What a month January has been. The milongas are opening up again. There was recently a meeting between the Association of Organizers of Milongas and two government members the outcome of which is that the milongas will be made exempt from the blanket shutdown of dance venues through out BsAs. Aníbal Ibarra survived a vote against him continuing as the mayor.
For the last few weeks two nephews of Elena are staying with us. Quiet a handful with the pair of them along with starting a Spanish course. This is 3 hours a day 5 days a week for 1 month. I am on the last week as I write this. There is even an exam next Friday aural and written. It actually turned out, not as intensive as I expected. I guess the fact that I already have a decent enough vocabulary and had two months of privates during my last visit has allowed me to keep my head above water. It has helped correct many of the bad habits that slipped through.
I have started yoga classes again, at the moment only one a week maybe later I will up that count but for now it is fine. I use to practise a yoga based on the movement of children before they walked. It's called Makko-ho Yoga and was developed in Japan. I found it very effective and not too strenuous. It has four major movements and the way we practised was in pairs so one received and then gave the stretching. Here it is a much more intensive form of yoga. But still effective to train, and develop sensitivity to ones body, all of which helps to accelerate ones tango learning. For me any type of training that's helps me see where I hold onto tension is valuable, yoga offers this possibility as well as allowing more flexibility. In being both a teacher and a student I find that relaxation or noticing where the tension is, is key to good technique. Of course tango is about musicality and connection with ones partner not just technical ability. I'm not so sure musicality can be taught, but showing people how you listen to music can open up new possibilities that hadn't occurred to them before.
Michael has arrived from Ireland also Ken and Jacquline thanks K and J for the chocolate it is going down a treat. The Cadbury's here does not taste the same as it does in Ireland.
I have met loads of friends who return here over the Christmas period from all over the world. A few who never even left since the last time I was here. Arturo hails from Seattle and rents a great apartment here in BsAs. There has been many wonderful parties held here this year with exhibitions from Julio and Corina Balmercedo, Tete and Sylvia and others. Many of the best dancers would collect here and Tango the night away.
