Focus

Each week we learn steps, and in order to successfully execute and retain these steps, we must repeat them. I've noticed that I get so accustomed to doing the steps repetitively that I begin to anticipate what the leader will do next. A few partners have suddenly switched up what they were doing to see if I would be responsive, and I haven't always been. This really made me realize that I wasn't in the moment, I was actually just repeating steps in their prescribed order. Because of this tendency to get in a routine, tango has been an exercise in listening, focus, and a reminder of the fact that things won't always continue the way you assume they will. Overall, I tend to struggle with focus which, as much as I hate to admit it, sometimes makes me a terrible listener. Tango has challenged me to focus and reject my tendency to daydream while simply going through the motions. Anyway, going through the motions is not conducive to capturing the passionate and unexpected essence of tango. Nor is it any way to go about life.