Holy Rosary Academy of Las Piñas City

SY 2021-2022
Physical Education and Health 3
Grade 12
First Quarter

I. Topic I: Brief History and Nature of Dance

II. Content/Description:
Dance is an activity that can take many forms and fill many different needs. It can be recreation, entertainment,
therapy, and religion. In this topic we will examine the brief history and nature of dance, how dance came about
and where it all began.

III. References:
Physical Education and Health (Volume II) REX, Pg. 4 – 8, (Conrado R. Aparato, Zyra Ruth Talaroc-Brebante,
Lualhati Fernando-Callo, Peter Fermin Dajime)

Brief history of dance

Do you know where the dance came from?

Prehistoric

 The origins of dance are rooted in the prehistoric past. Various artistic, religious and social forces started
out the incorporation and development of dance.
 Dance has been a major form of religious ritual and social expression within primitive cultures.
 It was used as a way of expressing and reinforcing tribal unity and strength, as an approach for courtship
and mating, and as means of worship, communication, and therapeutic experience.
 It was said that the first use of dance was a gesture in order to communicate.
Ancient Egypt
 It was reflected in their wall paintings, relief and in the literally record in hieroglyphs.
 Medium of religious express
Ancient Greek
 The ancient Greeks also thought highly of dance. For them, it was closely linked with other kind of
experiences. Dance was taught as an aid to military education among the boys in Athens and Sparta.
 Dance was also commonly used in education.
 Greek philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates strongly supported this art (dance) as an
integration of the body and soul.
 Plato immensely gave importance to dance in education. He highlighted the two kinds of dance and
music: the noble (fine and honorable) and the ignoble (imitating what is mean or ugly).
Ancient Rome
 Gave less important
 Dance became brutal and sensationalized as their entertainers were slaves and captives from many
nationalities and it was used more often for gruesome purposes
Early Christian
 Theatrical entertainment was prohibited
  The Christian fathers approved the use of dance, provided that its form and intent were holy and
profound.
Middle Ages
 They Performed in village squares and were eventually welcomed in the castle.
 This marked the beginning of social dancing.
 Round dance and couple dance
Early Renaissance
 Dance and art in general gained impetus.
 The entertainers now became valuable appendage to the courts of Italy and France.
15th and 16th Century
 Rise of the art of ballet in Italy and France.

Benefits of dance
 Physical
- Develops Cardiovascular and muscular endurance
- Improves Coordination, balance, flexibility and body composition

 Mental/Emotional
- Helps keep the brain sharp
- Decreases depressive symptoms
- Increases self-esteem and improves body image
- Aids in releasing emotional and physical tension

 Social
- Helps keep the brain sharp
- Decreases depressive symptoms
- Increases self-esteem and improves body image
- Aids in releasing emotional and physical tension

 Cultural
- Promotes cultural values
- Dance promotes a place or a country’s rich culture through showcasing the different cultural dances.
The people around the world are brought to “a closer understanding of the lives of the people
represented and to an appreciation of their respective folk cultures” through the folk dances of a
specific country. It is through looking at the different dances of other countries will one see the value
of one’s culture

Performance Task#1

Answer the ff. question (minimum of 3 sentences every question)

1. What can we get from dancing?
2. How can dance improve our physical self?
3. How does dance benefit us emotionally? Mentally? Socially? Culturally?