Date	Morning  10:00 -11:30	Afternoon  17:00-18:30	Night  21:00-24:00
Fri, July 21		Check-in	Milonga / Tango Dance
Sat, July 22	Walking Dance Meditation	Tango Class, "Dance Here Now" Close embrace, connection, communication and walk	Milonga / Tango Dance
Sun, July 23	Walking Dance Meditation	Tango Class, "Express our own nature" Various ocho-cortados	Milonga / Tango Dance
Mon, July 24	Break	No class	Milonga / Tango Dance
Tue, July 25	Walking Dance Meditation	Tango Class, "Practice, practice, practice" Turn, turn, turn like a merry-go-around	Milonga / Tango Dance
Wed, July 26	Walking Dance Meditation	Tango Class, "Music: The heart of Tango" Vals: even your ears must dance.	Milonga / Tango Dance
Thu, July 27	Walking Dance Meditation	Tango Class, "Letting go" Milonga: zen mind in the freest body	Milonga / Tango Dance
Fri, July 28	Check-out

Times for meditation sessions and classes and tango class topics are subject to change. 

Class Fee*	225 Euros	per person
	425 Euros	per couple
Room	95 Euros per night for 2 persons	Full board: 30 Euros Half board: 15 Euros
Suite Junior	135 Euros per night for 2 persons 155 Euros per night for 4 persons	Full board: 30 Euros Half board: 15 Euros

* covering all morning meditation sessions, afternoon tango classes, and nightly milongas (dance) for 7 days. 

Can one dance Tango to meditate? Everybody knows meditation is a good thing.  For example, Zen meditation, if practiced properly, may create balance, calmness, groundedness, centering, and harmony in mind and body.  However, it is difficult to meditate for many reasons.  Meditation is mainly practiced while sitting with legs crossed to support and ground one's body.  Unfortunately this sitting posture can give uncomfortable feelings and even pains before you benefit from the meditation practice.  In addition, despite the importance of practicing meditation regularly, it can be difficult to stick to it with regularity due to the hectic life style we run everyday. 

Can one meditate while moving around instead of sitting down?   Although it appears to be sedate and passive, Zen meditation can also be practiced in more active ways than the sitting posture.  For example, walking meditation has been practiced among Buddhists since the Buddha himself practiced it. Other forms of Zen meditation in motion can also be found in sports and performing arts. 

Tango is a walking dance -- a special gift from Argentina to the world. Unlike Tango images of sexy and provocative movements commonly featured in media, Tango is a social dance that should be danced while walking.  Of course, one embraces the partner and listens to music while walking. Benefits of Tango dancing can be explained in many aspects including social, physical, and emotional; however, it is interesting to note that the effects and benefits of meditation are experienced and shared among avid Tango dancers. 

Yes, one can dance Tango to meditate. As stated above, Zen is a meditation practice.  Besides many associated benefits, its main goal is to discover and reconcile with one's own nature. To reach that goal, Zen teaches us to devote 100% of our attention to what we are doing Here Now.   Tango is a dance of connection, uniting one and one's partner while walking and listening to music -- together. Tango can be fully enjoyed, as many Tango dancers experienced, only if one completely surrenders to and connects with one's partner, both physically and emotionally, while dancing.  Therefore, once recognizing similarities and benefits between them, one can properly unite and practice Tango and Zen.  In other words, one can meditate while dancing Tango, experiencing deeper appreciation of physical, emotional, and even spiritual aspect of inner-self.  That is, one can practice Tango Zen: Meditation in Motion. 

This retreat introduces Tango Zen, an innovative yet natural idea of meditating while dancing Tango. Using the striking similarities between the two, this workshop will also introduce methods through which both tango dancers and non-dancers can practice Tango Zen to experience and enjoy the wonderful benefits, which both Tango and Zen have to offer. 

For tango dancers, this workshop will help enhance understanding of posture, groundedness, connection, sensibility, movement, balance, centering, etc. by practicing a number of exercises adapted from other martial arts, mediation techniques, and sports. 

For more information on Tango Zen, please visit http://TangoZen.com.  Inquiries on Tango Zen and/or the workshop can be directed to Chan on TangoZen@hotmail.com. For more information on direction, transportation, and room and board, please contact Isabella on info@el-mirlo-blanco.com or visit http://el-mirlo-blanco.com (Spanish). 

