Last weekend both the LPTA Tango class and the Yoga4Tango session afterwards focused on creating awareness of how the body is split into parts, and how these parts interact with one another, and pass on energy in order to facilitate each movement.

I have spoken to a number of people this week about how they think the body works when they watch and dance Tango. Many have acknowledged that the chest plays an important role in dancing for both the leader and the follower, because this is where the connection between partners stems from most of the time, and also dissociation. Not many seemed to comprehend that the body is split into several separate parts, and that it is the downward, spiraling, dissociated motion of these parts that sets off a chain reaction, and influences the natural and instinctive manner in which the body moves when we dance.

In order to reinforce what was taught in the LPTA Tango class beforehand, we started the Yoga4Tango session off with a focus on three-part breathing, to activate our awareness of the different parts of the torso. Having already spent two hours experimenting with the different parts of the upper body whilst learning the Tango sequences in the previous class, I already had a very clear awareness of these parts. It was nice to wind down though, and rejuvenate the muscles with the yoga breathing exercise.

Three-part breathing involves first drawing breath into the lower stomach, holding it there before releasing and breathing all of the air out of the body, and holding at the bottom. Then breathing into the lower stomach, holding, and then drawing the breath further up into the upper section of the stomach and holding, before releasing all of the air out and holding at the bottom. And finally doing the same thing but breathing air right up into the chest and throat, holding at the top, and then breathing it all out and holding again at the bottom.

The yoga instructor pointed out some of the benefits and uses of the three-part breathing exercise in the session. He told us that a student had described using the technique before an important meeting to calm nerves and focus the mind. It can also be a useful way to warm up all parts of the body before dancing and reinforce in our minds the fact that we can use all of these parts during our dancing to improve the flexibility of our movements and make the most out of the energy we are using; this is what brings me to think that perhaps the yoga session would be more beneficial is positioned before the DPTA Tango class.

I feel that after I have spent a few minutes of using the three-part breathing technique my body feels more open and my posture feels more natural because I have opened up all the space inside of me, instead of everything feeling scrunched up and sucked in like a vacuum. I feel ready for action, ready to dance, ready to learn and absorb and bounce positive energy around the room.

I feel like the Yoga4Tango would be a great preparation for the body and the mind if it came first, and it would then allow us to make even more out of the Tango class. I am personally finding that this way round I am not benefitting as much as I would like to from the yoga, because I am feeling fatigued. It does however make me think that practicing yoga directly before a Tango class or milonga may be beneficial, so this is something I think I will start doing from now on. A private yoga session at home, then a quick shower and off to a Tango class or dancing seems like a good idea.

The breathing is such a relevant part of the Yoga4Tango practice in general because it draws parallels with how we create the energy while dancing that springs back to provide our bodies with the momentum it needs to flow into each movement.

In yoga we create length in the body by breathing in and bringing our attention to correct body alignment and stability; and then when we breath out we maintain all the strength we have set up, at the same time as letting go and releasing any tension we would otherwise be holding in our bodies. I really do enjoy the way my body feels when I do the breathing exercises properly during a yoga sequence. I can feel relaxed, strong and stable at the same time, and it eliminates any sense of struggle.

Alas, I have not really been feeling any of these benefits during my yoga practice recently. I want to think about where I am in my yoga journey and what is causing current blocks for me. I have not been practicing as regularly as I’d like to. Developments in my personal life have meant that I don’t have an awful lot of space and privacy, which I feel I need in order to practice yoga in my own time.

Because I am unpracticed I have been finding the Yoga4Tango sessions more challenging and not as enjoyable as I have found them in the past. I feel frustrated at my lack of flexibility. My short hamstrings annoy me. And I feel these negative feelings distract me further during my practice and I end up losing my balance and not breathing properly, which means I am finding certain poses uncomfortable. I have to say, I am disappointed with myself most of the time. It doesn’t help that I am now feeling tired if I take the Tango class first and then the yoga class immediately afterwards.

Yoga is a funny thing. Your personal response to it and overall experience can be so sensitive to a number of outside influences. Luckily I remember how yoga has the potential to make me feel amazing, and I want to reach that point again. Tango dancers often have a similar experience, going through episodes of feeling down about their dancing, and then going through periods of feeling high. Both yoga and Tango are so closely linked to our emotions and the type of energy we project outwards. Maybe I have to take into account other things that are happening in my life and be less hard on myself.

The rest of the yoga session involved us going through the Sun Salute Sequence a number of times, focusing on smooth transitions, deep breathing and generating strength by transitioning into organic energy when settled into each pose in the sequence. I have written about all of these things in more detail in previous posts, so please have a browse through and see what you come across. I found it difficult, and I was focusing too much on the fact that I knew I could do better and have done better than this before.

I think for the time being while I focus on reconnecting with Yoga4Tango I may have to cease attending the LPTA Tango class that comes immediately before it. It is a pity because I have thoroughly enjoyed the Tango classes, and they have been immensely useful. I would definitely recommend them to anyone who is looking for a Tango class that will challenge the way they approach dancing. Martin and Laisa are really lovely, and great teachers.

Don’t forget that the times have changed and Yoga4Tango now starts at 4:15 to accommodate for people who would like to use the changing rooms afterwards without feeling too rushed. We have also discovered a really great café/restaurant nearby for post-yoga socializing. I am a great fan of the place too as I discovered they sell different coloured chocolate buttons (pink and yellow). Looking forward to buying some next week. See you there!