[edit] Forms of exotic dancingIn a non-erotic sense, the word "exotic" applies to the fact that something is out of the ordinary or perceived by spectators as unusual. It can also apply to those dancers who master a rare or largely lost art form, including whirling dervishes, shaman dancers and religious dancers. Middle Eastern dance is often referred to as exotic dance in this way, though its use of hip/pelvic movement and isolation often results in its conflation with exotic dance in the erotic sense.
Other forms of exotic dance are aerial dance, many forms of experimental dance, pogo, breakdance and all other dance forms with unconventional movements. Strictly speaking, many anarchistic dance forms in wild parties can be considered as exotic dance, when movements take place that are not used in standard or Latin dance.[citation needed]
In an erotic sense, the term "exotic dance" is used as a synonym for erotic dancing.[1]Erotic dance is a major category or classification of dance forms or dance styles, where the purpose is the stimulation or arousal of erotic or sexual thoughts or actions.
This compares to other major dance categories based on purpose, such as ceremonial dance, competitive dance, participation dance, performance dance and social dance.
The erotic dancer's clothing is often minimal, and may be gradually decreased or eliminated altogether. In some areas of the United States, it is illegal for the female dancer to expose her genitalia. These dancers will often wear g-strings.
Nudity, however, is not a requirement of erotic dance. The culture and the ability of the human body is a significant aesthetic component in many dance styles.