Introduction to Dance: History and Benefits

Introduction to Dance

• Dance is a multifaceted activity: recreation, entertainment, education, therapy, and religion.
• In its purest form, dance is an art, the art of body movement.
• Dance distinguishes itself from athletics due to its emphasis on aesthetic and entertaining experiences.

Brief History and Nature of Dance

• Dance origins are rooted in prehistoric times, with various artistic, religious, and social forces contributing to its development.
• Prehistoric dance was used for communicating with nature, expressing tribal unity and strength, courtship, mating, worship, and therapeutic purposes.
• Ancient Egyptian civilization is where dance was well-documented, depicted in wall paintings, reliefs, and written records, primarily serving religious expression.

Why Do People Dance?

• Dance motivations include pleasing the gods, pleasing others, self-expression, and building community.

Benefits of Dance and Creative Movements

• Dance is an excellent form of exercise with significant health benefits.
• Physical Benefits:
  • Improves cardiovascular and muscular endurance.
  • Enhances coordination, balance, flexibility, and body composition.
  • Lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease and body mass index.
  • Lowers resting heart rate and promotes lipid metabolism.
  • Boosts joint mobility, especially in the hips and spine.
  • Strengthens bones, preventing osteoporosis.
  • Helps recover coordination and neuromuscular skills after injury.
• Mental/Emotional Benefits:
  • Sharpens the brain, reducing the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
  • Alleviates depressive symptoms.
  • Boosts self-esteem and improves body image.
  • Relieves emotional and physical tension.
• Social Benefits:
  • Fosters a sense of togetherness within a group.
  • Encourages positive social interaction.
  • Promotes a sense of belonging to a community beyond ethnicity.

Elements of Dance

• Dance utilizes three key elements: space, time, and energy.
• Space:
  • Refers to the area where performers move and includes direction, size, and level.
  • Direction: Movements travel in various directions: forward, sideward, backward, diagonal, circular, etc.
  • Size: Movements can be varied by executing larger or smaller actions.
  • Level: Movements occur in high, medium, or low levels.
• Time:
  • Refers to how fast or slow, how long or short, and how rhythmically the movements are executed.
  • Tempo: Refers to the speed or pace of the music.
  • Rhythm: Refers to the pattern of beats, accents, and pauses in the music.
  • Duration: Refers to the length of time a movement is held (sustained) or repeated.
• Energy:
  • Refers to the quality of movement and how it is conveyed.
  • Force: The intensity or strength of the movement.
  • Flow: The smoothness or abruptness of the movement.
  • Weight: The heaviness or lightness of the movement.
  • Quality: Refers to the general character of the movement, such as sharp, smooth, angular, or fluid.
  • Emphasis: Highlighting a specific movement through variations in energy.

Different Types and Genres of Dance

• Belly Dance:
  • Originated over 6,000 years ago and practised by different ancient cultures.
  • Seen as the oldest dance form.
• Classical Dance
  • Historically rooted and requires extensive training.
  • Choreography is essential, defining specific steps and sequences following a musical composition.
• Improvisation
  • Deviations from formal steps, emphasizing personal expression and creating unique performances.
  • A foundation for contemporary and modern dance.
• Contemporary Dance:
  • Emerged in the early 20th century when Isadora Duncan broke away from ballet.
  • Diverse in styles, often associated with music like jazz, rock and roll, and hip-hop.
• Types of Dance:
  • Ballet: Characterized by classical music, technique precision, strength, and flexibility.
  • Ballroom Dancing: Includes various partner dances like waltz, swing, foxtrot, rumba, and tango.
  • Hip-Hop: Urban dance style inspired by hip-hop music, involving breaking, popping, locking, and freestyling.
  • Square Dancing: Folk dance style where four couples move in a square formation, changing partners.
  • Pole Dancing. Popular exercise involving sensual movements with a vertical pole, emphasizing muscle endurance, coordination, and upper and lower body strength.
  • Jazz: High-energy dance style integrating kicks, leaps, and turns to the beat of the music.
  • Tap Dancing: Highlights timing and beats created by the tapping sounds of metal plates attached to the dancer's shoes.