Tango is reaching new heights with the latest publicity around research from Germany on the positive effects of dancing tango on the emotional states of both partners. Those who dance tango regularly do it because they love the dance, tango music and the community that tango creates. But more and more fringe benefits are being discovered

Published in Music and Medicine by Cynthia Quiroga Murcia, who is a psychologist at Goethe University in Frankfurt, the latest study reveals how the dance boosts men and women’s sex hormones and emotions. These results have caught the attention of the Times Online and an in-depth report on the effect of dancing tango on a couple’s relationship explored by journalist John Naish – who confesses at the end of the article that he did give tango a try 10 years ago!

Sydney morning television took up the story and presented a short piece on the program of 18th September featuring Sydney couple, Sophia and Pedro Alvarez, who as well as being married, run the highly successful tango school, Patio de Tango and this year took out the Stage Championship at the Australian Tango Championship.

Tango in relationship counselling

Naish reports that ‘’the study participants (most of whom danced with their usual partner) were left feeling calmer, sexier and more closely bonded. Previous studies have shown that other dances don’t have this effect.”  Naish reports on a British Association of Tango Therapy based in Wales but a further dig into Google has revealed that there is an International Association of Tango Therapy based in Buenos Aires.  On their website the Association advises that Tango therapy has been ‘’proven to improve aerobic capacity and coordination.

Tango helps recovery from illness

Tango, it has been found, is also helpful in the treatment of some cardiac diseases, Alzheimer’s (a progressive, organic brain disease) and Parkinson’s (a type of paralysis).

Researchers at the University of Washington, are reported in China Daily, as finding that when patients take tango lessons their balance improves. One patient at the Borda Hospital , Buenos Aires largest psychiatric hospital said “Tango helps me walk better and there’s nothing like the embrace’’ a 37 year-old former paco (crack-like) addict Sergio Villa is undergoing treatment for partial paralysis.
In October there will be a Tango Therapy Encounter in Wales, UK for therapists to learn more about the benefits of tango and to present some of the recent findings by healthy and medical professionals.

Tango and coping with depression

In April 2008 we reported on a study at the University of New England by psychologist Rosa Pinniger on dancing tango to treat depression.  Ms Pinniger is reported  as saying that tango can ‘’switch off the automatic negative thought patterns that contribute to anxiety and depression”. TangoAustralia will report on the results of Ms Pinniger's work as they become available. 

Tango keeps us young

Tango too has been found to help prevent dementia. Keeping active physically and mentally is recommended in warding off ageing and research reported on
TangoAustralia in February by  Dr. Michael Valenzuela found that dancing, particularly tango can play an important part.

If you are not yet part of a tango community, but would like to find out more  check out the Directory of Tango Schools on this website for the school nearest to you. Or go to the Milonga Calendars where you will find where the next tango dance night is and go along as a spectator.
You can keep up to date on Tango in Australia by subscribing to the TangoAustralia newsletter .