefer to call “an initiator”) and a follower (“a completer”). The initiator takes the lead by creating and initiating the moves, while the completer responds and completes the move. For me, there is no hierarchy between these roles; dancers simply work together to create the dance. Tango dancers connect, communicate, and work together to create a seamless flow. This is similar to life, where we often find ourselves working in different roles and switching between them.

Tango changes my outlook on life.

It teaches me how to deepen my connections with others.

When I first started dancing tango, I was blown away by how strong it is. Just by embracing someone, you can instantly pick up on so much about them. Their personality, their energy, their whole vibe comes pouring out to me. Tango has its way of revealing a person’s true self, their attitude, and everything else.

Coming from a culture that doesn’t generally have a lot of physical touch, I wasn’t familiar with how to connect physically with others. But tango showed me that the body doesn’t lie, because when you embrace someone in tango, you can learn their true self through their movements and body language. It’s like having a conversation without words.

Tango emphasizes the significance of establishing a deep connection with our dance partner. The connection that goes beyond physical touch requires an emotional bond. Similarly, in life, building meaningful connections with others fosters understanding, empathy, and a sense of belonging. Just as a tango dancer must attune themselves to their partner’s movements, we must learn to listen, understand, and support those around us. This lesson extends beyond the dance floor, enhancing our relationships and enriching our lives.

Another important principle that tango teaches me is trust. Trust is something that I have always struggled with. I like to have control of my life and do everything by myself. But tango requires a high level of trust between dancing partners. The completer must trust the initiator to guide them through intricate steps, while the initiator must trust the completer to respond and complete their beautiful art.

Trust in tango doesn’t mean blindly relying on the initiator to tell you how to do your steps. It means choosing to listen, surrendering control, and embracing vulnerability. Trust is the foundation of any successful partnership, whether it’s on the dance floor or in life. Tango teaches us that trust is earned through open communication, reliability, and mutual respect.

Resilience is another valuable lesson that I learned through tango. Both life and tango present obstacles and moments of uncertainty. Instead of anticipating and trying to control every step, tango teaches us to keep our eyes open to all possibilities. We prepare ourselves and have confidence in our ability to react to whatever situation arises.

The ability to adapt and persevere in the face of challenges is a vital lesson. Whether it’s mastering intricate footwork or recovering from a misstep, tango teaches us to embrace setbacks as opportunities for growth. By cultivating resilience, we become better equipped to overcome adversity and continue our journey towards self-improvement.

Through the principles of connection, trust, resilience, and vulnerability, tango is a metaphor for life itself. By embracing these lessons, we can enhance our relationships, navigate challenges with grace, and embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. As I dance through the intricate steps of tango, I also learn to dance through the intricate steps of life.