INTEFRATIVE ART AS APPLIED
CONTEMPORARY ART: Humanities and
Arts
HUMANITIES
- came from the Latin word “Humanitas”
generally refers to art ,literature, dance and the
theatre – in which human subjectivity is
emphasized and individual expensiveness is
dramatized
-refers to the human kind , arts, literature, music
dance etc.
-deal with the study or focus in a set of
people/culture
HOW IMPORTANT IS HUMANITIES?
1.The field of knowledge and study falling under
humanities are dedicated to the pursuit of
discovering and understanding the nature of man
2.The humanities deals with man as a being of
purpose, of values, loves, hates, ideas and
sometimes as seer, or prophet with divine
inspiration
3. The humanities aim at educating
ART
- derived from the word “arti” which denotes
craftmanship, skill, mastery of form,
inventiveness.
-usually refer to “fine arts” (e.g. pictorial,
plastic, building etc.) arts na inaral or pinag
aralan and to the so called “minor arts”
(everyday,useful,applied and decorative arts)
arts na ginagawa natin sa araw araw
-serves as a technical and creative record of
human needs and achievements
some Definitions of art according to philosopers:
• Art is that which brings life in harmony
with the beauty of the world - Plato
• Art is the whole spirit of man – Ruskin
• Art is the medium by which the artist
communicates himself to his fellows -
Charleton Noyes
• Art is anything made or done by man
that affects or moves us so that we see
or feel beauty in it. – Collins and Riley
CONTEMPORARY ARTS
-Art that produce today
-art that is made today by a living artist
-“art of today”
-includes the artwork produced by the
20th and 21st centuries.
-Generally defines art produced after the
modern art movement to the present day
- the term contemporary art refers to---
namely,painting,sculpture,photography,
installation,performance,video art –
produce today
CLASSIFICATION OF ARTS
1.Fine Arts
-artworks that are created primarily for
aesthetic reason (art for arts sake) rather
than commercial or functional use.
- Design for its uplifting, life-enhancing
qualities
2.Visual arts
-art forms that create works that are
primarily visual in nature, such as
ceramics, drawing, painting,sculpture,
print making, design,crafts,
photography,video film making and
architecture.
3.Plastic Arts
-the term plastic art typically denotes
three dimensional works employing the
materials that can be moulde,shaped or
manipulated (plasticide in some ways:
such as clay, plaster,stone wood
metals(sculpture), Paper (origami) etc.
4. Decorative Arts
- aside from the aesthetic it is also
functional art
-this category traditionally denotes
functional but ornamental art forms,such
as works in glass,clay,wood, metal or
textile fabric.
-also includes all forms of jewellery and
mosaic art, as well as ceramics,
furniture,furnishing,stained glass, and
tapestry art.
5.Performance Art
- Refers to Public Events
-Traditional varieties include opera,
theatre, music, ballet.
-contemporary art also includes activity
in which the artist physical presence acts
as the medium
FUNCTIONS OF ART
1.Personal or Individual Functions -
provide comfort, happiness and
convenience
-the artist try to express his personal
feelings through artwork
- they can't express their selves vocally
so they try to express it through arts
2. Social Function
-used in public display celebration. It is
used to affect collective behaviour.
Bridges connection among people.
Convey sense of family, community, or
civilization
3.Economic Function
-Many people believe that it does not
pay to be an artist. How ever this belief
is negated by these facts, joanne K.
Rowling
-the author of the best selling Harry
Potter series become one of the most
highly paid wonen in British history
-even though na hoby mo to
mapagkakakitaan mo sya at
nakakatulong to sa sarili mo where in
lumalago ka or nakikilala
4.Political Function
- When Imelda marcos , apatroness of
the arts, become the governor of Metro
manila, she promoted her political
programs by the means of arts
-tarpulin, exhibit, pag papakain sa mga
mahihirap, murals
5.Historical Function
-painting sculpture architecture and
other art forms serves to record
historical figures and events
-sa pamamagitan nang arts is we are
able to look back in the past
6.Cultural function
-art helps preserve,share and transmit
culture of people frome one generation
to another.
