Lesson 5 : Dance

Dance is the movement of the body that takes place in

space and time and expends energy and dynamics. It is
about a body in motion in a rhythmic way, usually to music
and within a given space, to express an idea or emotion,
releasing energy, or simply taking delight in the movement
itself.
While dance is movement, not all movement is dance. For
a movement to become dance, there has to be intention
and aesthetics.

Dance
operates
in
3
concepts
: kinetics,
kinesthesis andaesthetics.
Kinetics deals with the dynamics or the varying levels
and speeds of motion of the body.
Kinesthesis deals with the perception or the
consciousness of one's own muscular movements.
Aesthetics pertain to the appreciation of beauty.
BASIC ELEMENTS OF DANCE
(based on movement theories of Rudolf Laban)
Body. It is the main instrument in dance through which the
dance is created. The body in dance coordinates a system
of muscles, bones and organs in actions of breathing,
balancing and responding.
Action or Movement. Action includes the steps, gestures,
facial movements, carries, lifts and catches and even
walking. Dance is made up of a series of movements and
pauses, actions that are not only about steps and

sequences, but also about pauses and moments of

stillness.
Space. It is where the body moves. It embraces elements
like the shape of dancers body, the varying levels of visual
design, arrangements that suggest the relationship among
the dancers, floor patterns, and the dimensional qualities
(volume and depth) of the visual composition.
Time. All movements occur in time. Dance operates from
one point to a next point in time. It has an element of
rhythm (patter of accented and unaccented beats) and
tempo (fastness or slowness of a movement) and beat
(recurring pulse that determines the tempo).
Energy and Dynamics. Energy refers to the force of an
action and the physical, mental and emotional powers that
dancers act out in performance. When energy levels
change, then dynamics operate. Variations make dance
interesting.
Relationship. It is defined by the push and pull, the
contrasts, and the bipolar interactions in a composition.
Examples : A soloist may be surrounded by a group. A pair
may relate through their movements.
Content or Theme. A dance piece may contain a subject,
perhaps an insight about a human experience. Although
not all dances have story or theme, they simply show off
the skills of performers.
Spectacle. Music, props, costumes, sets and lights are
included to enhance the performance.

TYPES OF DANCES
Social Dances. This kind of dancing brings people
together in a dance hall. This has Western orientation as
we will refer those dances practiced among European
societies. Social dancing associates with ballroom dancing
where a couple follows a conventional patterns of steps.
Ballroom dancing can be of the Latin (samba, rhumba, cha
cha cha, paso doble) and Standard (waltz, foxtrot, quick
step).
Concert or Performance Dances. These dances are
performed for the stage to be viewed by an audience. The
highest form is ballet, a classical form of theatrical dance
that had its origins in French court. In Asia, India has
bharatanatyam, Indonesia has wayangwong among
others.
Contemporary/Modern Dances. These dance forms
which also developed in the West have their roots in ballet
yet they reject the restrictions that classical dancing
imposes. These forms instead favor the expression of
inner feelings rather than the execution of clean-cut
technique.
Jazz. Jazz moves in rhythm, syncopation and
improvisation as influenced by the music of jazz rooted in
the expressions of the African slave cultures in Southern
US. It is distinctive for its improvisation and its techniques
that isolate body parts.
Ethnic Dances. These are the dances which are related
to a specific culture or to a group of people sharing a

national or cultural tradition. These are dances that have

indication of a culture.