My movements were hindered by a lack of confidence. My eyes were cast down in uncertainty. Without realizing it, I was hiding my beauty.  I am 5.9 feet tall, and I am almost always the tallest of the class. My height made me feel alone. I was shy, and I did not even know it.           When I stood in a releve with my arms in fifth position, Julie, my teacher, gently brought my arms further upward, and told me that I needed to use the full length of my arms.        Afterwards, I started to realize how stifled my dancing looked. I needed to gain confidence. Every worry that was inside my heart needed to be released. All I needed to do was dance and not shrink back into a shell that was too small for me. I needed to accept my height and not try to be shorter than I am.         I practiced at home and tried hard to free myself of shyness, so I could fly in my dancing and give praise, glory, and honor to God, who made me as I am and who gave me the gift of dance.       Dance is an art: all movements are to be shaded, darkened, highlighted, and softened in order for the full beauty to be revealed. When I danced without timid movements, I felt the abundant joy dance gives me. Dancing is the feeling of gliding through air and brushing paint strokes in the sky.      Now when I dance, I am not trying to hide behind the other girls: my head is raised, my back is straight, and my arms are lifted to full extent. It gives me joy to know that I finally know how to dance.