Title: The First Beat of My Life Thesis Statement: Being enthusiastic about dancing has made me realized that

no one has been given a perfect life rather one has the heart to love everything in life that makes one seems to be living a perfect life.

The word dance, according to the article A Brief History of Dance, is derived from the Frankish term dintjan, meaning to pull or stretch. The term evolved with the French language into the modern term, danser. To some, dance is any movement to a rhythmic sound, while to others it is any non-verbal communication. However, most will agree that dance is a form of expression, commonly accompanied by some form of music (C. Stewart; par. 1) Dance has been part of history since the beginning of time. From the article Jazz and Roots, people found cave paintings in Spain and France with a length of more than 10,000 years. There were drawings of dancing figures and rituals associated with pictures of hunting scenes. Many people around the world see life as a dance, from the movement of clouds to changes in season. The history of dance reflects changes in the way that the people understand the world, their bodies and experiences related to the cycles of life. My life started with a dance. When I was still a child, I used to entertain people. During family gatherings, my mom would always tell me to dance in front of many people, and I would always follow because of the prize I would get from it. I would just wave my hands, sway my hips and turn around. At that moment, they were entertained. Their eyes were pleased and they

found me cute. At some point of our lives, I think weve been through this kind of situation. This was how I started to dance. Some time later, I learned about the different kinds of dancing. I was still a nursery student in Saint Claire when our teacher taught us a dance or actions while singing some nursery rhymes. In addition, when I was in my pre-school years, I was introduced to line dance, a kind of dance we always perform on occasion like Family Day. When I was in my first grade, Ive tried another dance which was Cheerdancing. Besides the family day, cheering competition is also one of the biggest events in our school every year. I grew up with continuously exposing myself to the world of dancing. I was in my sixth grade when I joined our dance group Danstaclara. I began to find a deeper meaning of dancing. Being part of this group taught me that there was more than just dancing. Dancing is a form of expression and also makes a person realize to have a goal. Having a goal makes a person be determined to achieve more. Also, dance opens up opportunity for us dancers to explore and to enhance our skills by performing at social functions and thus, enables us to mingle with others of similar interest. The school has always been supportive of us. We even have our own room for our practices. Danstaclaras choreographer, Alvi, who was the Assistant Principals son, introduced us to different styles of dancing. We practiced every Friday after class hours. Practice was certainly a requirement and important as certain steps needed to be done so to be well performed. Before we started to practice our dance, we conditioned our body. We have to condition our body to avoid joint pains or injuries. He also taught us and helped us practice doing stunts such as forward and backward roll, split, cartwheel, and the like. Hence, dance was also a form of

exercise. It requires flexibility, balance and coordination of body movements. After a dance session, all felt the rush of positive energy. That positive energy has driven the competitive and fighting spirit in us. For instance, we started to perform in other schools, may it be a competition or just an intermission number. The energy should always be to the fullest extent. We have to dance at our best and at the same time project because dancing without emotions is lifeless. Doing the steps alone is different to when a dancer is feeling the dance. It would always show what a dancer felt when he or she was dancing. That feeling would be shared with the person who was viewing or watching it. The movement never lies. Alvi, the person who influenced me and encouraged me to dance, became one of my inspirations. In high school, we became the Clairean Dance Company. Marjo became our new coach. But before I became a member of the dance group, I went through an audition. We had to choreograph our own dance steps. I practiced inside the bathroom because I couldnt think of my dance steps when someones watching. When my number was called, my heart did a back-flip. It was a nerve-wracking experience and it felt like I was being judged inside a court room. The three judges were alumni of Saint Claire. They are all great dancers among their other batch mates. The result of my performance was a little funny. Because I practiced inside a small area, my dance, therefore, was limited with small movements. Luckily, I passed the test and became a CDC member. However, this was only the beginning. Becoming a member of a dance group is not easy. We had to go through a lot of killing trainings. Our trainings were draining out all our energy but all were worth the pain. Marjo was preparing us to a higher level of dancing. We encountered different coaches and every coach taught us different styles in dancing such as hiphop, modern interpretative, popping, locking, break dancing and wave-like motion dances. Every

