Money and Tango

Tango shoes are expensive. Tango workshops are expensive. Tango lessons can be expensive, and festivals and travel/lodging are DEFINITELY expensive. So do only people who have money get to tango? In my opinion, this creates a big conflict. Teachers aren't willing to necessarily give out lessons for free, and no vendor is going to throw out free shoes.

What IS a viable option, however, is that if someone REALLY wants to dance enough, and cannot pay for it, they can always contact the organizers of milongas/practicas and offer an exchange to sit at the door and collect money, or even teachers, to exchange some work (postering/flyering/administrative tasks) for group, and even private classes. This happens ALL the time, and probably not only in Seattle. But only those who are motivated enough will contact the organizers. They're probably also happy to do exchanges for another skill. I'm currently doing an exchange to learn how to drive. I would also be happy to work with someone for free (or with an exchange) if they exhibhit extraordinary dedication and improvement. And for those who are connected with the UW, and are willing to work on reviving the Tango Club, I'd be happy to help out for free there, too.

For practicing: I practiced in my at-the-time tiny old kitchen, and occasionally the tiny, carpeted hallway of my tiny apartment. It is definitely nicer to practice in a bigger space, but I'm just noting that it CAN be done in small spaces. And it's no joke that I did ochos in the supermarket. (I also sat at the door at practicas a lot and did occasional flyering)

As for tango shoes: I've scored several pairs under $20 or even $10 at places like Goodwill and Crossroads. In fact, I like them even better than some of my more expensive tango shoes.

And here's a little secret about me: One of the main reasons why I started doing tango (even though I wasn't hooked yet at the time) was because the studio I was taking classes from offered half price discounts for students. THANK GOODNESS for that! On the other hand, after I became hooked, I began to shell out a lot more for tango. I rarely went out to eat, or went shopping, but I never though twice about paying for a milonga or lessons I really wanted to take. But what are your thoughts about travelling instructors and whether or not they would be willing to do some sort of exchange for workshops?

Non-tango things that improve your tango

Here are a few things that I have found helped my tango:

1. A musical background--I sang in a school choir for a few years in a past life (and a love for tango music)
2. Ballet/modern/jazz
3. Contact improv
4. Gyrokinesis
5. Yoga
5. Plain working out at the gym

I'm sure any sort of body awareness exercise can help with balance and coordination. Here are some other good ones that I haven't really spent enough time on myself but may help your overall tango (I have probably heard about this from lots of other people).

-Pilates
-Barre Class
-Any form of martial arts that allows you to be grounded
-Any dance form that allows you to be comfortable with moving your body

Of course, you don't need ANY of this. You can just practice technique on your own, but I've found some differences in my tango as I increased my strength. Modern, ballet, and gyrokinesis are probably my top recommendations.