Collection of quotes and ideas used in my Tango Classes. Feedback is welcome & appreciated! tangoilona@gmail.com

1. Tango Insights
“Tango must feel great for both partners.”
Tango ILONA
http://tangoilona.goglepages.com
TangoILONA@gmail.com

2. “Perfect Harmony!”
The goal of Tango is
Perfect Harmony
with partner and with music!
TangoILONA@gmail.com

3. Bio: Tango ILONA
• Dancing since age of 5 – ballet, modern, jazz, ballroom, etc
• Dancing Tango since 2001
• Studied Tango with 100+ teachers in Argentina & worldwide
• Performing & Teaching since 2004
• Tango tourist: Danced in 16 countries and 44+ cities
• Music training - classical piano 10 years
• Day Job – University Professor & Technology Consultant
TangoILONA@gmail.com 3

4. Tango is a Language
• “Tango is a non-verbal intuitive
language that cuts through barriers of
nationality, age, social boundaries and
backgrounds.”
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5. Tango is Magic
• “A feeling that is danced.”
• “A secret danced between two people.”
• “A walking embrace.”
• “Its not in the feet, its in the heart!”
• “Its about the connection with your
partner and the expression of feelings
rather than about the choreography.”
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6. Historical Tango Quotes
"Let us read and let us dance - two
amusements that will never do any
harm to the world." Voltaire 1694-1778
“Tango is the most profound dance in
the history of humanity.” Waldo Frank,
1889-1967
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7. Inspirational Tango Quotes
“Tango is a Journey not a Destination.”
Alicia Pons
“Tango Begins when Movement Ends…”
Carlos Gavito
“When you Master Tango you Master Life!”
Oscar Casas
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8. Cautious Tango Quotes
"Beginners want to dance like intermediates; intermediates
want to dance like advanced dancers; advanced dancers
want to dance like the greats; but the greats always go
back to basics.”
"You know what we call dancers who do a big finish on
the last note? Tourists." Kelly Posadas
“There will never be a step, sequence, or trick in tango that
will come close to matching the power of the embrace.”
Ney Melo
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9. Good Dancer Quotes
"A good tango dancer is someone who has rhythm and
who has a good musical ear. He also has respect for the
woman; to know what to do at the right time with the right
partner. He adapts himself to the woman. He makes
her feel that she is the best dancer. He dances for
her." Pablo Veron
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10. Warning Tango Quote
"Warning: tango contains highly
addictive ingredients, such as pain,
pleasure, passion, excitement,
connection, freedom, torment, and bliss.
In seven out of ten cases it takes
over a person's life." Naomi Hotta
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11. Feeling Tango Quote
“I think those who say that you can’t
tango if you are not Argentine are
mistaken. Tango was immigrant music...
so it does not have a nationality...
It’s only passport is feeling.”
Carlos Gavito
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12. Tango Advice
“My advice is - walk, walk… always in the
music, walk and practice to be yourself
and not a copy of anybody else.”
Ricardo Vidort
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13. Tango for Good Health
• Dancing reduces your chances of
dementia by 76%, especially social
dancing with different partners.
Stanford & Harvard Research
• Hugs & physical contact are important
for reduced stress & improved health
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14. “Tango fills your soul!”
“Salsa is like Aerobics.
Tango is like Yoga, except
Yoga clears your mind and
Tango fills your soul.”
Ricardo Vidort, 1929 - 2006
Milongero, Teacher, Gentleman
Buenos Aires, Argentina
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15. Tango Math
1+1=1
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16. TANGO CONNECTIONS
Music
Partner
Vocabulary
Surroundings
Self
Prepared
February
2011
by
TangoILONA@gmail.com
Inspired
by
Murat
Erdemsel

17. TangoILONA@gmail.com 17

18. Ten Golden Rules for Tango Dancing
TangoILONA@gmail.com Feb 2011
Ten Golden Rules for Tango Leaders Ten Golden Rules for Tango Followers
- by Tango ILONA von Toronto, Feb 2011 - by Tango ILONA von Toronto, Feb 2011
1. Delight your partner - Remember you are dancing 1. Delight your partner - Remember your partner is
not to amuse yourself, or to show off, but to delight trying to delight you, enjoy & allow this to happen.
your partner. 2. Magic Dance – Cherish each dance. Dance each
2. Magic Dance – Cherish each dance & your partner. dance as if it is your last dance ever!
Dance each dance as if it is your last dance ever! 3. Relax & Don’t Stress - If you are stressed your
3. Relax & Don’t Stress - If you are stressed your partner will not enjoy the dance. Let your brain rest.
partner will not enjoy the dance. If you perspire, your Allow yourself to be led.
partner will not notice if the dance is great! 4. Don’t Over Do It - The goal is to stay connected to
4. Don’t Over Do It - The goal is to stay connected to the partner and music at each second of the dance.
the partner and music at each second of the dance. 5. Stay Controlled – Your balance and technique are
5. Stay Controlled – Dance at the level of your partner, your job. Train to improve your technique so you
do not push beyond this comfort level, the goal is to can keep up your side of the dance.
please her not stress her. 6. Less Is More – Adornments should be used
6. Less Is More – No one ever complained that some sparingly. Less is better. Too much is amateur and
complex move was missing. They complain when interferes with the lead.
your showy tricks flop! 7. Effortless for Leader – Allow your leader to guide
7. Effortless for Follower – Allow your follower to you effortlessly. Move yourself, don’t wait to be
enter a trance, do not disturb her flow until the end of moved like a sack of potatoes.
the song. 8. Follow Your Leader – Make your contribution to the
8. Follow Your Follower – Allow her to contribute to dance gentry and without interrupting. It is a polite
the dance. It is a conversation not a puppet show. conversation.
9. Push The Limits – musically, emotionally, 9. Push The Limits – musically, technically,
expressively, and not physically by using force! emotionally, expressively, not forcefully!
10. More Great Dances – Dance with different ladies, 10. More Great Dances Avoid bad dances. Encourage
but avoid bad dancers. Encourage those who try to those who try to learn. Refuse to dance with bad &
learn, but don’t teach at the milonga. Follow these pushy dancers who try to teach you at the milonga.
rules to become the darling of followers, and enjoy Follow these rules and enjoy many great dances!
many great dances!