Lesson 111 Ball Room Dancing

Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
A. Name all types of ball room dances,
B. Know the basic elements for ball room dancing,
C. Aware of the health benefits of dancing Ball Room Dance,
D. Implicit differentiation on the Ball Room dance movements and costumes to other kinds of dances,
E. Execute and perform the basic elements for ball room dancing,

Reading 1

Ball room - a formal social dance for couples or a set of

partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively
around the world. Because of its performance and entertainment
aspects, ballroom dance is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and
television.
Ballroom Dance defines......
 as a variety of social dances performed by couples in which there
is a conventional pattern of steps.
 also known as social dance because it encourages social
interaction between dance partners.
 the term 'ballroom dancing' is derived from the word ball, which
in turn originates from the Latin word ballare which means 'to
dance' (a ballroom being a large room specially designed for such
dances). In times past, ballroom dancing was social dancing for the
privileged, leaving folk dancing for the lower classes.
Website:
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Ballroom_dance
What Is Ballroom Dancing?

‘Ballroom’ is a category of dancing which includes roughly a dozen types dance within it. In general, what
unites these dance forms under the ballroom umbrella is that they are performed in a large hall, by several
couples who follow similar routines and steps. This genre is defined by its classical overtones, with Waltz
arguably being the most famous type of ballroom dance.

History

Ballroom dancing- became popular among the social elites in the sixteenth century

Ballroom dancing became popular among the social elites in the sixteenth century, but got its
contemporary form in the early twentieth century. Two factors made it popular also among the wider
population. Firstly, the music that accompanied ballroom dancing had changed: while in its early days the
accompanying tunes were primarily classical, in the twentieth century more popular and accessible music,
including jazz, entered the ballroom. Secondly, high-profile Hollywood actors such as Fred Astaire and
Ginger Rogers frequently included ballroom dance sequences in their films, thus popularizing this form of
dance.

Contemporary Styles

These days, ballroom dancing is divided into two separate categories: international ballroom and
international Latin, which includes more Latin-based music and dress. However, the genre as a whole is
anything but unified and undiversified. Ballroom includes many different dances, ranging from the classical
Waltz to the fast-paced Latin Cha-Cha and the intense Tango.

Despite its current accessibility to anyone who would like to take part, ballroom dancing also has a
professional branch which includes competitions and tournaments. Although yet to be performed in the
Olympic Games, professional ballroom competitions are numerous and require a high-level of skill and
practice.
Dance as Community and Individual Therapy

Ballroom includes many different dances

The design of ballroom dancing is possibly what makes it so popular among people in so many different
parts of the world. From the outset, it was more than simply a dance activity: although it is seemingly
performed by separate couples, the dancing happens simultaneously by several different couples who
move around each other, adhering to the same music and dance rules. This synchronicity transforms
ballroom dancing into an effective social experience, which brings people and communities closer together
with through the force of music and movement. It is a shared experience, which incorporates both
intimacy between a single couple and the feeling of a vibrant community.

The merits of this activity have not gone unnoticed by medical practitioners. Nowadays, ballroom dancing
is also very popular as a therapeutic tool for people suffering from conditions such as Parkinson’s disease
— because of its social appeal, together with its low physical impact and the need to practice control over
one’s body. It may be learned quite easily by anybody, and does not have any limitations in terms of age,
weight, or strength. However, despite its seemingly low entry requirements, ballroom dancing grants the
dancer a lot of strength and cognitive development. That’s why nowadays more and more Parkinson’s
patients around the world complement their conventional treatment with regular ballroom sessions at
medical dance institutions, which allow them to benefit from the practice of controlled physical
movements while having fun.

12 Types of Ballroom Dances

People all over the world enjoy the social and competitive nature of ballroom dancing. These dances are
partner dances enjoyed socially and competitively worldwide. The following 12 ballroom dances are seen
on dance floors, on stages, in films, and on television. How many of these ballroom dances are you familiar
with?
Ballroom dance is enjoyable both socially and competitively worldwide. It also refers to a set of partner
dancers, which originated in the Western world. The International style contains two categories:
International Latin and International Standard, each of these sub-categories contain five different dances.
The specific categories are as follows; Standard, Latin and Club dances or Freestyle dance.
Standard (ballroom) dance are elegant and have strong emphasis on posture, more formal than Latin
Dances. They are generally dance in a closed position. It consists of the following dances such as: Waltz,
Quickstep, Foxtrot, Tango, and Viennese waltz.
On the other hand, Latin style prepared for hot, flashy movements, sexy poses and fire-consuming passion.
Latin dances are generally faster-paced, more sensual and have more rhythmic expression. Latin dances
such as: Cha-cha-cha, Mambo, Rumba, Samba, Jive, Paso Doble.
Club dances include: Swing, Line dance, Salsa and Merengue.
To give an overview in the styles of ballroom dance, the following table shows the characteristics of each
ballroom dance.
 
