WHAT IS DANCE?

 A profound solitary artistic and creative endeavor that requires introspection, philosophical analysis
and complex conceptualization.
 Dancing as a recreational activity can be a way to stay fit for all people of all ages, shapes, and sizes.
It is a wide range of physical and mental benefits.
 “To move one’s body rhythmically usually to music.”(Merriam Webster)
 “Statement of emotion expressed through music.” (Warren,1984)

CLASSIFICATIONS OF DANCE

 Interpretative Dance- Dances that are meant to be interpreted for performances and staging. Dance
literatures and signature basic steps are already inherent to these dances which serve as identifying
steps to dance. Such dances include folk dance, ball room dance, and ballet.
 Creative Dance- Dances that are created out for two approaches, the element approach and
creative approach. These dances are highly improvisational in nature considering the different
elements necessary in the creation of dance. Dances that fall under this classification include
contemporary dance, jazz, pop and hip-hop.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF DANCING

 Weight management
 Stronger bones and reduced risk of osteoporosis
 Improved mental functions
 Greater self-confidence and self-esteem
 Improved condition of your heart and lungs
 Better coordination, flexibility, and agility

MOVEMENT CONCEPTS OF DANCE

1. Body Awareness: What the body can do

Body awareness involves knowledge of the body parts, what the body can do and how they can do it. Body is
the main instrument of dance.

Parts: head, neck, arms, wrists, elbows, fingers, hands, pelvis, spine, torso, legs, knees, feet, toes, etc.
Shapes of the body: curved, straight, angular, twisted, symmetrical, asymmetrical
Relationships: body parts to body parts, individuals to groups, body parts to objects, individuals to groups
and objects, etc.
Balance: on/off balance
2. Space Awareness: Where the body can move/where is movement performed?

Place: self-space/general space(also called personal or shared)

Size: big/small, near/far
Level: high, middle, low
Direction: forward, backward, right, left, down, diagonal
Pathway: curved, straight, zigzag
Focus: single focus or multi focus

3. Force Awareness: How movement is performed?

It includes force and the quality of movement. It pertains to the amount of effort exerted in the performance
of dance or dance movements and dance combinations.

Energy: sharp (sudden) or smooth (sustained)

Weight: strong or light
Flow: free or bound

4. Time Awareness: When is movement performed?

Dance is both combination space and time art because it makes use of space and spends time as movements
are executed. Time in dance dictates and determines its speed or length, its mood and the energy required in
its performance.

Speed: fast, slow

Rhythm: free or bound

RHYTHMIC MOVEMENT ACTIVITIES

Movement Exploration- discovering the body’s potential for movement of experimenting with different
ways of moving
Rhythmic Interpretations-dancers interpret rhythmic movements with a music.
 Fundamental Dance Positions
1st Position
FEET: Heels close together; toes apart with an angle of 45 degrees.
ARMS: Both raised, forward in a circle infront of chest with the finger tips about
an inch part.
2nd Position
FEET: A stride sideward about a pace or 1 foot distance
ARMS: Both raised sideward with a graceful curve at shoulder level.
rd
3 Position
FEET: Heel of one foot close to in-step of other foot
ARMS: One arm raise sideward as in 2nd position other arm raised upward
4th Position
FEET: One foot infront of other foot of a pace distance.
ARMS: One arm raised infront as in first position, other arm raised over head.
th
5 Position
FEET: Heel of front foot close to big toe of near foot
ARMS: Both arms raised over head.