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College of Education
MODULE 2
P.E 103 PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES
TOWARDS FITNESS AND HEALTH

Prepared by:
ISHMAEL FAIZAL F. MERCURIO, LPT
Course Facilitator
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P.E 103 – Physical Activities towards Health and Fitness (Dance)

PRELIMINARIES

Course Title: Physical Activities towards Health and Fitness (Dance)

Course Number: PE 103
Course Description:
This course will provide physical activities for the purpose of optimizing health and
fitness through dance, sports and outdoor activities. Students will be able to adapt and transfer
the movement competency in different contexts.
Total Learning Time: 36 hours (18 weeks)

OVERVIEW
This module gives a basic understanding of how Social Dance and Jazz Dance is defined. It covers the
following topics:

 Cha-cha, Swing, Samba, Jive/Boogie and Line Dance

 History of Jazz Dance
 Different style of Jazz Dances

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

At the end of the course the student should be able to:

1. Classify the various types of Social Dances

2. Realize dancing as a healthy form of recreation
3. Apply the basic steps learned
4. Explain the origin of Jazz Dance
5. Enumerate and define the different styles of Jazz Dance
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UNIT II – SOCIAL DANCES

HISTORY

Social Dances are usually done to introduce people with one another during a formal
social gathering or to welcome guests to a social gathering. Many social dances like Polka and
Mazurka started as Folk Dances while some were deliberately designed for its social purpose,
such as the waltz, regoudon and polonaise.

Social Dancing is believed to have existed since the beginning of human society in some forms.
Its original forms may have been simply a group dance for pleasure or recreation. Most group
dances were originally ceremonial rites grouped around three basic aspects of human existence:
food supply, sexual impulse, and relationship with spirit world.

While the origin of Social Dances may be traced back to the primitive times, couples
dancing a dance form emerged in the 15th century in Europe. Varied vigorous styles in innovative
adaptations and refinement of folk dances were developed by the dancing masters of that time.
These new dances, gay and lively in characters, developed first as a social diversion among the
aristocracy of France and Italy, then expanded developmentally to every royal court in other
continents to become, in the later centuries, an activity even of the emerging middle class as
well.

During the 14th century, when social dance and folk dance were virtually
indistinguishable, popular ring dances were performed in English upper-class homes as part of
the evening entertainment.

Throughout the Renaissance and the 16th century, social dances became more firmly
ensconced in the courts with partners constantly changing, filling the ballroom with emerged
square formulations like the cotillion and quadrille.

Advancing technology and two world wars that restructures life in the 20 th century changed
social dances almost dramatically, quickly altering its values and practices.

COMMON DANCE TERMS

1. To Address Partner is to bow partner. Facing partner, boys bow by bending slightly from
the waist as girls do curtsy.

Curtsy is to bend knees and body slightly with a bow of the head; the weight of the body
is on one foot. One foot crosses the other in rear.