7. Religious Function
- may create a work of art to reinforce
the religious or spiritual support of an
culture
- religious song
- mga Rebulto
Art Style and Factors Affecting the
style
1.Geographical Factors
-the place where the artist stay
influences his work
-natural resources na madami sakanila
is ginagamit sa art
2.Historical Factor
-Historical Events exert a great
influence on the artist
-History nila Inlife na nakikita natin
don sa gawa nang artist
-naiifluence yung art dahil sa history
nang buhay natin
 3. Social Factor
-Society at most times dictate the type of
painting, sculpture, song ,dance, literary
Pieces and movies to be produced
-refers to the society dictates to the artist
what arts they want.
-what is in or trend sa society yun yung
gagawin nilang artist
4. Ideational Factor
- ideas coming from various people also
influence artist
-it is not the idea of the artist alone but it
is also considerd the people who have a
great influence to the artist
- sa mga taong nakapaligit sakanya at
naiimpluwesyahan sya
5.Psychological Factor
-at times the works produced by the
artist are affected by their psychological
make up or frame of mind
- refers to the status of mind of the artist
as one factor affecting the style
- there are some artists na paiba iba ang
theme because it is affected by their
psychological mind
- status of the mind of the artist
6. Technical Factors
-techniques matter as far as artistic style
are concerned
-Techniques affect the style of the artist
INTEGRATIVE ART AS APPLIED
TO CONTEMPORARY ART:
OVERVIEW AND TIMELINE
OF PHILIPPINE ART
Ethnic Art - Integral of Life
(Pre-13th C. AD)
Islamic Art- Geometric Design
(13th C. AD)
Hispanic Era- Faith and Catechism
(1521-1898)
American Era- Secular art forms
(1899-1940)
Japanese Era- Orientalizing
(1941-1945)
Modern Era- National Identity
!946-1969)
Contemporary Era- Social Realism
(1970-present)
ETHNIC ART (Pre- Conquest)
-the heritage
- Everyday expressions were all
integrated within the rituals that
marked significant moments in a
community’s life , like planting and
harvesting, rites of passage funerary
ceremonies,wedding, among others
- They imitated the movement of animals
and prey, and the sounds that they made
in a simple activity alone evolved ritual,
music,dance, theater and even literature.
Bulul – carved wooden figure that is used
to guard the rice crop
Manunggul Jar – secondary Burial jar
excavated from a Neolithic burial site in
the manunggul cave
- Body adornment, ornaments, pottery,
sculpture, metal work > Anito, Bulul,
Manunggul Jar,
- Tinikilng, Canao/Kanyaw, Talip dance, >
Kulintang, Kudyapi, agong, gansa
Islamic Art
Characterized by designs of flowers, plant
forms and geometric designs.
• One of the characteristic of Islamic Art is
the absence of human form.
• Clothing reflects the style and colors of
their ethnic background.
• Calligraphy (in Mosque) is used as the
main form of expression.
> Batik (Burda)
> Sarimanok and Buraq
> Mosque
> Okirr
Hispanic Era
• The colonizers used art as a tool to
propagate the Catholic faith through
beautiful images.
• Images of the Holy Family and the saints
were introduced to the Filipino psyche
through carved santos, the via crucis
(Stations of the Cross), engravings on
estampas and estampitas, and through
paintings on church walls.
• The rise of the "ilustrado" (Filipinos with
money and education) class was inevitable.
The ilustrados became the new patron of
the arts. These events paved the way for the
secularization of art in the 19th century
Examples:
In the church in Paete, Laguna are two
works by Josef Luciano Dans (1805- ca.
1870). Langit, Lupa at Impierno ca. 1850
(Heaven, Earth and Hell).
> Purgatorio (Purgatory)
> Juan Luna's Spoliarium.
> These santos were used primarily for the
church altars and retablos. Carvings for
churches include altar pieces called
retablos the central point of any Catholic
church.
> The estampas (prints of miraculous
images) usually featured portraits of saints
and religious scenes.
American Era
Secular art forms
"American way of life"
Neoclassic Architecture
> Carlos "Botong" Francisco, (1913-
1969), Angono-based painter, depicted
Philippine history in his "History of Manila"
mural at the Manila City Hall.
> Victorio C. Edades (1895-1985) The
Builders. Instead of the smiling farmers and
fisherfolks of Amorsolo, it depicted
distorted, naked working men covered in
sweat and grime.
> Fernando Amorsolo Planting Rice (1921),
Don Fabian dela Rosa y Cueto El kundiman
(1930).
