Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-10-11
GREEK DANCING
HELPS BEAUTIFY
FACE AND FORM
By LUCREZ1A BoRI
prlma Donna OF the Metropolitan opefa

TNHE growing interest IN open-air classic
Il dancing has inspired many women resid.
ing In the country or suburban districts to
organise classes under the leadership Of a
teacher well versed In the art OF Greek
dancing. In many instances this interest IN
classic dancing was awakened by dauEh-
tor but lately returned from a school where
IL was part Of her physical training. one
appreciative mother In n letter TO me said:
at II hard 10 believe that my undevel-
oped anemic. almost 'unattfactive dnuEh-
ter has become the radiantly lovely being
through dancing, yet she insists that her
changed appearance IL due 20 the rhythmic
movements followed In the Greek dances
had never dared hope that she would ever
poEsces such poiEe, grace, distinction OF car.
riagc and symmetry. DO you think u
would be possible for an older woman--of
thirty -fve--to add beauty 20 her neure by
learning 10 interpret the classic danoesf'
There Ia nothing better for women, young
or old. TO roach perfection In the develop
ment OF their bodies than the rhythmic exer-
else obtained through classic dancing. The
free dance movements not only strengthen
and harden the muscles. eliminate too-pro-
nounced curves and encourage graceful
ness. poise and symmetry. but they tend TO
stretch the spine. and thus TO increase the
height OF the dancer.
dancing read all the books you can got
upon the subject. Firmly plant In your
mind the basic law OF rhythmic dancing--
the Interpretation OF ideals greater than
the individual and the desire for q physical
being capable OF expressing those ideals
You must be natural IN the expression OF
dance movements. Artificial movements for
the purpose OF displaying agility are not
20 be thought Of The dance should be a
form Of personal expression, the result OF
,.rkN Lob l. ~ hNAg
The proper background for classic dances
is furnished by nature. and you who are
fortunate enough to live among wind
blown trees. grassy slopes and mirror
POOLS should take advantage Of such in
splrihg surroundings and dance after the
manner OF the beauty loving Greeks.
lnterpretatlve dancing. pantomime and
thSihdk dances all require trained muscles.
but Dae 5ralning comes through the emotions
you ystHiYe to portray. Dropping shoulders
and sunken chests are unheard OF where
wenen-folow the oldest art in the world
ths1seSt classic dancing. Muscles that are
undeE centrol not only add to the efficiency
OF the body, but Increase its beauty nifty
per- 'eefH A honely girl who has a per-
fectlyfobblsed body and who wears her
clotffs Iwell because she has good
carSl}get is far more attractive than the
girl whose face Is faultlessly beautiful, but
whose "heure is angular and dropping or
'pudHyTf
| 10 leHTn clAehlC uhnclnh buCcebsiuny you
must, cultivate cheerful frame OF mind.
| There must always be that chlldlike aban-
| donmtht that is the source OF grace OF
| motion The person who is broken In spirit
| tired OF life." or who ls lacking In deter
mination or Belf-reliance, In the one that
souches and whose feet seem az heavy as
lead. Your mind must be capable OF noble
and inspiring thoughts before your body
can be made TO express the beautiful
rhythmic movements Of the Greek dances
From the moment you begin to throw
| your arms upward and forget that there
is any weight TO your lower limbs as fyoJ
| skip about you win feel the rejuvenatinl
influence Of the exercise In every muscle OF
your body. =
Begin with the simplest OF the dances and
devote at least an hour interpreting then
in the open air. Increase the length Of
time as you become more and more pro
flcient In the art. Select q costume pat
termed after the graceful tunic OF the an
cient Greeks, that the freedom OF you
1 movements will not be Interfered with by
tight clothing. OF course, stays must b,
discarded. II at first you find II impossibl,
/ to dance with your feet unprotected, weai
/ sandals.
Classic dancing will completely trans
form the body in time but you cannot ex
ercise In this manner one day and ther
neglect 20 do 80 for two or three days
For the exercise to be of lasting benefi
you must dance every dFy and carry tn,
buoyant thoughts and emotions thus in
spired with you the rest of the time
II you have been thinking at all abou
becoming student OF outdoor class,
| dancing, noursh the thought until II be
comes a reality. 1t is sure and pleasan
way TO preserve and to improve you
beauty.
| (CopyrIght)