--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You have to dance unencumbered. There's…" description: "\"You have to dance unencumbered. There's no other way to move. The idea of dance is freedom. It is not exclusiveness, it's inclusiveness.\" — Judith Jamison" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/088/judith-jamison-11111_dance_you-have-to-dance-unencumbered-there-s-n_2941454.png" --- # You have to dance unencumbered. There's no other way to… ![“You have to dance unencumbered. There's no other way to move. The idea of dance is freedom. It is not exclusiveness, it's inclusiveness.” quote by Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/088/judith-jamison-11111_dance_you-have-to-dance-unencumbered-there-s-n_2941454.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/088/judith-jamison-11111_dance_you-have-to-dance-unencumbered-there-s-n_2941454.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/088/judith-jamison-11111_dance_you-have-to-dance-unencumbered-there-s-n_2941454.png) > “You have to dance unencumbered. There's no other way to move. The idea of dance is freedom. It is not exclusiveness, it's inclusiveness.” [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Dance must be unrestricted, embodying freedom and inclusivity rather than exclusivity. **In simple terms:** Dance is inclusive freedom. Key Takeaway Move without limits. Themes freedom inclusivity expression Mood joyful empowering Type artistic inspirational When to use this quote - community workshops - public performances - therapy sessions Key Concepts performing arts social equity Questions to Reflect On - How can you make dance accessible? - What barriers exist? A Different Perspective Physical constraints can hinder expression. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/) [Dance Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance-freedom-1063181/) [Dance Unencumbered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance-unencumbered-4387067/) [Exclusiveness Inclusiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exclusiveness-inclusiveness-4387070/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Freedom Exclusiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom-exclusiveness-4387069/) [Idea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idea/) [Idea Dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idea-dance-4387068/) [Move](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/move/) [Other](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/other/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/) ## Related quotes > [This is freedom,' said the instructress, 'it's something very wintry, and cannot be borne for long. One must always keep moving, as we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-walser/this-is-freedom-said-the-instructress-it-s-something-very-wintry-and/) [Robert Walser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-walser/) > [“We found ourselves on a smooth, spacious but narrow track of ice or glass. We floated along it, as if on marvellous skates, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-walser/we-found-ourselves-on-a-smooth-spacious-but-narrow-track-of-ice-or/) [Robert Walser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-walser/) > [“Dance to inspire, dance to freedom, life is about experiences so dance and let yourself become free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shah-asad-rizvi/dance-to-inspire-dance-to-freedom-life-is-about-experiences-so-dance/) [Shah Asad Rizvi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shah-asad-rizvi/) > [What does dance give you? The freedom to be who you are and do what you want to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-mitchell/what-does-dance-give-you-the-freedom-to-be-who-you-are-and-do-what/) [Arthur Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-mitchell/) > [I dance for freedom. I dance for people's reaction more than anything. I feel great and I feel like I can do anything, say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-sampson/i-dance-for-freedom-i-dance-for-people-s-reaction-more-than-anything/) [George Sampson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-sampson/) > [You know, there's a tremendous amount of genetic propensity not necessarily for what TV shows you like but for literally how you view the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mayim-bialik/you-know-there-s-a-tremendous-amount-of-genetic-propensity-not/) [Mayim Bialik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mayim-bialik/) > [To move past fear is a cliche.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-abbott/to-move-past-fear-is-a-cliche/) [Tony Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-abbott/) > [Once I've designed something, I immediately move on to the next thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-wearstler/once-i-ve-designed-something-i-immediately-move-on-to-the-next-thing/) [Kelly Wearstler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-wearstler/) > [There's a lot of dancing in football. 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You could wear it on the surface of the sun and it wouldn't move.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-smith/i-ve-discovered-special-makeup-by-a-company-called-m-a-c-you-could/) [Robert Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-smith/) > [“You have a right to be sad, and a duty to move on. Only wins who wipes the tears, gather strength and move forward.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusto-branco/you-have-a-right-to-be-sad-and-a-duty-to-move-on-only-wins-who-wipes/) [Augusto Branco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusto-branco/) > [I never wanted System to take a hiatus. I think it was a disastrous move for us, because we never reached our peak.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dolmayan/i-never-wanted-system-to-take-a-hiatus-i-think-it-was-a-disastrous/) [John Dolmayan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dolmayan/) > [Practically all animals which move fast in a homogeneous medium have found means of giving their body a streamlined shape, thereby reducing friction to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/practically-all-animals-which-move-fast-in-a-homogeneous-medium-have/) [Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/) ## More by Judith Jamison > [I'm very smart when it comes to choosing dancers and trying to show the world that there's a whole lot of dancing going on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/i-m-very-smart-when-it-comes-to-choosing-dancers-and-trying-to-show/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [I believe in spirit and then I believe a manifestation of spirit is dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/i-believe-in-spirit-and-then-i-believe-a-manifestation-of-spirit-is/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [At 10, I could walk down the street and see over everybody's head. I don't remember being little or having to look up at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/at-10-i-could-walk-down-the-street-and-see-over-everybody-s-head-i/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [It's called the Ailey American Dance Theatre, not