The Tango-L mailing list archive
Digest from 15 Jan 2000
to 16 Jan 2000
Reply-To: Discussion of Any Aspect of the Argentine Tango <TANGO-L @MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
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Date: Sun, 16 Jan 2000 03:00:02 -0500
Sender: Discussion of Any Aspect of the Argentine Tango <TANGO-L @MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
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Subject: TANGO-L Digest - 15 Jan 2000 to 16 Jan 2000 (#2000-15)
There are 4 messages totalling 230 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. Tango and Martial Arts (3)
2. Tango, Martial Arts, Mars
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Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2000 20:30:35 -0800
From: Leda Elliott <lellio @YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Tango and Martial Arts
If you try to understand the true essence of martial
arts, it is not about physical assault on a person. It
is about mastering the self at the highest physical,
mental and spiritual level.
Tai Chi, a form of Chinese martial arts is probably
the most common form which people find analogous with
Tango. The reason being is that Tai Chi is very
circular, relaxed and calm, and at the highest level
of taichi there is intent, energy and focus.
When practicing taichi with a partner(often called
pushing hands), one learns to listen very carefully to
the partner through the body, as in Tango.
One learns to move "sticky" with the partner. Sticky
means to stay attached, and to not separate
physically, mentally and even spiritually with your
partner. This is very true also in Tango.
All this is discussion at a very high level of both
Tai Chi and Tango. In both arts, martial arts and the
art of dance, it is important first to master your
self physically(balance, alignment, posture,
flexibility, fluidity...etc), before moving onto
higher levels of mental and spiritual mastery.
=====
Leda Elliott
http://www.wushu-leda.com
Group Lessons in Wushu (Taichi/shaolin)
85 W. Newton ST.
Wed 5:30-7:30
Contact Leda for private training
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Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2000 15:40:25 +0100
From: Natarajan Balasundara <rajan @EMC.COM>
Subject: Re: Tango and Martial Arts
Original Message-----
From: Roberto Pambieri <rpambie @TIN.IT>
Subject: Tango and Martial Arts
>As far as mental state in Tango, i can see a very close resemblance
with
>that needed in Martial Arts in general: the training for learning goes
>necessarly throught three steps. The first is the one in which you must
only
>repeat the "movement's ideogram"; in the second step you know the
movements
>but can only repeat them schematically; finally, the last step comes
when,
>movements digested, you can use them whithout thinking too much.
Attention:
>this doesn't mean you act by reflex-actions, because this would lead
you to
>sterilize your movements, but only being able to react in less time by
a
>stimulation and to take the right decision with less conscious mind.
>Think without thinking: that is "Zen"
>Dance without dancing: that is Tango at hight level!
This came up on a conversation with some of my friends here who have
spoken to Pablo Veron. They said he has similar opinions and is supposed
to be good in martial arts. BTW, NYT review of tango argentino says as
much(url is below):
<quote>
... Their[ Pablo Verno Guillermina Qurioga] collaboration owes as much
to
the gym as to the dance floor, their contribution here has a playful
element
of competion. This is tango as martial art.
</quote>
rajan.
Original Message-----
From: Richard Lipkin <ezie @EROLS.COM>
Date: Thursday, November 18, 1999 4:57 PM
Subject: NY Times Review of Tango Argentino
You can read the NY Times review of the Broadway show Tango Argentino
at:
http://www.nytoday.com/nytoday/scripts/editorial.dll?eetype=Article&eeid
=844902&render=y
Richard Lipkin
http://users.erols.com/ezie/
Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2000 11:54:37 -0800
From: Leda Elliott <lellio @YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Tango and Martial Arts
I got a direct response from a individual regarding
what I wrote previously about Tango and martial arts,
and would like to reply back to the list. Since the
individual prefered to keep his message off the list,
i have included snippets from the original message.
"
> I'm taking this off list as it is not a tango
> related discussion. By
> definition, martial arts are war skills. My Webster
> defines martial as:
> "Pertaining to or suited for war or a warrior".
> There are more definitions
> but they all say similar things. The word "martial"
> is derived from "Mars",
> the roman god of war. "
I do not think that a dictionary is a very good source
of understanding. For example, in my dictionary
TANGO: is defined as a dance of spanish-american
origin. And surely this does not explain Tango to the
fullest.
Perhaps one day you will meet a very good Tai Chi
teacher and be able to study Tai Chi (which takes a
very long time, as does Tango). Then perhaps you will
understand Tai Chi better.
I also think when people on the Tango list, and myself
speak of the relationship of Tango and Martial arts,
they do not ever say Tango=Martial Arts, they simply
point out some analogous qualities.
"> I know exactly why 99% of people get involved in
the
> pursuit of martial arts
> mastery and it ain't to get close and sensual with a
> member of the opposite
> sex or to share a moment of artistic expression to
> the beat of the tango "
Lastly I don't think that the desire to want to hurt
someone is a good reason to study martial arts, and at
the same time to want to become "sensual with a member
of the opposite sex" is not a good reason to learn
tango.
=====
Leda Elliott
http://www.wushu-leda.com
Group Lessons in Wushu (Taichi/shaolin)
85 W. Newton ST.
Wed 5:30-7:30
Contact Leda for private training
__________________________________________________
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Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger.
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Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2000 23:25:19 -0600
From: Naomi Bennett <Naomiben @SWBELL.NET>
Subject: Tango, Martial Arts, Mars
As a tango dancer and astrologer, Mars has everything to do with
sexuality, lust, jealousy, anger, passion, sensuality, protective
instincts, possessiveness, the sex drive, war between the sexes, etc. From
my perspective, the three fit perfectly together. It's just different
sides of the same coin of intense sexuality that is either aggressive
toward the competition and protective of what is theirs, and the drive to
attract and possess the opposite sex and reproduce. There is not that much
difference between a secada and a martial move with a partner. From an
astrological point of view it is the same energy dynamic that motivates
both activities.
Of course, tango is also very Neptune/Pisces which rules the feet, dancing,
imagination, fantasy, nightlife, and the artistic.
Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2000 11:54:37 -0800
>From: Leda Elliott <lellio @YAHOO.COM>
>Subject: Re: Tango and Martial Arts
> By
> > definition, martial arts are war skills. My Webster
> > defines martial as:
> > "Pertaining to or suited for war or a warrior".
> > There are more definitions
> > but they all say similar things. The word "martial"
> > is derived from "Mars",
> > the roman god of war. "
>
>"> I know exactly why 99% of people get involved in
>the
> > pursuit of martial arts
> > mastery and it ain't to get close and sensual with a
> > member of the opposite
> > sex or to share a moment of artistic expression to
> > the beat of the tango "
Naomi Bennett
Austin, TX
End of TANGO-L Digest - 15 Jan 2000 to 16 Jan 2000 (#2000-15)
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