In September 2024, the inaugural “Tango Connects Berlin” small group conference brought together approximately 75 participants from diverse backgrounds—dancers, teachers, therapists, researchers, and practitioners—to explore the transformative and healing potential of Argentine tango. As an industrial and organizational psychologist with a passion for tango and a co-organizer of the event, I was struck by the richness of perspectives that emerged when we created space for transdisciplinary dialogue.

A New Kind of Tango Gathering

The conference was born from Thomas Rieser’s vision, inspired by his doctoral research on tango’s effects on breast cancer patients suffering from post-operative fatigue syndrome. His randomized controlled study revealed significant positive outcomes from just one hour of weekly tango over six weeks—with those having the least prior dance experience showing the most substantial benefits. This compelling evidence provided the foundation for our conference theme: “Transformations: The Healing Power of Tango.”

What made this conference particularly special was the diverse expertise of its organizing team. Veronica Toumanova, a Paris-based professional tango teacher, and writer who has been immersed in tango since 2000, brought deep insights from her extensive writings on tango psychology, neuroscience, and personal growth. Almut Knauss, a sports scientist, speech therapist, yoga instructor and tanguera contributed her multifaceted understanding of bodily wellness and movement. Dr. Stefan Knauss, Tango-DJ with a doctorate in philosophy and research focus on sustainability science, offered perspectives on sustainable concepts of personal growth and relationships in tango. Together with my background in psychology, the team embodied the transdisciplinary approach we hoped to foster.

What distinguished this gathering from typical tango events was its intentional bridging of practice and theory. The weekend alternated between academic presentations, experiential workshops, and facilitated discussions, creating a dynamic environment where embodied knowledge and scientific inquiry could inform one another.

Neuroscience Meets Movement

Neuroscientist Julia F. Christensen from the Max-Planck-Institute for Empirical Aesthetics opened the conference with compelling research demonstrating how dance functions “like medicine.” Her work shows that dance—historically our oldest form of movement—simultaneously engages multiple brain regions through the combination of music, motion, touch, and social interaction, potentially preventing cardiovascular disease and other diseases.

This scientific framework was complemented by practical exploration. Attendees experienced how various somatic practices inform tango: yoga led by sports scientist Almut Knauss improved body awareness; Contact Improvisation with Andrew Wass enhanced spatial perception; and Gyrokinesis with former Pina Bausch dancer Rudolf Giglberger developed flexibility and partner connection. 2

The Psychology of Tango

The conference gave significant attention to psychological dimensions. Trauma specialist Dr. Ayşe Bombacı provided crucial insights into trauma-informed approaches to teaching and dancing tango. Her presentation highlighted how central safety and trust are within the intimate context of tango, emphasizing the importance of creating environments where dancers can feel secure while exploring vulnerability.

Peter Bostelmann, SAP’s Chief Mindfulness Officer, demonstrated connections between mindfulness practices and tango, showing how both can reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and enhance quality of life. These psychological perspectives were further enriched by Dr. Kacey Link’s workshop on musical experience, which revealed how collective listening and singing to tango music creates community and emotional resonance.

Beyond Individual Healing

While the conference primarily focused on individual transformation, discussions frequently expanded to community implications. Participants explored how healing experiences in tango occur within social contexts and how these personal transformations ripple outward to affect relationships and communities.

Osteopath Matthias Renzel’s presentation on Craniosacral therapy for resolving physical blockages complemented insights from Vienna-based teachers Sayaka Higuchi and Joscha Engel on building mutual trust for restorative tango experiences. Together, these perspectives highlighted how individual wellbeing and interpersonal dynamics are inseparable in tango.

Bridging Disciplines and Practices

What emerged most clearly from the weekend was the value of breaking down silos between disciplines. When therapists could speak directly with dance instructors, when researchers could engage with practitioners, and when different healing modalities could be considered alongside one another, we discovered unexpected synergies and insights.

The conference achieved its aim of increasing visibility for tango beyond its traditional contexts, positioning it as a legitimate therapeutic approach with scientifically demonstrated benefits. As Julia F. Christensen noted, there’s hope that this represents the beginning of a paradigm shift—one where dance, and specifically tango, gains recognition as an integral component of health promotion backed by evidence.

Looking Forward

The enthusiastic response to this first conference has confirmed the need for continued dialogue across disciplines about tango’s transformative potential. While the 2024 conference centered on individual healing and personal transformation, our 2025 conference will expand the focus to “Thriving Communities & Social Change in Tango”—exploring how the healing power of tango might extend beyond individuals to create sustainable and inclusive communities. 3

As the tango community continues to evolve and navigate complex social challenges, these transdisciplinary conversations become increasingly important. By bringing together diverse perspectives, we can develop more nuanced understandings of tango’s multidimensional impact—not just as an art form, but as a practice with profound implications for individual and collective wellbeing.