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What Is Timing in Dance?

By Treva Bedinghaus, About.com

Question: What Is Timing in Dance?

What does it mean to have perfect timing in dance?

Answer: In dance, timing refers to moving with the beats of the music. However, having perfect timing means more than performing basic steps perfectly with music beats. It's not difficult to move with the beats, but it takes lots of practice to teach your mind and body how to actually feel the beats of the music.

Perfect timing is being able to "let go" and allow yourself to express your feelings through your movements, instead of trying to keep count of the beats in your head. When you achieve perfect timing, your dancing will appear relaxed and natural. You will no longer need to count beats, as your body will be fully aware of its place in the music at all times. Professional dancers are masters at perfect timing.

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