Benefits and Basics of Dance

Dance Exercise Benefits

• Morning dance exercises create a natural cooling effect over time.
• Dancing releases endorphins, which help reduce anxiety and stress.

Basic Concepts of Dance

• Dance involves selected sequences of movements recognized by performers and observers within a culture.
• Movement in dance conveys symbolic value and artistic expression, classified by movement types, origins, or choreography.

Universal Characteristics of Dance

• Utilizes the human body to express thoughts, emotions, and narratives.
• Acts as a storyteller; movements communicate messages effectively.
• Rhythm is integral to dance and is often paired with music, emphasizing movement.
• Dance extends through force (movement quality) and space (area of performance), influencing choreography.

Five Elements of Dance

• Body: The physical form executing movements observed by the audience.
• Action: Movements, including sequences, steps, and pauses, which may be choreographed or improvised.
• Space: The performance area where dancers utilize pathways, directions, and levels.
• Time: The duration of movements and their interrelationships in performance.
• Energy: Describes how movements are performed, varying from quick and high energy to slow and soft.

Types of Dance Energies

• Sustained: Smooth, continuous movements without clear beginnings or endings.
• Percussive: Sharp, explosive movements marked by clear beginnings and endings.
• Vibratory: Trembling movements creating a jittery effect.
• Swinging: Movements tracing arcs, relaxing into gravity then applying upward energy.
• Suspend: Movements appear to hang in space, creating a feeling of suspension.
• Collapsing: Movements release tension, allowing the body to descend toward the ground.

Fundamental Positions of the Arms and Feet

• First Position: Heels together, toes away, forming a V-shape.
• Second Position: Feet parallel, moved about 12 inches apart.
• Third Position: One foot's heel touches the arch of the other, both turned outward.
• Fourth Position: One foot is positioned forward, keeping a distance of 12 inches apart.

Traditional Filipino Dances

• Pandanggo Oasiwas: Originates from Pangasinan and involves swinging lamps as part of its celebratory dance tradition.
• Maglalatik: A mock war dance depicting a battle over coconut meat, divided into four parts reflecting combat and reconciliation.
• Carinosa: A flirtatious dance from the Spanish colonial era representing courtship, emphasized by concealment using fans.
• Sayaw sa Bangko: A folk dance from Lingayen showcasing agility on benches through intricate movements.

Festivals in Mindanao

• Masskara Festival: Known as the Festival of Smiles, it represents community resilience through smiling masks, celebrated in Bacolod City.
• Pintados Kasadyaan Festival: Celebrates cultural heritage with a grand parade showcasing tattoos and traditional music and dances.
• Kadayawan Festival: A yearly Davao City event celebrating nature's gifts and cultural diversity, highlighting local tribes and traditions.
• Tuna Festival: Celebrated in General Santos City, focusing on the region's tuna industry with street dances and cooking contests.
• Hermosa Festival: Known as Fiesta Pilar in Zamboanga, honoring Our Lady of the Pilar with extensive celebrations and events.
• Lanzones Festival: Celebrated in Camiguin, featuring street dancing and local customs surrounding the lanzones fruit, significant to the local economy.