AND
NATURE OF DANCE
WHAT IS DANCE?
• Differs from athletics or other daily activities because it focuses primarily on “an aesthetic or even
entertaining experience.
• It provided variety of functions throughout the history due to its multidimensionality. Although there
have been immense comparative differences in period and culture, people still dance mainly for
four reason.
1. to please Gods
2. to please others
3. self- expression
4. to build community within an ethnic group or social interaction
Do You Know Where Dances Come From?
Dance can be seen among all the people and civilization of
the worlds.
• Church was the sole custodian of learning and education as well as the source of morals
• When the first Christian emperors came, theatrical entertainment was prohibited
• However, dance still existed and was performed within the Church during religious ceremonies
• The Christian fathers approved the used of dance, provided that its form and intent were holy and
profound
• Dance became part of worships and dance services
• Marked the beginning of Social Dancing
• The peasants performed two basic types od dancing: round dance and couple dance
• In round dance, dancers hold each other by hand, forming a long chain and move about in an
open or closed circle, or in an extended line
• In couple dance, at that time, was not as popular as round dance as it was considered scandalous
when first seen.
• Nobility soon followed (more refined and courtly form)
• Noblemen’s and women’s dance steps were limited to gliding, curtseying and posing because of
their nature of clothing
• Peasants’ dances, in contrast, have large movements and wide stepping figures this is also because
or the nature of their clothing.
BENEFITS OF DANCE
AND
CREATIVE MOVEMENT
• Physical
- develops cardiovascular and muscular endurance
- improves coordination, balance, flexibility, and body coordination
- lower risk of cardiovascular diseases
- lower body mass index
- lower resting heart rate
- improves lipid metabolism
- enables joint mobility (hip motion and spine flexibility)
- helps improve and maintain bone density, helps prevents osteoporosis
- helps recover coordination and neuromuscular skills after injury
• Mental/Emotional
-helps keep the brain sharp
- decreases incidence of dementia and Alzheimer’s decease
- decrease depressive symptoms
- increases self- esteem and improves body image
- aids in releasing emotional and physical tension
• Social
- gives sense of togetherness within a group
- encourages positive social interaction and interpersonal relationship in a group
- contributes to the individuals potential for self-actualization in society
• Cultural
- promotes cultural value