1043  Sexy Tango Dancers

Date: Fri, 21 Feb 2003 22:55:31 +0000
From: Jay Rabe <jayrabe@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Sexy Tango Dancers

Sexyness has less to do with clothes that it has to do with vibes. Vibes
have to do with the character of personal energy. That character is affected
by attitude, by how in touch with yourself you are, by how comfortable you
are with your body, with your sexuality and sensuality, and by how
comfortable you are with your masculinity and femininity.

Tango, by it's nature, emphasizes the polarity between male and female. The
lead-follow dynamic demands that the man be masculine, willful, thrusting,
and yang. It also demands that the woman be feminine, receptive, compliant,
and yin.

At the same time, it also forces both men and women to be in touch with
their whole nature - this means men being in touch with their yin, feminine
side. Men lead, or indicate (marcar), but then have to wait and be receptive
while their follower responds. Men pause for a beat, then wait as their
followers embellish and adorn and stroke their leg. Pausing and waiting are
pure expressions of a man's yin, feminine character. Men also express their
sensual, feminine nature with swirling enrosques or planeos.

Women express a lot of masculinity in a snappy gancho or boleo. And when
they take the opportunity to adorn during a pause, they are taking control,
exerting their will and creativity into the moment of their dance. Women are
also expressing their yang, masculine nature by pressing themselves against
their partners. This back pressure is required for an effective lead-follow
frame. And whether with her hand against his bicep or with her breast
pressed against his, it is a masculine expression, putting herself out
there. Yet this is part of her wholeness. And Tango allows her to express
it, in the midst of being maximally feminine and receptive to the will of
her leader in letting him determine the choreography of their steps.

The bottom line is that tango is a unique vehicle that allows men to express
their masculinity in an acceptable way instead of having to destroy forest
roads with 4-wheel trucks. At the same time it allows men to express their
feminine nature, without having to cross-dress or be effeminate.

Similarly it allows women to fully express their feminine nature without
having to be coy or submissive. And it allows women to express their
masculine nature without being a bitch or going butch.

A person who is comfortable and whole in the expression of their sexuality,
both male and female aspects, is, I submit, the sexiest animal on the
planet. And tango encourages and facilitates both men and women in doing
this.

In my opinion, THAT's why there are so many sexy tango dancers.

I'd like to thank and recommend Johanna Seigmann in the Tao of Tango for an
appreciation of these concepts.

J in Portland