Dancing can be interpreted and defines in many ways. To some, it is to represent their cultural background and to others, it is an art form. In each, dancing is a way of telling a story or of expressing emotions. Most people have urges to dance, whether for fun or in front of an audience. While dancing is both an art form and for recreation, it is also for ritual purposes.
             As an art, dancing may tell a story, set a mood or express an emotion. A ballet dancer's movements might illustrate the fluttering of a wounded swan. Some Oriental dances consist of symbolic gestures that tell a story completely through movement. Some believe that modern dance is perhaps more easily defined by what it is not than by what it is. Dance is truly an art form if feelings and ideas can be expressed and communicated. Sharing rhythm and movements give a feeling of unity among a group of people. In some societies, dancing leads to a different state of mind. These states can be interpreted as a signaling of spirits by possession, or they may be recommended as a way to relieve emotional distress. A state of ecstasy may enable people to perform remarkable accomplishments of strength, endurance, or danger, such as dancing through hot coals. In some societies shamans dance in trance in order to heal others physically or emotionally. The modern field of dance therap!
             y developed as a means to help people express themselves and relate to others.
             As a form of recreation, dancing has offered fun, relaxation and companionship. Some recreational dance forms, especially in industrialized societies, are called popular dances or social dances. These dances are mostly for participation, easy to learn, and in most cases come from the people rather than from a choreographer, resembling folk dances. On the American Frontier, the square dances were held to socialize with many people and to meet and gather with new friends. Most people dance simply to
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