NATURE, BENEFITS, AND

ELEMENTS OF DANCE
INTERACTIVE DANCE CRAZE
“CAN’T STOP THE FEELING”
Prehistory and ancient times of dance on
YouTube
BENEFITS OF DANCE
PHYSICAL
 Develops cardiovascular and
muscular endurance
 Improves coordination,
balance, flexibility, and body
composition
 Lowers risk of cardiovascular
diseases
MENTAL/EMOTIONAL
 Helps keep the brain sharp
 Decreases incidence of
dementia and Alzheimer’s
disease
 Decreases depressive
symptoms
 Increases self-esteem and
improves body image
SOCIAL CULTURAL
 Gives a sense of togetherness  Promotes cultural Values
within a group
 Encourages positive social
interaction and interpersonal
relationships in a group
 Contributes to the individual’s
potential for self-actualization
in society
 ELEMENTS OF DANCE
B – ODY
A – CTION
S – PACE
T – IME
E - NERGY
1. BODY – BODILY SHAPES
 Refers to how the entire body is molded in space or the configuration of body parts.
 The body can be rounded, angular, or a combination of two.

a. Symmetrical – balanced shape; movements are practically identical or similar on both sides.
1. BODY – BODILY SHAPES
 Refers to how the entire body is molded in space or the configuration of body parts.
 The body can be rounded, angular, or a combination of two.

a. Asymmetrical - unbalanced shape; movements of two sides of the body do not match or are
completely different from each other.
2. SPACE
 It is the area the performers occupy and where they move.
a. Direction – dance movements can travel in any direction
(forward, side, backward, diagonal, circular, and so on)
b. Size – movements can be varied by doing larger or smaller
actions
c. Level – movements can be done in a high, medium, or low level
d. Focus – performers may change their focus by looking at
different directions
3. TIME
 Executed in varying tempo (speed)
 Performers move with the tempo of an underlying sound,
known as beat or pulse.

4. ENERGY
 Energy or force
 Force can either initiate or stop an action
 Minimizes the monotony of the movements in a performance
QUALITIES OF DANCE ENERGIES
A. Sustained – movements are done smoothly, continuously, and with flow
and control; does not have a clear beginning and ending
B. Percussive – movements are explosive or sharp in contrast with sustained
movements; accented with the thrust of energy
C. Vibratory – movements consist of trembling or shaking; faster version of
percussive movements
D. Swinging – movements trace a curved line or an arc in space
E. Suspended – movements are perched in space or hanging on the air
F. Collapsing – movements are released in tension and gradually or abruptly
give into gravity; letting the body descend to the floor
WHAT MAKES A GOOD DANCE?
 Displays a significant meaning or conveys a message
 Also portrays life experiences
 Has a beginning, middle, and end/conclusion
 A form is the instrument by which ideas and elements are
arranged or combined into a logical sequence that results in
unity and consistency; should progress through time from the
beginning to the end of the choreography
 Contains a theme or a motif to be able to convey its meaning
or intention to the audience
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD DANCE
1. Unity – the interconnected phrases of the dance are coherent and flow
smoothly together; it is crucial for a dance to have unity to effectively
make the audience understand the choreography as a whole
2. Continuity and development – phrases of the dance that are organized
progressively, making each movement phrase move naturally into the
next
3. Variety and contrast – highlight the facet (surface) of the motif
4. Transition – the link between movements, phrases, and sections of the
dance
5. Repetition – emphasizes movements and phrases that are important to
the dance and gives a feeling of closure to a work
6. Climax –the apex of energy in the dance is reached
QUESTIONS?
 ASSIGNMENT
 Pick one type of dance you are interested in learning and explain
why you are interested and what specific benefits you think you
can get in it. Write your answer, in essay form, on a piece of
paper in no more than twenty (20) sentences. 30 points.
Rubric Number of Points

Content has relevance to the question. 15

The thought is well organized. 10

The reasoning ability is manifested. 5