[Illustration: Fig. 81.—Circles with hands, from Spanish dances.] [Illustration: Fig. 82.—Combination of dance steps. First position.] [Illustration: Fig. 83.—Combination of dance steps. Second position.] [Illustration: Fig. 84.—Combination of dance steps. Third position.] [Illustration: Fig. 85.—On the toe tips.] The freedom given by such dancing softens the crude awkward positions so universal among young people; the general carriage invariably improves as the head goes up and the shoulders go back; a more elastic tread and an easier propelling of the body in walking is gained. Not only is the chest broadened and deepened, and fat removed from waists and hips, and weak backs strengthened, but students gain in quickness of perception, coördination, and judgment, as well as in agility and power to keep their feet in correct rhythm. Esthetic dancing is particularly recommended in all factories, stores, and schools where there are any large number of girls and women as a recess exercise, because in this way they get a great deal of vigorous exercise in a very short time. It brings all the large muscle groups into action, causes a rapid circulation of the blood, aërates the lungs, and it affords the best possible sort of a contrast to their monotonous and cramped positions; it is most exhilarating and it is good fun. It is an excellent mental tonic and physical invigorator; it brightens the day, and enables the women to do better work. FIGURES OF THE DANCE WITH SOME SIMPLE EXERCISES =Fundamental Positions of the Hands and Feet= (Fig. 69).—_First Position of the Hands and Feet._—Stand erect, resting on the balls of the feet, with the chin up and the chest high; arms straight down almost touching the body; hands about 6 inches apart, slightly curved, palm toward palm; the thumb opposite the middle finger, elbows held slightly away from the body as in the figure. Stand with the heels together and the feet turned out so as to form a right angle. _Second Position of the Hands and Feet_ (Fig. 70).—Move the hands and arms away from each other until the hands are about 3 feet apart as in the figure. Move the right foot directly to right in line with left foot and about 12 inches away from it; toe touching floor, instep well arched, heel raised and kept turned toward left heel as in Fig. 70. Counterpart for left. _Third Position_ (Fig. 71).—Bring the elbows up until they and the hands are in line with the shoulders, fingertips almost touching across chest, palms toward the body as in the figure. Move the right foot forward until the right heel is in the hollow of the left foot and at right angle to it as shown in the figure. Then move the right foot back of the left until the hollow of the right foot is back of the left heel. Notice that the feet should touch closely and the legs be very straight. Counterpart for left foot.