Saturday, July 14, 2018

The Art of Dance Floor Socializing

Anyone who has ever been to a social dancing event knows that not everyone has a good time, or at least not equally so. Some sit out many (if not all) dances, while others never seem to sit down. Why the difference?

There is only one reason for dancing at a social do: to have fun. There is no competition, no need to be absolutely perfect in the steps, and no reason to be stern and serious while cutting a rug. The key skill is the ability to socialize while keeping feet in time to the music.

This is easier said than done for some people, and is what makes the difference between sitting on the sidelines and hitting the floor. Many people are very self-conscious about dancing, either because they don’t know the steps or because they think they look “silly.” Others are so intense while doing the steps that they can barely look up, and even when they do, conversation is impossible because they are silently counting and concentrating on foot movement.

Beyond the basics of dance etiquette, there are some rules of thumb that warrant following to master the art of dance floor socializing. Here are some examples:

• Prepare yourself. If you know that there is a big event coming up that will include dancing beyond the non-contact freestyle sort, learn the steps. Take a social dancing class or two to master the basics. And practice. When the event comes along, you will be able to take to the floor without worrying about your skill and having to count in your head.

• Dress to dance. Think about the dancing part of the event when you plan your outfit. Shoes need allow you to move safely, clothes need to make it easy for a partner to make contact as you move through various steps and turns.

• If you want to be asked to dance, put on your happy face. Looking stern will make you appear unapproachable. Tap your fingers or toes to the music, smile, and make eye contact.

• On the other side of the coin, try not to refuse an invitation to dance. Most songs are no more than three or four minutes long, so dancing with someone that might not be your ideal partner should not be too much strain. Be gracious, be polite, and you will be rewarded!

• Don’t dance with just one person. Dancing with a wide set of partners is a cornerstone of social dancing. Dance with everyone, and get everyone to dance.

When you make it out onto the dance floor, keep the fun going. Again, some rules of thumb:

• Be entertaining. While having a good time yourself, engage your partner. Think of dancing in terms of moving to music while carrying on cocktail party conversation. Dance at a level you both enjoy, and exercise a good sense of humor. And smile!

• Make your partner feel appreciated. The most popular dancers are not the most skillful, but the ones who clearly appreciate and enjoy their partners. Most people are not interested in dancing with someone who is obviously bored or feeling put upon, no matter how great their footwork may be.

• Never blame your partner for anything that may happen on the dance floor.

• Do not start teaching on the dance floor, unless your partner asks you to do so. Unsolicited lessons are more likely to embarrass your partner than to make them happy. If you are a more skilled dancer, you should be able to match yourself to your partner’s level of ability.

• If you are leading, do so comfortably. Cranking your partner’s arm to force a turn or pushing and pulling them into position will not be a pleasant experience. If your partner is not doing what you want, your lead probably was not clear enough or beyond her own skill level. Tone it down and lead steps that can be transmitted and received enjoyably.

• If you are following, don’t start back-leading. It is disrespectful to your partner when you steal the lead.

• Protect your partner. If you are leading, anticipate the movement of the other dancers and move your steps into empty areas of the floor so that you don’t run into other couples. If you are following, keep an eye out behind your partner’s back. If a couple is bearing down in his blind spot, let him know with pressure on his hand or shoulder, or simply by telling him.

• Avoid humming or singing along with the music you are dancing to.

Social dancing is social. Each dance is a brief encounter that should be fun for both partners. Approach the floor with a good attitude and sense of humor, concentrate on the enjoyment of dancing rather than technical proficiency, and don’t worry if there are missteps or other mistakes. You’ll go home well exercised and happy!

The Theater Enthusiast

The Stanislavsky school of Method Acting applies to the audience as well as the players. When sitting in a theater absorbing the dialogue, character interaction and visual display of staging and sets, each audience member processes elements of the experience objectively first, and then subjectively. Just as Method actors learn to delve within their past experiences in life -- to gain understanding of each moment's combined layers of sensory stimulation with their emotional, psychological, physical and even extra-sensory impact -- so do theater goers.

