Ashland weekly tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1919-1924, 1919-11-12
(By Barbara Crayton. }

conspicuous part Ill our eNery-udy
affairs. Instead of an idle, even
frivolous pastime, the dance is be-
ing urged for its serious educational
value. Many of its friends see in
dancing a solution of many social
and industrial problems. After the
horrors of war we may dance our
way back to normal conditions Of
mind and body. In the third year of
the war systematic effort was made
in England to relieve the tension,
especially among soldiers, and a
number of dancing instructors were
brought from France for the pur-
pose. Glasses comprising some 49,
900 were instructed with gratifying
results.
An interesting experiment is be-
ing carried on near New York to
interest large numbers OF young
girls, including many of those en-
gagged in hard work in the classic
dances. The patronesses of this
movement, Mrs. f. T. Towne OF
Stamford, Conn, a woman Of wealth,
Of social position, has already carried
the work far beyond the experiment
tai stage. Many of the girls are
drawn from great industrial plants.
In the winter months halls are
found for the dancers, while in the
summer the beautiful lawns of the
Towne estate overlooking Long ISL
and are often used for the purpose.
An ancient Greek would doubtless
feel very much at home in watching
these graceful groups Of dancers and
the classic lines Of their delicate
Grecian draperies.
Mrs. Towne has planned the move
ment along practical lines. II am
trying to give these girls an equal
opportunity with their more fortu-
nate sisters" she explained the
other day "What else could I do
for them which would more quickly
develop both the mind and body and
awaken in them the joy of life? To
explain my motive let me tell you the
experience which first suggested the
work.
"T CHANGED to pass a fashionable
dancing school one stormy winters
day when a beautifully appointed
limousine with liveried chauffeur and
footman drove up. A maid alighted
and after her little girl, very much
overdressed, who was protesting vio'
lently. The maid was pleading with
her that she wore the most expen-
sive dress in town and the dancing
class was therefore sure to prove
a delight.
Further down the street
chanced upon a group OF working
girls gazing rapturously in window
at some dancing frocks. l listened
to them and each of the girls was
telling of her longing to wear such
gowns and to dance. made up my
mind that these working girls, with
their limited opportunities, should
have a chance to dance If I could
bring it to them. There was much
opposition, but a class OF about a
hundred was finally formed, meet
ing in a hall The best instructors
obtainable have been secured tC
teach them. 1t is no sense charity
The girls pay nominal fee for each
lesson.
"There is a very general misap
prehension as to dancing. 1t has
been happily described by Jaquei
Dalcrose as rhythmic gymnastics. II
is not merely a refinement of dane
ing such as we see in society, a prin
ciple affecting every Fart Of life.
"The question is always before ed
ucators and physicians, What is the
best kind OF exercise to recommend
to the great uneIercised class? Tt
walk, to swim, to play outdoor
games, to hunt, all are good in thei
way, but they do not exercise thu
body equally and steady and trair
the nerves. rhythmic, systematic ex
.ercise, going over the muscles eacl
DAY, so all may do their part, will
fresh air and pure water and peace
Ful sleep, gives the personality al
we'll, which result is not obtained
from ordinary exercise.
81 want to emphasize most i'm
portant element Of exercise, namely
the slow movements which develop
balance and lead to absolutely still
D psitions, which are to be held To-
from s to Is minutes with the bod!
in relaxed conditions. To acquire
RHYTHM in exercise is to gain bod
lily beauty and strengthen the mind
The circle is completed when thu
mind and body are brought into q
complete coordination so that the!
work together, the muscles givint
instantan eous obedience to the brain