Travis Neighbor Ward

Published by Mode magazine, August 1999.

Tango -- The New Fitness Formula.

By Travis Neighbor Ward

Like many people who learn to tango, one of the most popular Latin social dances, I was initially drawn to it for the glamour (yes, I loved Ballroom Dancing and Forever Tango), the music, and the grace (one makeshift tango at a black-tie event taught me I had none). What I didn't know was that tango is also as physically challenging as the most strenuous aerobics classes -- but much more fun.

The key to making tango a good workout is really working at it. "Women should take at least five hours of tango lessons to master the basic steps," says Helmut, who teaches at DanceSport, Manhattan's largest Latin and ballroom dance school (Al Pacino learned how to tango there for Scent of a Woman). "If you're good, everyone will want to dance with you, and you'll end up doing it for three hours straight-a great way to work up a sweat."

There are two basic types of tango: tango and milonga. Both originated in 19th-century Argentina and use the same steps set to different types of two-four music. Milonga, which started as a folk dance, is faster and, says Candace Salas, the manager of DanceSport, "it's exhausting because the movements are so precise."

As for other Latin social dances, the slowest are the chacha, which uses a slowed-down jazz beat, and the rumba, which began in Cuba around 1930 (it mixes African rhythm and Spanish melody). The fastest are the mambo, in which the man directs the woman like a human metronome (think Cuban music fused with 1950s American jazz), and the Dominican merengue, where marching steps and simple turns create the most frenetic workout of all.

During my first tango lesson, I was surprised to discover a few things about it I didn't know-but that I liked. First, that as the woman I'm not required to obediently follow my partner's lead but can interrupt it whenever I please. "A woman can speed up and change directions at any time," says Salas.

Second, that to initiate the forward and backward turns in tango, I employ the same "contrary" body movements of a vigorous walls. As Argentine author Jorge Luis Borges said, tango, when danced slowly, "is a way of walking."

From a mind-body standpoint, learning the eight basic steps is fairly simple; finding and maintaining perfect balance while remaining completely relaxed is not. It was difficult overcoming my shyness, but when I did, I began to feel at ease. But then I was faced with the final challenge: What do you say to a stranger after you've held him tightly for an hour? "Just say thank you and good-bye," Helmut advised me. So I did, and then floated down the street, wishing the lesson had lasted for two hours instead of one.

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SIDEBAR: SAFETY DANCE

The only serious tango injury people face is getting kicked in the right Achilles tendon by other couples on the dance floor. But there are other, more minor risks as well. Here are some practical tips for safely stepping out:

Leave the stilettos at home until you get really good. Your calves will ache less and your balance will be better.

Wear closed shoes. Rubber half-soles are the best, but on sprung-wooden floors, opt for suede soles with no liners. Outdoors, especially on brick, most people switch to tennis shoes. Bare feet are a no-no.

Do a full-body stretch beforehand. Tango involves taking wide steps backwards, forwards, and sideways. You are also maintaining a posture that is slightly bent forward from the lower back.

Pick a good partner. Even though women have an active role in tango, technically the man is steering. If he steers badly, you might bump into other couples or the wall.

Be alert. "Open your eyes once in a while," says Helmut. "The man can't see where he's going when he dances backwards either."



SIDEBAR: WHERE TO TANGO

The yellow pages are full of schools offering Latin dance lessons. But if you're looking to tango with the afficionados, here are some websites and sources you may want to explore.

CYBER TANGO www.cybertango.com (nationwide listings of tango schools and events)

ARGENTINE TANGO IN FLORIDA www.aaanetserv.com/tango

BAYAREA TANGO ASSOCIATION (San Anselmo, CA) 415-453-7009

TANGO COLORADO (Denver, CO) 303-370-9356

TANGO SOCIETY OF BOSTON (Boston, MA) 617-699-6246, www.bostontango.org

DANCESPORT (New York, NY) 212-307-1111

CAPITAL TANGUEROS (Washington, DC) 202-546-2228, ext 36

HOUSTON ARGENTINE TANGO ASSOCIATION (Houston, TX) 713-665-3812