BRIEF

HISTORY AND
NATURE OF
DANCE
 CHAPTER 1
“BEFORE MAN CAN DO ANYTHING, HE MUST
DRAW BREATH, HE MUST MOVE.
MOVEMENT IS THE SOURCE AND
CONDITION OF LIFE. TO DANCE IS TO BE
OUT OF YOURSELF. LARGER, MORE
BEAUTIFUL, MORE POWERFUL. THIS POWER,
IT IS GLORY ON EARTH AND ITS YOURS FOR
THE TAKING.” – AGNES DE MILLE (1963)
 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
primary instrument for each. (Myer,
2005). Dance uses the body as an
instrument of expression in the time
and space.
What is dance?
Dance differs from athletics or
other daily activities because if
primarily focuses on “an aesthetic
or even entertaining experience”
(Mayers, 2005)
What is dance?
It provide variety of functions
throughout history due to its
multidimensionality. Although there
have been immense comparative
differences in period and culture, people
still dance mainly for four (4) reasons:
Purpose of dance:
a. To please the gods.
b. To please others.
c. To please themselves or self-
expression.
d. 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 civilizations of the
world. Dances thrived at different
period of history and mostly were a
result of intercultural exchange and
contact.
 Do you know where dances come
from?
Dance has been a major form of
religious ritual and social expression within
the primitive cultures. It was used as a way
of expressing and reinforcing tribal unity and
strength, as an approach for courtship and
mating, and as a means of worship,
communication and therapeutic experience.
 Do you know where dances come
from?
It was said that the first use of
dance was a gesture in order to
communicate. As Kraus and
Graufman )1981) said, “man danced
originally to supplicate the gods on all
important occasions of life.
 Do you know where dances come
from?
During pre-historic time dance have
not yet fully recorded. It was only
during the pre-Christian era that the real
knowledge of dance came about within
the great Mediterranean and Middle
Eastern Civilizations.
 Do you know where dances come
from?
Dance become full blown and was
richly recorded in ancient Egypt. It was
reflected in their wall paintings, reliefs,
and in the literary record in Hieroglyphics.
Most of the dances during this era were
chiefly a medium of religious expression.
 Do you know where dances come
from?
The ancient Greeks also thought highly of
dance. For them, it was closely linked with other
kinds of experience. Dancing was taught as an
aid to military education among boys of Athens
and Sparta. It was not for religious and military
training but also a form of entertainment and
display.
 Do you know where dances come
from?
The ancient Rome, on the other hand, give
less importance to dancing. It stopped valuing
such qualities in art as the nation of grew wealthy
and powerful. The romans ceased to create and
perform within the art themselves. Dance become
brutal and sensationalized as their entertainers
were slaves and captive from many nationalities.
 Do you know where dances come
from?
Dance become an integral part
of the corruption in the latter days of
the Roman Empire, resulting in the
condemnation of dance by the early
Christians.
 Do you know where dances come
from?
The development of the catholic
church in Europe following the fall of
Rome transformed the history of dance.
During this time, the church was the sole
custodian of learning and education as well
as the source of morals.
 Do you know where dances come
from?
When Christian Emperors came, theatrical
entertainment was prohibited. However, dance
still exist and still performed with church
during religious ceremonies. The Christian
fathers approved the use of dance, provided
that its form and intent were holy and
profound.
 Do you know where dances come
from?
Dance then was wholly accepted in the
courts during early renaissance as the
gradual increase of the capitalist class
produced patrons of learning and art in
Europe. During the Renaissance, dance
and art in general gained impetus.
 Do you know where dances come
from?
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.
BENEFITS OF DANCE AND CREATIVE
MOVEMENT
“Dance is fun! It lifts the spirit, strengthens
the body, and stimulates the mind”. –
Wayne Sleep (1986)
Dancing is one of the oldest and most
popular form of exercise. Several forms of
dancing are considered aerobic since they
entail about an hour of “ continuous
exercises, choreographed to music”
BENEFITS OF DANCE AND CREATIVE
MOVEMENT
PHYSICAL
Develops cardiovascular and muscular
endurance.
Improves coordination, balance,
flexibility and body composition.
Lower risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Lower body mass index.
BENEFITS OF DANCE AND CREATIVE
MOVEMENT
PHYSICAL
Helps improve and maintain bone
density, thus helps prevent
osteoporosis.
Helps recover coordination and
neuromuscular skills after injury.
BENEFITS OF DANCE AND CREATIVE
MOVEMENT
EMOTIONAL / MENTAL
Helps keep the brain sharp.
Decreases incidence of dementia and
Alzheimer’s disease.
Decrease depressive symptoms.
Increase self esteem and improves
body image.
BENEFITS OF DANCE AND CREATIVE
MOVEMENT
SOCIAL
Give sense of togetherness within a
group.
Encourage positive social interaction
and interpersonal relationship in a
group.
Contributes to the individual’s potential
for self-actualization in society.
BENEFITS OF DANCE AND CREATIVE
MOVEMENT
CULTURAL
Promotes cultural values.
 Application
Activity 1: Answer the following questions by
groups and present your answers in front.
1. What are the healthy benefits of participating
in dance activities? State at least 5.
2. How would you promote dancing as a form
of physical activity that improves fitness and
health in community?
 Assessment
Group presentation:
The class will be divided into 5 groups.
Each group will create a short dance routine
inspired by popular dance craze (select your
own music) and will present it to the class. A
minimum of 2-minute dance routine only.
 Assignment: PE notebook
What makes a good dance?
What are the elements of dance?
QUESTIONS?
 THANK YOU
FOR
LISTENING!!!