STANDARD DANCES

Waltz is one of the smoothest ballroom dances. It is a progressive dance marked by long, flowing
movements, continuous turns, and "rise and fall." The dance is so graceful and elegant; Waltz dancers
appear to glide around the floor with almost no effort
Viennese Waltz The Viennese waltz is a quick rotating ballroom dance with a subtle rise and fall. It is
considered by most to be one of the most difficult dances to learn. The simple and elegant rotational
movement characterizes the Viennese waltz. It's up to four times faster than the regular, or slow, waltz,
and the steps are slightly different.

Tango is one of the most fascinating of all ballroom dance. This sensual ballroom dance originated in South
America in the early twentieth century.

Quickstep is a quick version of the Foxtrot. It is a ballroom dance comprised of extremely quick stepping,
syncopated feet rhythms, and runs of quick steps. The Quickstep is exciting to watch, but among the most
difficult of all the ballroom dance.

Foxtrot is a smooth dance in which dancers make long, flowing movements across the floor. Foxtrot has
lots of fun and simple to learn an excellent dance for beginners.
 LATIN DANCES

Cha cha cha is a lively, flirtatious ballroom dance full of passion and energy. The classic "Cuban motion"
gives the Cha cha cha its unique style. Partners work together to synchronize each movement in perfect
alignment.

Mambo is one of the most sensual and

emotional Latin American ballroom dances.
Swaying hip movements, facial expressions,
arm movements and holds add to the
sensuality of the dance.

Jive is an American dance that evolved from a

dance called the Jitterbug by removing the lifts
and acrobatic elements. Dancers use a more
bouncy type movement using the balls of the feet.
A lot of kicks are used in jive. Jive is a very fast,
energy-consuming dance.
Rumba is considered by many to be the most romantic and sensual of all Latin ballroom dance. It
is often referred to as the "Grandfather of the Latin dances." A moderately slow Latin dance with
plenty of wraps, under arm turns and a truck load of flirtation.  It is often called as the “Dance of
Love”.

Samba is popular with young people as well as older generations. Samba can be performed solo
or with a partner. Possibly the most popular of all Brazilian ballroom dance.
 Paso Doble is one of the liveliest ballroom dance, originating in southern France. It is modeled
after the sound, drama, and movement of the Spanish bullfight.

CLUB DANCES
Swing dance is a lively style of social dancing in which a dancer often lifts, spins and flips his or her partner.
Considered both hip and cool, swing dancing is a favorite among social dancers of all ages.
Lindy Hop
The Lindy Hop is the ballroom dance considered to be the father of all swing dances. It is known for its
athletic style and often contains aerial jumps, twists, and flips. It was named for Charles Lindbergh's (Lucky
Lindy) transatlantic flight and popular in the 1930s.

The beauty in the simplicity of line dancing steps is that they are so adaptable that they can be
reworked and reused in a variety of different dances and dance styles. The steps are very basic
and are often repeated numerous times in the line dance. Adding small twists or variations on the
core steps or utilizing them as transitions in other dances will be an ideal use of the steps.

Salsa is a very energetic Latin dance, with spins, sharp movement, and crisp turns, very popular
in Latin clubs along with merengue.  A style varies depending on where you are from. This dance
is also similar to Mambo.

Merengue is a fast Latin dance that never slows down. It’s very easy to learn and often refer to
this dance as the “marching with style”

Learning Activity 1
Instructions: Answer the questions below and be guided on the rubrics given. Limit your answer with 50
words only.

Rubrics

Areas of 4pts. 3pts 2pts 1pt.

Assessment
Ideas Presents ideas in an Presents ideas in a Ideas are too general Ideas are vague or
original manner consistent manner unclear
Organization Strong and organized Organized Some organization; No organization; lack
beg/mid/end beg/mid/end attempt at a beg/mid/end
beg/mid/end
Understanding Writing shows strong Writing shows a clear Writing shows adequate Writing shows little
understanding understanding understanding understanding

Relevance.................................................................4
Unity and Coherence...............................................3
Organization............................................................3

TOTAL….............................................................10

1. What is Ball Room dancing?

_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________.

2. Why is a ballroom dancing considered as a therapeutic tool for people suffering from conditions
such as Parkinson’s disease?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
3. Is a Ball Room dancing, a dance as community and individual therapy? Explain?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Reading 11
Benefits of Ballroom Dancing

1. Ballroom Dance is a great workout.

a. Burn Fat / Lose Weight / Increase Metabolism.

