The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1927-07-01
Famous Expert
Tells Beauty
Secrets
By Maria Jeritza,

~
HAVE you not often. often mar
~ veled at the grace and beau.
titul proportions of dancers at q
musical comedy. revue or ballet?
These girls express the very
poetry Of motion and they seem to
~liJoy every moment Of their work.
It Is more than coincidence that
professional dancers are unusually
graceful and symmetrical, with
perfect physical poise.
No exercise In the world affords
better all-around training of the
body than does dancing. I am re-
ferring, of course, to classical,
ballet, folk and interpretive rather
than ball room dancing, although
the latter also is thoroughly en-
joyable and beneficial when in
dulged in under healthful condi-
lions.
To dance, however, in a ball
room filled with tobacco smoke
and the dust raised by flying feet,
where there is insufficient ven
tilation, is to counterfeit all the
good effects of the exercise by
these unwholesome conditions. /
cannot dance In a crowded, heated
room without at once affecting my
voice and throat unfavorably.
Most opera singers are obliged to be
extremely careful about the en-
VySY.NVf ANT ~ xuyH1i4fA
And it would be well II more care
were taken by dancers everywhere
to dance only in a cool, well-ven-
tilated room and Immediately after
each dance slip into a wrap or
scarf Of some sort.
It is safe to say that nearly all
excellent dancers who make it a
practice to dance a little each day,
If only alone to radio music, are
unconsciously graceful in every
move and posture. I know of no
better means of reducing or put
ting on just the wight amount of
weight than working in a ballet
class under a capable teacher,
practicing at least an hour daily.
Either a small class or individual
work will help you to poise and
symmetry. OF course, you can
work by yourself. following direc-
tions successfully. But the adj
vantage Of personal instruction is
that your mistakes are detected
and you are kept up to standard
in all your practice. Exercise Of
any kind that is taken lazily and
eloppily is waste OF time so far as
physical benefits Is concerned.
If you can do so, my sincere
advice is, join a good dancing
class in classical, stage, interpre-
tive or even ballroom dancing and
try hard to perfect yourself in
this charming art. AS an accom-
plishment 1t will prove useful
socially. But what is far more
important, the exercise should
keep you physically in trim and
afford you enjoyment and recrea-
ton while you exercise.
Here Is a movement much used
in Spanish castanet dancing. 1t
will bring most Of your muscles
into play and add to their flexibil
ity and grace If you practice it
faithfully.
Stand straight with your weight
on your leIC IooI, your rlgnC TOOL
slightly advanced, toes pointed
out. Advance a step with and
kneel on your right foot at count 1.
On count 2 to circle your body
from your waist, to the right,
back, to the left and front. AS
you do so. hold your arms in a
graceful half circle over your head.
fingertips touching. On counts
and resume standing position
with your arms at your side, your
weight on your right foot and
your left foot slightly advanced,
toes pointed. On count / kneel on
your left foot and circle your body
to the left on counts and 6, re.
Stunning standing position on
and 8.
Bend as far back as you can
in making the circle from your
waist. Your fingertips should
sweep the floor at the beginning
and end Of the circle.
This is but one of many charm
ing and graceful dancing exer-
cises which add to the poise, grace
and symmetry Of every woman
who masters them.