dance has its own discipline, yet when its being danced we forget about the rules. It looked easy when they were dancing it, but once we were doing the same steps they were dancing, it was difficult to do. It was different. Thus, this makes a dancer unique among other dancers. I experienced an audition again. This was among the CDC members of who will be chosen to compete in Skechers StreetDance Battle. Skechers Streetdance Battle is a showcase of the best moves, choreography, creativity, team work and coordination that will pit the best high school and collegiate hiphop dance groups in Metro Manila against each other. It is the biggest, hottest, and most exciting search for the best dance group. (Skechers Street Dance Battle par.1) Fortunately, I got the slot. The two-month training we had involved so much effort, in many instances painful. Practice was a requirement in order to maintain the technique and the swift movements. Our body though in fatigue was at the same time being disciplined. We practiced doing the head stand, hand stand, baby freeze and other break dancing movements. I even got sick days before the competition. We prayed after our every practice. I was still sick during the competition so they didnt let me dance one part of the dance so I could take a rest even just for a while. Luckily, we still made it but only until the 2nd elimination. Though we didnt make it through the finals, our experience itself was priceless. I didnt notice that dancing turned out to be my hobby. I dance when I feel like I want to. I dance when Im having my shower, when Im walking in the streets, in malls, wherever, whenever theres music or even when theres no music as long as I have a companion. I cannot control myself when I feel like dancing. Dance as hobby is full of life. It also instills a confidence factor. It feels great. Having this interest in dancing is my pursuit of leisure in which averts me from doldrums and boredom. I love to watch dance competitions, dance concerts or

anything about dance. Months ago, I watched Danz Dish 5, a dance concert in celebration for the fifth anniversary of La Salles dance group, the LSDC Street. I was so inspired with the way they dance. I was imagining myself that someday Ill be the one in the stage performing dancing. The passion and the meaning to their movements were moving. They are one family. The message of their dance, (...) and in this world, we need a change and we have to act now, reminds me of Michael Jackson from his film This is it. So you can feel it. He said. These words are powerful and made an impact to me. We need to act now so we can feel the change we needed. I have watched This is it, the behindthe-scenes look at the performer. His rehearsals are almost like it will be his last performance. Hes feeling the dance. I just love the way he does it. He has always been an inspiration to all humankind. Remarkably, he left a good mark in history and he will forever live on in our hearts. Ive learned so much in dancing. Dance has helped me to be at my best at all times. I am now more encouraged to do my best not only in dancing, but also in class, and in life in general. Legendary choreographer Martha Graham believes that dancinglike livingmay look easy, but actually requires years of constant practice to achieve a sense of one's own being and a satisfaction of spirit (An Athlete of God). I believe that no one has been given a perfect life rather one has the heart to love everything in life that makes one seems to be living a perfect life. I have the passion in everything I do. And in what I do, I always try to enjoy it. It makes you feel happy and alive. Mary Whitehouse once said, Our movement is our behavior; there is a direct connection between what we are like and how we move. (Lets Dance; par 15). Thus, I can say, Dancing constitutes to my whole personality. It is the rhythm of my life. The way I view

things in life, the way I react on these things, and the way I live my life, all of it have changed because of dancing.

Works Cited 1. Stewart, Cindy. A Brief History in Dance.August 22, 2006.1 Feb 2010.<http://www.articlealley.com/article_84030_32.html>.

2. Jazz and Roots.9 Sept 2000.1 Feb 2010. <http://www.jazzandroots.com/brief-history-ofdance.html>. 3. Skechers Street Dance Battle.Web.1 Feb 2010. 4. Graham, Martha. An Athlete of God. October 9, 2009. 24 March 2010.<http://thisibelieve.org/essay/16583/>. 5. Whitehouse, Mary. Lets Dance From Ancient Roots to Modern Expressions.24 March 2010.< http://www.interspiritualsacreddance.org/article1.htm>.