LESSON 1

INTRODUCTION TO DANCES
The human being has an innate yearning for regular rhythmic movement. Whether
this is in the form of athletics, activities of daily living, or dance, the human body is
the primary instrument for each. Dance uses the body as an instrument of
expression in time and space. (Myers, 2005)

WHAT I NEED TO KNOW

Dance comes from the German word damson, which means “to stretch or “to
drag”. It developed as a natural expression of united feeling and action. Dance is
considered the mirror of the society because it responds to historical and religious
events as well as social and political statements. Although there have been
immense comparative differences in period and culture, people still dance mainly for
four reasons: (
a) to please gods;
(b) to please others;
(c) to please themselves; and
(d) to build community within an ethnic group or social interaction.
Dance is an activity which can take many forms and fill many different needs.
It can be recreation, entertainment, education, therapy, and religion. In its purest
and most basic form, dance is art, the art of body movement. Dance can also be
considered recreational activity that can develop our physical, mental, social, and
emotional health.
Dance teaches the importance of movement and fitness in a variety of ways
through a variety of disciplines. As well, dancers learn to coordinate muscles to
move through proper positions. Dancing is a great activity to pursue at almost any
age provided you are in proper health to handle the rigors of dancing for life. Health-
related fitness assessment helps make the link between physical activity and
fitness.

In this Module, we will discuss the true meaning of dance from different
perspective as well as learn the history of dance to fully understand its significance
to a person. At the end of this module, you will set fitness goals based on training
principles and consider dancing to be one of your recreational activities, combining
it with healthy habits to sustain lifelong fitness.

Course Code: PATHFIT 3 Instructor: DEXTER G.

VALDEZ
Descriptive Title: DANCES
Gmail:[email protected]
 DANCE

What is Dance?
Dance comes from the German word damson, which means “to stretch or “to
drag”. It developed as a natural expression of united feeling and action. Dance is
considered the mirror of the society because it responds to historical and religious
events as well as social and political statements.
Although there have been immense comparative differences in period and
culture, people still dance mainly for four reasons: (a) to please gods; (b) to please
others; (c) to please themselves; and (d) to build community within an ethnic group
or social interaction.(Myers, 2005)

Do you know where dances come from?

Dance can be seen among all the people and civilizations of the world. Dance
thrived at different period of history and mostly were a result of intercultural
exchange and contact (Alejandro and Santos-Gana, 2002). The origins of dance are
rooted in the prehistoric past. Various artistic, religious, and social forces started out
the incorporation and development of dance.

I. DANCES FROM THE PAST

History and Development of Dance from the Different Periods
Dance During the Prehistoric Period
 It had been a major form of religious ritual and social expression within
primitive culture.
 It was used as a way of expression and reinforcing tribal unity and strength.
 It is based on superstition and infused with magic. Shamans as lead dancers
acted as physicians and religious leaders and kept tribes healthy, prosperous,
and safe.

Dance During the Ancient Civilization

Ancient Egypt
 3,300 BCE (First Dancing). It is believed that the first people to dance were
the Egyptians. Archaeologists discovered paintings of dancing figures in rock
shelters and caves.
 As a way of expressing religious service and teaching ancient myth, three (3)
major dancers were evolved:
(1)the king.
(2)the priests who performed magical dances;
Course Code: PATHFIT 3 Instructor: DEXTER G.
VALDEZ
Descriptive Title: DANCES
Gmail:[email protected]
 (3)virgin dancers who were trained to perform during ceremonies led by
the priests.
Ancient Crete
 The Cretan civilization (3000-1400 BC) was a cultural link in theancient world
between Egyptians and Greeks.
 Cretans used dance to perfect their military training which made excellent.

Ancient Greece
 Dance was not just for religious and military training but also a form of
entertainment and display.
 Plato immensely gave importance to dance in education as stated in the
education on the Laws. He highlighted the two kinds of dance and music: the
noble (fin and honorable) and the ignoble(imitating what is mean or ugly).
Ancient Rome
 Gave less importance to dancing which eventually became an integral part of
the corruption in the latter days of the Roman Empire resulting in the
condemnation of dance by early Christians.
 Dance was primarily performed for religious, social and entertainment.
However, theatrical entertainment was prohibited but still existed and was
performed within church during religious ceremonies.

Dance During the Middle Ages and The Renaissance

 1400 (Ballet Comes into Play). Ballet started in this year in Italy but didn’t
really become popular until around the year 1500. Ballet gained its popularity
when a lady of the arts, Catherine de Medici, married King Henry 11 and
threw festivals where they would perform ballet dances. Ballet is believed to
be the main core of every single dance style.
 A vast dance movement occurred throughout the courts of Europe in the 15th
and 16th centuries. During these times, new court dances performed by the
nobility came about as well as the rise of the art of ballet in Italy and France.
 Several other dance forms continued to sprout and spread across several
countries.

II. Dancing Towards The 21th Century

Modern History
Dance During the Late 16th and 17th Centuries (1501-1700)
 1600 (Masque Dancing). Masque dancing started from elaborate pageants
and shows in the 16th century. Masque dancing involved intricate costuming

Course Code: PATHFIT 3 Instructor: DEXTER G.

