| What is dancing? | | | | All across Europe and through parts of china |
| | | | and some basic kinds of folkdance developed |
| The art of dance does not have a specific | | | | in simple step patterns that create geometric |
| origin. From ancient times dance has been | | | | shapes. |
| used to express many things. Some ancient | | | | |
| cultures used dance in rituals, as part of | | | | Pairs Dancing |
| meditation as well as in celebration and | | | | |
| entertainment. What constitutes as dancing | | | | Pas de Deux is a French term that means "the |
| has been defined and re-defined by the | | | | step of two." This kind of dance is partnered |
| cultures of the world and there is no single | | | | and usually based upon intricate choreography |
| definition for the term. The word dance is | | | | between two dancers. It is a term used |
| derived from the Frankish term "dintjan." The | | | | specifically in ballet, though it can be |
| term evolved with the French language into | | | | applied to many other dances, ranging in |
| the modern term, "danser." | | | | formality from square dancing to ballroom |
| | | | dancing. Dances like the flamenco and the |
| The art of dance and the art of music have | | | | tango are also pairs dances. |
| long gone hand in hand. Some say dance | | | | |
| evolved from the wild gesticulations of an | | | | Modern/contemporary dance |
| ancient bard, who hopped from foot to foot, | | | | |
| waving his hands in the air, singing his | | | | Dance has changed dramatically in the past |
| story to a crowd. To some, dance is any | | | | fifty years. Modern/ contemporary dance steps |
| movement to a rhythmic sound, while to others | | | | away from the rules of classical ballet and |
| it is any non-verbal communication. However, | | | | moves to encompass alternative styles. The |
| most will agree that dance is a form of | | | | results are often dynamic, partially |
| expression, commonly accompanied by some from | | | | acrobatic and extremely eclectic. |
| of music. There are even dances, for example, | | | | |
| tap dance, that create their own sound. | | | | Contemporary performances sometimes |
| | | | incorporate music and dance styles from other |
| Early forms of dance | | | | cultures. |
| | | | |
| There are many different kinds of dancing | | | | Likewise, social dancing has also changed. In |
| throughout the world and throughout history. | | | | the clubs and at the shows dancing has |
| In ancient times dancing was common practice | | | | evolved still more. Every musical genre seems |
| in harvest festivals and many of the earliest | | | | to have a specific movements best suited to |
| recorded dances were performed ritually, in | | | | it. |
| prayer and in thanks for health and bounty. | | | | |
| | | | Dance therapy |
| One early form of ritual dance is mandala | | | | |
| meditations a kind of active meditation that | | | | Essentially returning to the most basic forms |
| energizes the body while allowing the mind | | | | of dancing, dance therapy looks to the |
| the wander freely. | | | | movement of the body to restore the spirit |
| | | | and calm the mind. It can be wild or more |
| Another early form of dance is folk dance. | | | | quietly meditative. |