Despite Omicron closing things down again, I am feeling optimistic about 2022 and tango. We have survived almost two years with limited dancing with our friends and favorite partners, and we are still here. My friends and students have shared their post-COVID plans with me. They are heading for Spain, Italy, France, Hawaii, Costa Rica, and Buenos Aires. Everyone is wildly excited about putting into action plans made years ago that were postponed due to COVID and life.
Some of these plans involve tango! Every day I hear plans about “when I go to my next milonga” or “when the practicas open again” from someone. Unlike a few months ago, most of these plans sound hopeful and enthusiastic. I can’t count the number of people who have asked me when my next tango tour to Buenos Aires will happen. That is not set yet, but it will happen, I promise!
My tango plans involve yoga
I know that sounds crazy but it’s true. If all goes well, I will be certified to teach yoga by the end of January. I have spent my lockdown doing yoga daily and studying to be a yoga teacher. The strength and flexibility I have gained through my yoga training have helped me maintain my tango technique. My balance is better than before lockdown as well.
As is my habit, whenever I learn information that helps for tango and wellness, I have shared it along the way. I taught tango while learning tango, and I have taught yoga while learning about yoga. Thank you for my yoga guinea pigs who patiently allowed me to video their “lessons” with me so that my teachers could critique my teaching!
Going forward, I will be offering yoga classes at Shabu as well as private yoga classes (and I will continue to do mini yoga classes as part of tango private lessons). If all of us could do yoga along with tango, we would have fewer injuries in the tango community—and we could dance longer, with better balance, strength, and flexibility. Sound good? It’s possible!
Las Naifas is back, but not for January
Luisa Zini Fortuna and I are back hosting our matinee milonga, although JANUARY’S MILONGA IS CANCELLED. We hope that COVID numbers go back down so that we can return in February. Fingers crossed! Our regular time will be 2nd Fridays at Norse Hall, 111 NE 11th in Portland. The lesson will be at 5:30, with dancing 6:30 to 9/9:30ish.
Group classes at Shabu will be back soon
I am watching the COVID numbers, and my classes will restart (again, sigh) Thursdays from 7-9 PM at Shabu, 6055 NE Glisan in Portland, as soon as it’s safer. The few classes I managed to hold between Delta and Omicron closures were really fun and I enjoyed seeing some new faces and returning dancers!
What plans do YOU have for tango in 2022?
I would love to know what you plan to do for improving your dance for the future. What dance plans do you have? Are you going to Buenos Aires? Attending dance festivals? Starting gyrotonic or yoga or Pilates or ??? Are you studying Spanish, or delving into tango music? Have you decided to DJ or host a new milonga or practica in Portland? Let’s put our energy to work and rebuild our dance community, bigger and better and more friendly!