Oblation, Bonifacio Monument
Japanese Era
• Freedom amongst Filipinos was gone, and
they are scared to express their own
opinions.
• The sculpture was indigenizing and
orientalizing works, example is the statue
bronze artwork dubbed Filipino Comfort
women
• Painting was wartime scenes,
propaganda
> Portraits representing different
ethnolinguistic groups were produced, and
this is exemplified by Crispin Lopez's Study
of an Aeta, 1943
> Take Amorsolo's Bombing of the
Intendencia, 1942 and Ruins of the Manila
Cathedral, 1945 as examples, they draw
attention to the elegant handling of value in
the billows of smoke or the pile of ruins
rather than the urgency of the disaster itself.
> Works which depicted the horrors of war
such as Diosdado Lorenzo's Atrocities in
Paco and Dominador Castañeda's Doomed
Family were painted after 1945.
Modern Era
• At the end of the WW II, modern art in the
Philippines began where various artists
used their national identity as the
common theme of the different art forms.
• In painting, Incipient, Triumvirate 13
moderns, abstract, Surreal, Expressionist
> Vicente Manansala's The Beggars 1952,
Ceasar Leagspi's The Gadgets II, 1949,
Hernando Ocampo's Genesis 1968 (Neo
realism)
➤ Arturo Luz'z Street Musicians, 1952,
(abstraction)
In sculpture, abstract expressionism
> Julie Lluch Picasso and Me
Contemporary Era
• Mirrors the contemporary culture and
society, offfering the general audiences a
rich resource through which is consider
current ideas and rethink the familiar.
• Dynamic combination of materials,
methods, concepts, and subjects that
challenges traditional boundaries and defies
easy definition.
SR (Social Realism) is a form of protest art
that exposed the sociopolitical issues and
struggle of the times.
> In painting, collaborative, Hyperrealist,
example is The Fisherman by Ang Kiukok
In sculpture, Junk scrap, neo-indigenous,
site-specific, a hybrid example is the People
Power Monument by Eduardo Castrillo
In Architecture, real state, safe housing,
condominiums, villages, subdivisions, malls,
etc.
Traditional Art
- Art representations
- Culture-bound
-Mostly focuses on realistic figures
Limited to structures and standards sets
Contemporary Art
- Revolve around the artist and his feelings
- Focus on the message to audience
- Diverse array of materials, media, style not
bounded by any rules or standards
INTEGRATIVE ART AS APPLIED TO
CONTEMPORARY ART: VARIOUS
ART FORMS FOUND IN THE
PHILIPPINES
REVIEW:
PHILIPPINE ART IN HISTORY
PRE-COLONIAL ART
COLONIAL
POST-COLONIAL
MAJOR CLASSIFICATION OF ART
FORMS FOUND IN THE
PHILIPPINES:
Visual Arts
Audio-Visual Arts
Literary Arts
• Visual Arts: are those forms perceived by
eyes.
• Audio-Visual Arts: are those forms
perceived by ears (audio) and eyes
(video). They are called performing arts in
as much as the artist render a performance in
front of an audience.
• Literary Arts: are those presented in the
written mode and intended to be read.
DEFINITION AND
CHARACTERICTICS OF
CONTEMPORARY ARTS
> Contemporary work of arts springs out
of the present-day events and passion of
the society. Has its own phase; broader
concepts.
> Conceptual, innovative, expressive, and
experimental.
> Allows the audience play an active role
of participating to the art.
> Evokes more intense emotions from its
spectators.
SALIENT FEATURES OF
CONTEMPORARY ARTS
• Most are based on abstract
expressionism
• Leaves the mark of the Artists.
• Instruments/mediums used are changing.
• Emphasizes on the expression of self,
emotions, and manifests inclusions of social
issues and concerns.
• Incorporate other form of arts.
INTEGRATIVE ARTS
Integrative Art: A number of art forms
are combined to form an art work. For
example an opera or musical play is a
combination of music, dance, and drama.
ART IS ABOUT REALITY
CONTEMPORARY ARTS IN THE
PHILIPPINES:
National and Local Artist from the
Regions
Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan
(GAMABA)
• Manlilikhang Bayan ("one who creates
for the country") or National Living
Treasure.
• The Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan, or the
National Living Treasures Award, is
conferred on Filipinos who are at the
forefront of the practice, preservation, and
promotion of the nation's Traditional
folkarts.
