Hello friends, Since Tango Zen Workshop was announced, I have received a number of emails inquiring the Workshop. A common denominator among the inquiries is, "Tango Zen Workshop, it sounds interesting. But what's in for me, a tango dancer?" I believe this is a legitimate question in light of a fact that this workshop is a meditation workshop intended to introduce another meditation method via tango dancing.
First, meditation is not a thought but an experience. As I believe that we dance tango for an experience not for a thought, through a meditative approach we will be able to learn to appreciate the way tango has been enjoyed in Argentina and around the world since its birth. Asked what Zen is, one Zen master replied, "Zen is chopping woods and carrying water." Learning from this Zen master, my interpretation of Tango is "hugging one's partner, walking together, and listening to music." Simple enough. As we all know, however, it is not so easy as it sounds to do these simple things to appreciate tango. In the latest movie "Last Samurai," one Samurai says to Tom Cruise, who is trying to master swordsmanship with force and resolute, "You have too many minds " Where is my mind when I dance? Where is my partner? Do I recognize myself as a part of milonga when I dance? Tango Zen Workshop will expose the participants to a number of exercises that may lead them to mindfulness, a state of full awareness of oneself, one's partner, and surroundings. The exercises, adapted from other martial arts, mediation techniques, and sports, involve not only physical discipline but one's whole attention. As a result, through the exercises repeated over time, tango dancers may acquire and/or increase sensitivity of balance, connection, centering, groundedness, weight shifting, all of which are known critical for tango dancing. I welcome your inquiries and comments. Chan ==================================== Tango Zen Workshop @ Willow Street Yoga Center Saturday, February 7 & Sunday, February 8, 2004 (Part I & II) TANGO ZEN: MEDITATION IN MOTION with Chan and Eugenia Park Time: 2:30-4:30 each day Cost: Single: $25 per class and $45 for both classes Couple or pair: $45 per class and $85 for both classes Partner is encouraged but not required. Come in comfortable clothes and socks. TANGO ZEN: MEDITATION IN MOTION This workshop introduces Tango Zen, an innovative and fun yet natural idea of meditating while dancing Tango. Using the striking similarities between the two, this workshop will also introduce methods through which both tango dancers and non-dancers can practice Tango Zen to experience and enjoy the wonderful benefits, which Tango and Zen have to offer. For more information on Tango Zen and the workshop, please visit http://TangoZen.com. Inquiries on Tango Zen and/or the workshop can be directed to [email protected]. To register for the workshop, contact Willow Street Yoga Center**, 301-270-8038 or online at http://willowstreetyoga.com. Sat. Feb. 7 & Sun. Feb. 8, 2004 (Part I & II) Time: 2:00-4:00 each day Willow Street Yoga Center** 6930 Carroll Avenue, Takoma Park, MD http://willowstreetyoga.com, 301-270-8038 Cost: Single: $25 per class and $45 for both classes, Couple or pair: $45 per class and $85 for both classes. Partner is encouraged but not required. ============================================================= Tango Zen: Meditation in Motion http://www.TangoZen.com _________________________________________________________________ Our best dial-up offer is back. Get MSN Dial-up Internet Service for 6 months @ $9.95/month now! http://join.msn.com/?page=dept/dialup
