Dancing for All Ages

Dancing has been part of human activity and frequently part of the social lives of peoples everywhere for centuries. Because it is an activity so naturally indulged in (one can see toddlers responding to music and rhythm) there is a place in our society today for all ages to participate in some form of dancing.

If a youngster shows a special interest in rhythm and dancing, often parents will enroll the child in some sort of dance class. Ballet is perhaps the most common type of dancing study for young girls, though obviously this is an area not limited to females as some of the greatest ballet dancers have been and are men.

In some social groups, young boys and girls are enrolled in dance classes which teach formal ballroom dancing, as this is considered almost a social necessity. Indeed, being a reasonably accomplished ballroom dancer can be a social asset.

Commonly today young people today learn from each other a loose, inventive form of dancing which evolves into disco dancing, where partners do not hold each other and where, though they dance more or less in unison, each may be doing his individual thing. The more formal ballroom dancing is not often seen among young people, though there is now something of a trend to learn dances such as the swing and salsa.

The more traditional forms of ballroom dancing, including such dances as the fox trot, waltz, quickstep and Latin dances, are primarily enjoyed by somewhat older groups rather than young adults. If one attends a dance studio session, or a competition ballroom dance event, the couples dancing usually range in age from mid-thirties to, believe it or not, to seventy years and older. Many of these couples remember dancing to the big bands in that long-past era.

It is interesting that young adults seldom seem interested in learning the traditional ballroom dances. Perhaps it is the discipline of having to execute specific steps, or following a partner through intricate patterns that they resist. Certainly disco dancing requires no such discipline. Many professional ballroom dancers, are, however quite young. Indeed advanced ballroom and exhibition dancing requires the stamina and agility of youth, just as Olympic championship skating does.

At any rate, there is some area of dancing that people of every age can enjoy. And if humans continue to respond to music and rhythm, as they always have, dancing will continue to be part of our cultural and social life.

Recommended Reading

1. Social Dancing
Social dancing has been a part of social activities for many centuries, and in a sense has been a social...
2. History of Dancing
Dancing in some form or other is one of man's earliest expressions of joy, worship, celebration and grief. Who knows...
3. Dancing Latin Dances
Some of the most popular ballroom dances are those which originated in Latin countries, and require some training and particular...
4. Ballroom Dancing
Ballroom dancing can add fun, excitement and social spice to your life. It's also a healthy form of exercise, good...
5. Disco Dancing
Disco dancing became popular in small clubs and dance spots a few decades ago, and still retains its popularity particularly...