The art of dance (0)

The art of dance
Kristiina Moosel, N-14
There ’s 7,3 billion humans on the planet Earth right now. [1] All of us know how to dance. Some of us just might not know it. But why are people dancing?
With the latest decades more and more people have started dancing. They all have their own reasons and ways how and why they’re doing it. Some of us do it to entertain others and themselves, some are doing it as an art form. There’s people, who are communicaiting by dancing and those who work out or even meditate by doing it. In my case , I’m doing it because of all the above . [2]
What is „A Dance“? Dance is the art of movement of the body , usually rhythmically and to music, using prescribed or improvised steps and  gestures .  "A dance" is any one prescribed sequence of such movements, or the music to which it is performed, or an event at which it takes place . It can be categorized and described in various ways. Still there’s many generic similarities in dances from many different times and places . Theatrical dance, also called performance or concert dance, is intended primarily as a spectacle, usually a performance upon a stage by virtuoso dancers. It often tells a story, perhaps using  mime , costume and  scenery , or else it may simply interpret the musical accompaniment. Examples are western  ballet and modern dance,  Classical Indian dance and Chinese and Japanese song and dance dramas.  [3]
Dancing has been one of the most popular way to have a good time and to entertain someone. It’s a cultural representation, which involves dancers, choreographers, audience , patrons and impresarios. Dance traditions may be limited to one culture, but they all develope. Ballet is an example of a highly developed Western form of dance that moved to the theatres from the French court during the time of Louis XIV. Some dances, such as the quadrille, a square dance and other  country dances were once popular at social gatherings, but are now rarely performed. On the other hand, many folk dances have evolved into competitions, which by adding to their audiences, has increased their entertainment value. Still, there’s some dance styles that might not be approved by society. Since dance is often associated with the women ’s body,  female dancers, in some cases, have been regarded as distinct from decent women, because they use their bodies to make a living instead of hiding them as much as possible. While some cultures regard any dancing by women as the most shameful form of entertainment, other cultures have established venues such as  strip clubs where deliberately erotic or sexually provocative dances are performed in public by professional women dancers for mostly male audiences. In history, various political regimes have sought to control or ban dancing or specific types of dancing. For example, during the  Nazi  regime, American dances such as swing, regarded as completely un- German , had become a public offense and needed to be banned. But banning had the effect of making the dance craze even greater. Dances can be performed in any possible ways. Some of them, such as traditional dance and ballet, need a very high level of skill and training; others require a very high level of energy and physical fitness . Entertaining the audience is a normal part of dance but its physicality often also produces joy for the dancers themselves. [4]
Before the invention of written languages , dance was a more important method of passing stories down from generation to generation. Nowadays people have many ways to pass stories, but still they use dance to communicate with others. To express their feelings . Participatory dance, whether it be a folk dance, a social dance, a group dance or a  partner dance is undertaken primarily for a common purpose, such as social interaction or  exercise , of participants rather than onlookers. Such dance seldom has any narrative . Participatory dancers often all employ the same movements and steps but, for example, in the  rave culture of electronic dance music, vast crowds may engage in free dance, uncoordinated with those around them. On the other hand, some cultures lay down strict rules as to the particular dances in which, for example, men, women and children may or must participate. [3]
Dance and health has been subject of a number of research studies that show dance to be a very healthy exercise.[6] It’s a weight-bearing activity , which builds bones, says Catherine Cram. It's also wonderful for your upper body and strength . New ballroom dancers may feel muscles they didn't know they had. Ballroom dancing works the backs of the thighs and buttock muscles differently from many other types of exercise, tells Ken Richards . The legs and arms often do the flashy dance moves. But they're sunk without a strong body core . The core muscles, abs and back , are also used in  Pilates , says Janice Byer. [5] A report by Professor Tim Watson and Dr Andrew Garrett, from the University of Hertfordshire, compared members of the Royal Ballet with a squad of British national and international swimmers. In seven out of ten areas of fitness, dancers scored higher than swimmers. Dancing in general increases muscle strength and flexibility, which in turn , improves overall range of motion . It also increases core strength which can improve balance, coordination, and posture . [6]
Dancing meditation is one of the easiest ways to discover a calm and quiet place inside you, that is filled with joy, wisdom and love, says Pragito Dove. It helps to express oneself freely through the dance, releases tention and creativity arises and liberates feelings of joy and positivity. The dancing meditation has three stages: fourty minutes dancing freely and blindfolded, twenty minutes lying down in silence and then five miutes more dancing. This technique is the best way to meditate for those, who are having problems staying still. It’s a greate way to direct energy inward. [7]
There’s many reasons, why some people like to dance. Everyone of us might have their own. Some love to dance, because they like to entertain people. Some of them are doing it as an art form. Many of us love to workout or maditate with dancing. People who are afraid to speak out use dancing to express themselves. But it doesn’t matter what’s the reason , matters the feeling about it.
Used materials:

http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/

http://westcoastswingamerica.com/mvsreasons.ht m

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dance#Dance_around_the_world

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entertainment#Dance

http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/dancing-your-way-to-better-health

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dance_and_health

http://discovermeditation.com/273/blog/expressive-meditation/dancing-meditation/