2. An Amalgamation is a combination of two or more patterns or movements.

3. Amateur Dancer is a person who is dancing as a hobby and who does not seek financial
gain from teaching or dancing.
4. Ball Change is a transfer of weight from the ball of one foot to the other foot.
5. Basic figure is a standardized step pattern, which together with other patterns constitute the
basic of a dance.
6. Brush is to lightly touch the inside edge of the supporting foot with the inside edge of the
free foot between changes of weight.
7. Chasse is composed of three changes of weight with a close on the second and may be
performed sideward or forward.
8. Choreography is a creation or compilation of steps, patterns and movements, which make
up the dance or a dance routing.
9. Close is to move the free foot next to supporting foot with one change of weight.
10. Commando is a forward or backward rock and close.
11. Combination is a group of consecutive patterns and choreography.
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12. Continuity Movement is the continuous passing of the test from one step to the next.
13. Contrary Bode Movement is the action of turning the opposite hip and shoulder toward the
direction of the moving leg.
14. Conversation is a position when partners stand side by side, right hand of the gentleman
holds the lady’s waist; L arm of the lady placed at the gentleman’s outside arm at the side.
15. Corte, in tango, is a stop and change of direction either forward or backward.
16. Cuban Motion is a discreet but expressive hip movement achieved by bending and
straightening the knees with carefully timed weight transfer.
17. Dance Sports is the official name given to competitive Ballroom Dancing.
18. Draw is to slowly move the free foot to supporting foot without change of weight.
19. Drop is a theatrical movement in which the follower’s body remains in contact with the
floor.
20. Fan is a half turn done on the ball of one foot while the free foot is kept directly behind the
foot on which the turn is made.
21. Figure is a standardized step pattern that, together with the other patterns, constitute the
dance.
22. Floor Chart is the ability of the leader to maneuver around the dance floor in a skilled and
controlled manner as to avoid colliding with the other dancers.
23. Following is the ability the follower to react correctly to the signals given by the leader
through physical and visual connections.
24. Formation Team is a group of three or more dancers who perform ballroom style routines.
25. Hip Motion is a very general term to mean any type of hip movement used in Latin Dancing.
26. Leading is effective communication of intended actions by the leader through the use of
leader’s own body movements and through one or more physical or visual connections to the
follower.
27. Line of Dancing is a type of non-partner dancing where everyone starts in the line and learns
a set patterns that repeats over and over again through the music.
28. Lift is a theatrical type of movement in which the follower’s body weight in completely
supported by the leader held aloft.
29. Natural Turn is any dance pattern that turns to the right.
30. Progressive Dance is a dance which couples move along the Line of Direction around the
dance floor, as opposed to a spot dance.
31. Pivot is a turning movement during which the free foot is kept either in front or directly
behind the foot on which the turn is made.
32. Rock is composed of two changes of weight, each in opposite direction.
33. Shuffle is a quick step followed by two or more steps by placing the weight of the body on
one foot, then shifting the weight to the other.
34. Spin is a turn done in place using both feet, usually done as a couple.
35. Step is frequently used to mean the same as figure or pattern.
36. Variation is a varied or more advanced pattern than the corresponding basic figure, which
still contains the same main elements.

THE HOLDS AND POSITIONS IN BALLROOM DANCING

1. Challenge Position. Partners face each other about a step apart without touching.
2. Close Ballroom or Close Position. Partners facing each other in close ballroom dancing
position, R arms of the gentleman placed on the lady’s waist, L arm of the lady on shoulder
of the gentleman while R hand of the lady holds the gentleman’s L hand about shoulder
level.
3. Cuddle Position or Skating Position. Woman is at man’s left or right side, both facing the
same direction; one arm of man is across woman’s back.
4. Escort Position. Partners stand side-by-side, L hand of the lady hooked to the R of the
gentleman.
5. Facing Position. Partners facing each other, R and L hands joined, comfortably above waist
level.
6. Open Ballroom or Open Position. Like ballroom position but partners holding each other
are facing the audience.
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7. Open Break Position. Partners face each other, one two-steps apart with man holding
woman’s right hand in his left.
8. Right Parallel. Same as in reverse open post position but partners facing each other.
9. Side-By-Side. Partners stand side-by-side, lady at the right side of the gentleman when
facing the audience; L hand of the lady holding R hand of gentleman and outside at the side.
10. Promenade Position. R hand of gentleman holds the R hand of the lady while L hand of the
gentleman holds the L hand of the lady.
11. Varsovienne. Partners stand side-by-side with gentleman standing to the R and slightly in
front of the lady. He reaches R arm over the R shoulder of the lady and takes above his L
shoulder.
12. Wrap Post. Partners are in close position, standing side-by-side, lady in cross the preceding.
Inside arm in 2nd position and join hands (fingertips up and grip thumbs) at shoulder level.
13. Reverse Varsovienne. Same as Varsovienne, but the lady is in front of the gentleman.
14. Star Post. Partners are in opposite directions, their right hands holding each other; lady
facing away from the audience; while gentleman faces the audience.
15. Reverse Open Post. Partners are in close position, R hand of the gentleman is on the waist
of the lady, while his L hand is on the R hand of the lady. The L hand of the lady is on the L
shoulder of the gentleman and the head of the gentleman facing R and the Lady facing L.

