So you remember when you first learned to drive, you were a little overwhelmed by everything? You know, there's other cars on the road, there's the radio, there's the street signs, there's the other passenger talking to you, there's the cops just round the corner, there's the traffic that just won't make room for you, there's signalling, and there's the threat of disaster if you make a teeny weeny mistake.
Well, learning to dance, especially for a man, is a bit like that. You have to learn how to steer, how to read your partner, how to navigate the dance floor without crashing, embarrassing yourself, or hurting your dance partner, and somehow have a good time while you're at it.
It's a lot of pressure man. Women, I know, you do everything we do, backwards, in high heels. But just try leading, it is just a bit harder, because you feel RESPONSIBLE for giving your partner a good time.
So how did you learn to drive? By being shown all the different combinations possible and then being made to repeat them over and over? No, you were shown the absolute basics that you needed to know, then just made to do it! And then, you figured it out. And now you can drive with your knees, while texting on your cellphone with one hand, drinking coffee with the other, and searching for the right radio station with a spare finger, while keeping up the conversation with your passenger.
Sonja teaches tango a little bit like that. She shows you the basics. But unlike so MANY other tango teachers I've had (most of whom did not help me very much), she doesn't focus on steps. She focuses on getting Tango in your body, so your body just knows how to move in a certain situation. Yes there are steps, but her approach is much more fundamental than that. And by not focusing only on steps, she frees up your brain to get out of the way so your body can do the learning.
I've had some bad tango teachers and some excellent tango teachers and Sonja ranks among the very best for getting basic tango into my body. I recommend everyone to try one of her classes if you are ever interested in learning this amazing dance form. read more
