A Japanese couple perform at the 5th Tango Dance World Championship, in Buenos Aires, last August. Tango has been compared to meditation by an Australian researcher. (Natacha Pisarenko/Associated Press)Researchers in Australia are investigating whether doing the tango can help people battle depression.
Rosa Pinniger at the University of New England — located in Armidale, midway between Sydney and Brisbane — is examining whether the Argentine dance form could boost people's emotions.
Pinniger is studying cognitive and behavioural therapy and wonders if tango can help people fight negative thoughts.
She likens tango to meditation.
"While you're doing tango you can only be in the present — you really have to focus, concentrate, and it doesn't allow your thoughts to drive into your mind," said Pinniger in a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
She adds that in meditation people have to focus on breathing, while in tango there's a parallel type of concentration needed.
"The same with the tango — everyone walks and as long as you can walk you can tango, and this is the truth. The only thing is that usually we are not aware of how we walk, and in tango you have to."
Pinniger says the people in her study stick with tango classes because it takes their mind away from the problems they have in their lives.
"If people can have a break from their negative thoughts for three minutes, which is the time of the tango, they can realize that it is possible," points out Pinniger.
"While they are doing tango, this is what it is, nothing else. So all their problems and their thoughts, they cannot be, they are not invited in the tango."
The researcher cautions that tango is not a cure-all. She says it may be part of a series of therapies for people to consider. Meditation is still a good choice.
"[Meditation is] still an individualistic activity, while tango, it is more social … We are all individuals and we have to choose which one is better for us, that's all."
With files from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
