Dancing can be a form of self-expression, exercise or art. A dance class at Brigham Young University provides a space for students to practice all of it, while adding diversity and inclusion into the mix.
BYU's new culture-specific dance class, Dance 173-R, is giving students a space to connect and share their cultures.
The class has three sections: Native American, Polynesian and Mexican dance.
"Being able to celebrate different cultures, especially the culture that is inherently yours, is a very special opportunity, I think it is the most Christlike thing BYU can do," dance student William Wayne said.
The class brings students together while helping them connect with multiple cultures.
"My grandmother actually taught powwow dance when I was really young, but she passed away, and so doing this type of dance really kind of connects with her," Wayne said.
The class is led by students, with instructors from each culture teaching their respective classes.
"It is so great to be able to be in the other shoes. You know, I was a dancer on Living Legends, and I was the one being taught, so now that I am getting to teach new students and see their love for dance, it has just been really rewarding," instructor Paloma Castillo said.
Diversity is a big topic of conversation in today's political climate. This dance class provides a space away from the noise where diversity is celebrated.
"You want people to come to this university and feel loved and feel safe and feel like they belong here, and so places like that and like this class are just a way for them to feel that support and love, that they belong here too just as much as everyone else does," Castillo said.