Praise Dance

Praise dance has many names. Praise/worship/biblical/Davidic dancing is not only a means of worship, it can enhance the worship experience of others, as they contemplate space, time, rhythm, interconnection, and the fleetingness of the moment.

Does the concept seem new? It isn't. Thousands of years ago, in ancient Judaism and early Christianity, it was part of worshipful prayer . There are many biblical references to dancing in praise of the Lord .. Then, during the time of Reformation, it was suppressed along with other bodily expression, as unseemly. We have experienced a resurgence in the past century, with liturgical dance serving many purposes, including witnessing to faith, inspiring congregants, challenging our thinking, or acting as a form of prayer.

Styles of dance are as wide-ranging as the dancers themselves, including: spontaneous, choreographed, modern, ballet, lyrical, African, clog, Davidic, and hip hop. Dancers can be few or many. Their attire can be simple or ornate. They can have props -- streamers, banners, tambourines, flutes, and such -- or have none. Inspiration frees the dancer of limitations, so this genre is continually growing and changing.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• music
• praise
• modern dance
• gospel