• Formalized in 1992, through Republic
Act No.7355, the Manlilikha ng Bayan
Act.
• The main objective of the award is to
honor and support traditional folk artists
and to see to it that that their skills and crafts
are preserved.
• The award is tied with a program that
ensures the transfer of their skills to new
generations and the promotion of the
craft both locally and internationally.
The award logo is a representation of the
human form used in traditional cloth.
Below the logo is the phrase "Manlilikha ng
Bayan"written in Baybayin, an ancient
Filipino script used in the Philippines in
the 16th century.
How Does One Become a Manlilikha ng
Bayan?
Qualifications
• He/she/group is an inhabitant of an
indigenous/traditional cultural
community anywhere in the Philippines that
has preserved indigenous customs, beliefs,
rituals and traditions and/or has syncretized
whatever external elements that have
influenced it.
• He/she/group must have engaged in a
folk art tradition that has been in
existence and documented for at least fifty
(50) years.
• He/she/group must have consistently
performed or produced over a significant
period, works of superior and distinctive
quality.
• He/she/group must possess a mastery of
tools and materials needed by the art, and
must have an established reputation in the
art as master and maker of works of
extraordinary technical quality.
Duties and Responsibilities of Awardees
A. To transfer the skills of his her
traditional folk art to the younger
generation through apprenticeship and
such other training.
B. To cooperate with the implementing
agency, as provided for in section 7 of this
act, in the promotion and propagation of
his/her traditional folk art.
C. To donate to the national museum a
sample or copy of his/her work.
Recipients of the GAMABA Award:
GINAW BILOG (Jan 3 1953-June 3
2003)
• A Haminoo Mangyan poet from
Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro. He is
considered as a master of the
understanding of the Manyan soul.
Advocates of preserving the traditional form
of his tribe called "Ambahan"
MASINO INTARAY (April 10 1943 -Nov
30 2013)
• 1993 AWARDEE
• Is a prolific and pre- eminent epic
chanter and story teller recognized for his
outstanding mastery of various traditional
musical instruments of the Palawan people
such as basal, kulilal, and baglit.
SAMAON SULAIMAN (Mar 3 1953 -
May 21 2013)
•A Magindanao of mamasapano,
Maguindanao
He was awarded for his outstanding
artistry and dedication to his chosen
instrument, the Maguindanao kudyapi.
EDUARDO MUTUC (Oct 12 1949)
• 2005 AWARDEE
• Eduardo Mutuc is an artist who has
dedicated his life to creating religious and
secular art in silver, bronze and wood. His
intricately detailed retablos, mirrors, altars,
and carosas are in churches and private
collections. A number of these works are
quite large, some exceeding forty feet,
while some are very small and feature very
fine and delicate craftmanship.
HAJA AMINA APPI (June 25 1925- Apr
2 2013)
• 2005 AWARDEE
• Haja Amina Appi she is recognized as
master mat weaver among the Sama
Indigenous Community for her unique
designs, straightness of her edging (Tabig)
and fineness of her sasa and kimama.
YABING MASALON DULO ( Aug 8
1914)
• Master weaver, Polomolok,
• South Cotobato, Weaving (Ikat), 2016
MAGDALENA GAMAYO (Aug 13
1924)
• A Filipino master weaver who makes
"inabel", an Ilokano handwoven cloth.
• She was awarded by Pres. Benigno
Aquino in 2012 at the Malacanang Palace,
Manila.
SALINTA MONON (DECEMBER 12,
1920-JUNE 4, 2006)
• 1998 AWARDEE
- She is Tagabanwa-Bagobo traditional
weaver of district abaca fabrics called
inabal.
- She was awarded for fully demonstrating
the creative and expressive aspect of
Bagobo abaca called inabal at a time when
such art is threatened with extinction.
LANG DULAY (Aug 3 1928 - Apr 30
2015)
• 1998 AWARDEE
• She is a Tboli traditional weaver of
"Tinalak" or "Tboli" cloth made of
colorful abaca fabrics. She has produced
creations which remain faithful to the
T'boli tradition as manifested in the
complexity of her design, fineness of
workmanship & quality of finish.
ALONZO SACLAG (Aug 14 1942)
• 2000 AWARDEE
• He is a Kalinga master of dance and the
performing arts who mastered not only the
Kalinga musical instruments but also the
dance patterns and movements associated
with his people rituals.
