 
Here are the answers to your most frequent questions. If you have a query which isn't covered here, please feel free to contact us !
 Isn’t tango that dance with a rose between the teeth?
That’s ballroom tango, Argentine tango’s very distant cousin. Both started from the same humble beginnings – in the slums of Buenos Aires – but they have become two totally different dances.
Argentine tango is a very subtle, soft and beautiful dance. It is often different to people's expectations. Have a look at our videos to get a better idea!
We teach Argentine tango like it is danced in Buenos Aires, where tango is more than a dance, it is a way of life. We’d like you to discover this fascinating world with us.
Do I need a partner?
Absolutely not! Come alone, with a partner or with friends – it’s up to you. We rotate partners during the class so you get to meet and dance with everybody.
Do I need to book beforehand?
That depends on whether you're taking our drop-in classes or one of our weekend courses.
Our drop-in classes are on Monday - Thursday nights and there is no need to book beforehand - just turn up! For all the info, click here!
If you're taking one of our weekend courses however, you do need to pre-book to secure your place. Click here to see our current line-up of courses!
What clothes should I wear?
Anything comfortable is fine, as long as it doesn’t restrict movement (e.g. a tight skirt). All our studios are air-conditioned. It is always a good idea to come in something warm that you can take off if you get hot.
What shoes should I wear?
Most people don't come to their first class with tango shoes. You can come in ordinary shoes. Ideally they should have a leather sole, so can glide more easily - trainers or rubber-soled shoes make tango movements difficult. For ladies, high heels are better, although try to ensure they don't easily slip off - otherwise you'll spend most of the class trying to keep them on your feet!
Which level should I start at?
If you have already taken tango classes elsewhere and are unsure of your level, we’ve formulated a level guide to help you. If you have any doubts at all, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Can I really start at any time? I don't need to wait for a new term or course?
Our drop-in classes are ongoing and there is no start date as such.
We have drop-in classes for different levels on different nights of the week. For example if you're a beginner, simply turn up on on any Wednesday ... at any time during the year!
The level will always be suitable for beginners. There will be people who have never taken a tango step before, there will be others who have ... but you will all be beginners!
How long will tango take me to learn?
This is such a difficult question to answer! Once you start exploring the wonderful world of tango, you'll find an incredibly rich dance that you could spend a life time perfecting. However it doesn't take a life time to learn the basics ... far from it! With clear and structured teaching, you can learn the basics within a relatively short space of time. And if you want to become a "good" dancer ... whatever that might mean ... well, you have an exciting journey ahead of you!
Do I need a dance background?
Not at all. In fact, when tango was first born at the end of the 19th century in Buenos Aires, it was danced by ordinary people, not professional dancers.
Once I've learnt some tango is there anywhere that I can go to dance?
Yes, that's the wonderful thing about tango. With many dances, your experience ends once the class finishes. Even ballroom dancing offers surprisingly few opportunities for social dancing.
In tango, there are venues all over the world (and all over London) called "milongas", tango clubs where you can dance socially. Our classes are designed to prepare you for the milonga and are a great way of meeting a network of people with whom to explore this new world.
We are happy to advise you on the different options around town on different nights of the week.
In addition, every couple of months we run Tango Movement Nights Out. These are very popular and always well attended. For our newer students, they are a great opportunity to take their first steps in a milonga, surrounded by people they've already met - and danced with - in class. For our longer-standing students, they are a perfect excuse for a great night of music, dance and good friends!
Why learn in a gym studio?
We want to teach tango in the most professional environment possible, with all the facilities that make learning easy.
We carefully select our venues based on the following criteria:
· Ideal central London location close to bars and restaurants
· Clean, air-conditioned studios with sprung floors to avoid injury and ceiling to floor mirrors.
· Easy walking distance from a tube
· Free parking in the evenings
· Comfortable waiting area for students who arrive early
Should I try your Wednesday night beginners’ class or sign up for Beginners Crash Course?
That’s up to you. Perhaps you’d prefer to try just one class – then the Wednesday night beginners class is for you. Or maybe you’d prefer an intensive course or weekends just happen to be better for you. Everyone's needs and preferences are different and, by offering a number of different options, we try to cater for as many as we can.
I've never danced in my life - is the Beginners class on a Wednesday night suitable for me?
Absolutely! Every week we have new students, some of whom have never danced tango before, others who have never taken a dance step in their life. So you'll be in good company!
There'll also be others in the class that, whilst still Beginners, have been coming to our Beginners classes for a while. Far from putting you off, this is actually a bonus as they help you pick up the fundamentals quicker.
I’ve done the Beginners Crash Course, now what?
Depending on demand, we often run Recent Beginners Courses on weekends for those who have completed our Beginners Crash Course. Otherwise, we have weekday evening drop-in classes for Beginners and Improvers.
How will I know when it is time to move up a level?
We monitor the progress of each of our students carefully and will let you know when we think you're ready to move up to the next level. We don't believe in rushing through the levels at the expense of making real progress. Please always feel free to ask us at any time whether we think your level is right for any class.
Do I need a partner?
No! It is such a shame because many people never start tango because they have the misconception that you need a partner to come to class.
In our classes, we change partners regularly - every couple of tangos. This gives everyone the chance to dance with everyone and is a very common technique in tango teaching to ensure that you get used to the feel of dancing with different partners and become a more versatile dancer.
Sometimes couples request that they stay together during the class. This is no problem at all and they simply stay together when everyone else changes.
But I'll eventually need to find a partner right?
Not really, no! This may be the case in other partner dances but not in tango.
Tango is a social dance and there are places all over London (called "milongas") where you can dance. Here people dance with different people all night long, even with strangers. Once you've learnt how to tango, you should be able to dance with someone you've never met before and mysteriously move as one! This is very magical and, although there may be someone you enjoy dancing with most of all, there is no need to limit yourself to one partner!
And do most people come in couples?
We get a real mixture of people coming to our classes - couples and singles - although it's probably fair to say that the majority come alone.
Some come to class as something new to share with their partner, others have got a partner at home who simply doesn't fancy tango and the rest are free and single! And yes, we've had a number of relationships blossum through our classes, several marriages and, wonderfully, two Tango Movement babies!
Is there practice time after the class?
Yes, we have free practice time after the classes for about half an hour.
Do you run milongas?
Milongas are places where people can dance tango socially. We don't run them ourselves but the aim of our classes is to prepare our students for dancing in the milonga. We are therefore happy to advise you on what's on in London on different nights of the week.
In addition, every couple of months we run Tango Movement Nights Out. These are very popular and always well attended. For our newer students, they are a great opportunity to take their first steps in a milonga, surrounded by people they've already met - and danced with - in class. For our longer-standing students, they are a perfect excuse for a great night of music, dance and good friends!
What are the health benefits?
Tango enhances mind and body wellness. In essence, it involves walking - sometimes gently, sometimes more powerfully - turning, torsion and balance. This low impact exercise tones the body - especially from waist down - and improves posture and carriage.
But above all, by connecting to another person and to the music, tango is incredibly therapeutic. The focus required takes you a million miles from the stresses of every day life and boosts emotional wellbeing ... pure escapism!
Studies have also shown tango enhances self-esteem, makes you feel sexier and increases testosterone levels!
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