We see Tango as a force for good in the world
Service to the self
We believe that incorporating a Tango practice into our lives has benefits on many levels: it improves physical health, emotional health, even spiritual health according to some! Ultimately we see it as a meditative practice that honors the body’s natural desire to move and share. Pursing it in a disciplined way allows us to experience a new standard of connection that feels great. Tango also acts as a powerful incentive to avoid substances that are harmful to the body and mind (except coffee!).
Service to the community
Practicing Tango helps us adopt a high quality way of interacting with others that refines our sensitivity to the people around us.
- We believe in the power of Tango to strengthen and uplift our communities. To make this real, we carry out outreach workshops and with organizations – schools, businesses, non-profits – teaching collaboration and life-skills through Tango.
- We harness the energy of the vibrant local Tango community to support great organizations with great ideas – through benefit events, parties and performances.
Service to the environment
The practice of Tango is essentially environmentally friendly — it's an alternative to much more wasteful and energy-intensive entertainment. It's also a way to get in touch with the rhythms of nature through close connection with the body.
Beyond the natural eco-friendliness of Tango, we take proactive steps to revitalize the ecosystems we participate in. We see our world as a garden in which we work and play, and an important part of our work involves learning about and caring for this garden.
Under the Active Photosynthesis Act of 2008, Tango Mar Vista has made a strong and resounding stand against climate change and environmental decay. Every event we host supports an environmental initiate. At minimum, we have instated a "One-Tree-Per-Dancer" policy that ensures one tree is planted for every participant in our events (Oyxgen Milonga). To bolster this Green Initiative, we often supliment our larger events with invitations for larger donations.
As our organization grows, we are looking into a wider variety of environmental programs including:
- Transition to Biodegradable - Though the debate around corn-based utensils runs wild, we feel that the benefits it offers are important and, while not a perfect solution, are a step in the right direction. We hope to have all disposable drinking / eating apperatus transition in early 2009.
- Carbon Offsets for our gatherings - We hope to eventually make all ongoing TMV activities Carbon Nuetral. This includes classes, practicas, milongas and down-time electrical usage.
- Active Community Service Outings - TMV has the unique opportunity to directly better our local ecosytem due to our imminent proximity to The Balona Wetlands. If you would like to learn more about this wonderful, beautiful venture, please click here: http://www.ballonafriends.org/
Our recent service collaborations:
- Ghetto Gourmet
- Plant A Billion (The Nature Conservency)
- The Obama Campaign
- National Breast Cancer Fund
- League of Conservation Voters
