...And dance like no one's watching

by Nauman Umair Khan | April 28, 2009 at 10:37 pm

265 views | 14 Recommendations | 2 comments

Yeah, dance like no one's watching because today it's International Dance Day (World Dance Day). Dance, which has a history stretching from pre-historic era down to modern day, is considered as-sacred-as-religion in some spheres while some construe it as-bad-as-evil and therefore disregard it. Also, there are people who are of the view that neither it should be taken too sacred nor it should be taken too bad. Whatever, but dance, like any other art, is wonderful and enchanting. Above all, it's a healthy activity.

International Dance Day (World Dance Day) has been celebrated on April 29 through promotion by the International Dance Council (CID), an umbrella organization within UNESCO for all kinds of dance.

The holiday was introduced in 1982 by the International Dance Committee of the UNESCO International Theater Institute. The date was suggested by Pyotr Gusev to commemorate the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre.

Despite CID(International Dance Council)'s struggle to create awareness among people regarding dance we still have a long way to go, the main reason behind which is a lack of participation from those who can play an important role, as Prof. Alkis Raftis, President of the International Dance Council, in an e-mail that he circulated last year exclaimed, "Governments, sponsors, and the media is our main concern this year. Governments (national, regional or local), sponsors (private or public) and the media (newspapers, magazines, radio, TV) are the three most important factors affecting the practice of our art. Dance professionals struggle to approach them individually - with poor results. We propose a better way: through CID Sections representing all forms of dance, all levels, all functions"

As regards it's history, it's quite hard to declare when did it originate because dance didn't often leave behind clearly identifiable physical artifacts that last over millennia, but, we do have evidence that it remained an integral part of the cultures of most ancient civilizations, as an important part of ceremony, rituals, celebrations and entertainment.

The Greek philosopher, Aristotle, ranked dancing with poetry, and said that certain dancers, with rhythm applied to gesture, could express manners, passions, and actions. The most eminent Greek sculptors studied the attitude of the dancers for their art of imitating the passions.

As per the criticism it faces, most of the criticism is ranted from religious spheres, extremists groups constituting the majority of them. But exceptions also exist, like in Islam, the biggest critic of dance and music among religious spheres, Sufism, a sect of Islam, has it's basic theological theme running through music and dance. As regards Christianity, dance is a basic element of church ceremonies and gatherings, accompanied by music, and in Hinduism it's an integral part of Hindu faith.

From the health point of view, older people can dance their way towards improved health and happiness according to a report from the Changing Ageing Partnership (CAP).

The research, by Dr Jonathan Skinner from Queen’s University Belfast, reveals the social, mental and physical benefits of social dancing for older people. It suggests that dancing staves of illness, and even counteracts decline in ageing.

Recommendations include the expansion of social dance provision for older people in order to aid successful ageing and help older people enjoy longer and healthier lives.

Jonathan Skinner, Lecturer in Social Anthropology at the School of History and Anthropology at Queen’s, studied the effects of social dancing amongst older people in Northern Ireland, Blackpool and Sacramento, USA.

Dr Skinner said: "I have found that social dancing leads to a continued engagement with life - past, present, and future - and holds the promise for successful ageing. It contributes to the longevity of the dancers, giving them something to enjoy and focus upon - to live for. It alleviates social isolation and quite literally helps take away the aches and pains associated with older age.

“In addition to this, and especially in Northern Ireland, dancing brings people together across communities, creating solidarity, tolerance and understanding."

Sarah, a 70-year-old from Bangor and a regular ice-dancer, took part in the study. Sarah said: "My daughters brought me down to the ice rink. I have to say, after years of dancing on a Ballroom floor, I was very impressed and skating has great flow and speed. I’ve been doing it for twelve years now. We do the rumba, quickstep, foxtrot and tango. My instructor even wanted me to compete. My friends have commented that my energy is overwhelming, ‘what’s the secret?’ they ask, and I just say ‘keep dancing’.”

Dr Una Lynch, CAP Research Manager at Queen’s said: "Dr Skinner's study is the seventh piece of CAP research to be completed and we are delighted to be involved in a study that challenges stereotypical images of ageing and highlights the fact that healthy ageing can be fun."

The researcher, Jonathan Skinner, will present further findings and recommendations of the research at a research launch at the Institute of Governance at Queen’s University Belfast on Wednesday 1 April.

So, dance like no one's watching!

I heard that physical exercise increases your immune system, to the like of flus and stuff. Great Posting!

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