the Alvin Ailey African-American Dance Theatre. One thing also that Alvin wanted people to recognize, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/it-s-called-the-ailey-american-dance-theatre-not-the-alvin-ailey/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [You wake up white, and you think about certain things every day. You wake up black, and you think about certain things. You wake…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/you-wake-up-white-and-you-think-about-certain-things-every-day-you/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [As a dancer, you really try to stay true to whatever the choreographer/artistic director is giving you. So, now the shoe is on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/as-a-dancer-you-really-try-to-stay-true-to-whatever-the-choreographer/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [Since babyhood, I've always evolved from one thing to another. My mother gave me ballet lessons at 6 as part of her enthusiasm for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/since-babyhood-i-ve-always-evolved-from-one-thing-to-another-my/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [I was a protege; by the age of 10, I was studying with ballet choreographer Anthony Tudor in a class of adults.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/i-was-a-protege-by-the-age-of-10-i-was-studying-with-ballet/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [I can't really hear the audience applause when I'm on stage. I'm totally immersed in the piece. But sometimes I get a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/i-can-t-really-hear-the-audience-applause-when-i-m-on-stage-i-m/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [People don't remember me for how high my legs went, even though they went up very high, and how many pirouettes I did. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/people-don-t-remember-me-for-how-high-my-legs-went-even-though-they/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [It's never too early to teach your children about the tool of money. Teach them how to work for it and they learn pride…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/it-s-never-too-early-to-teach-your-children-about-the-tool-of-money/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [People come to see beauty, and I dance to give it to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/people-come-to-see-beauty-and-i-dance-to-give-it-to-them/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [As long as there are dancers around who love to dance, there will be an Alvin Ailey American Dance Company. We miss him so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/as-long-as-there-are-dancers-around-who-love-to-dance-there-will-be/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [I went to an audition for a Harry Belafonte Roaring Twenties special for choreographer Donald McKayle, but I failed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/i-went-to-an-audition-for-a-harry-belafonte-roaring-twenties-special/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [I've been in a competitive situation almost all my life. I've been having a competition with myself and trying to be the best I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/i-ve-been-in-a-competitive-situation-almost-all-my-life-i-ve-been/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) [Explore all 61 Judith Jamison quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) ## More Dance quotes > [When you go to a club it's not about being black or white or heavy or thick. I'm shaking my ass because I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miley-cyrus/when-you-go-to-a-club-it-s-not-about-being-black-or-white-or-heavy-or/) [Miley Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miley-cyrus/) > [Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching, and live like its heaven on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/sing-like-no-one-s-listening-love-like-you-ve-never-been-hurt-dance/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [I make dance music because I love to dance. But I want to think at the same time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stromae/i-make-dance-music-because-i-love-to-dance-but-i-want-to-think-at-the/) [Stromae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stromae/) > [I studied all kinds of dance, all types of music. I got good grades. I started hitting the recording studio around 13.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-derulo/i-studied-all-kinds-of-dance-all-types-of-music-i-got-good-grades-i/) [Jason Derulo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-derulo/) > [I like Sam Smith and Taylor Swift. I love pop music, but I also like Sam Smith's slow songs. That would be more to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maddie-ziegler/i-like-sam-smith-and-taylor-swift-i-love-pop-music-but-i-also-like/) [Maddie Ziegler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maddie-ziegler/) > [I think it's useful to experience other types of dance and other cultures, and the life of a classical dancer these days is certainly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-bull/i-think-it-s-useful-to-experience-other-types-of-dance-and-other/) [Deborah Bull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-bull/) > [Everything in dancing is style, allusion, the essence of many thoughts and feelings. The abstraction of many moments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-ailey/everything-in-dancing-is-style-allusion-the-essence-of-many-thoughts/) [Alvin Ailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin-ailey/) > [I worked a lot in Chicago's theater scene as a fight choreographer. And so I do have a lot of experience in stage combat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-offerman/i-worked-a-lot-in-chicago-s-theater-scene-as-a-fight-choreographer/) [Nick Offerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-offerman/) > [“dances with mine as if we’ve been doing this our whole”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corinne-michaels/dances-with-mine-as-if-we-ve-been-doing-this-our-whole/) [Corinne Michaels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corinne-michaels/) > [My body was so instrumental to how I took pictures: it was practically a dance. I used to use my legs a lot; now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leibovitz/my-body-was-so-instrumental-to-how-i-took-pictures-it-was-practically/) [Annie Leibovitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leibovitz/) > [I would rather learn from one bird how to sing than to teach 10,000 stars how not to dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-e-cummings/i-would-rather-learn-from-one-bird-how-to-sing-than-to-teach-10-000/) [e. e. cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-e-cummings/) > [If you dance, you dance because you have to. Every dancer hurts, you know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-dunham/if-you-dance-you-dance-because-you-have-to-every-dancer-hurts-you-know/) [Katherine Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-dunham/) > [I'm not a dancer. 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