SOCIAL DANCE GUIDELINES

1. Practice correct dancing position even without a partner.

2. Maintain a good standing position. Bring out the best in your look.
3. Keep your weight over the balls of your feet to make you feel quicker and lighter, and place
your weight even on the soles of your shoes. No weight on the heel.
4. Maintain the habit of keeping feet close together unless you are taking a definite step. Feet
apart are not a pretty sight.
5. For a graceful dancing, always turn your toes out, not in.
6. When Dancing with a partner, adapt a comfortable position for both of you; not too close and
not too far.
7. Don’t lean forward or backward. Just assume a natural comfortable dancing companion.
8. When facing the audience, the lady is at the right side of the male.

RUMBA
Rumba, or sometimes 'rhumba', is a slow and flirtatious dance. Some say it is the spirit
and soul of Latin American dance. It's certainly a dance of romance and always a good choice for
weddings.

Rumba is generally regarded as the "dance of romance", but also known as the "Latin
waltz" or the "waltz with a wiggle". Due to its slow rhythm and sensual movements, some call it
the most intimate and passionate dance there is.

Learning rumba is not difficult. The ease of learning is actually one of the main reasons

why it's more popular today than most other Latin dances (except perhaps salsa). Once you learn
the simple steps, the music does the rest.
Rumba can be danced to a variety of music, from contemporary to traditional. Here are a
few popular songs to give you an idea:

 And I Love Her - The Beetles  Falling Into You - Celine Dion
 It's Now or Never - Elvis Presley  Neon Moon - Brooks and Dunn
 I'm Not Giving You Up - Gloria  Under the Boardwalk - The Drifters
Estefan  Kokomo - Beach Boys
 Besame Mucho - Xavier Cugat  Girl from Ipanema - Frank Sinatra

Basic steps
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Rumba is usually danced to music written in 4/4 time, with four beats to each measure. The basic
step is a very simple box step. It consist of three basic steps - two quick side steps and a slow
forward or backward step.

The rhythm of the steps is slow, quick, quick. A slow step is danced over two counts of music,
while a quick step is danced over one count.

Rumba is a spot dance which means the couple does not travel around the dance floor like in
many other dances, but rather stays in one location. It is done to music with slow tempo and
emphasizes on hip movements (what we call Cuban motion).

Instructions & Diagrams

You start dancing in a closed dance position. The man's left hand is holding the lady's right hand
with the elbows almost touching. The man's right hand is placed underneath the lady's shoulder
blade. The lady's left hand is placed right behind the man's shoulder, flat on his back.

Basic Steps for Men

The gentleman starts with his left foot stepping forward. The man's steps are as follows:

1. Step forward with your left foot

2. Sidestep to the right with your right foot
3. Move your left foot to your right foot
4. Step back with your right foot
5. Sidestep to the left with your left foot
6. Move your right foot to your left foot

Basic Steps for Women

The lady starts with her right foot stepping backward. The woman's steps are as follows:

1. Step back with your right foot

2. Sidestep to the left with your left foot
3. Move your right foot to your left foot
4. Step forward with your left foot
5. Sidestep to the right with your right foot
6. Move your left foot to your right foot

CHA-CHA

Cha cha is a fun, flirtatious dance with playful energy. It's a blend of other Latin dances,
especially mambo and rumba. The major difference between cha cha and mambo/rumba is a
triple step (cha cha cha) that replaces the slow step.
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Cha cha is widely recognizable by its catchy rhythm – one, two, cha, cha, cha. It's easy to learn
and fun to dance.

Like so many Latin dances, it originates from Cuba. It was developed by the Cuban
composer and violinist Enrique Jorrin in the middle of 1950s. Originally it was known as a
slowed-down mambo or "the triple mambo", because of the three quick steps. It gained instant
popularity due to its simplicity. In time it evolved into a separate dance and although it was
originally known as the cha-cha-cha, the name was shortened to the cha-cha.
Cha cha can be danced to almost any music with a good beat, from traditional Latin
rhythms to club music, from country to pop. Its popularity can be heard in the music of Ricky
Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Tom Jones, Carlos Santana, and many others. Cha cha is
very much a dance of today.

Basic steps

Cha cha music is composed in 4/4 time (four beats to a bar of music). For each bar of
music there are 2 slow and 3 quick steps, which may be counted as – one, two, cha, cha, cha or
step, step, step, quick step, quick step. The footwork is simple and mostly focuses on just shifting
weight from one foot to another.
Remember, five steps are taken to four beats of music. Also don't forget that the
movements tend to be somewhat flirtatious.

