by: Peter Roberts

Learning to dance is fun—and it is easy. In a sense it is like learning a new

language—a language in which moods and emotions are expressed in movement., Dance is a

language of rhythm, grace and harmony. ballroom dancing is relatively new—but in a very real sense dance

is the oldest language in the world, for dancing is the oldest form of art.

Go back as far as you can in recorded history and you'll find records of dance. The

dance appeared in various forms as far back as ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome.

Dancing is a way of expressing emtion. It gives expression to deeply rooted emotions, often so profound as to

border on reverence. You can see this effect with the way dance was incorporated into many religious festivals, pagan and otherwise.

Look in the Bible in the 150th Psalm: "Praise ye the Lord in all your songs and dances."

Most of us have an instinctive urge to express ourselves in rhythm. Notice how somepeople tap their fingers, or keep time to the beat with their foot. Primitive men satisfied this urge by beating drums and dancing around a campfire. sheer exhaustion.

We, of the so called civilized world, satisfy this same instinctive urge

in a more cultured way. We dance in what we call a conventional manner to rhythmic music. The age of the participant has a bearing on what is considered conventional. Young people attending Rave parties have a different idea on what it means, than say someone in the 60's.

What we all agree on is that dancing is a wholesome, natural outlet for the emotions. The ability to dance develops personality, and above all—it is fun.