Everybody's Dancin'

Everybody’s Dancin’

By ARTHUR MURRAY

Famous International Teacher of the Dance

LESSON 1 — A Way to Health and Poise

THERE’S no such thing as a "born dancer." Grace, poise and confidence are all acquired traits. Millions of men and women have learned to dance and have found that dancing is a wonderful sport as well as wonderful fun.

It isn’t hard to learn how to dance properly. The real secret of good dancing is—being yourself. You may be timid at first. But faithful practice will remove that timidity. You may not be graceful at the beginning. But self-confidence will develop with each new step, twist or turn. It all depends on you.

This 12-lesson course is designed to teach you the elements of the Fox Trot, Rumba, Samba, Tango, and Waltz. Each dance has dozens of variations, but all can be traced back to the simple rules and instructions you will read in this series in the coming months.

JUST WHAT is dancing? It is not merely exercises or footwork on a floor; or an exhibition of gymnastics or physical prowess.

Ballroom dancing is beautiful, graceful and dignified. It is a healthy exercise and develops a self-confidence that can easily be reflected in your every-day life. Dancing is "conversation" to music.

When you dance, you express yourself. You hold your partner’s interest through the correct use of musical rhythm, just as in good conversation you hold another’s interest through the use of the spoken word.

Dancing is a way to popularity and happiness, not only for our gay teen-agers, but for young children, youth, middle-aged folk and even those in their seventies and eighties.

The tired stenographer finds dancing an outlet for nervous tension arising from her work. The hard-driving business executive will find dancing a tonic for jangled nerves, and a pleasant,
sociable hobby. The housewife will find dancing keeps her young and "on the beam" with her husband and family.

After a quarter of a century of teaching, I discovered that one easy step was the basis for 75 percent of all existing Fox Trot steps.

We call it: "The Magic Step." So we will begin our dancing adventure next time, with the Fox Trot, which is typically American in feeling and tempo.

Arthur Murray says:

1. Remember: Confidence comes
only with knowledge. Your partner, too, will have confidence in you if you are sure of yourself.

2. Practice alone at first. Learn each basic step thoroughly before going on to the next. This will help develop a surer sense of poise and balance than you ever would aquire with a partner.

3. After you become proficient, you may dance any way you choose. But, while learning, dance only on your toes or on the ball of the foot.

4. Dancing needs soul—not soles. You have seen couples whose feet fairly fly. That’s fun! If they can do it, you can too. Practice will put wings on your feet.

5. Above all, be natural. Let yourself go with the music and rhythm of your
partner.