Dance and its many uses

Dance has existed for as long as the human race has been around. It was used to pass on stories from one generation to the next, but over the years, it has been transformed and is used today for everything from fitness to therapy.
Here's a look at a few ways in which dance is employed in modern times...
TRADITION
Bharata Muni's Natyashastra, which literally translates to `the text of dramaturgy', is one of the earliest texts on the subject.Dance has many forms in India, with each state having its own unique style. From the popular Bharatanatyam to Kathak, and the notso-known Sattriya of Assam, dance has been a way to tell stories and bring people together. These dance forms have survived centuries and still find eager learners today, with the addition of imports like Salsa, Ballet and Jazz, among others.
FITNESS
Almost all gyms in the city offer dance classes as a form of fitness training.Zumba, which fuses dance and aerobics, is extremely popular in the city .Apart from this, people are also opting for Latin dance workouts, Hip Hop, Jazzercise (a combination of Jazz and exercise) and Bollywood dance to shed those extra kilos. Feeling a little adventurous? Then you can try your hand at Pole Dancing, Burlesque and Belly Dance.
THERAPY
There are institutes in the country that offer dance therapy for those suffering from diabetes, obesity, for pregnant women, those in high-stress environments and for IT people, among others. Dance therapy merges psychotherapeutic dance moves with holistic therapy, which helps support emotional, intellectual and motor functions. It also improves flexibility and strength.
RAISING AWARENESS
Dance is also more and more being used to spread awareness. Although plays that employ dance and music have been used in India for decades to spread social messages, it has got an international makeover of sorts.Taking a cue from the West, city folk have adopted flash mobs to raise awareness on everything from saving the environment to voting.
DANCE DRAMAS
What's better than one art form? Two! Dance dramas are steeped in Indian history, but are lately finding a lot of takers in modern theatre. Several plays off-late have been using contemporary dance forms to help actors emote and help the audience understand a character better. While plays in India would usually bank on traditionally native dance forms, theatre today has gone a step further by incorporating dance forms and stories from across the world.
- Dhwani Desai