While sitting in a theater audience becoming engrossed in the world of drama unfolding before us, our degree of involvement is a progression through our own sensory layers. At first, we feel somewhat separated from the stage, as spectators to its form and activity. Then, gradually, we move closer, beginning to "zoom in" and focus on each theatrical element. We examine them closely -- the multi-hued montage of stage sets, costumes, dialogue, movement and lighting design. And before we know it, something of this stage world clicks in sync with a part of our own life experience, and we make an instantaneous dynamic connection, becoming a notable element of the moment's universal theater.

When the production is truly captivating and enthralling -- when we nearly invade the bodies of the actors, feeling no space between audience and stage, as though we have actually merged with its vibrant drama, quantum physics is at its optimum. At this point we are, in fact, as one with play and player. Our presence and level of input reach the stage as its elements reach out to us. Just as the actors, script, and all components of the production have had a profound effect on us, so have we, as audience members, affected the production.

If the performance includes music, our affinities with its various elements are often realized immediately. For, music has been declared many times to be the most universal means of communication. A few notes of a familiar melody, or a tune somewhat similar, can bring instantaneous flash-backs to events and locations in experiences now past. People and places otherwise distant in our memories spring forward to inhabit our present thoughts. At times these vivid memories take over, dominating our mindset even as we leave the theater. More often, however, they enrich the overall theatrical event, bringing us closer to the performance and to a keener understanding and appreciation of it. Many people agree that the truest essence of any memory can be brought most completely to the present by music.

Olfaction also causes quick recall. Our sense of smell can transport us -- perhaps the most swiftly of all sensory perceptions -- to a place the most distant in our memory corners. An extremely remote mental image from many years ago can be catapulted to the front row of our thoughts without warning -- a flash of mental lightning in a clear, cloud-free mind sky. When dialogue involves smells, scents and aromas, old memories dart to front stage center in our thoughts.

Occasionally our imaginations will take charge, replacing the actors we view on stage with images of people we know or characters housed within our memory banks. It may be that a particular stage action or phrase of dialogue will trigger the spontaneous appearance of this image before us -- a passive, foggy photo brought to startling real-time life by association. When this happens, we are often surprised, elated -- or perhaps dismayed -- depending on how we view this memory person off-stage. Regardless of our first reaction, this upstart character invader or impostor will usually enrich and enhance our perceptions and comprehension of the real actor's character portrayal. Even a memory miscast can shed light on current-time dramatic truths.

And sometimes at the close of a theatrical performance -- long after the applause, curtain calls, bravos and cheers subside, we still sit transfixed, mesmerized beyond our individual and collective comprehensions and beliefs. Not in our wildest machinations could we see ourselves so completely controlled by the hypnotic dynamics of a play. And then we come to the realization that we are each playing a part in the creative control process.

After all, early tribal dance and song sprang from the ongoing spiritual, dream, and real-life experiences of the performers and their tribal communities. And it was Shakespeare who proclaimed all the world a stage. Stanislavsky compelled actor and audience to delve deeper within ourselves for answers to our basic questions of human understanding revealed. And modern day dramatic experimentation and improvisation, along with audience participation, poeticize and choreograph the human need to share in the physics and drama of life's evolving enactment.

Becoming A Salsa Dancer

Becoming A Salsa Dancer: Training to be a professional salsa dancer takes a lot of time, commitment, stamina and a lot of discipline. But if you love salsa music and love to dance, this may be a great career for you.

Top salsa dancers in the business usually have a dance background from an early age. Many begin as gymnasts, jazz or tap dancers and then in their teen or early adult years, they are exposed to salsa dance and make the transition.

The reason why gymnasts and dancers have an easy time adjusting to salsa dance is because of the rigorous training that they are accustomed to. The jumps and tumbles of gymnastics are very helpful in the lift moves common in salsa dance. And the rhythmic choreography of jazz and tap make adjusting to the salsa dance style quite simple.

However for those wanting to commit to such high intensity training, here are some tips:

1. Love to dance! If you love Latin music and love to dance, salsa dance may be for you.

2. Work well as a team. When dancing professionally you have to work well with others and learn to compromise. Choosing and learning dance routines takes a lot of work so you must work well with your partner and collaborate ideas for a successful salsa dance routine.

3. Love to travel. If you're a homebody, being a salsa dance professional may not be for you. Being a professional dancer involves a lot of traveling throughout the city, but also to other countries. You have to love traveling and meeting new people to last in this business.

