DANCE - In other study, the word “dance”

comes from the Latin word “danson”

Dance – an expression of an intensified
which means to stretch. Thus, simple
sense of life, arising from an inner
analysis of term “sayaw” which easily
perception that stimulates both mind
lead to one that it must have derived
and body. It is man’s natural and
from the word “saya” which means happy.
primitive means of expression.
PURPOSE OF DANCING
The rhythmical movement of the body
usually with music.  To passed the course subject
 To have fun or entertain others
 To express an idea or emotion
 For passion provides; released of
 To narrate a story
tension
 To enjoy and take pleasure in the
 To treat emotionally disturbed
movement itself
people; to helptreat physically

It is a both an art and a form of handicapped

creation.  Worship

- Art- it may tell a story, set a mood, BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

or express an emotion OF RHYTHMIC ACTIVITIES AND

- Form of recreation – it provides fun, DANCE

relaxation, companionship
From the earliest moments of known

DANCE = MOVEMENT + RHYTHM human history, dance accompanied

ancient rituals, spiritual gatherings
 Movement – change of position in and social events. As a conduit of
space; governed with mechanical trance, spiritual force, pleasure,
principles that limit the ability of expression, performance and interaction,
individuals to move effectively and dance became infused into our nature
efficiently. from the earliest moments of our
 Rhythm – measured motion or flow, existence - from the moment when first
characterized basically by African tribes covered themselves in
recurrence of elements or features war-paint to the to the spreading of
as beats, sounds, or accents. music and dance across all four corners
of the world. Without a doubt, dancing
Dance – involves a successive group of
remains one of the most expressive
bodily movements and steps rhythmically
forms of communications that we know.
performs and timed to music.
The oldest proof of existence of SIGNIFICANCE OF DANCE
dancing comes from the 9000-year- EDUCATION
old cave paintings that were found in
Through dance, students learn teamwork,
India, which depicts various scenes of
focus, and improvisational skills. Dance
hunting, childbirth, religious rites,
awakens new perceptions in children
burials and most importantly, communal
which help them learn and think in new
drinking and dancing. Since dancing
ways.
itself cannot leave clearly identifiable
archeological artifacts that can be DANCE ELEMENTS
found today, scientist looked for
secondary clues, written word, stone The elements of dance are the
carvings, paintings and similar foundational concepts and vocabulary
artifacts. Period when dancing became that help students develop movement
widespread can be traced to the third skills and understand dance as an
millennia BC, when Egyptians started artistic practice.
using dance as integral parts of their
1. Theme – the content or the main
religious ceremonies. Judging by the
ingredients of a dance. Message of
many tomb paintings that survived the
the dance.
tooth of time, Egyptian priests used
2. Design – pattern of movement in
musical instruments and dancers to
time and space.
mimic important events - stories of gods
3. Movement – steps, gestures, facial
and cosmic patterns of moving stars and
expressions.
sun.
4. Technique – skills in executing
Art and religion were the most serious movement.
concerns of primitive civilizations. 5. Music – auditory background to
Their art concerns were mainly for which a dancer moves.
source of food and how to increase its 6. Costumes and Properties – worn by
supply. Although unaware of it, they the dancer that help reflect the
made use the art of hunting, fishing and message, customs, beliefs and
other way of life. setting of the dance.
7. Choreography- forms and
Religion in this matter, regards their arrangement of a dance.
beliefs in the supernatural beings that 8. Scenery – the setting background
governs their fate. To express their establishing the place of action of
feelings they create rhythmic any dance.
movements by stamping, shaking their
arms, legs and body. FACTORS THAT AFFECT MOVEMENT

 Psychological Factor – phenomena

such as fear, anxiety, and others
affect the movement either positive
 or negative. All those may somehow  Pendular – a similar movement of a
affect the performance of an pendulum.
individual.  Percussive – movement of striking,
 Physiological Factor – physical hitting, pulling, or pushing.
fitness and body built are two main  Vibratory – the shaking of the parts
concerns that effect the human or beating movements that produces
movement. Poor muscle development vibrating.
and low fitness level will surely  Sustained – a smooth flowing
affect the movement. movement contained in a balanced
 Sociological Factor – these refer to position.
the relationship of the performer to
TYPES OF BODY MOVEMENT
the group regarding social
conformity and norms.

