FUNDAMENTAL DANCE POSITIONS

(Arms & Feet)

There are five fundamental or basic positions in dance that are commonly termed as 1st position, 2nd
position, 3rd position, 4th position, and 5th position of the feet and arms.

1st position
Feet: Heels close together, toes apart with an angle of about 45 degrees.
Arms: Both arms raised in a circle in front of chest with the finger tips about an inch apart.

2nd position
Feet: Feet apart sideward of about a pace distance.
Arms: Both raised sideward with a graceful curve at shoulder level.
 3rd position
Feet: Heel of one foot close to in-step of other foot.
Arms: One arm raised in front as in 2nd position; other arm raised upward.

4th position
Feet: One foot in front of other foot of a pace distance.
Arms: One arm raised in front as in 1st position; other arm raised

5th position
Feet: Heel of front foot close to big toe of rear foot.
Arms: Both arms raised overhead
Give at least 10 traditional dance step in folk dance with step pattern in
Philippines
1. Tinikling
As the best known and most popular dance of the Phillipines, Tinikling is the country's national
dance. To perform Tinikling, two dancers beat, tap, and slide bamboo poles on the ground. The
bamboo serves as both a percussion instrument and a part of the dance itself. Tinikling can be
tricky because both primary dancers must move quickly to avoid getting a foot caught by the
fast-moving poles.
Do these steps outside the bamboo poles:
1. Hop on your right foot
2. Hop another time on the right foot.
Perform these steps between both poles:
3. Step on the left foot.
4. Step on the right foot.
Do these steps outside the poles:
5. Hop on the left foot outside the poles.
6. Hop again on the left foot outside both poles.
Return to between the poles for these steps:
7. Step on your right foot.
8. Step on your left foot.

2. Binasuan
The Binasuan is performed by dancers as they carry full wine glasses in both hands and on top of
their heads. Wine is traditionally used in the dance, but any dark-colored beverage will do. The
dance often involves balancing tricks, so there are no specific moves that are set in stone. If
you'd like to try the Binasuan though, these steps will get you started. Consider practicing with
empty, plastic cups until you get the hang of the movements.
Step in a flowing motion onto the center of your performance area. As you step, balance the wine
glass carefully on your head. Also, keep your hands turned up to balance both wine glasses.
Sway your hips to the right while lifting the wine glasses high above your head.
Sway your hips to the left while lifting the wine glasses high above your head.
Twirl in place quickly while balancing the wine glasses for thirty seconds, concluding the twirl
with your face to the audience.
Step forward with your right foot and bring your right arm forward in a flowing motion.
Step forward with your left foot and bring your left arm forward in a flowing motion.
Rotate your arms over your shoulder in small, circular motions as you step from left to right in
small, quick motions for 30 seconds.
Twirl and rotate your arms below shoulder height.

3. Sinulog
The Sinulog is a ritual dance that is performed in honor of Santo Niño. It's now a part of the
annual Sinulog festival, and dancers wear brightly colored, traditional costumes for it. Drum
music must accompany this entire dance.
Stand straight and offer candles (real or symbolic) towards a painting or other depiction of Santo
Niño.
Recite a prayer to the saint.
Using slow, steady movements, bounce with your torso in a wave-like, circular motion.
Continuing the flowing movements, take two steps forward.
Take one step backward as you try to keep the steady movements.
Repeat steps 4 and 5 for as long as the drums are playing.
Conclude the dance with a prayer.

4. The Itik-Itik
Have fun with this dance. The Itik-Itik is sometimes described as humans making the motions of
a duck, so feel free to improvise along with these basic steps.
1. Step to your left and raise your left arm up in a flowing motion.
2. Step to your right and raise your right arm up in a flowing motion.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 seven times.
4. Step forward and bring your hands into your chest, bending your elbows and making sure
to point your hands inward. Repeat seven times.
5. Step in a circle as you sway your arms to the right, then to the left.
6. Raise your arm and step hop to the left.
7. Raise your arm and step hop to the right.
8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 five times.
9. Sway to the right, then to the left. Repeat six times.
10.Repeat all steps three times.

5. Singkil
Sinkil dance takes its name from the bells worn on the ankles of the Muslim princess.
Perhaps one of the oldest of truly Filipino dances, the Singkil recounts the epic legend of
the "Darangan" of the Maranao people of Mindanao
  Part One
Start the Singkil dance by using hopping and stepping patterns. Climb onto a designated
set of bamboos being held horizontally by two men. Continue hopping and stepping
patterns on the bamboo to move around while making body and hand movements.

 Part Two
Enter making slow point steps while a fan is in each hand. Using the wrists, move the fan
in a variety of ways, including up and down movements and swirling movements to tell a
story.

 Part Three
Enter and dance to the center of the stage with a fan in both hands and moving your hips
and arms. In the center, dance in a stationary position. Move only the hips and arms. Use
the fan in both hands to make swirls along the body while continually dancing. The men
will begin clicking the bamboos; move along the bamboos, avoiding any of the clicking.
Continue this when the male dancer comes out to end the courting aspect of the dance.