4. Enjoy exercise and keeping in shape. If your favorite class in school was gym you may be a good candidate for salsa dance. If you place a lot of emphasis on a healthy lifestyle, love music and dancing than you'll probably enjoy being a professional salsa dancer. Dancers place a lot of emphasis on their physiques through heavy training and stretching. Being disciplined and loving the challenge of taking your fitness to the next level is the key in this business.

5. Are coordinated. If you have two left feet, salsa dance may not be for you.

6. Love salsa music! If your hips can't stop moving to the salsa beat, salsa is definitely in your blood. Consider salsa dance as a profession.

7. Can't stop dancing

8. Don't mind dancing for hours and being on your feet

9. Love to dress up

10. Would rather shop for salsa clothes rather than shop for back to school or work clothes, you were born to salsa! Sign up for a salsa class and get going!

 

 

Top Cities for Salsa Dance

If you are wondering where the best dance classes are in the top cities, check out these salsa dance club listings. We’ve done the research for you to help you pick the best salsa dance studio in your city. Below we’ve added their website information for easier access and navigation just for you.

Check out the best salsa dance classes available to you!

Bravo Dance Company was formed in early 2005 by Alfonso Caldera, W.S.F. world salsa Champion. Inspired by the intensity of the L.A. salsa scene Alfonso pooled together a group of talented individuals creating a dance company that captures that energy, bringing an explosive new style to the Vancouver salsa community. Bravo dance company is Made up of a women's and a couple's team.

Combining talent from various fields of performance, Bravo routines consist of a mixture of Hip-Hop, Afro Cuban rhythms, jazz, and L.A style salsa. The Bravo style can be described as fierce, fast, and aggressive; with attitude and style, held together by professionalism and showmanship. Having participated in competitions throughout the world, Alfonso has an understanding of what it takes to create a 1st class performance team. Constantly striving to raise their level of performance and dance, The Bravo Dance team has set out to bring recognition to the Vancouver salsa scene with passion and style.

Mambo Tribe Salsa Dance Company; bring you their new multi-level salsa classes in Toronto. Together Mark-Anthony and Stephanie have over 17 years of teaching and performing experience in the Canadian and International salsa circuit. Their specialized salsa classes will feature timing, technique, turns & spins, cool up-to-date turn patterns, shines/footwork, body isolations and styling both On1 & On2.

A combination of New York, Puerto Rico L.A, Cuban, Columbian and Toronto salsa styles are incorporated in their classes to ensure that you can dance to any style in the clubs. Known for their clear and concise breakdown along with a fun filled class, Mark-Anthony and Stephanie will give you the tools to feel confident on the dance floor, whether you are a total beginner or advanced dancer.

Their studio is located at the beautiful DLM Studios 1610 Bloor St West, Toronto (On Bloor 2 blocks west of Dundas West) 416-895-7874 & The Earl Haig School of Arts located behind the North York Civic Centre (Yonge & Sheppard) 416-995-7638.

Since 1978 the Gomez Family, led by the legendary Alberto Gomez, has been recognized as pioneers in the Toronto Latin Entertainment industry for infusing their love and passion for the dance in their performances. They have showcased their talent at Massey Hall for Tito Puente and Johnny Pacheco Concert, Queen of Salsa Celia Cruz concert, and Tango Vive production. This infectious passion for the dance was the legacy passed on to Albert J. Gomez and Ronald Gomez.

Albert, with the vision of showcasing the richness of the Latin culture both in North American and abroad, founded Strickly Salsa Dance Company in 1999, which allowed him to merge his obsession with the high energy dips, tricks and flips of the dance, with his love for music and entertaining.
Strickly Salsa quickly began to live up to its vision when Albert organized a group of talented dancers in the city to attend and participate in the 2000 Salsa Convention in Los Angeles, California. The group made its mark as the first salsa dance company in Toronto to represent Latin talent at an international event. This event also showcased the addition of Strickly Salsa's newest and youngest addition - Ronald Gomez.

Their speed, high energy and creative combinations have won them recognition from Tele-Latino, Toronto Sun, CFMT, Toronto Star, and World Salsa Congress. In addition they were presented with a certificate for being "the best performers and instructors" Ethnic Press Council and presented by the City of Toronto Mayor, Mel Lastman.

