Tango Lessons (for life)

Thursdays are now Tango Nights in the CraftLee House.
I've always wanted to do a dance class
and finally (after 18 years of hinting, nudging and downright nagging) the beloved
has agreed to accompany me to Argentine Tango Classes!

Yup !

You heard it first here folks
and any day now we'll be hitting a dance floor nearby & looking something like this .....

Or a slightly less youthful version of this.....

Or perhaps a more inflexible version of this ....

Needless to say we are miles away from recreating any of the above moves at the minute but we sure are having lots of fun! Like any new skill there's a lot to learn. The Argentine Tango is proving a great challenge to us both but its great to do something as a couple that takes you out of your comfort zone.

There are some very specific rules that we are getting to grips with
and as the weeks go by I've been thinking that many of them can be translated into 'Rules for Life' too ...

Tango Lesson 1. - 
Never correct your partner whilst on the dance floor
This rule make a refreshing change for the beloved who has had me squaking in his ear over the past two decades on a diverse range of subjects including such gems as the correct way to fold a shirt 
or how long to cook that particular type of pasta... 

Now I MUST (on the dance floor at least) keep my mouth shut ! 
Its been a revelation! 
Instead of 'helping' I can see now that sometimes 
people don't always need or want your 'valuable' opinions or 'advice' 
Life Lesson 1.- Often, in life, the right thing to do is to shut your mouth and 'keep dancing'.

Tango Lesson 2. - 
Do not continuously apologize to your partner if you make mistakes.
I love this one !! I was almost hoarse after my first class from saying
 'Sorry!' 'My fault! Sorry!' 'Ooops! Sorry!', 'Sorry again!' to all my poor partners.
Interrupting the flow of the dance and getting myself worked up into a tizzy! 
What was I doing ?! 
I'm a beginner - we pretty much all are beginners sometimes. 
Who ever learned a skill WITHOUT making mistakes?
Your never going to perfect on the first night and why apologise for that?

'Sorry!' is a habit I'm trying to break in class.
I think that it would also be good to not feel responsible or apologetic for other things in life that are outside of my control or current skill set too!
Life Lesson - Give yourself a break, we all make mistakes and we all have a lot to learn.

Tango Lesson 3. - 
Never be afraid to pause a few beats on any step, listen and learn to play with the music.
The reason I started Tango is obviously that I want to race around the floor looking mean and moody, swishing my skirts, a blood red rose at my breast, regarding all onlookers with cold disdain, effortlessly expressing my passions through fancy footwork and my enviable (almost telepathic) connection with my partner.....
1...2...3...your back in the room!

At present, I'm a bit more ele(phant) than elegant, but I know with practice, I'll get better. 
Now when I feel like the end of the song is never going to come so I can stop making a fool of myself 
its good to know that we are 'allowed' to 'pause and listen'.
Life Lesson - You have permission to pause and listen in life too !

If you live in Cork and would love to Tango - check out the poster below!

Thank you for visiting & come back soon,   

Love Siubhan x x x