Evening star., 1922-07-16
A Page for Girls: Flappers and Otherwise
Conducted by Helen H Fetter II
I IGH in the list of things that
the girl OF today does which
many old Mother and Father

r VIGH in the list of things that
IL the girl OF today does which
many old Mother and Father
- = Grundys and especially
maiden Aunt Grundys-think she
should not do 10 dancing. The sense
of rhythmic motion. however, Is
fundamental part of hunfhn nature
and from the earliest days. and in all
parts Of the, known world, the human
inhabitants thereof have had their
dances. Some were originally religious
dances. Others were warrior dances
engaged in primarily to arouse the
,uen to the proper pitch for battle or
participated in by men and women
alike At time OF victory.
Dancing Is an outward expression
of emotion and, therefore, many Of
the modern psychologists have urged
rhythmic dancing in its varied forms
as natural and healthful outlet for
girls. just as men engage in the more
tennis and similar sports. All types
OF rhythmic dancing, whether orien-
raj. Greek. purely esthetic. ballet or
folk dancing. develop control over
the entire physique. incidentally. the
first three types of dancing mentioned
also demand the use of strictly
classical music and develop a taste
and interest in such music to an ex-
tent that no mere listening to II
as played by sreht professional
musicians can develop them. With
the actual physical Interpretation of
musical masterpieces one becomes In
timately conscious OF the emotional
moods meant to be suggested by the
varied musical motifs and can ap-
prechte to an unusual degree the
artistic subtleties of the composers of
music. BY relaxing for the time being
from the restraining influences of
convention and letting the emotions
respond to the suggestions of the best
music of the civilized world girl
has a psychological as well as
physical relaxation and empties her
mind of many repressed worries.
~ e
TN the classical dancing a sense of
proper balance in all kinds of po-
sitions is necessary and good lines"
and artistic postures arc requisite.
There are several famous individuals
snd groups of classical dancers today.
Probably among them Isadora Duncan
has done the most to interest girls
primarily in this art. 1t is, indeed, a
pleasure to see her dancers exhibit
their skill, for they seem to melt from
one exquisite pose into another with
little or no effort to design. The
technique which lies behind such work
is that which for the average girl
develops her knowledge of the proper
methods OF standing. sitting and
walang. and is also very useful in
social dancing. Many. a clumsy or
self-conscious girl has found her sal
walton in some form of rhythmic
dancing which has been practically
employed to develop much needed
poise- The exercises required for
keeping At for rhythmic dancing
bring into play nearly every muscle
ommend this dancing for the natural
adjustment and Strengthening of mus
cles that are weak.
CIMILARLY. the social dancing for
both boys and girls is growing
more and more athletic in it's nature
and losing the stiff, set steps that
used to be it's most essential point. In
these days of jazz 1t Is absolutely inn
possible to dance according to the old
one, two. hop method. but rather the
rhythmic swing of the music natu
rally determines the number and va
ration of the steps. Jazz may not be !
pretty music. but it Is full of the
primitive rhythm. and has done much |
to develop the sense of rhythm in the |
general public.
adays older people who would !
have had to sit uncomfortably all the |
evening and talk Of the weather and |
their neighbors' affairs a generation |
ago are dancing, and when there are |
more girls than boys at a party the |
extra girls do not feel abused and try
to look interested in some insipid pic |
lures, but they dance together
In this way the barriers of many ,,
senseless and ridiculous conventions
are being broken, and it Is the girls
and their dancing that have done ii. j
Therefore. the world. which is still
busy picking up the pieces after the
war, indorses dancing, and he or she
IS. indeed. a pessimist who doesn't
nar-.Op fhe