Strickly Salsa, working with event planners and co-coordinators, remains focused on the future forward as it expands its services to provide the ultimate source of Latin entertainment. From Bands to DJ's, to Salsa to Tango: Strickly Salsa Dance Company, a mix of Latin entertainment.

LondonSalsa is an independent London Salsa guide by Salseros for Salseros. We don't favor any club/class over another, but let the dancers decide which they like best!

Some say London has become THE capital of Salsa in Europe. That is why we are here to tell you about all about:

• the best Salsa classes & clubs in London

• renowned instructors from around the world

• upcoming events & parties

• reviews by dancers of the best clubs in London

• ... And much more!

DanceSF is the San Francisco Bay Area's leading Dance School for club style social dancing. We offer fun and social dance classes for people of all ages, and all skill levels! We also offer East Bay and South Bay salsa classes. Our dance classes are geared towards beginner dancers, providing everyone a wonderful, supportive, and fun environment to learn to dance! In addition, DanceSF offers our bestselling Learn to Dance DVD's for your home use.
North Bay, South Bay, East Bay, Peninsula and Silicon Valley Salsa Classes

To find a great Salsa dance instructor giving dance classes in the New York area contact the JustSalsa Dance Referral Service at 212.982.4633.
We will spend the necessary time to help you locate the right Salsa class and instructor or dance school in an area near your home or place of work. We can recommend a Salsa instructor or dance school that offers group or private instruction or classes near you.

Classes are taught by professional Salsa dance instructors in various styles and levels. Instructors are available for your nightclub Salsa lessons, private functions or parties, corporate events or to prepare you and your bride for your wedding dance. or wedding reception.

We can recommend a Dance instructor who teaches in the language of your choice including English, Spanish, or even Chinese.
New York Area Salsa Instructor Referral Service
Telephone: (212 982-4633)
E-mail: in@justsalsa.com

So, if you are traveling in any of the major cities and want to get your salsa groove on, give any of these dance studios a call. These schools offer the best training by the best instructors. At least you’ll know your getting the best training available.

Now get your dancing shoes on and salsa!

Belly Dancing

Learning to belly dance has many benefits and you will feel improvements in both your physical and mental wellbeing. Belly dance promotes a positive body image. Celebrities that are always on television and designer fashion labels promotes slim and thin people and it can have negative psychological effects on women who do not fit into this category. Low body weight can affect mood, increase stress on the heart, disrupt the sleep cycle and deregulate normal gland functioning. It may also be linked to erratic menstrual cycles.

Few women are born with the build and metabolism to achieve the current popular body image, leaving a hard and disappointing road for others who try to measure up but cannot because of their natural body shape.

Belly dancing is a wonderful way to counteract these negative body images and celebrate the more natural curvaceous feminine form in all its shape and sizes.

In the ancient world, when belly dancing came into being, thinness was a sign of poverty, sickness and starvation. For a woman of those times, having a softer layer surrounding her bones showed that she was well fed and healthy, possess financial means and was endowed with security and happiness. Remember that when you look in the mirror.

Preparing to Bellydance
Creating a positive dance environment

Find about 6 feet of space all around you. You need enough space to move with as little restriction as possible. You should also have a large mirror in front of you in which you can see yourself from about 60cm above your head down to your toes.

Privacy is also important, especially when you first start. Dancing in the daylight which stream through your windows is a delight but this can expose you to the curious eyes of passers-by. You can drape sheer fabric in different colors over your windows; you will have the benefit of natural that is tinted into different shades. Candles can also be a nice addition to your settings. The aim is to build a spiritually warm atmosphere which brings emotional contentment and security.

What to wear

There is a variety of clothing for belly dancing but whatever you dance in, makes sure it matches the following criteria

Choose something that does not restrict your movements or freedom in any way.

Be brave and allow for a top that fully exposes your midsection. No matter how big or small, you don’t have to be shy! A lot of women also find a sports bra very comfortable. For your legs – a pair of running or yoga tights rolled over at your waist is a great inexpensive choice.

Find something light and feminine such a shawl of silk scarf to drape around your hips.

Once you really get into it you should invest into clothing so that you can look the part. There are plenty of wonderful belly dance clothes to choose from which will make you look the part. There are plenty of wonderful belly dance clothes to choose from.

