PE 3 DANCE FOR LIFE

DEFINITION OF DANCE

There is no definite language can describe the word

dance. For some it is an art, an expression of inner
thoughts, emotions, feelings and ideas. Passion as they
said. Stress reliver and for self-expression. These are
just some reasons why we indulge ourselves in dance.
Dance teaches us the significance of movement and
fitness in a lot of ways through variations of discipline.
As well, dancers learn to coordinate muscles to move
through proper positions and alignments. To dance is
an awesome activity to pursue at almost any age
provided you are in proper health to handle the rigors
of dancing throughout your lifetime.
Dance is the movement of the body in a rhythmic way,
usually to music and within a given space, for the
purpose of expressing an idea or emotion, releasing
energy, or simply taking delight in the movement itself.
 Personages Year Dance Definition

1 Aristotle’s Rhythmic movement whose purpose is “to represent men’s characters as well as what they
do and suffer.

2. Gaston Vuillier Emphasized the qualities of grace, harmony, and beauty, distinguishing “true” dance from
the crude and spontaneous movements of early man.

3. John Weaver 1721 Dancing is an elegant, and regular movement, harmoniously composed of beautiful
attitudes, and contrasted graceful Posture of the Body, and parts.

4. John Martin 20th Century Dance art form or activity that utilizes the body and the range of movement of which the
body is capable
 DIVERSE MEANINGS OF DANCE

DANCE AS CULTURAL IDENTITY

 Every nation, country, region, and tribe all over the
world has its own style and way of dance to express
and communicate their distinct cultural and social
identity. Many of these are still performed to
preserve the traditions, lifestyles and rich heritage of
their ancestors.
DANCE AS WORSHIP
 The Christian Church during the medieval period
banned many dance forms except the liturgical
dance. This dance is performed during religious
worship services and festivals.
DANCE AS EXPRESSION OF REBELLION
 In history, dance has been used to express rebellion
against power and authority. Oppression and lack of
acceptance in society were some of the reasons for
rebellion.
Ex. The African slaves in Portugal working at the fields.
DANCE AS ART: CLASSICAL & MODERN
 Classical dance has evolved over 400 years, it is
specific, codified and stylized.
EX. Ballet, Kabuki, Kathakali, Bharatnatyam.
 Modern dance started during the early 20th century
when dancers and choreographers started to
contradict the formalism of classical forms.
Their movements were free, expressive and breaking
down the traditions.
DANCE AS COMPETITION
 Dance competitions showcase different dance styles
such as ballet, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, dance sports.
Dance tournaments are part of an industry controlled
by production companies and well known
international organizations.
DANCE AS ENTERTAINMENT
 During the early history of dance, professional
dancers worked as entertainers.
The acrobats and musicians who entertained royalty
were the first recorded professional dancers in
ancient Egypt, while in Greece dance was part of
theater.
 HISTORY OF DANCE

DANCE comes from the German word damson, which

means to stretch or to drag.
DANCE may be the oldest among all the arts.
DANCE is an art that needs no instrument because the
dancer’s body is the instrument.
 PREHISTORIC PERIOD

It was very basic as it involved every day movements.

It served as an important means of communication
and revolved around life events that were meaningful
to tribes : birth, puberty, courtship, marriage, and
death, religious ceremonies and festival activities
based on superstition infused with magic.
 ANCIENT CIVILIZATION

ANCIENT EGYPT (Religion and Ancient Myth)

The 3 Major Dancers :

The King
The Priests
The Virgin Dancers
ANCIENT CRETE (Religious and Fertility Rites)
 The Cretan civilization existed 3000 to 1400 BC was a
cultural link in the ancient world between the Egyptians
and Greeks
 Their dance themes included military training, healing,
religious rituals and entertainment.
 They had an excellent army because they used dance to
perfect their training.
ANCIENT GREECE
 Dances were extremely organized and structured.
A total of 95,140 combined body movements were
calculated to have existed in these dances.
Ritualistic, symbolic, representative gestures.
Dancers were required to sing during a performance.
PHORAI and CHERONOMIA
Are Greek terms that describe the carriage of the
body during dance and mimetic gestures.
SCHEMATA
Refers to the form and shape of gestures, and
focuses on how a dancer executes the movement.
DEIXIS
 Was pure dance, performed by a male Greek dancer.
ANCIENT ROME
 They frequently highlighted burlesque, overly erotic,
comic and frightening elements.
 Dancers were imported slaves from Greece.
 Dancers had low status as professionals and were less
respected as artists
 The pantomime developed at this time
THE MIDDLE AGES & RENAISSANCE
 Used dance as a way to show their manners and as a
form of celebration, amusement and entertainment.
Dance was associated with either the church (sacred)
or the society (secular).
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