FEDERICO CABALLERO ( December
25 1938)
• 2000 AWARDEE
- Is a Sulod Bukidnon epic chanter from
Kalinog, Iloilo who ceaselessly works for
the documentation of the oral literature.
- He strives to dispense justice in the
community through his work as
manughusay - an arbiter of conflicts.

UWANG AHADAS (Feb 15 1945)
• 2000 AWARDEE
• His near-blinded eyesight made music
his constant companion. Ahada is a
Yakan, a people to whom instrumental
music is of much significance, connected
as it is with both the Agricultural Cycle and
the Social Realm.
DARHATA SAWABI (March 12 2006)
2005 AWARDEE
• PIS SYABIT is the traditional cloth
tapestry made from cotton or silk worn as
a head covering by the Tausug of SULU.
• The most recognized community of Pis
Syabit weavers in Sulu are from
Barangay Guimba Lagasan in the town of
Parang. This is also where the late master
weaver DARHATA SAWABI, a
GAMABA Awardee of 2005 (National
Living Treasure) came from.
TEOFILO GARCIA (March 12 1941)
• 2012 AWARDEE
• Casue maker, Ilokano, San Quintin,
Abra
• He make to wear
• Tabungaw, the gourd hat he makes and
wear, is uniquely distinct in craftsmanship.
AMBALANG AUSALIN (March 4 1943)
• Master weaver,
Lamitan, Basilan, Weaving (Yakan
tennun), 2016
ESTELITA BANTILAN (October 17
1940)
• A master weaver at Malapatan,
Sarangani, weaving (B'laan igem), 2016
APO WHANG OD (Feb 17 1917)
• Maria Oggay, also known as Apo
Whang-Od, a traditional tattoo artist or
mambabatok from Tinglayan, Kalinga
• The last of her generation, has been
officially nominated for the 2020 Gawad sa
Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA)
• The last tattoo artist of her generation,
using a ancient technique of tattooing called
"Batok" where a mixture of charcoal and
water is tapped into the skin using the
thorn end of a calamansi or pomelo tree
• Batok is a symbol of beauty for women,
and Kalinga women adorn their bodies with
tattoos to attract suitors. For men, it is a
symbol of fierceness and strength.
National and Local Artist from the
Regions
• The National Artist Award is the highest
distinction bestowed upon Filipino Artists
whose body of work is recognized by their
peers and more importantly by their
countrymen as sublime expression of
Philippine music, dance, theatre, visual arts,
literature, film and media, arts, architecture
and design.
• President Ferdinand E. Marcos through
proclamation No. 1001 dated April 2,
1972, confers the award to deserving
individuals as recommended by the Cultural
Center of the Philippines (CCP) and The
National Commission for Culture and the
Arts(NCCA).
HONORS AND PRIVILEGES OF
NATIONAL ARTIST
1. The rank and title of National Artist, as
proclaimed by the President of the
Philippines.
2. The insignia of a National Artist and
citation;
3. A lifetime of emolument and materials
and physical benefits. Comparable in value
to those received by the highest offers of the
land such as cash awards, monthly life
pension, medical and hospital benefits, life
insurance coverage, state funeral, and burial
at the Libingan ng mga Bayani and place of directions for future generations of Filipino
honor, in line with protocular precedence, at artists.
national state functions, and recognition and
cultural events. EVERY ARTIST DIPS HIS BRUSH IN
HIS SOUL AND PAINTS HIS OWN
Selection Criteria for the National Artists NATURE INTO HIS PAINTINGS
of the Philippines -Henry Ward Beecher
> For a person to be considered in the
selection of the National Artists Order of the Cinema
Philippines, he or she must possess the Brocka -
following qualities, according to Official Romero-
Gazette: Bernal-
> Must be a Filipino citizen; Avellana-
> Work has contributed to nation-building;
> Their distinctive style and pioneering Fashion
works impacts succeeding generations of Ramon Valera-
artist,
> There is excellence in the practice of their Visual
art form; Amorsolo-
> Their art form enriches artistic expression Kiukok-
or style; and Abueva-
> Their work is prestigious national and Edades-
international recognition. Navarro-
Asia-
Selection Criteria for the National Artists of Joya-
the Philippines
Theater
The Order of National Artist (ONA) Bernal-
[Orden ng Pambansang Alagad ng Sining] is Avenalla-
the highest national recognition given to
Filipino individuals who have made Dance
significant contributions to the development
of Philippine arts.
