Optimal Lifestyle: empowerment + awareness + dance + physio + fitness
BODY MIND SPIRIT
TANGO ART
Testimonials of my students in Denmark (leaders, teachers, researchers, therapists, psychologists) with whom I tested my Method for the first time in 2014...
'...It is my ernest hope that Marta succeeds in spreading her methodology, that it be adopted by other dance teachers, as it seems to me she has discovered something that has the potential to be revolutionary, in that it enables accelerated learning and enables people to re-connect with their bodies and with each other...'
01
'...no one else I have encountered is able to deconstruct fluid body movement and articulate so well—with words, with , with touch—the body mechanics of dance, so that the student is immediately able to grasp very quickly what is required. Most instructors teach figure- or pattern-based instructional methods, but Marta’s method focuses on having the student (re-)connect with their own body and move it in the way that the demonstration characterises the particular dance—be it tango, salsa, or whatever. Once the student is connected with their own body, she introduces improvisation, something that figure/pattern-based dance instruction has robbed so many students of the confidence to do. Many tango instructors talk about tango being an improvised dance, but Marta is the first instructor whom I have met that teaches it that way...this accelerates learning; the students feel empowered and gain confidence very quickly. Her students invariably feel good. I am not sure if that is the intention, but it certainly is a bi-product of the methods that she uses and this aids the learning process. The other aspect of the method is that it is not a generic “one-size-fits-all” instruction, but is tailored to individuals and their unique needs. In these respects, Marta’s approach is holistic.'
Marc Honore Technical Writer at Siemens Wind Power (past: IBM Team Leader
02
‘Marta is teaching tango body awareness, focusing on the inner sensations instead of steps and figures. She taught me to dance from the inside and out and gave me a basis of tango technique & knowledge that has progressed my beginner tango considerably in these two month that I have trained with her twice a week, in groups- and private lessons.
Marta’s approach is hands-on with a lot of body contact. And you are provided with an extensive tool box to continue the process of working with your body on your own.
To me Marta teaches and embody the ultimate tango experience: the sensual joy in dancing and the ability to connect at a deep and intimate level, body to body and soul to soul.
Although Marta’s approach is not therapeutic, I would say that the result is: through my interaction with Marta as a role model, it has made it easier for me as a new dancer to dwell in the healing closeness of the tango embrace.’
Charlotte Mikkelsen, M.A. & Psychotherapist
03
'I have heard many instructors tell their students, that they must strive to be light, but they do not explain the mechanics of how to do this. Marta is the first instructor that I met who was able to show me, through her deconstruction and understanding of body mechanics, how to actually achieve this state. I had lost confidence that I would ever be able to achieve this lightness, or that I even understood what it meant, but I learned it and understood it during the course of a single private lesson with Marta.'
04
'Marta is one of the most competent and effective trainers and professional communicators that I have ever encountered. I am a professional courseware developer and technical writer, with nearly 25 years of experience in developing information and training for large firms, including IBM and Siemens; I give her my highest recommendation and I would encourage anyone with an interest in dancing or teaching dance, to seek her out and take instruction from her.'
05
‘I am getting in contact to myself. Getting out of the spin in my head into the sensations of my body. I feel free from my body - free to dance and improvise in dance. Free to be in the music, free to be in the mood of the tango. And at the same time completely being my body. Being present. I have the feeling, that to be my body is the only way to be free... To be present – in dance and in life – is to be free. Life is a tango.
I am very grateful to Marta and her way of teaching. She has encouraged me and given me curiosity and glimpses of this way of being, and giving me tools to continue the investigation.’
Else Najbjerg Senior Lecturer at VIA University College
06
‘In November and December 2014 I have participated in 4 workshops and 1 seminar. What I find particularly interesting about your method, is its thorough focus on using the muscles without creating tension, its focus on preparing each step in a tango and perceiving contact through energetic centres in the body - as well as its potential focus on developing healing energies in a tango. Some of the exercises have been unclear to me, and I
have not yet been able to actually use what I have learned from you in a tango. But I very much like your ambition to teach such delicate tango topics and your enthusiasm in doing so.’
Anja (MA in Rhetoric)
07
‘Marta is a great teacher and pedagogue. Besides the physical knowledge she has a very large tango knowledge and experience.
She is very alert and spots the deficiencies of her students immediately and she has a very large toolbox of techniques that she uses to fix the problems. Every student is treated individually with great enthusiasm. And very importantly, the problems and the solutions are not only described verbally and theoretically. Body contact is used to explain the problems and the solutions. This is a very efficient teaching method.
My results so far: Marta's classes have improved my tango skills drastically in a short time. My bad physical habits have been improved and my dance has shifted from mechanical execution of choreography to wonderful improvised sensual dance.’
Elmer Sandvad Ph.d in Computer Science
08
'...one word to describe my experience and my impression of you Marta! PROFOUND.’
...you have given me back my confidence and belief in myself Marta. I cannot express how much that means to me. Thank you.’
Marc
DANCE FITNESS - PERSONAL TRAINING - POSTURE CORRECTION - CORE STRENGTH - WEIGHT LOSS - MUSCLE TONE - ELASTICITY - OPEN JOINTS - BALANS - NO MORE PAIN!