Ballroom dancing is a low-impact aerobic activity that burns fat and can boost your metabolism. In just
thirty minutes of dance, you can burn between 200-400 calories – that’s roughly the same amount as
running or cycling! Burning an extra 300 calories a day can help you lose between 1⁄2-1 pound a week (and
THAT can add up quickly). In fact, a study in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology found that dance as
exercise is just as effective for weight loss as cycling and jogging. Dance training is also an excellent form of
maintenance exercise, to stay healthy and toned once you’ve reached your goal weight. And since
ballroom dance is so much fun, you’re getting these benefits without feeling like you’re working out!
b. Increase Flexibility.
A reputable ballroom dance class will typically begin with a few stretching exercises, to get you prepped to
execute dance steps with comfort & ease, and to protect against dance-related injury. Beginner dancers
especially will notice that the more you dance, the more flexibility and range of motion your body
develops. Increased flexibility will help your dance abilities, decrease joint pain and muscle soreness after
exercise, and improve core strength and balance. Yoga and ballet stretches can be extremely beneficial as
pre-ballroom dance warm-ups, but be sure to talk with your Fred Astaire Dance Studios instructor about a
recommended warm-up regimen.
c. Increase Muscle Strength & Endurance.
Ballroom dancing contributes to the build- up of muscle strength because the act of dancing forces a
dancer’s muscles to resist against their own body weight. The use of quick steps, lifts, twists and turns, will
help you develop more muscle strength in your arms, legs and core as your lessons continue. Endurance (in
this context) is the capability of your muscles to work harder and longer without succumbing to fatigue.
Ballroom dancing as exercise is particularly effective at building up your endurance – so as you work on
your dance steps, you are conditioning your muscles to perform these feats with less and less fatigue. And
the added benefit is that you’ll look and feel strong, toned and sexy
d. Great for All Ages.
Ballroom dance is a fun activity for everyone – from children to senior citizens, which is another reason it’s
such an effective form of exercise. At Fred Astaire Dance Studios, we work with students of all age groups,
physical abilities and skill levels – and will create a custom dance program that’s comfortable yet
challenging, and will help you attain your dance AND exercise goals.

2. Physical Health
Ballroom dance can decrease blood pressure and cholesterol, improve cardiovascular health, strengthen
weight-bearing bones, help prevent or slow bone loss related to osteoporosis, lower the risks of obesity
and Type 2 Diabetes, and promote increased lung capacity. It can help speed up recovery after orthopedic
surgery since it’s a lower impact exercise than jogging or biking. The posture and fast movements required
in ballroom dance help enhance balance and stability, especially among older people (which can help
prevent falls and stumbles). Ballroom dance can even help sharpen your intellectual and mental abilities. A
New England Journal of Medicine report looked at adults for 21 years, and found that dance was one of
the only activities that improved both cardiovascular fitness and reduced the risk of cognitive impairments
like dementia. To reap the full body-conditioning benefits of ballroom dance, dance for at least 30 minutes,
four days a week.

3. Mental Health
Research has found that ballroom dancing improves mental acuity throughout a dancer’s life – and that
there are also substantial benefits to those who start ballroom dance as adults. Ballroom dancing can help
enhance memory, alertness, awareness, focus, and concentration. It can prevent the onset of dementia
and significantly improve spatial memory in elderly patients. Participating in an activity like ballroom dance
helps create more intricate neural pathways, which can ward off weakening synapses that often come with
old age. Among younger dancers, the results can also be significant. Swedish researchers studying
teenaged girls with stress, anxiety and depression saw a decrease in anxiety and stress levels among those
who took up partner dancing. They also saw marked improvement in mental health and patients reported
being happier than those who did not participate in dancing. Partner dancing can also decrease loneliness
among all age groups, because it’s a goal-oriented social activity that brings like- minded people together.

4. Confidence
Every opportunity to dance – whether during a lesson or a social event, whether with your significant other
or a new dance partner – will help improve your comfort level, confidence and communication skills on the
dance floor. As your dance technique improves and you feel more at ease with other people, your sense of
accomplishment, motivation and confidence will continue to increase. And even better... you will notice
these new attributes taking root in other areas of your life as well.

5. Self- Expression and Creativity

Dancing comes naturally to people, and it’s an easy activity for anyone to partake in. Dance provides an
emotional outlet to express your feelings through body movements, with passion and flair. Ballroom
dancing can be a wonderful creative outlet to enhance your ability to permanently use these expressive
qualities even when you are not dancing, and to share that creativity with others. After only a few lessons,
you will start to find yourself moving more and more seamlessly through your dance steps, while you get
lost in the music. You will unlock a beautiful rhythm your body may have been hiding. It can also help with
your motivation and energy.

