Somebody asked me, “What is the Tango Trance?”
People have different names for it — bliss, flow, pleasure, spiritual experience, deep connection, tango love, tango moments, better than sex …
My view of the Tango Trance is that it is a state of being. This state of being can occur when 2 people experience a deep connection where their experience of the present moment shifts to a non-ordinary reality. In other words, the two people enter into a trance.
In this non-ordinary reality or trance, people experience some to all of the following: time shifting where time becomes faster or slower; deep pleasure and bliss; spiritual or peak experiences; their heart opens up where they experience love or intense deep intimate connection; being fully in their body, out of their heads.
This Tango Trance is what so many people yearn for, and is one of the biggest payoffs of becoming good at Argentine Tango. A deeper perspective of this Tango Trance is that it becomes a Kiss of the Divine (see my entry – “Tango & the Kiss of the Divine“)
The Kiss of the Divine in summary is a glimpse into connecting with ALL, and is to most people a spiritual experience. I believe that Argentine Tango offers a unique opportunity over most dances where the deepest connection can be found.
To enter a Tango Trance, a lot can be involved. Deep connection must be established, and when we are first learning Tango, learning how to walk takes our utmost attention. In time, we can be in our body, responding unconsciously to the music, while putting the majority of our focus on the connection with our partner.
Once you experience a Tango Trance, Argentine Tango takes on a whole other dimension. Another note: it is far easier for a follow to experience a trance for they do not have to focus on navigation or choreography. However, leads can get to this place of Tango Trance with enough training and focus on the being of Tango, not the steps. Even though I have not danced for that long, I consistently drop into this trance.
I address many elements of connection in my PlayShop – It Takes Two: Creating The Tango Trance Connection, which when learned, adapted and integrated results in deeper connection and ultimately more Tango Trances!