What is Dancing

Dance is an expression of an intensified sense of life,

arising from an inner perception that stimulates both
mind and body. It is mans natural and primitive
means of expression. The truest expression of a
people is in its dances and its music. The body never
lies.
Dance has been a part of the life of every tribe,
society or celebrates through dance. Dance is not only
an individual or group experience but also considered
as a cultural mirror who wherein the spirit, character
and artistry of its time are reflected.

 A dance as simple emotional expression when developed

into a design with its planned organization of a pattern of

movement in rhythm, in space and or ground, with its set
of steps, gestures and dynamics becomes a specific
dance. And when stylized in a common design becomes a
dance form. These dance forms which take centuries to
develop, reflect the customs of the society in which they
have evolved.
According to William Cobbett, Dancing is at once rational
and healthful. It is the natural amusement of young
people and such it has been from the days of Moses. Our
only quarrel with this statement is the reference to
young people, since the recreation of dancing provides
pleasure and enjoyment, with relaxation and an improved
social life, to people of all ages and all backgrounds. It is
an ideal path to health through gentle exercise in these
days of tension, stress and sedentary work and pleasures.
Those who forsake the television screen to go dancing
reap great mental and physical rewards.

Dancing is based on natural walking steps forward and backwards. If

this can be achieved with balance, control and small steps, the actual
figures will feel and look natural and rhythmic. So it is best to study
and work on the recommended exercises before working on the
figures.
Dance
It is defined as an inner impulse of man to rhythm or music
expressing his feeling of joy, moods, sentiments or any human
experience.
Dance Education
This refers to an educational process whereby the central process is
the learning and studying the dance as the medium to understand
ones self society and culture.

Classical Dance
Dance with standardized rules and restriction. It can be religious
related dances or court and royal entertainment form.
Classical Ballet
A dance of supreme standards learned from an academe. This
originated from Italy from the word Bal-lo meaning to dance
flourished in the royal court of France.
Modern Dance
A deviation from the principles of classical ballet developed by
Isadora Duncan. She believed in the principles of naturalness
and
The expression of the human body and soul.

Contemporary Dance
This is a combination of ballet and modern dance
whereby it
uses the varied medium of other dance forms like
folks,
ethnic, jazz or tribal dance.
Popular Dance
This is highly recognized as a dance form in
television and
other dance centers like discotheque houses and
social
gatherings.

Folk Dance
The term implies the traditional flavors and
characteristics of
the people, their feeling and sentiments. It is also
referred
sometimes as traditional dance.

Ethnic/Tribal Dance
A dance particularly found in a group of people
living
together in locality with a common belief and
customs.

Ballroom Dance
A popular term for dance performed on ballroom
areas or for
purposes of recreation and entertainment.
Example:
Latin American dance
(cha-cha, mambo, rumba, jive, samba and paso
doble)
Standard dance
(tango, waltz, foxtrot and quick step)

1. National Dances- are traditional dances

throughout the Philippines with common basic
movement or pattern but with slight variation.
Ex: Cariosa
Pandango Balitaw
Kuratsa Rigodon Surtido

2. Local or Regional Dances- are dance found

in certain localities or regions only.
Ex: Esperanza (Nakua, Camarines Sur)
Alcampor (Leyte)
Maglalatik (San Pablo, Laguna)

3. Occupational Dances- are dances that depict

actions characterizing occupation industries and
phases of human labor.
Ex: Pabirik-depicts the difference stages of gold panning
Monanguete- tuba gatherer
Rice Festival- has the largest number of dances
Magtatanim, Paggapas, Paggiik, Pahangin,
Pababayo,
Pagtatahip
4. Religious or Ceremonial Dances- are performed in
connection with religious vows, practices and
ceremonies. A religious dance maybe performed to
drive away evil spirits and for having recovered from
sickness, favors granted and vows fulfilled.
Ex: Sinurog
Obando
Dugso

5. Courtship Dance- are dances that depict

making or\
are dances with love themes.
Ex: Hele Hele bago Quiere
Rogelia
Lulay
Maramion
6. Wedding Dances- are performed by
newlyweds, by
friends and relatives of the bride and groom
or by the
father of the bride and mother of the groom.
Ex: Pandang-Pandang
Soryano Pantomina

7. Festival Dances- performed in connection

with celebration a feast, a barrio, fiesta, good
harvest and good future.
Ex: Kuratsa
La Jota
Putong

8. War Dances- are intended to show

imaginary combat or duel with the use
fighting implements like bolo or spear.
Ex: Sagayan Maglalatik
Inabaknon

9. Comic Dances- are dances with funny and humorous

movements mainly intended for entertainment.
Ex: makonggo- movements of monkey
Kinoton- imitates the movements of person bitten by
ants

10. Game Dances- are dances that have some play

elements and are for recreational purposes.
Ex: Pabo
Lubi-lubi
Sinenalan Gayong-gayong

11. Social Dances- are dances danced during social

gathering.
Ex: Rigodon
Lanceros