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Rachel Cornell
Ed Austin
Dance 261
30 March 2016
Dance: the Ability to Believe and the Power to Change
Truly understanding dance is similar to describing to a person who has been blind from
birth what it is to see. Or describing what love is to someone who has never been in love.
There are just some things that cannot be adequately described without actually experiencing it.
And that is the intriguing mystery and even beauty of dance, it expresses something that cant be
understood through words (Bresnahan). Dance is more than just a great exercise for the day, its
more than that one performance you complete, or celebration you attend; dance facilitates a
passion and drive that can be found through the emotions portrayed and experienced through the
movement of our bodies. Dance has the power to make a difference in all those that have the
desire to believe and chase after their dreams.
To gain a basic foundation of how dance can be perceived, simply defined, dance is the
movement of the body in a rhythmic way, usually to music and within a given space, for the
purpose of expressing an idea or emotion, releasing energy, or simply taking delight in the
movement itself (Mackrell). As artists we are unique in the fact that the body is our instrument.
The power within this very detail lies within the connection of some of the greatest gifts we have
been given here on earth; our body and spirit. In a world that is constantly criticizing and
debasing the body, it is easy to see the body as just an object that needs to keep up with the
trends of society. But through dance it builds up and allows the body to connect to the beauty it

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was intended to display. Through movement, our physical body is able to connect to our spirit as
we are exploring the world around us.
The next time you look into the mirror, just look at the way the ears rest next to the
head; look at the way the hairline grows; think of all the little bones in your wrists. It is a
miracle. And the dance is a celebration of that miracle (Graham). Every intricacy of our body
was formed through the perfect abilities of a loving Heavenly Father who created us to achieve
and progress in this life. Being able to use and move our bodies in a way that commemorates the
very gift our Heavenly Father has given us allows us to discover the beauty that lies within each
of us as daughters and sons of God. Dance, like our Heavenly Father, allows us to recognize and
see the potential that we have, and gives us the encouragement to accomplish it.
It is through this discovery that we move beyond the physical abilities of our body and
reach the inner spirit that truly makes us who we are. The essence of dance reveals the
landscape of [the] soul (Graham). With each of us on this path of self-discovery, dance
facilitates the opportunity to expose and gain perspective in seeing who that person is.
Through this path of dance, it is amazing to see how it stretches a person to make the
impossible, possible. Dance can, in fact, create a completely self-contained world for dancers in
which they are capable of physical effort, prowess, and endurance far beyond their normal
powers (Mackwell). But just as everything in life, it doesnt come without effort. And that is the
exciting part of dance, there is always something new you can learn, something you can strive to
master, and something that can bring you closer to this goal of perfection. Mistakes are
inevitable but instead of letting them discourage you, you must allow them to push you to
continue to give your all and never give up. Each failure brings you that much closer to the
success you can find and accomplish. In the words of Steve Clark, there is no growth in the

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comfort zone; there is no comfort in the growth zone. As one of my dance teachers would
always tells us, if dance becomes too comfortable youre doing something wrong.
Dance does more than just teach movement, but teaches skills that contribute to every
aspect of life. The arts have the ability to embody a unique learning process that awakens the
very core of ones being (Daily). Dance instills dedication, discipline, perseverance, and a love
of using a talent and gift you have been given. It provides a creative outlet, increased self-esteem
and self-worth, and improved social skills. Because of these universal principles, it allows dance
to have the power to engage and connect everyone.
Dance is a language that anybody can speak, it is a form of communication that everyone
can understand. Dance has the ability to break barriers, as it has the power to change attitudes.
The need for common ground around the world today is immense, but this vision often is lost
through the disparity of reality that overshadows the good in society. And thats what dance can
overcome in the world. Dance continues to give back to the world; not simply as a form of
entertainment but as a literal means of physical and life change (Ransom). The ability that
dance has to transport an individual away from the current difficulties or trials they are facing
allows the individual to find hope in a moment where they can be themselves and express who
they are.
The opportunities are endless of how one can be involved in dance. It is all around us;
whether it is at a party, a culture celebration, or a professional company performing for an
audience, they all contain an emotion and satisfaction that cant otherwise be produced. There
are a variety of forms, genres, and dancers, but it is through the passion and purpose behind each
example that makes dance come alive. This expression and passion is the one thing that cant be

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taught and is the one thing that continues to bring great wonder and intrigue to this beautiful art
form.
As Agnes de Mille said To dance is to be out of yourself, larger, more beautiful, more
powerful. This is why I dance. It is the one moment where I can completely feel free, where I
can be in control yet be completely out of myself. Constantly investigating the path of my
movement I am able to explore a different realm of emotions within myself, that can only be
found when dancing. Dance has meant everything to me and has given so much purpose to my
life. Beyond the friendships I have made, the great exercise it is, and the fun times I have had, I
continue to dance because it is the very thing that allows me to be who I truly am and
demonstrates that to others. That is the power within dance for everyone. I am a firm believer
that everyone should have the opportunity to dance. And if it is a desire, that no matter what
level or age they are at, they can find the joy that dance produces.
Anything is possible if one but believes; thats how it started for me, and that is what
dance can instill in anyone. Through each individuals desire to take that leap of faith, to
discover and develop a talent, and explore the possibilities found through movement, greater
understanding of one self and true expression and emotion are discovered.
Dance has the ability to encompass a variety of meanings and purposes because it effects
the individual, but behind each individual there is a commonality of exposed feelings of freedom
and joy. Dance can be a hobby, maybe even a career, it can be a language, an art, an emotion, or
a gift discovered. Whatever the explanation, no one can truly know the impact and power of
dance unless they have experienced it themselves. Through dance, many people have the
opportunity to reveal an ability, to discover who they are, and express themselves in a way that



words cannot. No matter what stage in life one may be in, dance fosters and creates the
opportunity to discover and promote change in a world that so desperately needs it.

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Works Cited

Bresnahan, Alli. "Thoughts on the Philosophy of Dance." Aesthetics For Birds. 31 Mar. 2014. Web. 26
Mar. 2016.
Clark, Steve. "Total Balance." Pinterest. Web. 27 Mar. 2016.
Daily, Newell K. "Centering the Arts in Christ." BYU Speeches. Provo. 6 Mar. 2001. Speech.
Graham, Martha. "I Am A Dancer." Brigham Young University Documents. 1952. Web. 27 Mar. 2016.
Mackrell, Judith R. "Dance." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 29 Mar.
2016.
Ranson, Paul. "Can Dance Change The World? - Dance Informa Magazine." Dance Informa Magazine.
25 Apr. 2011. Web. 25 March 2016.