Try costume –type bra tops, vest tops, chois and tie-arounds for you upper body. Underneath, flowing harem pants and billowy gypsy skirts give unlimited range of movement and feeling.

Coin belts come in every color and design you can think of and are worth every penny for the fun they are adding to your dancing. The exciting jingling they bring adds spirit and authenticity to the dance and can spark your imagination like nothing else.

You can find professional belly dance costumes, coin belts, hip scarves, and accessories at Turkish Corner. [http://turkishcorner.com/belly-dance.html]

Relax your mind and body

To bring yourself into the right frame of mind and to life your spirits, start with some breathing exercises to relax your mind and release some tension.

Stand or sit comfortable and close your eyes

Relax your abdominal muscles and inhale deeply for five heartbeats. Let your stomach extend fully so you draw in as much air as possible.

When the five beats are up, hold the air in your lungs for two beats and then release your breath completely for another six beats. You should feel your shoulders and neck muscles relaxing

Repeat this excursive at least four times. If you are feeling particularly tense, repeat the breathing technique until you feel calm and peaceful.

Imagination is also a powerful tool. Let your mind take you to a simple flower garden with cool grass under your feet, a favorite is a white sandy beach with ocean lapping the shore. Wherever you wish to go at that moment is fine.

Selecting the Music

The music of the Middle East has incredible soul and touches and touches upon all aspects of human emotion.

Whatever you are feeling, from joy and sadness to ecstasy and surprise, you can find music to match your mood. The most common instruments in Middle Eastern music are the oud, the nay, the kunoon and the dumbek.

As you practice the techniques, count out loud to the beats in the music. When your timing skills improve, you can start counting in your head instead of out loud. This is a simple technique that some dancers give up once they feel they have mastered counting. This almost always leads to sloppy technique. The strongest dancers keep counting no matter what level of expertise the reach.

The Roots of The Street Dance

Break-dancing is the street dancing which began around 1969. Most people will agree that the superstar James Brown began the whole thing with a dance called the "Good Foot". James Brown was a real innovator and his dancing was something to behold. He did things with his feet that would give most of us a couple of broken legs!

Simultaneously in the ghetto, what is known as the "dance battle" became very popular and in many cases replaced gangster warfare as a method to end disputes. Breakdancing lent itself very well to the dance battle and the Good Foot was a perfect base for breakdancing.

Street dancers adopted the Good Foot which, for a short period, became known as the B-Boy and then breakdancing. Back then the dance moves were a lot different to the kind of breaking we see today. There were no popular, documented moves such as the headspin or the windmill. The dancers simply used their feet and nothing else. Some would argue that this "old style breaking" is more complicated than the kind of dancing we see these days.

Some of the floor work improvised back then was fantastically complex. If you go to a modern breakdancing competition you won't see many of the old school moves but you will see a lot of gymnastics. Impressive though this is, there are those that think breakdancing has lost its roots a little. On the other side of the coin you have people saying that it's just an evolution.

As a way to solve street battles and gang violence it was inspired. You were finding that amazingly, the gangs were using breakdancing instead of fighting. The breakdancing "battle" took on a world of its own. Of course there were still fights and inevitably sometimes a sore loser in a breaking battle would resort to violence.

Out of all this, breakdancing crews were formed. The members of a crew would practice and dance together. This is when the first very basic breakdancing choreography came about. One crew would invent a move which would inspire an opposing crew to go one better. For some of these guys breakdancing was literally the difference between life and death. They were very dedicated to what they were doing.

Just as all these new breakdancing crews were bursting onto the scene a guy called Afrika Bambaataa embraced the genre. Afrika Bambaataa is a legendary figure in the hip hop world. He was largely responsible for bringing breakdancing into the general public's consciousness. He got to know all the crews and encouraged them to develop what they were doing. Bambaataa's "Zulu Kings" breakdancing crew became a force to be reckoned with, winning many battles.

Since then breakdancing has continually progressed and more and more very talented dancers were bringing their skills into the arena. There were new moves being invented by the week and it wasn't long before we had headspins, windmills, backspins and all the other high energy, acrobatic moves we see these days.

The "Rock Steady Crew" were one of the groups to pioneer this new school breaking. These guys along with Charles Ahearn who made the seminal hip hop movie "Wild Style" were to bring breakdancing fully up to date and the dancing phenomenon became much more popular. There was no stopping the onward march of the break dance.

