Somehow over the years, I’ve turned into something of a tango technique geek, excited about even the smallest details in our movement and new ways to explain them in my classes.

I haven’t always been this way. In my 20’s, all I wanted to do was get on with the dance. I was prepared to work hard and practice, and I knew that technique was important, but I wasn’t always as patient as I should have been about the where and the how … and every other tiny piece of the jigsaw.

So here is a little piece of tango history – and inspiration – for you: the legendary Osvaldo Pugliese at the age of 80 playing one of the most beautiful tango vales of all time: Desde El Alma in none other than the Theatre Colon, Buenos Aires.

It’s hard to imagine how many people have secretly dreamed of taking up tango only to fall at the first hurdle: a partner.

And had we told them: “Actually you don’t need a partner!”, would they have believed us?