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February 21, 2006

Tango #95

Solo Practice

I stand still
listening
softening the bones in my feet
to better feel the floor, the earth
I breath slowly and deeply
every cell in my body alive and working
churning out whatever is needed
creating energy
out of this ordinary, freely available air
the setting sun slants through the blinds
adding texture to the room
the space beween me and the window, the walls
the precious wide-open space
of the living room
this wonderful old warm wood floor
just the right amount of friction between it
and my worn-perfectly-smooth old sneakers
to pivot, to spin
such a gift
this floor, this space, this time
to pursue this joy
to stand here and harness gravity itself
and become
the wind

I segue between t'ai chi and tango
playing with gravity first one way, then the other
playing with this body
so interesting that I need the mirror
to see what I cannot yet feel
movements I don't realize I'm making
until I see them

a good teacher is a mirror
a very special mirror
that can see both your mistakes
and your potential
better than you can
and keep you going in the right direction

being your own teacher
requires
optimism

of course the nice thing about practice by yourself
is that it is easier
fewer variables
you can discover a lot on your own
if you are diligent
but of course it is not tango
just elements of dancing
ingredients you are stocking up on
getting the kitchen ready
everything you need at your fingertips, toetips
ready for the opportunity
to really cook

Posted by Sharon at February 21, 2006 10:15 AM

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