Nowadays break-dancing influences a lot of the choreographed dance routines which are an integral part of a modern pop record release. You have young kids coming up who are really into it and the genre is experiencing something of a renaissance. There's no doubt about it, break-dancing is here to stay and if you want more info a quick search on the Internet will turn up thousands of references to this modern art form.

The Beautiful Art Of Dance

It is natural to want to dance and move whenever we hear music. With the drum beat of a military march, we want to march in time; the smooth circles of a waltz have the power to make us feel like twirling forever; and a lullaby makes us lilt our bodies into sleep. Dance is a natural expression and is a natural response to music that is heard externally or sometimes but rarely, it is in resonance with the sounds of inner joy, to which only the individual is privy.

Most people wish to dance, or enjoy dancing. It is a feature in the life of most people throughout the world who reveal the differences in their culture through the different types of music and the different styles of dance movement they develop in their traditional art. There is a different between the dance of a country barn dance or western line-up with a country band and the rap dancing with its accompanying intonation and sounds; between the tap dancers metallic beat to a popular tune and the ballet dancers soft pointed feet describing the patterns of a classical piece; the passionate guitar and strong heel beats of a Spanish flamenco and the smooth swirls of an Austrian circular waltz to the strains of a violin.

Music provides the powerful influence which we seek to express in movement and dance. In addition, if our own emotions are moved, we can convey how we feel by injecting our emotions into our physical movements. If music uplifts us, we may dance but wish we could fly and the best we can do is to raise our arms and elevate our bodies from the floor as best we can. If the music on the other hand is sombre, we would rather dress in garments of grey and drop our heads to respond in heavy deliberate movements to show what the music intends.

For the professional dancer, it is music which dictates the mood and demands that a dancer surrenders his body to that music, not just for his own pleasure, but for the sake of a wider purpose. Then the dancer surrenders to music as if it were the conductor, as he seeks to make his body its complete or final instrument .The dancer can only surrender to the music if he wishes his body to serve to express its influence. To dance to a rhythm without conscious thought is a pure reaction - it is not an art.

Dancers are agents of the music - there to express something of the spirit of his inspiration of the composer. If we like the music we are asked to dance to, there is an easy relationship and harmony between the music, the source of it and our bodies. It is all in tune and the dancer can add the ingredient of his own intelligence and pour his feeling through his body language. If we are not attracted to the music then the dancer is a mere puppet. In the future, to use a dancer without him having conscious desire to express the music will be seen as dancer abuse! It is not a true and fine example of the art form at all unless music and dancer are as one.

If we hear discordant sound and it is the fashion to move to it, one must be very skilled or insensitive or perhaps both in wishing to express chaos and discord. Life's real discordant notes are only too well known in the reality of living without having to bold type it all. Modern times are difficult with little rhythm, melody or harmony in any popular music.

In discothèques the lighting makes jagged vibrations through the chaos and to a dancer who is sensitive to the loveliness and the harmonies of inspired music, it creates an atmosphere which is unintelligent, purposeless and insane. There can be no reason why such occasions are not banned because of the noise, so as to preserve the health and the hearing of everyone concerned. The brains of all who participate are damaged - to what extent, only the future will reveal. Participants do not deserve the name dancer but often are enslaved by drugs and the hypnotic drum beats.

Modern music is not harmonious. Therefore a dancer's body must become jerky and strained, stretched to an extreme tension, tested beyond its inherent strength, making demands which are acrobatic, exaggerated, unnatural and unattractive in the main. Beauty is the ingredient which is neglected, even forgotten. And in judging the result, anyone witnessing such movement to such music may gasp at techniques which extend the boundaries of body capabilities - but which leave the audience empty.

Music is best understood as food for the soul. This was and remains the classical approach to the art which was dedicated to either the purpose of delighting the listeners, telling a story, honouring a greater person, state, ideal , expressing a nation's spirit, or in spiritual dedication to religious worship and the glories of God. Music was an expression which served to enrich the listeners. At its best and most powerful, music can stir the spirits of thousands, who for a time experience the pleasure of a feeling of unity beyond the diversity in human life.

The dancer depends upon the music. Dance is music made visible!