6. Maglalatik

1. 6 8-counts jogging to get to place

2. 4 steps forward while pounding chest
3. 4 basic clap cycles in place
4. 4 basic clap cycles to get to two rows
5. 8 quick clap cycles to do the ripple effect
6. 8 quick clap cycles to circle around partner
7. CIRCLE UP
2 8-counts + 1 4-count for first clap
clap after 1 8-count 3X
Finishing clap
8. 8 high-low clap cycles to move to position
9. 8 cycles of 6 hit clapping
10. 16 counts for tricks with clapping in the background
11. 4 basic to get to two sides
12. 8 quick clap cycles for the battle
13. 4 quick clap cycles to get to end
after last clap POSE

7. Cariñosa
Cariñosa (meaning the loving or affectionate one) is a Philippine dance of Hispanic origin from
the Maria Clara suite of Philippine folk dances, where the fan or handkerchief plays an
instrumental role as it places the couple in romance scenario.
1. three steps and point
time signature: 3
4
count : 1,2,3 to a measure.
movement : with the R (L) foot; take three steps sideward right, ct.1 (count 1,2,3)
point L (R) foot in fourth position in front (ct.1,2,3)
2. Touch step.
Time signature: 3
4
Count : 1,2,3 – 2m.
Movement : point R (L) foot in fourth position in front (ct. 1,2,3)
3.Waltz step
movement : touch R (L) toes forward (cts. 1,2)
close R (L) ct.3
4 .Manipulation of fan.

8. Sayaw sa Bangko
1234 bow (go Back) 1234
1234 heel point (always start at right foot
1234 girls turn
12345678 girls sway (guy partners fix bench)
12 girls jump on chair, 34 hop on chair, 56 jump on land, 78 jump on other side of bench
(x4)
1234 heel point
1234 girls turn halfway
1234 toe point
1234 turn back
1234 sway w/ partner
12 turn
1234 sway w/ partner
12 turn
1234 hop kick
12 girls jump on chair, 34 hop on chair, 56 jump on land, 78 jump on other side of bench
12 girls get off 34 boys get off
1234 turn and hop
12 girls jump on chair, 34 hop on chair, 56 jump on land, 78 jump on other side of bench
(x4)
 1234 heel point
1234 girls turn halfway
1234 toe point
1234 turn back
1234 sway w/ partner
12 turn
1234 sway w/ partner
12 turn
1234 hop kick
12 girls jump on chair, 34 hop on chair, 56 jump on land, 78 jump on other side of bench
(x4)
12 girls get off 34 boys get off
1234 girls sit on bench

9. Seedling
The Seedling dance pays homage to the rich history of farming within the culture. Before the
start of this dance, take a round basket in your arms. A wicker or wooden basket best represents
the feel of the traditional dance.

1. Bend your knees as that represents climbing and descending.

2. Keeping your knees bent, step forward with one foot, then with the order. Go left and right
as you do this.
3. In a fluid motion, lift the basket to the left. Doing the same motion, lift the basket to the
right. Keep your steps alternating between stepping to your left and stepping to your right.
When you step to your left, coordinate the lifting of the basket to the left. When you step to
the right, lift the basket to the right. The fluidity of motion is key to doing the dance
correctly.
4. Repeat step 3 multiple times - the length will depend on the music. You should appear to be
effortlessly carrying the basket.
5. Keeping your movement fluid, sit the basket down in front of you. Step to the left and step
to the right around it. Never stop moving. You may improvise in your dance around the
basket.
6. Take the pretend "seeds" from the basket and make tossing movements as you would offer
them to Diwata, a dryad-like spirit in Philippine mythology.
 10. Dugso, a Tribal Dance

Dinatag
As part of the Dugso, the Dinatag serves as the introduction to the dance. For the
Dinatag, dancers should join arms in a T-shaped position and movements should be as
fluid as possible.

1. Brush your left foot backwards, then bring your left foot to meet your right foot.
2. Step to the left with your left foot, bringing your body sideways.
3. Brush your left foot backwards from your new position, then bring your left foot to meet
your right foot.
4. Step to the left again with your left foot, bringing your body sideways again, so you are now
turned around from your original position.
5. Step to your right, then tap your left foot to meet your right foot.
6. Step to your left in a sideways motion.
7. Step to your right again, then tap your left foot to meet your right foot.
8. Step to your left in a sideways motion.
9. Brush your right foot backward, then tap your right foot to meet your left foot.
10. Step to your right in a sideways motion.
11. Step your left foot across in front of your right foot.
12. Tap your right foot to meet your left movement, moving to the right.
13. Step your left foot behind you, across your right foot.
14. Step to the right sideways.
15. Step your left foot behind you again, across your right foot.
16. Step to the right sideways.
17. Repeat all steps 1 to 16.