Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-12-03
NATURAL EXERCISES
AID TO GRACEFULNESS
Technique Is as Necessary in
This Art as Any
Other.
MUSIC Is GUIDE TO DANCING

Relaxation md strengthening Arc
the First Two Processes TO which
the Muscles Must DC Subjected to
Acquire Grace.
Miss Bird Larson's classes at
Barnard have for several years
been among the most popular
courses given at that famous
college. She has also directed
the production of the Greek
Games. which are held there
each spring
ny Bird Lnrson.
What IL natural dancinc7 Is II.
as popular opinion would have It.
an Interpretation % II musical com
position by dancer who does not
understand the music and who does
not possess the necessary technique
with which 10 express the ideas II
she did understand them?
Natural dancing. as conceive II.
is called because ii deals with
natural movements and because it
develops the body naturally rather
than artifcially. II is a form ~
dancing which is no; limited to the
professional dancer.
ON the contrary. the ,echnig-e of
this type OF dancing should make
easier the routine activities Of every
day life. For everybody walks. cv-
erybody sits. everybody stands. and
natural dancing teaches YOU how
10 d. these things with greater
pose and ease.
Music mn Inspiration.
Music Is the guide and tho in.
spi,ation uf natural dancing It
gives form we'll as idea to- the
movements OF the body. From it's
phrases Ne derive the patterns for
our movements. and from It's moods
and ideas We derive the emotions
which We are 10 portray
We ali know that the body un-
consciously expresses our simple,
emotional reactions. You can tell
by PERSONS carriage whether sh.
is slated or detected, confident or
fearful. But that the body can cx-
press the more complex emotions ana
the even more complex thoughts, tx
not generally accepted.
However, before YOU can use Your
body as medium OF expression YOU
must possess knowledge Of its
work ing parts, an Understanding o.
ITS possibilities and is limitations
Tais knowledge is, in a measure
what w mean by technique. Tech
niQue is as necessary In this art a.
any other and. also as in other
arts. should 10 50 simple. natural
md controlled that To the beholder
only the i-.nuty OF the expressions
Is apparent and not the medium
tnrough which IT H. expressed
Itruu.rr> Constant t.rariicc.
Movement should iiuw through
Your body wi,h Lncons .Ious ease
nen you have, Though cOnStan,
practice OF natural gestures M..
movements reached the point where
YOU are no longer aware OF your
arms and legs. out use your BOD,
as unit. you have lit rum-In.
Win which 10 begin your real cane
ING.
Natural movements OF the bod,
begin at III. center or what 1t
known in phySio!oei zeal t.rmimuIuEN
as the region OF the upper aUuu-
men and Inc upper portions or III,
lumbar verteorae. lie, movement
and rhythm begin at ,hs Genie.
and Flow inrousa your chest, yUuI
mead and then nown through yvut
lower arm 40 your very tAt-.r-u,.
ana Likewise to tn, luw-i rA,rcm..
lies.
,a movements such y, wuioinl
.v"l.u., ana rANt.u= HnI,.. iu.n
~ "-i tnr n,,.,a. .,u.,.t,nts -.
yo.r sp."e 49, move Irv-l.
,s wiNt-I"r H",.uH. I,s..u. c.sI
vrr ute par, %. Your :out wn.c..
d III
reIsA@uun au1 stgtnrtncn.ns ar.
the ms, ,"u w. q. se.i.ln when YOU
..Lstir. mI:t - Suggested
-lnv, your foot. ca! aud thigh
b-al MUGS uf yvur weight. they uy,u
gsscnstnsn!ns hist.
q" strengthen Ankirs aud Thighs.
Advance your right loot. sprung
Ing up on the lips OF your toes ana
rnuiuS with a free SWING forward
ui Nout left foot Now spring. up
again. DO mis- while YOU ar. bend
ing and extending YOUR knee Joint.
Your arms may aIso he brought into
p!ay with tn.s exercise. swinging
in.m INTO opposltIou win ,,r,
change %. foot
SPIRAL Motions for Your SHINE.
icrfec, relaxation Is I'M. hrs, ss
Srniial of urrc. 1sCor. Van
hav, control of your musc..s YOU
relaxation comes NOR. easily vim
your body ia prom, position ,nss.
exercises are taken lying on IN.
Aoor.