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. Self-assessment of health-related fitness (HRF)
status will be conducted in order to determine barriers to participation in
dance-related activities.
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. Your involvement
in each part of the fitness assessment will give you multiple opportunities to
learn self-assessment procedure.
The module is divided into thre

Dance is an act or instance of moving one’s body rhythmically usually to a piece of

music typically following a set of steps. It can be considered as a way of recreation,
education, entertainment, and even religion that can also benefit one’s health.

Since dance can be a great recreational activity and most students are fond of such
activities that can help them refresh their bodies and minds and make their leisure
time more interesting and enjoyable. Dance would be great for them combining it
with healthy habits, it will surely sustain them lifelong fitness.
 Dance is a great form of exercise. We can get many benefits in dancing, aside from
improving our physical health (e.g. flexibility, physical strength and stamina) and
cognitive development, dancing can also enhance our social and emotional
development. Through dancing, we can develop our sense of socialization, making
new friends and of course, encouraging us to be more creative and expressive. In
addition, it encourages us to foster positive attitude, boosting our self-esteem and
confidence.

Regards

Dance is a fundamental means of human expression.

Dance develops physical, creative, imaginative, emotional and intellectual capacities. It also requires social
skills. Dance provides opportunities for artistic and aesthetic education as well as opportunities for children
to explore and express moods and ideas symbolically through movement. To be physically proficient,
children develop a range of technical skills and the ability to improve their performance. Because of its
close relationship with music, dance develops rhythmic and musical sensitivity. Through experiencing
dance, children can also develop their cultural and historical knowledge and understanding.

Dance has so many significant benefits that daily doses should be prescribed for all!

Artistically, dance

 gives access to a unique form of communication and expression;

 develops the ability to make informed and critical judgements;
 develops creative thought and action;
 develops a sense of performance and audience;
 provides opportunities for appreciating and collaborating with other art forms;
 introduces children to a theatre art; and
 develops kinaesthetic, spatial and visual awareness.

Physically, dance

 develops coordination, control, strength, stamina, mobility and flexibility;

 develops technical skills such as those required for travelling, jumping and turning;
 encourages physical confidence and enjoyment in moving;
 develops a responsible attitude to health and fitness; and
 helps make connections between physical and emotional well-being.

Personally, dance

 provides enjoyment, motivation, aspiration and achievement;

 develops self-confidence and self-esteem;
 develops the ability to respond creatively to challenge;
  provides opportunities to explore links between feelings, values and ideas;
 encourages independence and initiative;
 develops the determination to succeed; and
 provides opportunities for achievement and success for all.

Socially, dance

 promotes physical and emotional trust and sensitivity when working with others;
 develops skills to work with others to solve problems and achieve goals;
 develops the ability to lead and be led and to take on different roles (performer,
choreographer, audience);
 provides the opportunity to contribute ideas and share in the creative process; and
 develops the ability to discuss, negotiate, listen and give and receive feedback.

What is dance in art?

Dance is a performance art form consisting of purposefully selected sequences
of human movement. This movement has aesthetic and symbolic value, and is
acknowledged as dance by performers and observers within a particular culture.

What are some of the values of dance?

The values of dance are: 1. Social value – to interact other people 2. Cultural
value – tradition of your culture 3. Aesthetical value – 4. Emotional value -
express yourself through dance 5. Recreational value – doing for pleasure,
enjoyment 6.

Values
Physical fitness
Social
Emotional
Cultural
Recreational

Recreational dance is dancing without any real structure. Recreational

dance classes are meant to be fun and freeing, and the goal is for dancers
to focus less on form and technique and more on the joy they feel from
dancing.
Cultural Dance is really important, this is our way to tell other people on what are the things that
they need to know about our culture. It is also the way that other people could have respect,
knowledge and give importance to our traditions and norms. Let other cultures tell what are the
stories behind their dance.

including strength and flexibility, both of which are necessary for a dancer. Flexibility allows for
increased range of motion and accomplishes the aesthetic of dance. Muscular strength creates
speed and force, making for more powerful movement.

increased muscular strength, endurance and motor fitness.

PHASES OF THE DANCE PROGRAM

1.    Creative Rhythms

Are sometimes called fundamental rhythms or natural dances. A creative rhythm is an end
product of exploration and improvisation of movements as children learn to move the parts of
their body and to use them as instruments of expression.

2.    Folk/ Ethnic dance

Is a cultural art form handed down from generation to generations. It communicates the
customs, beliefs, rituals, and occupations of the people of a region or country. Folk dancing
belongs to the people. It emanates from them. Ethnic tribes have their specific tribal art forms
originated and danced by the people of the tribe.

      Examples of folk dances are the rural and country dances, jotas, mazurkas, pandanggos,
among others with foreign influence.

      Examples of ethnic dances are the dances of the mountain peoples of the Cordilleras, dances
of the ethnic groups in the Cagayan Valley Region and the ethnic dances in the Mindanao
Regions.

3.    Social and Ballroom Dance

The setting of the social and ballroom dance is a social gathering with the more formal
atmosphere than the simple and informal parties in which the recreational dances are the usual
forms. Social and ballroom dancing are generally held in the evenings. The participants are
usually in formal attire.

4.    Recreational Dance
Includes dance mixers, square dance round and couple dances. Many of these dances have
simple patterns and combinations of walking steps, polka step and the waltz step. The setting is
usually informal gatherings and parties, reunions etc.

5.    Creative Dance

Is the highest form of dance. It is the end-product of exploration and improvisation of

movements as the dancer or the choreographer expresses his feelings or emotions, ideas, and
interpretations. This is a dance with a definite form, a beginning and an ending. The principles of
art form are all observed in the composition of the dance.

Examples of creative dance are ballet, jazz,and modern or contemporary dance