Tread gently with feedback

An update from classes over the weekend, Old St John's last night and some reminders about class etiquette :-)

MONDAY NIGHT ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS COURSE 21 Oct - 16 Dec
What a great start towards the final wrap up for 2013 tango.  We had a bumper crowd show up last week for the free class and most of these people + a few surprise extras braved the dance floor last night and have taken their first tango steps. CONGRATULATIONS!  Hot on the heels of the musicality workshops with Joaquin and Phil (last weekend) we started straight in with musicality and are already well on our way to understanding the phrasing of Cara Sucia by Carlos di Sarli and I am sure you all dreamed about it last night - whether you wanted to or not! We focussed on the close embrace and walking and then added in a little turn to get us started.  Well done to all the beginners for a challenging and rewarding class.  I look forward to seeing you next Monday (Labour Day) at 6pm.

MONDAY NIGHT IMPROVERS/INTERMEDIATE CLASS
We will be focussing on connection and the musicality moves that Phil introduced us to over the next few weeks.  We had a fabulous class last night reworking moves from the weekend.

CLASS ETIQUETTE and HEALTHY CONVERSATIONS
A gentle reminder about feedback.
Where ever we are on our tango journey... whether we are a more advanced dancer or a total beginner it is always useful to remember these following points:

• Be generous with your positive feedback
• Be very sparing with negative feedback
• If you think you or your partner are not "getting it" call me over and say " Can you help us to work this out because I feel..... ?" or How do I get this to feel smoother/relaxed because it feels....."  These questions invite healthy discussions not blame and are a prefect way to analyse what is happening and to make it better
• Remember it is the tradition of tango to help each other improve and explore the dance in a loving way

It doesn't take much to get discouraged and it is very easy to get buttons pushed in tango especially in close embrace so we must remember to show patience, generosity, understanding and humour in the dance.  This way we all improve and feel good about ourselves!

WEEKEND WITH PHIL
Phil Ragg has left Nelson and left behind a real impression with us all.  A very special moment  for me over the weekend was when Phil danced to Nunca Tuvo Novio with his musicality being expressed through in his eyes.  I am sure you all agree that Phil's generosity in the dance is palpable and something we all aspire to!  Thanks Phil for three awesome workshops.  You are a gem and we look forward to having you back again.

REMINDER
NO CLASS LABOUR WEEKEND SUNDAY (due to the long weekend)
CLASSES ON LABOUR DAY MONDAY NIGHT AS USUAL

PRIVATES
I am around Labour Weekend Saturday morning if anyone wants a private.  I was going away but I'll be here :-)

See you all on the dance floor soon!