Instructions & Diagrams

Partners face each other. Gentleman starts with the left foot, lady starts with the right foot. Basic
ballroom hold.

Basic Side Step for Men

1. Sidestep to the left with your left foot

2. Step backward & left with your right foot
3. Left foot in place, weight shifts to it
4. Sidestep to the right with your right foot
5. Move your left foot to your right foot
6. Sidestep to the right with your right foot
7. Step forward & right with your left foot
8. Right foot in place, weight shifts to it
9. Sidestep to the left with your left foot
10. Move your right foot to your left foot

Basic Side Step for Women

1. Sidestep to the right with your right foot

2. Step forward & right with your left foot
3. Right foot in place, weight shifts to it
4. Sidestep to the left with your left foot
5. Move your right foot to your left foot
6. Sidestep to the right with your left foot
7. Step backward & left with your right foot
8. Left foot in place, weight shifts to it
9. Sidestep to the right with your right foot
10. Move your left foot to your right foot
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JIVE
Jive is an exciting partner dance, fun, easy to learn, and playful in nature. Because it's fast
and energy-consuming, it's also an excellent form of exercise. Plus, it looks great on a dance
floor.
Jive is a faster version of swing and shares many things with it, from footwork to underarm turns,
swivels, etc. It evolved from early swing dances like Boogie-Woogie and Jitterbug. During
WWII American soldiers introduced it to Europe, especially UK, where it became very popular
with the youth. In 1968 it was added as the fifth Latin dance in International competitions.

It's a very boppy dance where dancers use more bouncy movements, lifting the knees and
bending or rocking the hips. A lot of kicks are used. It's one the most energetic of all the dances.

Jive is generally danced to a music in 4/4 time in a wide variety of tempos from slow to
very fast. The great thing about it is that it can be danced to all sorts of music - old, new, Swing,
Rocknroll, Country, electronic, pop...

It's a dance for everyone, easy to learn, relaxed, lots of fun, and extremely social. It is the
fastest of the Latin dances and will give you a great cardio workout. What a fantastic way to get
and stay in shape. Now grab your dancing shoes and get jiving!

Basic steps

The basic steps for jive are based on a simple six beat sequence: 1-2-3-a-4-5-a-6. The count
begins with the rock step (left foot step back, right foot in place), followed by the two triple steps
(chasse) that are counted: 3-a-4, 5-a-6.

The Rock Step is simply changing weight from one foot to the other, except that it is taking a
little step back, instead of to the side. A chasse is a series of three steps to the side.

Jive is generally danced to music with four beats to the bar that usually contains bouncy rhythms
and easy melodies. The basic step (for men) starts with a rock step (changing weight from one
foot to the other) followed by triple step to the left (left, right, left) and triple step to the right
(right, left, right). The lady mirrors the man. Remember, the timing is - 1, 2, 3 & 4, 5 & 6.

Instructions & Diagrams:

Jive is danced with the lady and man facing each other. The man's left hand loosely holds the
lady's right hand. The man leads starting with his left foot and the lady follows his movements.

Basic Men's Steps

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1. Step back with your left foot (Rock step)

2. Right foot in place, weight shifts to it
3. Sidestep to the left with your left foot (Chasse to the left)
4. Move your right foot to your left foot
5. Sidestep to the left with your left foot
6. Right foot in place, weight shifts to it (Chasse to the right)
7. Sidestep to the right with your left foot
8. Sidestep to the right with your right foot

Basic Lady's Steps

1. Step back with your right foot (Rock step)

2. Left foot in place, weight shifts to it
3. Sidestep to the right with your right foot (Chasse to the right)
4. Move your left foot to your right foot
5. Sidestep to the right with your right foot
6. Left foot in place, weight shifts to it (Chasse to the left)
7. Sidestep to the left with your right foot
8. Sidestep to the left with your left foot

Practice these steps until you are able to do them in time with music. Don't forget to count: 1-2-
3-a-4-5-a-6.