Music
The Order of National Artist aims to
recognize:
a) Filipino artists who have made
significant contributions to the cultural
heritage of the country:
b) Filipino artistic accomplishment at its
highest level and to promote creative
expression as significant to the development
of a national cultural identity, and
c) Filipino artists who have dedicated their
lives to their works to forge new paths and
PEH4
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY
A day can be divided into three parts according
to Clayne R. Jensen (2006):
EXISTENCE TIME - is time spent for
biological needs like having a meal, sleeping,
and other personal care.
SUBSISTENCE TIME- refers to the hours
spent for economic purposes such as going to
work, chores, and for students, hours spent in
school, and school work.
FREE TIME - Free time, therefore, is all the
remaining time after or to those who have been
very busy with workload or schoolwork, this is
the best time to do recreational activities, to
relax, to rejuvenate
RECREATION
Benefits and value can be derived by
Recreation is derived from the Latin word engaging in different recreational activities
recreare which means to be refreshed. Choices such as:
for recreation vary from person to person. What
• Improvement of physical health
makes one happy may not be so for others.
Therefore, recreational activities depend on • Reduce the feeling of anxiety and
one’s interests, pursuits, and needs which may depression
be reflective of one’s beliefs and level of
gratification. • Build on self-esteem

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY • Enhance relationship skills

Active Recreation- An activity that requires a • Improve focus, increase cultural

diversity.
lot of energy and movement.
• Promote community engagement.
Passive Recreation -An activity that involves
limited physical exertion
Indoor Recreation- An activity that can be
done inside the house, building or enclosed area.
Outdoor Recreation – Activity that is carried out
in the field or outside space.
SWIMMING
Swimming - in recreation and sports, the
propulsion of the body through water by
combined arm and leg motions and the natural
flotation of the body. Swimming as an exercise
is popular as an all-around body developer and
is particularly useful in therapy and as exercise
for physically handicapped persons. It is also
taught for lifesaving purposes.
-Swimming is for everyone no matter what age
or level of fitness. Swimming is the sport or
activity of propelling oneself through water
using the limbs. Any age can learn to swim and
there is no age limit on when you can no longer
swim. Swimming is a lifelong skill that could
save your or another’s life. It is never too late to
learn to swim. Swimming is an excellent way to
keep fit and most swimming pools cater for all.
-One of the most popular water sports is
swimming. Swimming has been around for
centuries. It has evolved to become one of the
most common recreational activities as well.
Swimming is a sport that tests your fitness and
stamina.
-Swimming is a great recreational activity for
people of all ages. Recreational activity means
any outdoor activity under- taken for the purpose
of exercise, relaxation or pleasure, including
practice or instruction in any such activity.
Recreational swimming can provide you with a
low-impact workout and it’s also a good way to
relax and feel good. Common swimming styles in
recreational swimming are breaststroke,
backstroke, side stroke and freestyle.
COMPETITIVE SWIMMING AND
RECREATIONAL SWIMMING
COMPETITIVE SWIMMING
-is an activity which involves swimming as its
primary mechanism in competing which can
either be individual or team based.
RECREATIONAL SWIMMING
-Recreational swimming occurs when learning
swimming and water safety is the main objective
of the activity. Recreational swimming is often
less structured than sessions designed to teach
swimming and water safety, and may occur in a
wider than usual range of environments.
FIVE BASIC SKILLS IN SWIMMING
• Water comfort
The most basic and essential swimming
skill is simply becoming comfortable in
the water. Although humans are born
with innate water skills, many people
develop a fear of the water. To become
more comfortable in the water, spend
time in a shallow pool or wading in the
ocean. Never enter the water alone,
especially if you are not a strong
swimmer.
• Breath Control
Breath control begins with simple
exercises such as drawing a breath,
submerging, blowing bubbles and then
resurfacing for another breath. As your
swimming skills improve, you will learn
specific breathing techniques for
different strokes. Work with a
swimming coach or a friend or relative
who is a strong swimmer.
• Floating
Floating, or keeping your body in a
horizontal position in the water, is a
basic water skill. If you accidentally fall
in the water, you may be able to float
until you are rescued, even if you are not
strong enough to swim to safety. Get
lessons from a coach or a competent
friend or relative.