TWO BASIC DIVISIONS OF

MOVEMENT

A. Locomotor Movement

It simply defined as the movement in

space as one goes from one place to
another. These are:

- gallop - run
- hop - skip
- jump - slide/shuffle
- leap - stamping
- marching - walk (high/low)  flexion and extension

- mincing  abduction and adduction

 rotation
B. Non-locomotor Movement or Axial
Movement MOVEMENT SPACE

It is defined as the movement done in a  Personal Space – is your immediate

stationary or fixed base. These are: space you take up within the general
space
 Extension – straightening or  General Space – is the space within
stretching of a body part from a our boundaries
joint.
 Flexion – a contraction or shortening
of body parts from a joint.
 Rotation – turning, twisting or
circling around the axis.
ELEMENTS OF SPACE FUNDAMENTAL POSITIONS OF
ARMS AND FEET
1. DIRECTION - this refers to the
movement forward, backward, 1st Position
upward, downward, sideways right
and left, circular and combination of
all these.
2. LEVEL - As the body moves in
horizontal plane it creates movement  Arm – raised arms to a circle in
identified as high, medium/middle front of the chest
and low. It may be represented in  Feet – bring heels close to touch,
relative heights while standing, toes apart
sitting, lying and kneeling.
2nd Position
3 kinds:

 High level
 Middle level
 Low level
3. RANGE - The maximum reach of an
individual or sometimes referred to
as personal space of the size of
movement.
4. PATHWAYS OR SPACE DESIGN -
 Arm – open up arms sideward, raised
below shoulder level with a graceful
curve
 Feet – bring feet apart sideward
3rd Position

The line of design created in space

as one moves. Example an arm
circling (circle design is created) or
a line drawn from running to the
 Arm – raise one arm overhead while
first base in softball.
other arm remains in 2nd position
5. FOCUS - This is referred to as
 Feet – bring the heel of one foot to
movement in space in relation to an
touch the instep of the other foot
object or a person’s attention or
direction. 4th Position

 Arm – raise one arm in front of

chest in a half circle, while one arm
remains overhead
 Feet – bring one foot infront of the
other foot to walk strike
5th Position ballo meaning to dance and flourished in
the royal court of France.

o Modern Dance - A deviation from

the principles of classical ballet

 Arm – raise both arms overhed in a developed by Isadora Duncan. She

graceful curve believed in the principle of

 Feet – bring the heel of one foot to naturalness and true expression of
touch the toe of the other the human body and soul.
o Contemporary Dance - This is a
Note: combination of ballet and modern
dance whereby it, uses the varied
 Lead with the back of your hands
medium of other dance forms like
when doing the arm position
folk, ethnic, or tribal dance.
 The weight of the body should
3. FOLKDANCE - a cultural art form
always be distributed on both feet
handed down from generation to
and keep the toes pointing outward.
generations. It can communicate the
DANCE FORMS customs, beliefs and rituals
occupation of a region or country.
1. CLASSICAL DANCE: Dances with
standardized rules and restrictions. Francisca Reyes
It can be religious related dance or Aquino (Sayaw;
for court and royal entertainment. 1973):
2. MODERN CONTEMPORARY Considered as
BALLET: is a form of dance which the “Mother of
incorporates elements of both Philippine Folk
classical ballet and mod er n dance. Dances” for her
It takes its technique and use of poo untiring efforts in collecting, compiling,
int work from classical ballet, and propagating folk dances, and for her
although it permits a greater range soutstanding contribution to the
of movement that may not adhere to advancement of Filipino culture in the
the strict body lines set forth by field of dance
schools of ballet technique. Many of
In 1973, President Marcos gave Dr.
its concepts come from the ideas
Reyes Aquino the National Artist for
and innovations of 20th century
Dance Award
modern dance, including floor work,
balletic movements and turn-in of
the legs.

Classical Ballet – a dance of supreme

standards learned from an academe.
This originated from taly from the world
4. ETHNIC AND TRIBAL DANCE: A 10. POPULAR DANCE: highly recognized
dance particularly found in a group as a dance form in television and
of people living together in a locality other dance centers like disco
with common beliefs and customs. houses and social gatherings.
5. NATIONAL DANCE: Refers to the
type of folkdance found most widely
done through a specific country.
Good examples are Tinikling or
Cariñosa from Philippines.

6. NATURAL DANCING: makes use of

the basic movement, the locomotor
movement and the axial movement.
It is your natural movement of your
body. Some of the examples are free
style dance, non-choreography, just
moving your body to music.
7. CREATIVE DANCE: highest form of
dance for the purpose of
entertainment.
8. SOCIAL AND BALLROOM DANCE:
Dance set in a social gathering with
more formal atmosphere than the
simple and informal parties in which
the recreational dances are the
usual forms.
9. RECREATIONAL DANCE: includes
dance mixer, square dancing and
round and round couple dances.