SWING

Swing is a lively, non-progressive partner dance that can be danced to a wide variety of
music, from blues to rock & roll. Non-progressive means it's mostly performed in one spot, so
it's very convenient on a crowded dance floor.
Swing is one of the most versatile partner dances you can learn - very social and beginner
friendly. Easily adaptable to a wide range of tempos, it involves movements with lots of
swinging, spinning and rhythmic, creative footwork.

There are many different styles of swing, the term actually refers to a group of dances
that developed from the swing style of jazz music in the first half of the last century. There's
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Lindy Hop, Boogie-Woogie, Jitterbug, Shag, Charleston, West Coast and East Coast Swing, just
to name a few. Each of these dances has its own distinct flavour.

One of the most popular and very suitable for beginners is the East Coast Swing. It's a bit
more social and relaxed than other versions. It's also a formal ballroom dance and the easiest to
learn. Perfect for beginners, which is why we'll focus on this version here. It will create a good
foundation and is the base for other more complex versions.

East Coast Swing can be danced to a variety of music styles. If it's written in 4/4 time and
has a tempo between 135-170 beats per minute, you can swing it.

To dance swing you'll need a partner, a sense of humor, and a bit of endurance. It may

seem a bit intimidating at first, especially if you're watching those who really mastered it. But as
with all things, you have to start with the basics. And the basics are easy. Once you learn the
fundamentals, you'll be swinging in no time. Always remember, wear comfortable shoes. Now
let's go swinging.

Basic steps (East Coast Swing)

Beginners usually start with East Coast Swing, because it is the easiest of all swing
styles. Here we will show you the basic 6 count step for East Coast Swing.

East Coast Swing has a basic count of 1&2, 3&4, 5,6. It's known as a triple step swing. The basic
pattern is triple step, triple step, and a rock step.

When you're starting out you can replace the triple step with a single step. In that case the pattern
would be step, step, rock step or rock step, step, step, depending on how you start counting. The
overall progression is, of course, the same.

The triple step is really not that difficult to master, it is performed in a chasse-like manner - side
step, together, side step.

Instructions & Diagrams:

Basic Steps for Men: he man starts with his left foot.

 1&2: Triple step (chasse) to the left (left-right-left)

 3&4: Triple step to the right (right-left-right)
 5: Step backward with your left foot
 6: Weight shifts to your right foot

Basic Steps for Women: The woman starts with her right foot.

 1&2: Triple step (chasse) to the right (right-left-right)

 3&4: Triple step to the left (left-right-left)
 5: Step backward with your right foot
 6: Weight shifts to your left foot
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Remember, keep the steps small.

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UNIT III – JAZZ DANCE

Origins of Jazz Dance

The origins of Jazz dance are found in the simultaneous rhythms and improvisation
brought to America by the African slaves around the 17th century. By the 19th century, talented
dancers were migrating from Europe to America and bringing along Celtic as well as their own
African influences, including their rich culture of sacred and celebratory traditional dances.
Beginning in the 1930s Jazz dance blossomed simultaneously with Dixieland music and
the jazz scene in New Orleans. From the 1960s until the turn of the century the jazz dance style
continued to evolve, reflecting the changing musical influences of Rock & Roll and Broadway
and film musicals.
Today Jazz dance is an umbrella term that incorporates several different styles of and is
considered a uniquely American creation.
Progressive Dance Studio is committed to fostering the love of dance and the performing
arts in our students and that starts by focusing on developing each student’s individual talents,
self-confidence and self-esteem in a safe, non-competitive environment.  Although we offer a
wide variety of dance and other performing art classes, below is a brief overview of the most
popular dance styles that PDS focuses on to educate the beginning dancer.

What is Jazz Dance?

Today, jazz dance incorporates a blend of dance styles that makes it difficult to define.
People enjoy watching jazz dancers because the dance moves and techniques are fun and
energetic. We know jazz dance when we see it, but it’s difficult to explain.
Jazz showcases a dancer’s creativity and individuality and allows the dancers to interpret
and execute moves and steps in their own way. To excel in jazz, dancers need a strong
background in ballet, as it requires grace, balance, and stamina.
On today’s Jazz dance scene, there are six different dance styles that you’ll see, but be on
the lookout, because as jazz dance evolves, a new jazz style will likely emerge.

