Argentine Tango with Mira Barakat

Introduction / Overview

In the vibrant dance scene of Oakland, California, "Argentine Tango with Mira Barakat" stands as a truly exceptional and deeply enriching experience. Mira Barakat is not just a tango teacher; she is a performer, singer, and a highly gifted guide who brings a unique, holistic approach to the intricate and passionate art form of Argentine Tango. With a dance background that includes Modern dance, Contact Improv, Swing, and Blues, Mira discovered her profound connection to tango in 2006 and has since dedicated herself to mastering and sharing this beautiful dance. Her journey included intensive study in Buenos Aires, the birthplace of Tango, where she lived and immersed herself in its culture for over two years, returning annually to co-host a tango immersion program, BA. Tango Evolution.

Mira's teaching philosophy transcends mere steps and figures. She focuses on social dancing, emphasizing connection—connection to oneself, one's body, one's partner, and the music. Students consistently laud her ability to convey the "intricate and powerful movements of Tango in a way that allows her students to integrate them and grow in the process." What truly sets her apart, as attested by heartfelt testimonials, is her "wisdom about the body and how it holds our experiences and our histories." Mira integrates practices like mindfulness meditation and Hakomi Mindful Somatic Psychology into her teaching, consciously supporting how learning Tango can be a part of personal growth and even healing processes. For anyone in the California region, regardless of their dance background or perceived inhibitions, Argentine Tango with Mira Barakat offers a safe, attuned, and transformative pathway into the world of tango.

Location and Accessibility

Argentine Tango with Mira Barakat is based in Oakland, CA 94609, specifically at the intersection of Dover St & 58th St. Mira teaches from her "lovely" private home studio in North Oakland, providing an intimate and focused environment for learning. This North Oakland location places the studio within a well-regarded and accessible neighborhood, making it convenient for residents of Oakland, Berkeley, and other parts of the East Bay.

The neighborhood around Dover St & 58th St is known for being well-connected, with "great public transportation" options. It is described as being a short walk (around 14 minutes) to the Ashby BART Station and a short drive (around 6 minutes) to the Rockridge BART Station. Additionally, several bus lines, such as those on Martin Luther King Jr Way and Shattuck Avenue, are just a 2-minute walk away. This excellent transit access ensures that students can reach the studio conveniently. Furthermore, the area is praised for its "Walker's Paradise" and "Biker's Paradise" scores, indicating that it's very pedestrian and cycling-friendly. For those who drive, while specific parking details for the private studio are not publicly listed, North Oakland residential streets generally offer street parking. This accessibility, combined with the personal touch of a private studio, makes learning Argentine Tango with Mira Barakat a practical and enjoyable experience for locals throughout the Bay Area.

Services Offered

• Private Tango Lessons: Offered at her home studio in North Oakland, these personalized sessions are the fastest way to improve one's dance. Ideal for individuals seeking to get on the social dance floor or refine their skills, and recommended for couples as a fun activity to learn connection together. Discounts are available for packages of 5 or 10 lessons.
• Sliding Scale Options: Mira offers several sliding scale spots for students who cannot afford her full rate, demonstrating a commitment to accessibility and inclusivity.
• Group Classes and Workshops: Mira teaches group classes and workshops around the Bay Area, including regularly for Abrazo Queer Tango in Berkeley and occasionally at other venues like La Bruja.
• Queer Tango Classes: Works extensively with the queer tango community, teaching classes that are inclusive to queer, trans, and non-binary people, with an emphasis on students learning and dancing the role/s of their choice regardless of gender.
• Beginner Series: Structured classes specifically "geared towards total beginners," making the intricate world of tango approachable and enjoyable for those with no prior dance background.
• Intermediate and Advanced Instruction: Caters to more experienced dancers, helping them find more stability, ease, creativity, and freedom in their dance, as well as refining technique.
• Somatic and Embodiment Practices: Integrates insights from yoga, mindfulness meditation, and Hakomi Mindful Somatic Psychology, fostering body awareness, integration, connection, and supporting personal growth and healing through dance.
• Tango Immersion Programs: Co-leads "BA. Tango Evolution," an annual tango immersion training program in Buenos Aires, offering an opportunity for deeper cultural and dance study.

Features / Highlights

• Highly Gifted and Attuned Teacher: Consistently praised for her ability to "convey the intricate and powerful movements of Tango" and for her "sensitive, attuned and kind presence," making her an exceptional instructor.
• Holistic Teaching Philosophy: Goes beyond technical steps to foster body awareness, improve posture, connect to partners and music, and facilitate personal growth and healing through dance, informed by somatic practices.
• Personalized Private Studio Environment: Offers lessons from her "lovely private studio in Oakland," providing a focused and comfortable setting conducive to deep learning.
• Extensive International Experience: Lived and trained intensively in Buenos Aires and performs/teaches internationally (e.g., Berlin, New York, Miami Queer Tango festivals), bringing a wealth of authentic knowledge.
• Commitment to Inclusivity: Works frequently with the queer tango community, actively supporting students to learn and dance either leader or follower roles regardless of gender, creating a truly welcoming space.
• Focus on Connection and Freedom: Helps students not only gain "good technique" but also achieve goals like learning to be "free, open, expressive on the dance floor," which is transformative for many.
• Strong Positive Reviews: Testimonials highlight significant personal transformations and rapid dance improvement, with students receiving compliments on their posture and following skills from other teachers.
• Diverse Dance Background: Her background in Modern dance, Contact Improv, Swing, and Blues enriches her tango instruction, providing a broad perspective on movement and connection.
• Community Engagement: Actively participates in and supports the broader queer tango community in the Bay Area.

Contact Information

Address: Dover St &, 58th St, Oakland, CA 94609, USA (Note: This is an intersection indicating the general location of her home studio; specific directions are likely provided upon booking.)

Phone: (510) 318-0160

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For locals in Oakland and across the California Bay Area, Argentine Tango with Mira Barakat offers a profoundly suitable and unique pathway into the world of tango. Her private studio in North Oakland provides an intimate and focused learning environment, which is often preferred by those seeking personalized attention and rapid improvement. The convenient accessibility of her location, easily reachable via BART and local bus lines, makes regular attendance practical for busy Californians.

What truly sets Mira apart and makes her an ideal choice for locals is her holistic and inclusive teaching philosophy. Beyond imparting precise technique, she actively fosters body awareness, emotional expression, and a deep connection to the dance and oneself. For individuals who may feel "uncomfortable being on any kind of dance floor" or intimidated by the thought of dancing, Mira's kind, attuned, and judgment-free presence provides a safe space for personal growth and even "transformative healing work." Her extensive work within the queer tango community, ensuring that all gender identities are welcome to lead or follow, creates an affirming and pioneering environment that resonates deeply with the diverse values of the Bay Area. Whether a beginner looking to take their very first steps, a couple seeking a unique shared activity, or an experienced dancer desiring deeper artistry and connection, Mira Barakat offers not just tango lessons, but a truly enriching journey of self-discovery through movement, making her an invaluable local resource for the California dance community.

Argentine Tango with Mira Barakat

Dover St &, 58th St, Oakland, CA 94609, USA