What You Should Know About Argentine Tango

Do you like a challenge? Would it be cool to be envied by all of your buddies while the ladies are lining up for you? Could your relationship use a boost? Then learning to dance the Argentine Tango may be just what the doctor ordered. It's hard to imagine that discovering a dance could be life-changing, but take it from me, it can be! Let's explore…

1. Tango is a challenge. While there are certainly many ways to challenge yourself, from athletics to crossword puzzles,  Tango dancing is all encompassing. The mind-body connection that comes from learning to dance Argentine Tango is like no other. Think of how it would feel to do a crossword puzzle WHILE (insert your favorite sport here). This can be quite intimidating! And to make matters worse, the sky's the limit with the amount of creativity you can add to your Tango dancing once you know the rules. It's literally the coolest thing ever to know! You see, Argentine Tango is based on walking. So, once you know how to do that with the proper technique, and on time with the music, then you have the exciting (daunting) task of knowing your options, plus what options you can provide for your dance partner. Then once you understand your options, you must execute them with precision and grace. No problem, right!? As I mentioned, if you're looking to merge the brain and the body into a fun and exciting, not to mention extremely rewarding, challenge, then Tango dancing is for you!

2. The payoff. You may be wondering at this point, "How exactly is learning to dance Tango rewarding?". Simple. With any great challenge comes rewards. First, women love a guy that is passionate and willing to work for something great-especially when that something great includes dancing. Yep, we slip right back into that Cinderella story when we picture our Prince Charming coming by and whisking us off the dance floor into a carriage as we ride off into the sunset kissing. It's all part of the love story that we all have dreamed about at one point or another. Second, women aside, knowing how to Tango is a massive confidence booster for men. It's like climbing Mount Everest or being one of the few who can solve the Rubics Cube. It's pretty darn special to know how to Tango! So few can do it well and the feeling that you get once you have it is irreplaceable.

3. Want to spice things up? Then grab your honey and take some Tango lessons together! Not only will you get to hold each other close as you learn, but you will develop a more intimate connection and means of communication between each other through your Tango journey. When times get tough, put on some Tango music and dance. You'll find yourselves falling into a trace-like state, one that will surely remove those negative feelings as you remind yourself that "It's all good!".

Knowing how to dance Argentine Tango is a gift, one that we at Dance FX Studios would love to share with you! If you live in the Phoenix East Valley, come visit us for a Newcomer's Special Offer and experience the beauty of the Argentine Tango for yourself. It's a dance with benefits abound that will keep you wanting more and more...

How to Ask A Girl to Dance on a Social Floor

Going out to social partner dance isn't quite like going to your average club. Because there is actual skill required for partner dancing, there is a little more etiquette that goes into it. Now, I'm not saying if you want to go Two Stepping that you need to memorize a handbook of rules. I'm just saying that there are certain simple guidelines that can help! If you're new to the dancing scene here in Arizona, or just want to brush up on your manners, the pros at Dance FX Studios have put together a little list of tips for asking a pretty lady to dance. Whether you're exploring Swing Dance or going to a Latin Dance club, the rules are pretty universal.

Picking your partner

How can you tell if a woman wants to dance? Check out her surroundings. Is she far away from the dance floor, having a drink, and fully engrossed a conversation? Probably not a good time to ask her to dance. Is she near the edge of the floor, hands free, and maybe even looking around a little? She's literally looking for a dance partner! For the most part, ladies that want to dance will make themselves accessible. They will stand near the floor where they can be easily seen and asked by other dancers.

Eye contact

If you are trying your hand at Argentine Tango, this is critical... After you choose who you want to dance with, make eye contact with her. This gives you a general idea of if she wants to dance with you without having to even ask. In a milonga (tango social), if the woman quickly looks away from you when you look at her, don't even ask. This is her polite way of declining a dance from a distance. If she maintains eye contact, you've got the green light! She has given you her permission to approach and invite her onto the floor.

