Dance

CEBU, Philippines - It seems the personal benefits of dance have not been popularly appreciated. To some it is merely a display of talent. To others it is plain fun activity.

But this art form has other, bigger positive benefits. It is obvious how dance benefits the dancer. It is good exercise, both physical and emotional. Certain experts even say that dancing is also intellectually stimulating.

Now the question: How can dance benefit the community - or society as a whole? Some people may view it as simple arithmetic. The more people get themselves into dance, the better the dance consciousness in the neighborhood.

The widespread consciousness is contagious; soon whole communities are involved. Given the good exercise that dance offers, people's collective involvement in it produces a physically and mentally healthy society.

And dance trainings or dancing sessions may occupy the free time of young people, reducing the possibility of them veering towards questionable activities.

It is sad to note, however, that dance is no longer an important part of the general school system. Serious dance training has been relegated mainly to the care of privately-operated dancing schools and dance studios.  And these training venues have become rare these days.

The popular view is that dance is easy, and that the only thing required is finding time for it. The dance groups that sprout during dance competitions in the neighborhood are mostly self-taught. They simply try to mimic the steps of the dancers they see on TV.

It is noticeable, of course, that the neighborhood dancers never perform at par with their idols on TV. Those TV performers likely have formal dance training or are being coached by professional dance instructors.  Formal dance training includes proven techniques and safety measures for achieving even the most complex choreography.

Dance, especially classical dance or ballet, is both art and science. To the dancer, the moves are pre-figured and calculated. The audience, for its part, just sees the resulting art.

Classical dance is the foundation of all the dance types. Dancers who train in it can do almost all types of dance, with distinct confidence and grace. Ballet dancers are known for the 'authenticity' of their moves. 

The emotions that a trained dancer projects during a performance are a good release for him or her. The act, thus, is therapy for the dancer, as well.  This therapeutic benefit is not exclusive to the dancer, though - as while the audience watches in awe, it gets its share of the emotional treat too.

In short, everybody benefits from a dance performance. In coming out from a ballet concert, for example, one has this peculiar light feeling. The same is true with the experience of the other performance arts.

Why do the Cebu Dancing Inmates draw international attention? Because people everywhere like the idea that jail inmates still have their 'soft' side. People think: "If they can still afford to dance, they cannot be so brazen." 

Dance mimics the emotional high points of life, especially the joyful outbursts. As the late prima ballerina Madame Fe Sala Villarica has said: "People dance when they are happy." And then she adds something that seems like a practical prescription for dealing with the everyday life hurdles - "And we are happy when we dance." (FREEMAN)