Dancing is a universal experience, every person in the whole world can understand, even though everyone talks in a different language. It overcomes country borders and world seas. The great thing about dancing is that every person can do it differently and no dance will be danced in the same way again. The fact that no body looks and moves exactly the same underlines the individualism of each person and shows that one can really express themselves.

Especially children, but of course adults too, are allowed to dive into a whole new world, which allows them to communicate their deepest inner feelings with the outside world. Children, who can often have a truly blooming inside, are encouraged to express themselves through this very unique form of art. Through the movements, which are executed consciously, it is often easier for them to express their feelings than if they talk to their parents or another person in their environment about them. There also may exist a chance that they can transform negative feelings like anger, sadness or jealousy into positive ones like glee or calmness. This is because every physical activity induces the production of happiness hormones. And longterm consequences can be that they will not show their emotions in an aggressive way like screaming or hitting but in an artistic one, which will cause way more satisfaction. Also dancing can help people in general to be proud of their achievements.
Furthermore children will also learn to express themselves in a playful and fun way, so they do not feel the need have to express themselves. It will be a subconscious reaction.

Also adults and people in every age should try the possibility to express themselves through dancing. Because of the many different dance-genres, which include everything, from the classical ballet over funky jazz up to creative hiphop. It also can help people with anxiety or depression because of the positive surrounding people will become more relaxed and are more open to let their creativity flow, which allows them to express themselves easier. The act of self-expression through dancing also can be compared with drawing a picture, in which our body is the pencil and the stage is the paper. Step by step, one will create a beautiful painting.

But not only emotions can be reflected through the act of dancing. The storytelling, where no words are needed, is also a huge part of self-expression. Everybody who sees you dancing can understand your personal story, which you are trying to tell. Maybe you are even better understood than without words. Moreover there is a traditional indian dance called “Kathak”, which translates to “the one who tells a story”. In this specific dance-genre, which is originally from the Northern India the dancer transmits its story through the unique movements of the hands and feet but also through their facial expressions.
Moreover this specific storytelling can also be found in the so-called “narrative ballet”, in which the dancers try to express themselves and their stories through special costumes, synchronized movements and of course, their bodies. Famous examples for the narrative ballet are “Swan lake” or “The nutcracker”.

All of these examples just show us, how important the self-expression through dancing can be and how valuable it is for connecting our bodies and our souls through this movements.

Sources for the text:
https://www.performingdancearts.ca/importance-self-expression-through-dance/#:~:text=Using%20Dance%20As%20a%20Form%20of%20Self%2DExpression&text=Dance%20is%20a%20way%20for,%2C%20leaps%2C%20and%20unique%20footwork.
https://www.kinderberlin.de/Blog/wie-ein-tanzkurs-die-motorischen-faehigkeiten-von-kindern-foerdert/#:~:text=Durch%20das%20Tanzen%20lernen%20Kinder,andere%20motorische%20F%C3%A4higkeiten%20zu%20entwickeln.
https://www.herder.de/kiga-heute/fachmagazin/archiv/2019-49-jg/1-2019/10-gruende-in-der-kita-zu-tanzen/
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https://freelymagazine.com/2019/05/15/kathak-a-story-telling-indian-dance-style/
https://www.balletdancersguide.com/ballet-stories.html