The Tao of Tango

by Johanna Siegmann

How to achieve balance in your life through Tango .... even if you can't dance.

168 pages, Paperback

First published September 19, 2000

Reviews

[Mel Sandoval · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the chapter where she witnesses a a tanguero who is dancing with other girls. She recognizes that there other men who are demonstrating probably much more articulated techniques, but his movements are magnifying the music and woman who is in his arms. She wonders what it is that he is doing. When he asks her to tango with him it is then that she understands, what? He is following her. This is the beauty and clue to all that the Argentine tango has. Roles are exchanged/shared throughout the conversation. He begins with the lead (marca). She is then in control of the tempo as he waits (follows)for her to answer or exchange her weight and step. 'It's beautiful.' There is balance in both of his energies, male & female. Control and Submission.

[Chloe Moon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Johanna has a really lovely idea here - exploring and explaining masculine and feminine energies through tango. It works nicely because tango is a very masculine/feminine dance that relies more than most dances on a subtle and proper balance and communication between two partners.

What didn't work for me though was Johanna's underlying message she continually returned to that if women are not predominately feminine and men masculine, that inner and outer struggle and disconnection will occur. She presents herself as a once-masculine woman who found salvation in her latent femininity. The book is also very hetero-centric.

Although not as deep or engaging as it could be, there are some nice insights about masculinity and femininity, and if you've ever tangoed [or ballroom danced at all], much of what she says will make lovely sense.

I feel like this book helped me see tango and social dance in new ways more than it taught me about masculinity and femininity...which isn't bad : )

[Sheila Callaham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the most powerful takeaway from the book is the understanding of lead and follow in Tango -- a subject that she covered throughout the book. In fact, my favorite quote from the book is when Siegmann writes about the symbol for yin/yang as a representation of Tango ... "Two halves caught in a swirling embrace; sensual yet contained, movement with definition. Both halves are identical yet opposite, they are fluid yet have a center, and only together are they a whole. It is the symbol of a complete self. It is the male and female energy in each of us. It is Tango."

That said, I feel like the book is trying to be too many things and, as a result, loses focus. First and foremost is the discussion about male/female energies which becomes a bit repetitive. Then there are the technical dimensions of the dance itself, to include exercises at the end. Combined with personal reflections from the floor, almost like a diary entry where she is battling with her ego as she masters the dance.

Tango is a fascinating dance, which Siegmann does bring underscores.

[Pietro Crincoli · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fumose considerazioni sull'energia femminile passiva e quella maschile attiva.

[Max Levitin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Действительно, интересное и полезное введение в философию Танго. Раскрывающее множество невидимых на первый взгляд смыслов и подтекстов танца, движений, эмоций.