My Journey in Learning Argentine Tango

My journey in learning Argentine tango begun two years ago. As it often happens - at first one class, but pretty soon attending classes twice a week and looking for more. :) I am very grateful to a friend who invited me and was able to convince to join his course! I fell in love with Yakut's and Annika's elegant Tango de Salon style.

By now, it has become an important part of my daily life. I dedicate up to 4-5 days a week to learning Argentine tango. It is important to attend classes, be fully present and motivated to acquire knowledge. Information shared on each lesson is unique and valuable. From personal experience, I can say that the value only increases over time, because my own level of understanding has been grown and I’m able to notice and pay attention to nuances, which might be slipped away and were not completely comprehended in the very beginning.

Tango is not just a sequence of steps. It is much-much more. Tango can be compared to Life itself. Connections between people and partners, mindfulness, focus, choosing directions, times to move and times to pause, courage to lead, ability to follow, balance between mind and body awareness, different rhythms and their alternations, improvisations, emotions, application of skills.

For all this, I feel it's essential to have a goal to improve what has been already acquired. In that sense I have also noticed changes on teachers part, how they go more in-depth into teaching technique. How to perform a movement exactly the proper way and feel the energy in the body. Important is to get clear instuctions and hear the feedback.

· To improve skills, it is also good to attend workshops and practices (social and private). The best is to find partner, with whom you share the goals and work on mastering based on information you both have got.

· Watch videos, how masters are dancing. Pay attention to their body posture, frame and connection, footwork, musicality. Learn to listen the tango music with awareness, notice interpretation.

· Attending Milongas and Argentine Tango events (festivals, marathons, competitions etc) will give a lot of joy and give a chance to put everything acquired in practicas into real life dance experience. I believe it gives a courage and confidence, besides allowing to find new friends, who share a passion for Tango.

I have participated in couple of International Tango Festivals so far. In Estonia last two summers I attended in Tallinn Tango Weekend. In spring 2024 I went for first time to Latvia El Abrazo de Riga festival. This festival will take place in two weeks time and I'm happy to visit it again. I loved both festivals, places and settings are nice. Bonus is that both festivals offers possibility to participate on workshops of internationally renowned Tango maestros. These festivals I dare to recommend to everyone.

In addition, the Tango Baltic Open Cup is taking place at the same time in Riga. Last year I was lucky to be there when Yakut and Annika competed and I witnessed their triumph as Champions of Tango de Pista and Milonguero categorys.

Great that they have energy and aim to organize similar local event in Estonia. Lately took place already 3rd edition of Euphoria Tango Cup in Tallinn as you all know. I have took part in very first Tango competition held in Estonia and in the 2nd edition of Euphoria Tango Cup as well.

Few months ago I happened to see the motto for a day on one tango FB page that resonated deeply with my heart and soul. That's not the exact wording but the meaning is the same:

„The reason to master the technique is to ensure that the body does not prevent the soul from expressing itself.“

This is so nicely said and I completely agree! I liked it so much that shared this in my closest tango friends group. Some weeks ago a friend came to me after one of our tango classes and said, that this made also a deep impact on her and still echoes. So I decided to share this with you all, my dear tango community friends! Maybe this will give inspiration and motivation to someone else too!

In the Picture,

Ketti Ko and kaupo Kreitsmann, Participants of the 2nd Edition of the Euphoria Tango Cup, Tallinn, 2024

by Ketti Ko