6. Stress and Depression

In today’s fast-paced world, we sometimes forget to take a moment for ourselves. Dance lessons provide
an enjoyable escape from your normal daily routine, plus a chance to relax, relieve stress, and concentrate
just on yourself. Our students often tell us that even if they’re “not feeling it” when they arrive for a lesson,
once they stretch and start dancing, they’re able to forget about the day’s triggers, simply b-r-e-a-t-h-e and
let the dance take over. There’s also a growing body of evidence to indicate that dancing has a positive
effect on the treatment and prevention of depression.
• Group activities such as ballroom dance lessons can expand your sense of social “connectedness”, which
is beneficial to lowering stress and depression levels
• Ballroom dance is similar to the practice of mindful meditation (which has been shown to significantly
reduce levels of depression and stress) in that it requires you to fully focus your attention, and be present
in the moment. This meditative state can help you “switch off” the negative thought patterns associated
with depression or stress. For those who are not interested in traditional meditative practices, ballroom
dance can be a great way to reap the same benefits.
• The physical act of dancing releases endorphins, and lowers the levels of stress hormones in our bodies.
This produces a sense of alert calm, and improves mood and energy levels
• Ballroom dance as anxiety or depression treatment is more likely to be voluntarily continued by
participants than some traditional forms of therapy, which can further increase its effectiveness.

7. Social Fun & Friendship

One of the best aspects of ballroom dancing is its ability to bring people together. Ballroom dance lessons
offer you a great opportunity to expand your social circle, build connections and engage with people in a
low-pressure environment, where there are no expectations. It’s perfect for younger singles who want to
step up their dating game, couples looking to reconnect, and for adults interested in discovering something
new and inspiring, just for them. Learning to dance does take focus and dedication, but you will be
surrounded and encouraged by artistic, positive and cheerful people who make learning enjoyable and
rewarding. In group lessons, weekly practice parties, regional and national competitions and studio events
and outings, you’ll meet a melting pot of people of all ages, with varied cultural and occupational
backgrounds. And the best part? Since they all share your passion for dance, these meetings often
transition into lasting friendships.
Website: https://www.fredastaire.com/benefits-of-dance/

Sample video on the basic ELEMENTS of Ballroom Dancing.)

Learning Activity 2
Instruction: Identify what type of ballroom dancing that is being used in this kind of music?
1.
Reading 111
Ballroom dance lessons offer you a great opportunity to expand your social circle, build connections and
engage with people in a low-pressure environment, where there are no expectations. It’s perfect for
younger singles who want to step up their dating game, couples looking to reconnect, and for adults
interested in discovering something new and inspiring, just for them. Learning to dance does take focus
and dedication, but you will be surrounded and encouraged by artistic, positive and cheerful people who
make learning enjoyable and rewarding. In group lessons, weekly practice parties, regional and national
competitions and studio events and outings, you’ll meet a melting pot of people of all ages, with varied
cultural and occupational backgrounds. And the best part? Since they all share your passion for dance,
these meetings often transition into lasting friendships.
Website: https://www.fredastaire.com/benefits-of-dance/

Proper outfit/costume
1. Wear comfortable clothing.
2. Wear appropriate footwear to prevent injuries.
3. If the hair falls below the shoulder, be careful that it does not fly into contact with
your partner. Long hair should be put up or tied in a pony tail.
4. Accessories like watches, rings and bracelets can be dangerous they can scratch
your partner’s hand and arm.
 
 General Rules for Following 
1. Whatever you do, don’t lead.
2. Be alert to your partner’s lead.
3. Support one’s own weight. Learn to keep good balance when moving backwards.
4. Step straight backward with reaching motion so as to give him room to reach straight ahead.
5. Pass the feet close together.
6. Hold your own frame (arm positions) against gravity (versus resting weight on your partner’s arms).
7. Maintaining your frame so as to provide gentle feedback to define your space. (avoid very rigid or very
limp arms, sometimes called “spaghetti” arms.)
8. Keep your weight over the ball of your feet to keep a good balance.
9. Execute the turn (after the leader 
signals when to start and stop the turn).

 General Rules for Leading

1. Hold partner firmly but not tensely.
2. Listen to the music before starting to step out on the accented beat.
3. Start with the new step with a left foot leading.
4. Start with the easy steps before going into variations, be sure partner can follow.
5. Signal a turn by lifting your hand above your partner’s head.
6. End a turn by lowering your hand below your partner’s head.

Learning Activity 3

There are 12 types of ballroom dances. Choose one type of ballroom dance that you think you can
confidently perform and jive it with the music of your choice. The basic elements of ball room dancing
should be seen on your movements and steps. Limit your video to 2-3 minutes only.
.

CHOREOGRAPH SKILL 40% STAGE

Y 30%  Execution & PRESENCE
 Originality Synchronization 20%
10% 15%  Vibrancy
 Technique  Coordination 10%
10% 15%  Costume
 Ballroom  Ball room & Props
style 10% Basics 20% 10%
 Republic of the Philippines
Cagayan State University
www.csu.edu.ph

COLLEGE of HUMAN KINETICS