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