Irish Dance is unlike other forms of dance, in that you do not move your arms, they stay by your sides at all times, which is not the easiest thing in the world when you're first learning the art form. However, I feel that because of this factor, I find the dance way harder and taking more strength and stamina then modern, traditional forms such as ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical. Having performed ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical for seven years before starting Irish Dance, I'm not saying it's not difficult and beautiful in it's own right, I just find the speed and amount of power that an Irish dancer must have in their legs to perform some of the more difficult championship moves, far exceeds what I ever did in ballet or tap. Not only that, but the speed at which you must be able to perform these movements makes you need to have incredible endurance and stamina to be able to execute the steps with precision.

In Irish Dance, the slip jig and reel in which you have to wear your soft shoes are similar to ballet and lyrical in that there are a lot of leaps and jumps. In the reel, which is a very lively dance, you have many jumps and leaps, which reminds me of ballet. However, the speed of the dance is much faster and you are using your abs and legs to propel yourself into the air during the leaps, rather then having the ability to balance yourself when you land by using your arms. The slip jig, is also similar to ballet in that you sort of glide across the floor, and it's a very rhythmic lyrical dance, however there are movements in it, that can be quite challenging. The music in the slip jig is slower then the reel, and is a very beautiful dance when performed properly.

I must say in the past when I would show my €modern dance€ friends some of the steps that I just learned or came up with, they were always completely flabbergasted at how to do it, when I asked them to attempt the step. Even when I broke it down for them, the fact that you cannot move your arms really was a challenge for them. Overall, becoming a great Irish Dancer takes skill, drive, determination, focus, and telling yourself €you are not going to quit€ until you get the step right. For all you beginner dancers out there, keep on practicing, don't ever give up! Every one started with the first step, and when you are able to do a full reel, treble jig, slip jig, etc and are able to perform it for your family and friends, the feeling you get afterwards is so worth all that extra time you spent perfecting your art for