VALDEZ
Descriptive Title: DANCES
Gmail:[email protected]
 and stage designing that also incorporated singing and acting as well as
dancing. It was often used as a court entertainment.
 A period in the history of dance in Italy, France, and England which was
pleasantly deep and rich. France became the forerunner in dance during this
period.
 Dance increased as a court amusement and later transformed into
professional entertainment.
Dance During the 18th Century (1701-1800)
 1795 (Classical Persian Dancing). This style of dance evolved from courtroom
dancing. An era influencing Persian dance was the Qajar Dynasty which
lasted from 1795 to 1925. Dancers would perform artistic and lively dances for
the Shah. The music is usually played by a small band.
 1800 (TippityTappity, Time for Tap). Tap dancing originated from African tribe
dancing. Tap dancing makes percussion sounds because of dancers most
commonly wearing leather shoes with two pieces of metal and clip and clap
against hard floors. Tap is still very popular to this day.
Dance During the 19th Century (1801-1900)
 1890 (Merengue Dancing). It is a Caribbean dance style that involves partners
holding each other in a tango-like position and moving their hips side to side.
 1900 (Jazz and Acro). It involves doing smooth and flexible movements, and
lots of back bending and tricks. Both styles are widely popular to this day.
 Ballroom dances also emerged during this period like Cotillion, Polonaise,
Quadrille, Waltz and Polka.

20th Century Dances (1901-2000)

 Described as a period of “dance fever” wherein the young and old alike were
not limited to express emotions through dance.
 1950 (Contemporary Dance). Contemporary dance is a style that combines
jazz, ballet, and modern dance. It can be many different styles, but most of
the time it is melancholy and or intense.
 1970 (Hip Hop Dance). There are many styles of hip hop that include
breaking, popping, locking, and more. Street dance was performed both in
night clubs and on the streets. It is associated with funk, breakdancing, and
hip-hop.
 Several social dance movements also evolved such as castle walk, tango,
foxtrot, Charleston, Lindy Hop, Rumba, Mambo, Cha-Cha-cha, Samba, Bossa
Nova, Boogaloo and Twist.
 Popular fad dances also emerged like YMCA and Macarena.
Course Code: PATHFIT 3 Instructor: DEXTER G.
VALDEZ
Descriptive Title: DANCES
Gmail:[email protected]
 21st Century Dance (2001- Present)
 2018 (Dance Nowadays). Today's dance style has taken a turn towards more
hip-hop dances. Small and popular dances that involve hip hop and that most
everyone can achieve include the whip and nae nae, Gangnam Style (it’s a
little old), shooting, and more.

DANCE BENEFITS - DANCE AND HEALTH

From the dawn of our history, doctors came to understand that dancing can
provide great benefits to the body's metabolism and health. As the millenniums
went by, our knowledge of human body gave us more concrete evidence of the
benefits and disadvantages of dance. As a general exercise, dancing can bring
many known benefits (such a better performing cardiovascular system, weight
control) that can also be produced with many others forms of exercise. However,
dancing can bring many other benefits to wide range of our metabolism and
psychology.
Here are some most notable benefits of dancing:
• It safely strengthens bones and muscles without the possibility of joint pains
to elderly dancers.
• It tones your entire body and controls excessive weight (around 150
calories can be burned in a single 30-minute session od dancing)
• More demanding dance styles can be very effective in using entire potential of
your body, shaping it into prime condition.
• Varying amounts of physical exertion enables it possible to be used by
dancers of any age. From children to 100-year-olds.
• It provides great way to get fit. Regular use will improve your stamina,
endurance, strength and general form. With regular use you will improve
the capacity of your lungs, better heart condition and muscles.
• Dancing is an excellent exercise for people who are going through
rehabilitation. Starting from easy dances can ease you into more serious
training and improve your recovery from various injuries (such as heart or
knee operations).
• Although it can bring similar amount of exercise as walking, cycling or
aerobics, dancing gives you opportunity to meet new people and improve
your social interaction skills. You will get the benefits of greater self-
confidence, self-esteem, trust and reduced feeling of isolation and exclusion.
• Flexibility is one of the skills that you will most definitely get if you dance
regularly. By achieving full range of body motion, you can exercise all the
muscles and joints of your body.
Course Code: PATHFIT 3 Instructor: DEXTER G.
VALDEZ
Descriptive Title: DANCES
Gmail:[email protected]
 • It minimizes the chances of bone disease osteoporosis.
• It increases your spatial orientation, balance and peripheral vision.
• Combination of physical exercise, coordination, and social interaction will
increase your mental functioning and memory, especially in old age.
• It reduces stress and frustration.
• Lowers the risk of coronary diseases and high blood pressure.
Because it’s physical nature, professional dance can often produce very
serious injuries. Repetitive choreographies, inadequate diets, moves that test the
range of human motion and stress can cause wide variety of injuries. Therefore,
high level dancers refuse to dance on the surfaces that are not sprung floor, they
regulate their diet, exercise and dance in accord to very strict rules. Even with all
the precautions, over 80% of all professional dancers have received at least one
major injury during their careers and 93% of dance teachers were forced into that
position after career ending injury.

Course Code: PATHFIT 3 Instructor: DEXTER G.

VALDEZ
Descriptive Title: DANCES
Gmail:[email protected]