Two to Tango: How dancing and mental wellbeing go hand in hand

“Argentine Tango as a dance form is not only beneficial at the physical level for exercise by keeping the body fit but on a deeper level by having a transformative effect on physical and mental well-being. The nature of the dance makes it appropriate for all age groups. Pune has a thriving tango community and once you learn Tango, you can dance in almost any large city in the world,” says Shah who left a corporate career as a strategist to be a facilitator at TangoLife.

The next step forward for TangoLife and CopeCulture is a ‘Learn to dance to Life’s rhythm’ life skills and community wellness workshop on July 1 at Sunderban in Koregaon Park.

Sucheta N K, a psychologist who set up CopeCulture along with Steffy Shaji, said the joint effort was to design a workshop with mirroring games, huddle games, community games and journaling to make dance accessible. “Many people have inhibitions about dancing. The dance form looks complex but is so accessible. When I first danced the Tango, I experienced connection, trust, positive self-belief and self-confidence that sometimes takes multiple sessions to build as a clinical practitioner,” said Sucheta.

“Post the pandemic, we have documented some incredible emotional and physical health benefits that come from touch. Research suggests that touch is truly fundamental to human communication, bonding and health. Using Tango as a tool to enhance well-being can help people of all ages identify acceptance, gratitude and compassion through the process of dancing and being in a safe space,” she added.

Shaji said, “Tango encourages listening, self awareness, ability to deal with uncertainty and learning to take one step at a time. These are life skills that are as useful in corporate settings as your personal life.”