Absorption and deep attunement is possible in a dance class

Absorption and deep attunement is possible in a dance class

I love using the mirror game to get people warmed up and attuned.

Sometimes using props helps us focus

Sometimes using props helps us focus

Alex and Alice working with a ball at Oxygen Tango. Over the years they have done a lot of great work partnering together and gave some beautiful public demos. 

A mini-stage for student performance

A mini-stage for student performance

I have learned so much from doing demos and performances, so I wanted to create demo opportunities for our students too. 

The beginning of a recital

The beginning of a recital

I have noticed how much more and faster people learn when they have a goal in mind! Some of the programs I've created at Oxygen Tango use goals like a recital to bring more juice and motivation to the learning process. 

Talking about the embrace

Talking about the embrace

How we embrace to ensure comfort is a big part of Tango! In this workshop Stefan and I were playfully bringing awareness to unconscious habits in the embrace. 

A really, really big circle!

A really, really big circle!

This was a beginner series I taught at Caltech. It was exciting to work with a huge group and find creative ways to reach everyone. (That's me, all the way on the other side with my hands on the ground.)

Group writing and reflection project

Group writing and reflection project

At the San Francisco Tango Exchange, I facilitated a group activity on community and invited people to write their thoughts about community on the floor before discussing it together. 

Balancing interpersonal exploration with personal reflection

Balancing interpersonal exploration with personal reflection

As an intraverted person, I find it useful to create opportunities in group classes and workshops for people to go inward and connect with themselves, as well as outward to connect with others. 

A little playfulness helps everyone relax

A little playfulness helps everyone relax

At Tango de los Muertos, organizers Carlos and Tova Moreno gave out these blue antennae. I noticed how much more students have fun when the facilitator is relaxed!  

Teachers need to dance inspiringly!

Teachers need to dance inspiringly!

As a teacher, we need to stay in practice and be able to perform in a way that kindles the mood of Tango, evokes inspiration and motivation in students. 

Learning and community begins with a circle

Learning and community begins with a circle

I love circles: they are non-hierarchical, inclusive, and connecting. 

The Tango labyrinth

The Tango labyrinth

I love labyrinths, and here is one that we made together as a community. It was not only a neat project to do together, and a beautiful tool to facilitate reflective contemplation - it also was a great floorcraft challenge! 

Learning and socializing go hand in hand

Learning and socializing go hand in hand

I love this tight little group of dancers hanging out and talking together in the middle of the dance floor. In friendly and relaxed settings like this we learn so much about Tango and connection. This was at the Tango Slumber Party I put on at Vivien LeMothe's Weller House Inn with Amy Zhou. 

A big happy connected class

A big happy connected class

Me with a beginner class at Caltech. Many times engineers and analytical people really click with Tango. It's often the combination of Tango's structure, and how much it contributes to connection in their lives! 

Checking for understanding

Checking for understanding

It's easy to tell someone what they should do. But as teachers we also need to constantly focus on the learner and check for understanding. How are they taking it in? 

Reaching together joyfully

Reaching together joyfully

I was leading the group in a game involving an imaginary parachute here...I love giving people the chance to let their inner child out.