6 Jazz Dance styles currently being performed include:

1. Classical Jazz: Classical Jazz is performed from the core, with clean and strong lines that
come from the hips and chest. It is essential to take ballet because Jazz Dance is strongly based
on Ballet technique.

2. Contemporary Jazz: Contemporary Jazz challenges the rules and foundations of classical
jazz by adding ordinary movements, strong story lines, creativity and individuality.
Contemporary jazz has become well known because of shows like So You Think You Can
Dance.

3. Commercial Jazz: Commercial Jazz is a blend of hip hop, jazz and the latest dance steps,
choreographed to pop songs. Commercial jazz often includes more “tricks.”

4. Latin Jazz: Latin Jazz is a style that allows a dancer to use the movements of various Latin
dance styles without the assistance of a partner by adding elements of jazz. Latin jazz has an
emphasis on the movement of hips and isolations.

5. Afro-Jazz: Afro-Jazz is a fusion of African dance with the technical elements of jazz.

6. Street-Jazz: Street-Jazz is a mixture of street dance and jazz.

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Jazz Steps and Terms for Beginners

As with all dance styles, to help new students start dance classes with confidence we have
highlighted some important jazz steps and common terms first-time Jazz students will need to
know. 

• Ball Change: A ball change is a change of weight distribution on the balls of the feet. This is a
popular transition step in many jazz dance routines

• Chassé: Taken from the ballet tradition, a chassé step resembles a galloping motion, and is
literally a “chasing” step. This is often used in jazz dance terminology to describe the way a
dancer travels across the stage, putting two moves together.

• Contraction:  A contraction is accomplished by a dancer contracting the torso, with the back
curved outward and the pelvis pulled forward, thus making a C-shape with her core. 

• Fan Kick: The body stays in place while one leg starts inward and kicks all the way around to
its original position. These are often used in kick lines and Broadway-style dance routines. 

• Grounded movement: dancers keep a low center of gravity, and often bend their knees

• Isolation: Learning to isolate one body part at a time. A dancer isolates one specific part of her
body, such as her rib cage or wrist.  One of the key skills for any jazz dancer is the ability to
move body parts individually. 

• Jazz Square:  An iconic move, the Jazz Square consists of a few basic walking steps, but done
in this particular order:  Step forward on the right or left foot, Cross the other foot over the first
foot, Step back with the first foot, Bring the feet side by side.  A jazz square is often done with
some attitude in the upper body, accenting the motion. 

• Jazz Walk:  The “jazz walk” is a signature step in jazz dancing. Jazz walks can be performed
in many different styles, where the improvisation element of jazz shines through. One of the key
defining features of jazz, both in music and dance, is the room for individuality. Every dancer’s
jazz walk is different. Posture is low, and feet slightly drag across the floor in this modified walk
used for traveling across the stage. Variations of the jazz walk include the jazz run and jazz drag.

• Pivot Step: One foot steps in front of the other, and then the body pivots around back into the
original position.

• Syncopation:  Accenting an offbeat or note of the music that surprises the audience. 

Jazz Dancewear
A Jazz dancer needs clothing that allows you to move. The dancer’s body lines need to be
visible. Although tights and leotards are fine, most jazz dancers prefer to wear jazz or dance
pants. Tops usually worn for jazz include form-fitting tank tops, T-shirts, or leotards. Jazz
clothes should be fitted. Much of Jazz involves turns and quick movements so the clothing
shouldn’t be distracting or be loose enough to get tangled. 

At Progressive Dance Studio, the dress code for our jazz classes include a leotard, tights,
and booty shorts.

Jazz Footwear – Shoes and Sneakers

There is such diversity of footwear in Jazz classes (bare feet, half socks, ordinary socks, and of
course, Jazz shoes). However, for a beginner’s jazz dance class, it is important to wear
something on your feet.  At Progressive Dance Studio, as part of our dress code, we require jazz
shoes.
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ACTIVITY # 1

Essay: Answer the following questions briefly from the activities below. Refer back to your module as the course
progresses. Please write your answer in long white coupon bond (type written). Font: Times New Roman, font size:
12

1. Enumerate and explain the different types of Social Dances

2. Explain why does dancing became as one of a healthy form of recreation.
3. Explain the origin of Jazz Dance
4. Enumerate and define the different styles of Jazz Dance