Comments on The Tango Addiction: From Tango to Fencing

Hi Michael! Actually, we didn't get to that while ...

2009-06-09T14:03:39.700-07:00

Hi Michael!
Actually, we didn't get to that while in BsAs, so I have no information, but I am pretty sure you can find out before your trip.
Have a great time and let us know how it goes. Happy dancing/fencing!!
Abrazos,
Malena

Hello, I am one of the students at the Martinez Ac...

2009-06-09T00:40:05.258-07:00

Hello, I am one of the students at the Martinez Academy, though I'm sure I missed your visits last year. I'm on my way to Buenos Aires for a week. By any chance, did you come across any fencing while you were dancing?

And, indeed, everything you noticed were spot on. Certainly my dancing lessons helped my fencing very much.

Many thanks.

I just want to give a shout out to Maestro Ramone ...

2009-02-15T00:55:00.000-08:00

I just want to give a shout out to Maestro Ramone Martinez. Please share other stories you hear about Maestro Rhodes.

I also want to say the fencing and tango complement each other. However, I would reserve fencing to refer to historical and classical fencing. Both considers leverage, distance, and time.

Hello LT,Thank you for visiting our blog. We unfo...

2008-04-28T14:24:00.000-07:00

Hello LT,

Thank you for visiting our blog. We unfortunately haven't been keeping up with our fencing. : ( Life, work and tango kind of got in the way of that.

We can definitely see parallels between fencing and tango. It was interesting that a few students asked if we're dancers on our first day... and we're just practicing a few engarde positions. I guess both sports require you to develop a strong command of your body.

I really believe that non-verbal conversations are really the purest form of communication between two human beings.

Happy fencing & happy dancing! (...not in any particular order.)

; )
besos,
Eva

Ah happy memories. I did somewhat the reverse from...

2008-04-24T02:40:00.000-07:00

Ah happy memories. I did somewhat the reverse from you. I started with fencing and the moved to tango. In the same academy as you though. I still remember Maestro R doing his funny impression of Catherine Zeta Jones fencing.

I found that having a background in fencing really helped me when I started tango (something which I still write about today).
Taking a three hour fencing class means that a one hour tango class is easy in comparison. It also help me develop my ability to remember sequences of movements. When people comment on the serious expression I hold when things are being explained I joke that I come from a background where if you didn't listen you would have several pounds of steel hurtling towards you. Interestingly it was also realising the parallels between fencing and tango that allowed me break down those patterns and sequences that I can remember so well.
But most importantly it was the ability to interact physically and non-nonverbally in very subtle ways. Maestro R's master, Maestro Rhodes, was known to declare that there were three was to get to really know someone: fence them, dance with them, or sleep with them.

Hi M,I was so inspired after your post that I cont...

2008-01-11T12:48:00.000-08:00

Hi M,

I was so inspired after your post that I contacted one of the schools here in SF. Their adult foil class is unfortunately on the same night as one of my milongas, so I'm going to look into the option of private lessons. I'll keep you up to date, to be sure.

I just posted a little present for both of you on my blog. I look forward to hearing about your adventures with fencing.

Have a great weekend. You made my day.

xo

Dear TB!It's really incredible that you have taken...

2008-01-11T11:38:00.000-08:00

Dear TB!
It's really incredible that you have taken fencing! Eva was telling me the other day that tango and fencing seem to attract the same type of people and it certainly seems so! Please do keep us posted on what happens. We can all do this together :)
I will check out the book. We are fascinated by the history behind fencing as well and can't wait to learn more. I wish you can just take it all in at once... On the other hand, there is an exquisite pleasure in getting to know an art such as fencing - just like tango it could make for an unforgetable time in the process... I am just hoping it doesn't have the potential to be all consuming as tango does. I can use a reprieve...
Thank you, TB, for being so wonderful! Besos!
M

Dear Eva and Malena,This post has been a breath of...

2008-01-11T10:12:00.000-08:00

Dear Eva and Malena,

This post has been a breath of fresh air this morning while I am still getting over this rotten cold.

I was so excited to read about your exploration of fencing. My desire to learn fencing surely comes from watching Errol Flynn and The Adventures of Robin Hood as a kid.

A little over a year ago, I started taking fencing lessons at the Stanford Fencing Club and was really enjoying it. Our club was not as strict as yours, especially regarding the dress code, but it's run by a former Olympian fencer and my teacher was also a medalist. They were all business, but fun and encouraging as well. (As you know, fencing is harder than it looks!)

Then, we moved to San Francisco and it was too far for me to commute just for fencing school, so I stopped (and of course, picked up more tango in the bargain). But my fencing mask, jacket, foil and glove sit unloved in my equipment bag in the garage.

Your post has inspired me to get out there again and get back into fencing. You're right, it is great exercise and a fun way to get into shape. Be warned that, although you do wear padding and protection, don't be surprised when you find yourself covered in small bruises. But at least if someone asks you, you can tell them you got them in a duel!

BTW, a really great book that discusses the history of fencing is The Art and Science of Fencing by Nick Evangelista. Funny enough, fencing, like tango, was considered quite scandalous and common for a long time!

Thanks for the inspiration this morning!

tag! you are it... See my blog for details:)

2008-01-11T01:00:00.000-08:00

tag! you are it... See my blog for details:)