Page:Modern Dancing (1914) Castle.djvu/187



GREAT deal has recently been said and written about dancing, but much of it is given out from a biased viewpoint and with little thought. When one realizes that dancing raises a question that involves practically all the members of the community, regardless of age, sex, and condition, then surely a snap judgment, either of condemnation or approval, should not be given. The conditions ordinarily considered—that is, those of hygienic precautions and proper surroundings or environment—are not debatable. Hygiene and environment must always be paramount considerations, and it must be taken for granted that the accepted rules of health are complied with.

It is likewise self-evident that great advantage is to be derived from the systematic training of muscles by rhythmical movements. The value of music in gymastic exercises has long been taken advantage of by trainers and teachers of