Tango

Tango dance originated in the area of the Rio de la Plata (which is between Argentina and Uruguay), and spread to the rest of the world soon after. Tango is usually performed by a man and a woman, expressing an element of romance in their synchronized movements. Originally, the tango was performed only by women, but once it spread into Argentina, it developed into a dance for couples. The popularity of the tango has greatly increased over the years. Several different styles of tango exist, each with its own individual flair. Many people are familiar with "ballroom tango," characterized by strong, dramatic head snaps.

History
The dance originated in lower-class districts of Buenos Aires and Montevideo. The music derived from the fusion of various forms of music from Europe. Spanish settlers were the first to introduce the tango to the New World. Ballroom tango originated in working-class Buenos Aires. The dance spread quickly through Europe during the 1900's, then moved on into the United States.

Technique
Tango is danced to a repetitive style of music. The count of the music is either 16 or 32 beats. While dancing the tango, the lady is held in the crook of the mans arm. She holds her head back and rests her right hand on the man's lower hip. The man must allow the lady to rest in this position while leading her around the floor in a curving pattern. Tango dancers must strive to make a strong connection with the music as well as their audience. Music and dance elements of tango are popular in activities related to gymnastics, figure skating, synchronized swimming, etc., because of its dramatic feeling and its cultural associations with romance. For

1978 FIFA World Cup in Argentina, Adidas designed a ball and named it Tango likely a tribute to the host country of the event. This design was also used in 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain as Tango Malaga, and in 1984 and 1988 UEFA European Football Championships in France and West Germany. Several films showcase the tango, such as Scent of a Woman, Take the Lead, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, True Lies, Shall We Dance, and Frida.

How to Tango?
The tango looks quite complicated, but learning the basic steps is quite easy. In fact, youve probably already done it at least once in your life thats how popular the tango is. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you learn the tango: 1. The tango starts with a simple walk: el Paseo (the stroll). Thus, if you can walk, you can tango. 2. The basic tango rhythm is slow-slow. Step on every other beat. 3. Keep your head and posture erect but not stiff. 4. If you cant execute the more complicated moves while still keeping in time with the music, stick to the basic steps. Dont sacrifice rhythm for fancy embellishments. 5. Listen carefully to the music! Because the tango is a very slow dance, keeping in rhythm is of critical importance.

Influence of Tango on Health

Researchers believe Tango could help in neurological diseases like Parkinsons disease. Parkinson's

sufferers given tango classes showed improvements in balance and other measures not seen in another group of patients given regular exercise classes. The researchers said that while dance in general may be beneficial, tango uses several forms of movement especially relevant for Parkinson's disease patients including dynamic balance, turning, initiation of movement, moving at a variety of speeds and walking backward.