| Jazz dancing style is one of the most renowned | | | | the values of the previous generation. |
| dancing styles that have emerged since end of the | | | | Jazz dance originated in the nineteenth century. Jazz |
| First World War. The credit for the popularity of jazz | | | | dancing was popular in clubs and brothels in south and |
| dance can be attributed to its display in movies and in | | | | mid west America. The black skinned people who |
| television shows. | | | | were released from slavery enjoyed this dance along |
| Jazz dancing highlights an individual's own ability to | | | | with European music, mixing it in afro flavor. In the |
| dance freely. Its style is free of all stiffness. It is, rather, | | | | olden days jazz was popularized in New Orleans, St. |
| a free dancing style. Jazz dancers portray their own | | | | Louis, Memphis, Kansas City and many other places. |
| styles and add innovations to the techniques. These | | | | Jazz dancing is still popular in New Orleans. |
| qualities of jazz dance make it very individualistic. This | | | | What to Wear During Practice |
| form of dance is characterized by its high energy | | | | Casual clothes serve the purpose well. Since the body |
| levels. Its unique steps and movements, fancy foot | | | | line must come out prominently, baggy clothes are not |
| works, big leaps, twisting and turning movements make | | | | preferred. Too tight clothes prevent free movement. |
| it a pleasure to watch. | | | | So they are not advisable as well. |
| History of Jazz Dancing | | | | Jazz Movements |
| After the First World War ended, the society | | | | A little bit of warm up exercises are vital. They include |
| underwent a change. The people became more liberal | | | | stretching exercises and a bit of cardio exercises. The |
| in their outlook. They condemned the stringency of the | | | | steps consist of basic turns, leaps, 'jazz walks'. There |
| earlier generations. The popular notion of the age was | | | | are several types of these movements. Another |
| that life is short lived and is meant to be enjoyed. This | | | | famous move is 'contraction'. Since jazz dancing is |
| age is called the age of the 'lost generation'. Girls came | | | | very individualistic, students are welcome to add their |
| out in short skirts and their altered morals challenged | | | | own styles. |