The term exotic dancing, instantly conjures up mental images of strippers and seedy customers paying money to take off their clothes. The actual dance that these women do in these establishments is an art form that is also great exercise. Not surprisingly, along with traditional workout and aerobic classes many dance schools offer exotic dance classes.

Women taking these classes are not interested in learning exotic dance for the purpose of getting a job as a stripper. They are however interested in learning the moves for their own personal enrichment. They recognize that men do find exotic dancing arousing and that being able to move seductively is inherently feminine. The idea is that knowing how to be sexually flirtatious, without embarrassment or inhibition gives women self-confidence and makes them feel sexier.

These classes are about women transforming themselves and finding personal power. While the classes teach the art of sensuality and seduction they are conducted in a non-threatening, respectful manner. Clothing is required and there is no stripping involved at all.

Enrollees of exotic dance classes learn a variety of exotic dance movements like sensual head tosses, inversions, pole dancing, hip rolling, grinding, and of course the art of strip tease without removing their clothing.

Upon completion of these classes, they are then able to enjoy the freedom of expressing themselves for the benefit of their partners in the privacy of their own homes. For those who are too inhibited to learn in a live group, exotic dancing instructional tapes and DVDs are also available.

The art of ballet dancing dates back to the 15th century. It is said to have started in the Renaissance court of Italy to interpret the sport of fencing. After 1850, it expanded remarkably in Denmark and Russia, only to then spread across the globe. To date, it continues to grow as a popular sport and teaching curriculum for young children and adults everywhere.

There are a couple of variations to ballet dancing that have developed over time. There is classical ballet, which is the most traditional and formal. It has numerous variations from Russia, France and Italy, but for the most part is basic and simple choreography. There is the neoclassical ballet, developed by George Balanchine, which uses the traditional vocabulary, but is much more expansive than classical. The dancers are much more extreme and technical with their dance moves, and the spacing is more modern and complex. The dance is still there without the drama and heavy theatrical setting. More recently developed is the contemporary dance which is a combination of both classical and modern dance moves. The use of pointe work and some of the more "old fashioned" moves, is being mixed with more floor work and turning-in of the legs, to give it a more 20th century look.

When watching the graceful dancers on stage, onlookers wouldn't think that there are health risks involved with ballet. Many of the dancers, both male and female, suffer from eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia. They also get shin splints, minor fractures, muscle damage, and other minor injuries due to not warming up and poor training environments. Unfortunately, the result of these injuries, and illnesses, is a short lived dancing career for those who do not watch for the warning signs of pushing too hard, and not taking good care of their health.

Pole dancing is becoming very popular, due to the fact that it takes great strength in the upper and lower body. It can be turned into whatever one desires it to be. The act of “Pole Dancing” has been around for many years and is growing by leaps and bounds.

In order to be able to pole dance, the muscle tone and the moves that are required takes great stamina and muscle coordination. It can take a very long time in order to perfect this type of dance. Dancing with a pole is often referred to a form of gymnastics, due to the body strength that is required. But “Pole Dancing” was, and still is, very popular in gentlemen’s clubs. This type of dance has been looked down upon in the past years, but it is growing in popularity as a form of exercise. It can help keep one's muscles tone and be in great shape! But, still to the naked eye, it can be a form of exotic dancing, due to the way the hips are moved, the touching of one’s body that is performed. The clothes that are used are usually provocative in some manner. The goal is to create illusion in one’s mind and allow your mind to wonder. Even down to the hair and shoe’s that is worn when performing a pole dance can change the performance.

A person interested in learning the art of pole dancing can take lessons at a studio with other people or purchase the necessary products and learn in the privacy of their own home. But, overall it is a great form of exercise!

If you’ve ever watched the television reality show, “So, You Think You Can Dance,” you know a little bit about hip-hop, because it’s one of the dance styles they use in the competition. If you haven’t seen the show, but you live in an urban area where teens get together and do street dancing, then you’ve seen hip-hop. It’s usually performed to pop, funk or hip-hop music, an up-beat style with rapping (passionate speaking, rhymed and punctuated by the beat).

Hip-hop is extremely popular with all teens, but especially with blacks and Hispanics. It originated in New York City back in the 1970s and the music is an evolved form of disc-jockey talk-overs (speaking over a playing record). The dance evolved from informal street dancing, also known as breakdancing, and involves extremely rhythmic and athletic movements such as hand-stands, head-stands, spinning, kicking, hopping and stomping with head, arm and hand motions. All these movements require a highly developed sense of balance and coordination, in addition to an extremely physically fit body.

Hip-hop dancing has become so popular all over the world that dance studios are offering classes in hip-hop techniques and there are several competitions held for hip-hop dancers to display their unique talents. Professional hip-hop dancers suggest that anyone attempting the dance warm up first, since it is an intense physical work-out. The warm up is done is several stages, beginning with the head and neck and working through all the muscle groups. You then will do a short cardio, followed by some stretching. Now, you’re limbered up and ready to dance!

The sight of the tango is inspiring more people to take ballroom dancing classes. In the 1990’s, it seemed that everyone saw “Scent of a Woman” with Al Pacino. The romantic notion of meeting the right guy in such a passionate embrace sent twice as many women to dancing classes as it did men. The tango seems to transform even someone viewed as a “geek” into someone who can personify finesse and passion in his moves. Today, there are societies of tango clubs which provide both a great meeting place for singles and an activity to bring a little spark back to married couples.

If you visit Buenos Aires in Argentina, you will experience the most exquisite of movement and expression. An interesting fact is that for years, the tango was only performed in the lower class neighborhoods. It now inspires high society with its sensuous emotional experience. Most people know how popular the tango is in Argentina and Uruguay, but when the dancers toured Europe in the early 20th century, it understandably took Paris by storm. Finland developed a great love for the tango which took root back in the 1950’s and stubbornly survived the arrival of The Beatles and Elvis. They felt the melancholy tones of the music reflected in their folkloric poetry. Different cultures add their own cultural flare as they too make their interpretation. You will even find the influences of the tango in other expressive dance like activities such as ice skating, synchronized swimming and gymnastics.

When Al Pacino danced brilliantly as a blind man with Gabrielle Anwar, his performance took the tango to a new level of popularity. A blind man could do this? Just think of the possibilities. When you experience dancing the tango you can not help but feel beautiful.