In 2005



• Workshop in Washington DC, February 12, 2005
• Workshop in Lenox, MA, March 11-12, 2005
• Workshop in Portland, OR, March 26-27, 2005
• Workshop in Virginia Beach, VA, April 23-24, 2005
• Workshop in Woodstock, NY, April 30, 2005
• Workshop in Montreal, Canada, May 14-15, 2005
• Retreat in Tecate, Mexico, July 2-9, 2005
  
• Workshop in San Diego, CA, July 9-10, 2005
• Workshop in London, UK, July 23,  2005
• Retreat in Venice, Italy, July 25-August 1, 2005
• Workshop in Linden, VA, August 20, 2005
• Workshop in Charleston, SC, August 27-28, 2005
• Workshop in Worcester, MA, September 17-28, 2005

Others

• October 2004, conducted Tango Zen workshop in  Seoul and Taejeon,  Korea
• October 2004, conducted Tango Zen workshop in Singapore
  
• July 2004, hosted Tango Zen Retreat in Chassignolles, France
• July 2004, conducted Tango Zen Workshop in Utrecht, The Netherlands
• February 2004, conducted Tango Zen Workshop, San Francisco, California
• February 2004, conducted Tango Zen Workshop, Silver Spring, Maryland
• December 2003, conducted Tango Zen Workshop, Buenos Aires, Argentina
• July 2003, guest instructors in Tango Festival, Prayssac, France
• April 2003, provided coaching to Cirque Du Soleil Dralion Team
• March 2003, class instructors in Washington DC Tango Marathon
• December 2002, conducted tango workshop in Seoul, Korea
• October 2002, class instructors at Tango Festival, Portland, Oregon
• March 2002, conducted tango workshop in Seoul and Taejeon, Korea
• July 2001, conducted tango workshop in St. Petersburg, Russia
• June 2001, conducted tango workshop in Vilnius, Lithuania
• October 1999, class instructors at Washington DC Tango Festival

I appreciate the constant care and attention you gave us, a very good example of zen in practice!

...really enjoyed the workshop.  I think it really helped.  Tango is so different from other dances... you have a very interesting approach to teaching it!

 I loved your workshop! I particularly liked the exercises in the beginning that focus ones awareness on the details of movement. For me, that awareness not only helped me to relax, but also helped me to detach from overanalyzing and allowed me to get to the place of feeling the energy and hence connection with partner. I was able to be in a meditative state rather than getting hung up on patterns. This flow of energy then makes it possible as a follower to follow anything that comes.......hallelujah! In my Buddhist practice I have done a lot of walking meditation and these exercises were similar. It allows one to transcend one's mind and then be natural. So, I really appreciate your direction and encourage you to continue. This is new to the tango community. But there are some that are ready for this method of teaching and more and more people will discover its effect.

...we loved it...I think it was just right..we have worked now with several teachers of the tango and ended up feeling competent and clumsy...the first one started with the most complicated steps, the second with less complicated steps but high expectations, and you two, just giving permission to settle into our bodies and feel at placing weight on one foot then on the other was so sane...we love the dance and hope some day to actually be able to do it and I think you are on to something here with this zen idea...we will come back and try again...thanks so much...I also have a long time meditation practice so your reference to meditation was very helpful...thankyou

 Though it appears that Zen meditation is a discipline in 'introspective meditation', Chan and Eugenia showed us how to walk the 'meditative walk' with a partner and not be distracted by anything around us. It truly was a great  meditative and communal experience I suspect only a few people actually achieve in dancing tango.

Full Name:
Partner's Name (if any):
Address:
Country:
Phone Number:
E-mail Address:
Source of information of the Retreat:
(e.g., web site, advertisement, etc)
 
 

1. What is Tango Zen Retreat?

Tango Zen Retreat is a week-long event, where participants will experience Tango Zen, an innovative yet natural idea of meditating while dancing Tango.  For more information on Tango Zen, please visit http://TangoZen.com.

2. What kind of activities does the Retreat offer?

Daily activities of the Retreat include morning Tango Zen (Walking Dance Meditation) session, afternoon Tango class/Practica, and nightly milonga (Tango dance). The participants -both tango dancers and non-dancers- will practice a number of exercises, through which they can experience and enjoy the wonderful benefits, which both Tango and Zen have to offer. Focus will be placed on breathing, posture, being mindful of oneself, connecting with one's partner and music, centering, weight-shifting, and walking in close embrace. 

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3. Where will the Retreat be held?

The Retreat will be held at El Mirlo Blanco Center, near village Candeleda, which is in the region of Avila, approximatly 150km from Madrid.

Address:
El Mirlo Blanco-Centro de turismo rural Ctra.
Candeleda -Madrigal, Km. 2,1 05480 Candeleda Ávila
Tel. 615 88 05 72
http://www.el-mirlo-blanco.com

4. What is El Mirlo Blonco Center like?

In a countryside area, near Candeleda, little town of 6000 people (Major´s hollydays place),in the middle of a oaks forest near a lagoon and with the Gredos range like background in a 17000sq.met. 19 bungalows, a Conference Hall for 50 people and a Social Center,with Cafeteria and Restaurant.Garden with swiming-pool and a Finnish sauna.4 of the bungalows are Junior´s Suite (Two rooms,bathroom with jacuzzi or hydromassage bath, A.a, phone, TV 17 channels,Minibar and a private terrace) and the other 15th two-bed rooms, (hydromassage shower,TV 17 channels,phone,minibar, private terrace).

