Tango Articles

THE BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF ARGENTINE TANGO - A REVIEW By Bob Murray (dr.robert.murray1@gmail.com) It has become accepted that dancing (and Argentine Tango in particular) are beneficial for a range of conditions including dementia, Parkinson’s Disease and even old age! I have summarised a number of papers that involve a proper scientific study of the effects of dancing.. The list is far from exhaustive and I welcome information about other studies. Tango starts with a hug. Veronica Rue has said “If you don’t like hugging people, don’t dance Argentine tango”.  I will start this review with a consideration of hugging. Dr Joseph Mercola writes popular articles on a range health issues. He has numerous valid qualifications and is a member of several professional bodies. His views on hugging are spelt out on his website (1) and the following is a summary:- A consensual hug is beneficial to both parties. An optimum time is 20 seconds. Oxytocin (the “love” hormone) is...

Tai Chi and Tango by Bob Murray (dr. robert.murray1@gmail.com ) Introduction Tai Chi and Argentine Tango are concerned with movement, balance, posture and control. Both are art forms. Tai Chi has a history going back more than a 1000 years; Tango is about 120 years old. Just on that basis Tango has a lot to learn from Tai Chi. Tai Chi is performed by an individual but, for me, is enhanced with accompanying students. Tango is performed in the embrace of another person and seeks to interpret the music. Both can be performed mindfully. UNESCO (1) defined the Tango that developed in Buenos Aires and Montevideo, around 1900, as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Tango being defined as the dance, the music and the poetry. Despite Uruguay’s contribution, that definition is referring to Argentine Tango.  There is naturally artistic development and Nuevo tango encompasses changes in the music (Astor Piazzolla (2) and many modern orchestras) and changes in the danc...