• Kicking
Kicking provides propulsion through the
water. Kicking is also used in treading
water, which is the process of remaining
in one place while keeping your head
above the water line.
 • Strokes
Strokes are the arm movements used to
pull the body through the water. The
front crawl, sidestroke, breast stroke,
backstroke and butterfly are the five most
common swimming strokes. Each stoke
uses different body positioning,
breathing techniques and arm
movements.
DIFFERENT STROKES IN SWIMMING
• Freestyle
The freestyle stroke is typically used for
speed, as it allows for a streamlined
movement that helps the body glide
through the water. Also referred to as the
“forward crawl”, the body stays in the
water during this stroke, while the arms
and legs work in tandem to provide
forward motion. This is often one of the
first strokes taught in lessons, as it is easy
to learn and is a good way to build up the
upper body strength for strokes like the
butterfly.
• Back Stroke
The backstroke is one of the most well-
known swimming strokes. Also referred
to as the “racing backstroke”, the
backstroke is done by swimming on your
back and swinging one arm at a time up
over your head and back down behind
your back, while kicking backward in a
flutter kick.
• Breast Stroke
The breaststroke is done on the stomach,
with both arms in the water while the
body is pulled backward. The arms then
move in an arc shape in the front of the
body while the legs do a frog kick. Out of
all the swimming strokes, the
Breaststroke may be one of the oldest.
• Butterfly Stroke
The butterfly is another stomach-
position stroke, in which the arms move
forward in a circle motion going above
the head and directly into the water. Once
the arms hit the water, the legs are kicked
backward at the same time in what is
known as a dolphin kick. It is known as
the hardest swimming stroke to master.
EQUIPMENT FOR SWIMMING
• Goggles
Goggles protect your eyes from chlorine
(and anything else that may be in the
water), and they help you keep your eyes
open while you swim so that you can see
where you’re going.
• Fins
Fins fit on your feet and add propulsion
to your kicks (think of a duck’s webfoot).
They are great training for your legs and
will help you swim faster. They come in
long fins for beginners who want to work
on their stroke and build up leg strength
and ankle flexibility and short fins to help
you go faster without overworking your
legs
• Kick boards
Kickboards are devices made of foam or
other materials that float, and they come
in a variety of shapes and sizes. The main
purpose is for you to hold on and stay
afloat while your legs do all the work. It’s
good exercise for coordinating your
kicking, and it gives your arms a rest.
• Swimming Attire
Technology has entered the swimsuit
arena as well. Fabrics are designed for
minimal resistance through the water,
they tend to last a long time, and they
resist fading even when used repeatedly
in chlorinated pools.
 • Bathing cap
Bathing caps can serve several purposes.
Some pool managers will require
individuals with long hair to wear caps to
keep hair from getting into the pool, and
some people just like to protect their hair
from the chlorine in the water. You may
also decide to wear a bathing cap to cut
down on resistance in the water. This
really works, and so if you’re looking to
increase your time a bit, a bathing cap
might help.
HEALTH FITNESS COMPONENTS OF
SWIMMING
weakness of an improperly conditioned
muscle or weak joints, both of which can
be improved through strength training.
Swimming improves flexibility, a factor
that allows you to continue swimming
even when you're unable to participate in
other sports.
• Body Composition
Lower body fat and higher muscle mass
leads to improved flexibility and more
calories burned during a workout.
Because swimming burns calories while
also building strength and endurance, it is
an excellent fitness activity for achieving
a healthy body composition and fabulous
tone.

• Cardiovascular Fitness
Swimming is an excellent cardiovascular activity
because it involves continuous movement of
large muscle mass in a low-to-zero gravity
environment, which makes it easy on your joints.
Swimming for at least 20 minutes, three times a
week can help you achieve a healthier life
because it gets your heart rate up, burns fat and
improves your body’s ability to pump oxygen-
rich blood to your working muscles.

• Muscular Endurance and Muscular

Strength
Exercising in water adds natural
resistance to your workout, which helps
build stronger muscles. Unlike running
or riding a bike, swimming builds muscle
in both the upper and lower body. It also
boosts endurance, enabling you to swim
longer and further before muscles are
fatigued

• Flexibility
Another benefit of the strength training
aspect of swimming is injury prevention.
One of the leading causes of injury is