Curiosities of dance

Dance, as a channel of spontaneous expression, has a history almost as long as that of our species. Since Homo sapiens existed, we have used the body to express ideas and emotions. Like other artistic manifestations, it evolved and became part of collective rituals, sacred or profane.

Human beings are not the only animals that use dance to express themselves. There are several species that use movements that we could describe as harmonic, especially during courtship rituals. However, it has been in humans where this practice evolved into an art that magically exploits the dynamic possibilities of our body.

Ancient Greece was the first culture that gave dance the nature of art. She was also the first to combine it with theater. Socrates is said to have He was praised by his contemporaries, since he danced exquisitely. On the other hand, Plato had no rhythm and did not want to learn to dance, for which he received a lot of criticism.

Some curiosities about dance

Speaking of Plato, a great philosopher and a terrible dancer, he still had time to think about the subject of dance. He said that this was of three types: imitative, athletic and suspicious.. The first was typical of social life, and was considered decorous. The second sought maximum grace in the body. The third incited drunkenness and excess, which is why it should be prohibited.

In Ancient Rome there was a very curious dance. When someone died, a person would take the deceased’s dress and cover his or her face with a mask. He stood in front of the funeral procession and his role was to represent the manners and manners of the dead, without saying a word; They let the body speak.

During the Middle Ages, there was a decline in dance, which only had an important figure again until the Renaissance. The first dance academy of which we have news was located in France, sponsored by Louis XIV, the Sun King, in 1661. Leaving continents and periods, among Americans and Africans, dance was a common expression, associated both religious and social life.

Ballet Curiosities

Ballet is the most recognized artistic expression of dance. He was born in Renaissance Italy, but achieved splendor in France. Almost from the beginning, the five basic positions were instituted, which remain in force to this day. The most famous works are Swan Lake , The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beautyall by Marius Petipa, a Frenchman who lived almost his entire life in Russia.

There are two elements of ballet that are almost mythical: the famous tutu and the slippers. In the beginning, the tutu was flexible and reached to the ankles. It was thought that wearing that garment the dancers would look “more airy.” On July 26, 1862, Emma Livry’s tutu caught fire in the middle of the scene. Since then, that day is considered bad luck among dancers.

As for the shoes, unlike what many think, they do not have plaster toes, but rather cardboard and fabric. The feet of those who practice ballet are so strong that when they jump and fall they can support up to three times their own weight.

Dance, a fantastic universe

Professor Tomoyuki Yamamoto, from the Advanced Institute for Science and Technology in Japan, carried out a study in which it was concluded that Soccer players noticeably improve their performance when they know how to dance samba. Will it have something to do with the successes of the Brazilian soccer team or with the fact that it seems like they carry the rhythm in their bodies?

The University of Missouri, for its part, carried out research indicating that dance is of great benefit to older people. In particular, it helps a lot to improve balance, making it a splendid antidote to falls, so common at these ages. In addition, it oxygenates and keeps the brain active.

On the other hand, dance has been used as a therapeutic means in various ways. Research indicates that it is an excellent supplement to alleviate the side effects of some treatments, such as those for cancer. Likewise, it reduces depression, anxiety and fatigue, while reducing the perception of pain. Extraordinary, right?

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