Ruth St. Denis Quotes

Powerful Ruth St. Denis for Daily Growth

About Ruth St. Denis

Ruth Saint Denis (February 15, 1879 – October 26, 1968) was an influential American dancer, choreographer, and founder of the modern dance movement in the United States. Born as Ruth Abbott St. Denis in Tecumseh, Michigan, she spent her early years surrounded by various religious and spiritual influences, which would later shape her unique approach to dance. St. Denis began her dancing career at a young age with the Denishawn School of Dance and Related Arts, which she co-founded in 1904 with her husband, Theodore Isaac Meadows. The school combined elements from classical ballet, Indian, Japanese, and other cultural dance forms, creating a distinctively eclectic style that would come to define St. Denis' work. One of her most notable performances was "Radha," first presented in 1906. This dance, inspired by Hindu mythology, showcased St. Denis' innovative choreography and was a testament to the fusion of Eastern and Western influences that defined her artistic vision. In 1915, she created the groundbreaking production "The Golden Dragon," which brought together dancers, musicians, painters, and poets in an ambitious interdisciplinary effort. This production marked a significant milestone in the development of modern dance in America. Throughout her career, St. Denis continued to experiment with various dance forms and cultural influences, pushing the boundaries of what was considered conventional dance. Her legacy lies not only in her innovative choreography but also in her role as a pioneer who helped shape the landscape of American modern dance. Despite her passing in 1968, Ruth St. Denis' influence continues to be felt in the world of dance today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Dance, my language is this of all peoples."

This quote by Ruth St. Denis emphasizes the universal, transcendent power of dance as a means of communication and expression that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers. Dance is seen as an essential and fundamental form of human connection, a universal language that can be understood and appreciated by all people, regardless of their background or origins. This perspective on dance highlights its significance not only as an artistic form but also as a powerful tool for understanding and bridging cultural divides.


"The dance is a spiritual journey that takes us beyond ourselves and into the realms of the divine."

This quote emphasizes the transformative and profound nature of dance, suggesting it serves as a means to explore and connect with something greater than oneself - the divine or higher self. Dancing in this context is not just about physical movement but also an emotional, spiritual, and intellectual exploration, leading individuals beyond their ordinary selves towards a deeper understanding and connection with the universe. It's about using dance as a medium to transcend limitations and tap into one's inner divinity.


"To dance is to be wild and free and express our soul's delight in being alive."

This quote by Ruth St. Denis emphasizes the spiritual, emotional, and liberating nature of dance. It suggests that when one dances, they are allowing their inner essence, their soul, to be freely expressed, revealing joy and exuberance for simply being alive. In other words, through dance, we can connect deeply with our emotions, celebrate life, and break free from everyday constraints, embodying a sense of wild abandonment and pure freedom.


"Dance, once you commit to it, is the soul responding to the rhythm in the heart."

This quote suggests that when one engages in dance, they are allowing their inner spirit or soul to express itself in response to the emotional pulse within them. The "rhythm in the heart" could represent any strong feeling, such as joy, sorrow, love, or longing, which is then translated through movement and becomes visible and audible. Essentially, dance serves as a means of communicating the soul's emotions to the world around us.


"The dance is a hidden language which the body alone can understand."

This quote emphasizes the unique, non-verbal communication that occurs through the art of dance. It suggests that the body, in its movements, tells a story or expresses feelings that may not be easily translated into words. In essence, dance is a universal, emotive form of expression, allowing individuals to connect and understand each other beyond the boundaries of conventional language.


Remembering that man is indeed the microcosm, the universe in miniature, the Divine Dance of the future should be able to convey with its slightest gestures some significance of the universe.

- Ruth St. Denis

Remembering, Some, Indeed, Significance

I see dance being used as communication between body and soul, to express what it too deep to find for words.

- Ruth St. Denis

Communication, Deep, Soul, Being Used

I believe that my whole creative life stemmed from this magic hour under the stars on that hilltop.

- Ruth St. Denis

Magic, I Believe That, Whole, Stemmed

The real message of the Dance opens up the vistas of life to all who have the urge to express beauty with no other instrument than their own bodies, with no apparatus and no dependence on anything other than space.

- Ruth St. Denis

Beauty, Other, Apparatus, Opens

Our bodies are at once the receiving and transmitting stations for life itself. It is the highest wisdom to recognize this fact and train our bodies to render them sensitive and responsive to nature. art and religion.

- Ruth St. Denis

Nature, Art, Fact, Train

We should realize in a vivid and revolutionary sense that we are not in our bodies but our bodies are in us.

- Ruth St. Denis

Sense, Revolutionary, Bodies, Vivid

It is not a question of who dances but of who or what does not dance.

- Ruth St. Denis

Dance, Question, Does, Dances

As we rise higher in the understanding of ourselves, the national and racial dissonances will be forgotten in the universal rhythms of Truth and Love.

- Ruth St. Denis

Love, Will, Rhythms, Rise

We have the capacity to receive messages from the stars and the songs of the night winds.

- Ruth St. Denis

Nature, Songs, Receive, Winds

We can hear the silent voice of the spiritual universe within our own hearts.

- Ruth St. Denis

Voice, Silent, Within, Hearts

You and I are but specks of that rhythmic urge which is Brahma, which is Allah, which is God.

- Ruth St. Denis

Allah, Which, Urge, Rhythmic

We can scale the heights of mountains and see the world rayed out before us, but we fail to recognize that which is before us.

- Ruth St. Denis

Mountains, Fail, Which, Recognize

But in reality we are accompanied by the whole dancing universe.

- Ruth St. Denis

Dancing, Accompanied, Reality

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.