Kingston Tango Diary

Writing in Motion

Capturing the Essence of Tango in My Journal


Sirin Angasinha
January 27, 2025

As the new year rolls in, I’ve decided to make a delightful resolution: to start a tango journal! Writing has always been my passion, whether it’s jotting down my daily thoughts, documenting my travel adventures, or keeping track of various projects and events. Now, I’m excited to add my tango journey to the mix!

Keeping a tango journal is an incredible way to dive deeper into my dance experience. It’s not solely about monitoring my progress; it’s about connecting with my emotions and immersing myself in tango. I think of my tango journal as my cozy corner for everything tango. Plus, it’s a fantastic opportunity to get creative and reflect on how much I’ve grown as a dancer!

Let me show you some fun topics to inspire your tango journaling:

“I THINK OF MY TaNGO JOURNaL aS MY COZY CORNER FOR EVERYTHING TaNGO”

  1. Your Dance Journey Begins Here
    Start each entry with the date and any relevant details about your day, such as where your lesson or social dance event took place. This helps you remember those special moments down the road. For instance, you might write, “January 14, 2025: Tango Lesson at the Community Center.” After a class or a milonga, take a few minutes to jot down how you felt. Did a particular song give you a chill? Was there a heartwarming moment with your partner that made you smile? Capturing these thoughts can enhance your understanding of your dance journey, highlighting both the triumphs and the challenges you encounter on the dance floor. Over time, you’ll start to notice patterns in your experiences that can truly help refine your technique and emotional expression.
    Focus on your feelings and thoughts during and after each dance experience. After a lesson, reflect on what you learned, the challenges you faced, and how those challenges affected you. For example, “Today, I had difficulty with the transition between moves. It was a bit frustrating, but I realized that practice is key to improvement.” This kind of reflection can lead to deeper insights and help you identify areas where you want to grow.

  2. Celebrate Your Milestones
    It’s so rewarding to record your successes and milestones! Make a note of every achievement, no matter how small. For instance, “I finally figured out how to lead the giro smoothly. It felt amazing when my partner responded perfectly.” Celebrating these victories can really boost your motivation and confidence, reminding you of how far you’ve come.

  3. Musical Reflections
    Don’t forget to include your thoughts on the music that accompanies your dance. Write about your favorite songs, how certain rhythms inspire movement, or the emotions that arise during a performance. Whenever I hear a song I like at a milonga, I often send my husband to ask the DJ for the title, so I can add it to my playlist later!

“a TaNGO JOURNaL IS MUCH MORE THaN JUST a NOTEBOOK”

Lastly, don’t hesitate to get creative in your journal! Sketch your favorite moves, jot down ideas for future dances, or even dream about your ideal tango dress or shoes. This creative expression not only adds a personal touch to your journal but also encourages you to explore your unique dance style.

In essence, a tango journal is much more than just a notebook—it’s a valuable tool for reflection, tracking your growth, and sparking creativity. By embracing this journaling journey, you’ll deepen your connection to tango and witness your evolution as both a dancer and a person. So, grab a pen, let your thoughts flow, and start write down your tango adventure! Happy dancing!