I was inspired to write this because of this post by dear Farfallina, who has helped me tremendously lately.
I went last night to a mini-milonga at a friend’s loft in the gorgeous historical Pioneer Square neighborhood. What fun we had, eating cookies and dancing Tango. This particular friend had mentioned earlier that she wants to start a follower’s practica, just to establish camaraderie/sisterhood between the women of the Tango community.
Her idea is so good because for one thing, I don’t get a chance to get to know the women at the milongas as we’re so busy dancing, and for another thing, I think we women can be rather competitive with each other, albeit unconsciously. And there is no point to that. There are a few girls I would love to get to know, but we just sort of stare at each other, uncomfortably. We are grown women, this is ridiculous. I’m going to break the ice and say hello.
I’ve been getting some compliments on my dancing lately and it’s been so flattering - but to tell you the truth there have been times when I’ve felt a little selfish about it. We women watch each other dance, at practicas, milongas, we watch each other’s feet, legs, bodies, clothes, everything. We notice every detail, we compare ourselves to each other (and don’t tell me you don’t because I know you do, or at least have in the past - we’re only human!) and we rarely compliment each other when we see something nice.
I noticed a few girls staring at my feet intently at a recent practica. For the most part I felt flattered and I hoped that they were feeling inspired, but I’ll be honest and say that for a split second I felt jealous, possessive of my feet and my dancing, worried that people would copy me. Isn’t that silly?!?!?!?! I’m not even a “who’s who”! I caught myself and got over it quickly, and went back to feeling good.
It got me thinking of the gorgeous Jennifer Bratt and her beautiful, graceful dancing. She is so incredibly generous and shares her knowledge, both in lessons and in her embellishment channel on youtube. She wants us to be inspired, she wants us to feel beautiful when we dance. She offers what she knows with an open heart, and seems quite happy to do so. When I was in their workshop a few months ago, she noticed that I was doing a few little subtle things with my feet, and came right up to me and gave me some great suggestions for other elegant embellishments I might like. It was so very touching that she gave me something so personal - her dancing.
I think I’m going to take the time to compliment more of the women in my local milongas, and make more conversation with them. I have seen some very inspiring dancing lately and it would be a shame if I didn’t just speak up and say how lovely I think they are.
