Guest Post: Happy in the Flow by Jane Prusakova


Guest post from Jane Prusakova

“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” – Buddha  (Epigraph borrowed from Zen Habits - Guide to Achieving Flow and Happiness in Your Work )

Flow is a state of being when a person is fully focused on a task at hand, feels happy and in control, is creative and productive.  The time and space (environment) outside of the task cease to exist, past and future drop off the horizon.  There is only a happy, glorious, challenging NOW.  

Tango is ultimate flow-producing activity – the music and interaction within the couple (and with the rest of the floor) require complete concentration, the challenge and creativity are infinite, and dancers are fully in control.  All of which leads to a fairly easy conclusion that tango equals happiness.  

Except it does not.  There is a whole lot of frustration out on the pista.  Leads upset that the follow is not doing what they are leading when they are leading it.  Followers are nervous that they are not doing enough decorations at the appropriate spots in the music.  Both partners worried how they look to the spectators, whether they are about to run into another couple, and how much damage is about to be done to their reputation, hairstyle and their partner’s ego if they don’t start on “one”.  How do we get from here to the Flow? 

I do not have a simple answer.  “How to experience tango Flow” isn’t a class many instructors offer (although some come close).   Yet, as more people join the community, it is important to both learn and teach what it is that makes us happy, creative and productive – or at least feel that way.

Practica de la Leona - June 30th, 2013




Add to your Google calendar:


When: Sunday, June 30th,

SPECIAL FREE CLASS 12:00-12:30pm:
Foot Technique and Care for a more graceful, grounded, and comfortable lifetime of dancing! (for men and women!)

Practica de la Leona: from 12:30pm-3:00pm

Where: 8650 Spicewood Springs Rd #104 Austin, TX 78759 (Austin Bellydance Studio)

Cost: by donation
DJ: Juan Marcos

(On the opposite end of the shopping center from Big Lots - near Cupprimo and Liberty Pharmacy.)

A map can be found on Bahaia's "Instruction" page.

Description: The next Practica de la Leona will be Sunday, June 30th from 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm at Austin Bellydance Studio. Come practice what our wonderful visiting instructors have been teaching us with wonderful friends on a great floor!

There will be a FREE CLASS from 12:00-12:30pm: Foot Technique and Care for a more graceful, grounded, and comfortable lifetime of dancing! (For men and women!)

Then later, let's see everyone at Tapestry Practica - 2302 Western Trails, Austin, TX 78745!

Bottled water will be provided along with snacks. Feel free to bring treats to enjoy or share, but please understand that the owner of the studio would prefer that we keep food, and non-water beverages away from the dance floor and enjoy them instead in the back room area.

There is plenty of free parking in the shopping center, plus places to eat etc.

Please send any suggestions, feedback etc., any time - and thank you all for your support and ideas. Also, Betsi would be happy to rent out her studio space for any classes, workshops, private lessons etc., and for the summer, the schedule is very open. One time bookings are $30 an hour for the space. Weekly bookings are $25/hr. Please contact Betsi Robins (Bahaia) at bahaiatx(at)yahoo.com for more information.

abrazos y besos!
-Mari 





PS - I will have my items for sale again this time for my Tanguera Clothing and Accessories Sale. See more information and pictures here (note some items have sold, please let me know if you have questions.):  Tanguera Practica Sale to raise money to go to Labor Day Tango Festival!