HANDOUTS IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES TOWARDS HEALTH & FITNESS 2

“Nobody cares of you can`t dance well. Just get up and dance. Great dancers are not great because of their technique,
they are great because of their passion.” – Martha Graham

CHAPTER 4 : DANCE AS AN ART

Dance is an art of rhythmic bodily movements that projects ordered sequence of moving visual patterns of line,
solid shape, and color (Thomas Munro in Kraus and Gaufman, 1981). The postures and gestures of which these visual
patterns are created suggest kinesthetic experiences of tension, relaxation, and emotional moods and attitudes with
them. Some of these dances that are considered an art form are folk dance, contemporary dance, and social dance.

PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE

Folk dances are indigenous dances of any specific “folk” of the common people. They are traditional customary or
recreational dance forms of a given country which have evolved naturally and were handed down across generations.

Folk dances are related to everything of importance in our daily lives, such as customs, rituals, and occupations of
a specific group of people. Most of these dances are related in origin to religious, belief, stemming and emotions,
superstition, festivals, ceremonies of birth, courtship, marriage, death, war, and countless themes common to all people
around the world.

“Folk dance became the overt expression of emotions and ideas which were peculiarly significant of the re-
enactment of customs and events constituting and important part of their history and patterns of daily living.” – Duggan,
Schlottmann, and Rutledge, 1948

“A traditional mode of expression that employs bodily movements of redundant patterns linked to definitive
features of rhythmic beats or music.” – Lopez, 2006

Philippine Folk Dance Characteristics:

1. It is traditional.
2. It has an expressive behavior.
3. Simple, basic rhythm dominates the folk dance and establishes the pattern of movement.
4. It is created by an unknown choreographer or by communal efforts.
5. It performs a function in the life of people.

Folk dances | National Dances | Ethnic Dances

Folk dances – are traditional dances found in certain country.

Note: All national and ethnic dances are folk dances, but not all folk dances are considered national or ethnic dances.

There are several ways to classify Philippine folk dances. According to Francisca Reyes-Aquino, folk dances may
be classified by geographical extent of origin, nature, speed of movement, formation, and distinguishing feature. The
three major regional classifications of Philippine folk dances:
(a) Tribal dances from the Cordilleras – include non-Christian dances from the Cordilleras.
(b) Lowland Christian dances – Western influences such as that if the Tagalogs, Ilokanos, Pampanguenos,
Pangasinense, Bisayans, and Bicolanas. These dances are influenced by Hispanic, and European cultures.
(c) Muslim dances – dances from the people of the Southern Islands of the Philippines such as in Mindanao and Sulu.
These dances are influenced by Arabic and Indo-Malayan cultures.
Philippine folk dances, regardless of their classifications, may also be categorized as:
1. Life-cyle dances – dances that portray life cycle.
2. Festival dances – either religious or secular. Celebration of recurring events of special significance.
3. Occupational dances – dances depict the means of livelihood.
4. Ritual and Ceremonial dances – dances performed as part of the rituals and ceremonies of a certain tribe.
5. Game dances – derivations from local folk games.
6. Joke and tricker dances – include jokes or tricks played by a dancer.
7. Mimetic or drama dances – dances that mimic animals, inanimate objects, or other people.
8. War dances – dances that express feud and enmity.
9. Social amenities dances – dances that express social graces, hospitality, and offerings of gifts to friends.
 CONTEMPOPARY DANCE

Contemporary dance is a combination of several dance genres. It is a style of expressive dance that combines
elements of several dance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet. Contemporary dancers strive to
connect the mind and the body through fluid dance movements. The term “contemporary” is somewhat misleading: it
describes a genre that developed during the mid-20th century and is still very popular today.

Contemporary dance emphasizes flexibility and spontaneity. Dancers in contemporary styles concentrate on
floorwork and let the gravity drag them to the ground. In this type of dance, bare feet are frequently worn. The dancers
in contemporary dance explore freedom of movement, enabling their bodies to freely express their deepest emotions and
convey tales. Contemporary dance is an organic, expressive form. The movements are performed to a variety of songs and
span from quick and sharp to sloppy and smooth.

Common Contemporary Dance Terminology

1. Alignment
This refers to how your limbs, torso, and head are placed in relation to each other.
2. Dynamics
This is how a dancer utilizes aspects of how motion like flow, space, time, texture, and weight to create movement.
3. Breath
Refers to the use of inhalation and exhalation tools to add to a performance.
4. Canon
A segment of choreography where a certain style of movement is repeated.
5. Choreography
The dance steps and movements are mapped out this manner.
6. Gesture
A movement that expresses emotion or direction without shifting the body`s weight, and it is a component of the
theatricality of contemporary dance.
7. Flow
Confined or constrained and moves in a forced, controlled manner.
8. Intention
Intention plays a crucial role in the relationship between the artist and the audience, just like “inspiration” does
for stage actors.
9. Isolation
The dancer`s capacity to separate a movement from the other action or to produce inactivity with a certain body
part while movement is present elsewhere.
10. Motif
A focal movement or group of movements that serve as the foundation for a bigger piece.
11. Space
The space that the dancer resides in and controls.
12. Texture
Describes how a movement feels to the dancer as well as how the dancer is presenting the feeling.
13. Time
Refers to the tempo or speed of a piece of music.
14. Weight
A heavyweight motion calls for the dancer to appear more exhausted and labored.

SOCIAL DANCE

Social Dance is a type of recreational dancing frequently done with a partner and in a group or as a community
activity for pleasure and enjoyment. It can derive from or be an activity within many different genres. It may be a standard
and latin dance, or even salsa or rock n roll, or any contemporary dance performed for public enjoyment or an exhibition
with numerous physical, mental, and social health benefits.

Social dances show our need to be socially engaged with others. The basics of social dancing determine how you
relate to your partner during the dance. Understanding the basics is vital for success in social dancing.

Basics of Social Dancing

Dance Terms
1. Basic – It is a standardized group of steps, which together with other patterns, constitute the foundation of a
dance.
2. Frame – Refers to the position of the arms and torso while in dance position.
Finding your Center
1. One of the most important elements of social dancing is the awareness between you and your partner.
2. Imagine a straight line running from front to back and another line from side to side through your body.
3. The objective when dancing is to keep your center or core aligned in the center of your body.
Body Alignment
This refers to four blocks of weight: the head, the torso, the hips, and the legs.
The Five-Foot Positions (Fundamental Positions of Arms and Feet)
1st Position – Feet Together
2nd Position – Feet Apart
3rd Position – Heel to Instep
4th Position – Walking Step
5th Position – Heel to Toe
Points of Contact