Other social dance styles aren't quite as formal when it comes to this, but it's a good thing to keep in mind. If a girl is going out of her way to avoid eye contact as you make your way over, she's trying to show you she isn't interested without have to flat out say it. Take the hint and move on - there are plenty of other ladies to dance with! If she makes a point to maintain eye contact, she'll probably say yes. Go get her!

Asking her to dance

Emphasis on ask. Don't just say "Dance." Don't just grab her and drag her on the floor. I can assure you she would prefer a proper invitation to the floor. A sweet and simple, "Would you like to dance?" is just what she'd like to hear. If you feel it's too loud and don't want to yell, you can also extend your hand to her as a gesture. Again, not a grab, but an invitation.

Handling rejection

Now, even if a potential partner has given you every hint that she wants to dance, she may not actually be interested. Don't insist that she dance with you anyway or question why - she doesn't need a reason to want to sit out a dance. (Not to worry, it normally doesn't have to do with you. She could be tired, thirsty, in pain, or simply isn't feeling the song. Feel free to try again later!)

The number one rule when asking a girl to dance? Know the dance! If you're in the greater Phoenix area, join us at Dance FX Studios to hone your dancing skills. We offer super fun private dance lessons in everything from Country Dance to Ballroom - and everything in between. We are conveniently located off the 101 and the 60, near Tempe and Chandler, just minutes away from Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Gilbert. Let's get some skills under your belt so the ladies start asking you!

Discover the Argentine Tango in Arizona!

One of the most popular dances here in Arizona is Argentine Tango. This dance is elegant, passionate, and sexy! There are so many types of music that you can dance it to and allows for your self-expression and creativity to flow. Because it is such a special dance, it takes skill, strength, and a great connection with your partner to Tango like a pro. Not only is this dance interesting to watch, it also has an interesting story! Let’s talk about three fun facts about the great dance that is Argentine Tango.

1.    If you consider yourself the creative type, you will love the Argentine Tango! The steps and moves of Argentine Tango are not set like they are in other Latin dances like Salsa and Bachata. Instead, with Agrentine Tango, you improvise! You learn basic figures and movements and how to combine them, and use them to create an incredible expression of intimacy and passion with your partner. The leader has room for creativity and can easily navigate the dance floor and dance in time with the music. 

2. The Golden Age of Tango took place in the late 1940's and early 1950's. Many world recording companies began setting up offices in Buenos Aires, which resulted in countless recordings of tango orchestras and singers. Today in Buenos Aires or Río de la Plata, there are three forms of Argentine tango: Salón, Fantasía, and one for the stage. With the Argentine tango becoming so popular throughout the world, other forces have been shaping the dance. Outside Argentina, people from North America had their first exposure to Tango from the show and dance companies from Buenos Aires. At the end of the shows, many people from the audience requested classes on the tango. They were very excited by what they had seen and were anxious to get started learning to dance. Talk about an interesting history!

3.    Once you start taking Tango lessons and become comfortable, you can go out and dance! Tango dance gatherings are very fun. They are called milongas, which can actually mean two things. For one, it is a type of Tango that uses different beats and is often dones without pausing. But milongas also refer to a club or venue that hosts Argentine Tango dances. There are many places in Arizona, especially in Phoenix, that host Milongas for anyone interested in Argentine Tango, from beginners to experts. If you need to practice, a milonga is the place.

The Argentine Tango is truly a unique dance that is set apart from other social dances. Argentine Tango also allows for creativity and enhanced communication for you and your partner, as it is especially intimate and brings you both closer together. Dance FX Studios in Mesa, AZ actually specializes in Argentine Tango and recognizes how special it truly is, making it the best place in the Valley to take Tango lessons! We can teach you what you need to become a proficient Argentine Tango dancer and enjoy the Latin scene in our area. Schedule your Introductory Lesson today to discover just how much Argentine Tango can mean to you!