Dance has always been a part of human culture and will no doubt remain so. In past eras, as in ancient Egypt, dancers were trained in the temples, dedicated to the gods, their art was sanctified and they were used within the powerful ritual which were used in ceremonies and outer rituals to involve the people and to amass group thought in prayer. In the ancient Indian traditions the temple dancers held also a place of respect and their music and dances were dedicated to the gods.

In ancient Greece and in fact, in all ancient civilizations, it was the same - there were the temple dances and there were the folk dances of the general populace.

In our western culture we have no such equivalent system which allows each to have its place. In fact in our Christian religion and worship there is no place and never one has been considered, for dancing.

So in our way of life, we are the poorer. We only have resort to the dancing of the masses - that which only expresses the spirit of the people - and this is always uninspired. But we have our classical music which has served to inspire many millions of people throughout the world. So in this, we have a 'conductor' but where are the dancers who can make their bodies instruments capable of expressing the exquisite sounds and spirit of such glorious arrangements of notes? There are thousands of dancers with skill but have they attunement to the spirit to fulfil the needs of the art?

There are many musicians trained in classical music and many dancers trained in classical dance. Surely they can support one another to act as twin arts in creating something really beautiful?

Dance in the Rain

There is a website called allpoetry.com where people from various walks of life come together and share their poetic views. There are members from different countries regardless of the age that separates them. Simply put, it is a site for poetry lovers who write for the pleasure of it and allow their deepest thoughts to flow in the form of colourful words. While browsing through it, one thing that strikes a similar cord in many of the poems is that of pain, a cry of some kind of emptiness.

Despite great work of arts that come from many talented poets, there is a tinge of darkness that shawdows and encircles the sweetness of life. The teenage lot going through a phase that they thing is really misunderstood by the rest. They form poetry of the crazy things that they do, like cutting themselves for moments that pained them too deeply. It's like there are no other forms of punishment for their actions. And there are those who drown in the pool of heartaches and broken hearts. They express them in words, even mentioning extreme steps that had almost taken. Thankfully, there is poetry to stop them from doing so. Maybe not really, but it did prevent them in some way.

Some of them in sickness of a serious kind. They write still with a hope of making the most of their unpredictable lives. But whose is predictable anyway? A number of them just questioning the mysteries of life. Nobody really knows. Probably, none is there to answer them all. And there are those still seeking for some peace, some solitude, longing for a little more comfort. Some hating themselves for whatever they are. But the good news is there are also those contented, feeling blessed and letting their words flow in gratitude and praise. Those cheery lines never fail to lift somebody's spirit.

Varieties of things fill the site. The poetry world is a depiction of real living for people bring in shades of colours and tell their stories. The amazing thing is we can all relate to the things that a person in another corner of the world experiences. It simply proves we are all humans feeling and experiencing similar things at different places.

It seems easier to stay sad than to be happy, to cause pain than to heal it, to anger people than appreciating them, to hate than to love, to break rules than to make one, to cry than to laugh, to frown than to smile - the truth behind it is negative things easily take its toll on us and once they blur our visions we become blind to the good in life. We forget to dance when the sun stops shining. When some really difficult phase comes pressing towards us, we lose our grip on the things that once kept us happy. Sometimes we are put down the drains by unexpected storms. We would stay there forever if we do not pull our strength to wake up and walk again.

Like so many of the poets in All Poetry, there could be so many things troubling the hell out of us, some urge to find an answer that may never be found or going through terrible phases of heartbreaks and losses, even having regrets that you can never redo again or having a hole in your soul-an emptiness inside you which probably is because you need to find a purpose in life or any other problems that keep visiting us in small and big measures.

We could be harmed tremendously in a few moments of hardships but every dawn is a promise that the sun will shine again. So, don't forget to dance in the rain whenever the clouds gather and get grey.

In my twenties ~ that wavy age where times seem hardest, yet very adventurous too. You are not too young niether old. Deciding phases, getting serious kind of phase where Life brings you a lot of tides to ride. But I love every moment of it. I love the lovely times I can count on, even the ugliest of situations. They make me a better person. With dreams in my pocket, seeing them taking buds am gonna do all I can let them take their flight. Someday I hope to see them flowered and be happy enough that for once i did something worth celebrating. And that's gonna be Life... celebrating every moment of it.