The center has the following facilities: Parking, Swimingpool, Finnish sauna, Restaurant-Cafeteria, Social center, Conference Hall, Garden, etc.

 See photos below.

5. Does the Center have a wood floor for the Retreat activities?

El Mirlo Blanco has a Conference Hall for the Retreat activities including morning meditation sessions, tango classes, and nightly dances (milongas).    See a photo below.

6. What kind of food does El Mirlo Blanco serve?
Details will follow. 

7. How do I get there from Madrid?

Details will follow.  Contact Julieta for more information.

8. Can we swim at the El Mirlo Blanco Cener?
 
There is a swimming pool as shown below.

9. What else are there to do?
 
Check this site http://el-mirlo-blanco.com/actividades.htm.  More info will follow. 

         

10. Do I have to have prior knowledge on Tango and/or Zen? I don't know much about Zen or Tango but I'm interested in your Retreat. 

You don't necessarily have to have any knowledge or experience in Tango and/or Zen.  Your open mind, a beginner's mind so to speak, will help you enjoy the event.

11. Do I need a partner to participate in the Retreat?

Partner is not required but encouraged.

12. What is the maximum number of participants you will accept?
 
Maximum is 40 participants.

Please let me know if you have any other questions. 

See you at the Retreat.

Chan
TangoZen@hotmail.com
 

Week-end de Tango Zen 
Candeleda, en Espagne, 21-23 juillet, 2006

Chers amis,

Nous aimerions vous convier à notre week-end de tango & médiation, qui se
tiendra à El Mirlo Blanco Center, aux alentours de Candeleda, en Espagne. Le
programme de ce week-end inclut, dans le cadre de Tango Zen Retreat, des
sessions de Tango Zen et bien sûr, nous aurons une milonga tous les soirs.


Tango Zen innove sur une idée somme toute naturelle, selon laquelle la pratique
du tango offre une opportunité à la méditation. En s'appuyant sur les
similarités frappantes entre le Tango et le concept Zen, ce week-end de classes
présentera certaines méthodes grâce auxquelles les danseurs, quelque soit leur
niveau, comme les néophytes pourront apprécier les bénéfices de l'intégration
Tango-Zen.

Pour plus d'informations, veuillez vous reporter au site Internet suivant :
http://www.TangoZen.com/spain.

Ainsi que : Chan et Eugenia Park, http://www.TangoZen.com

Quand : du 21 au 23 juillet 2006
Où : El Mirlo Blanco-Centro de turismo rural Ctra. 
Candeleda -Madrigal, Km. 2,1 05480 Candeleda Ávila 
Tel. 615 88 05 72
http://www.el-mirlo-blanco.com

Programme

Vendredi 21 juillet:
21h - 1h Milonga

Samedi 22 juillet:
10h - 11h30 Cours Tango Zen I: « le corps se déplace, l'esprit vogue »
Ce cours introduit les concepts de base de la méditation zen, la respiration et
le positionnement du corps, certains exercices propres à nous rendre plus
conscients de la musique et de notre partenaire, avec une emphase particulière
sur notre axe, les changements de poids du corps et la marche dans le style
milonguero.

17h - 18h30 : Cours de Tango : Tango Class, "Dance Here Now" 
Close embrace, connection, communication and walk

21h - 3h Milonga

Dimanche 23 juillet:
10h - 11h30 Cours Tango Zen II: « l'esprit Tango Zen, l'esprit du débutant »
Ce cours se centrera sur la fusion entre l'esprit et le corps, à l'aide de
quelques mouvements simples de tango basé sur une pleine conscience de soi, et
montrera comment ajouter de la complexité à votre tango au travers de mouvements
simples.

17h - 18h30 Cours de tango : Tango Class, "Express our own nature" 
Various ocho-cortados

21h - minuit : Milonga

Tarifs : 15 euros pour chaque classe, 12 euros pour milonga.

Pour toute question et pour vous inscrire, veuillez envoyer un message
électronique à TangoZen@hotmail.com. Des informations complémentaires  sur Tango
Zen sont disponibles sur le site http://www.TangoZen.com. Pour vous rendre à le
Centro, visitez le site http://el-mirlo-blanco.com, toute information
supplémentaire sur les chambres peut être obtenue auprès de Julieta
(info@el-mirlo-blanco.com)