PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TOWARDS HEALTH AND FITNESS steps to be used.

He controls the direction and progression

of their steps around the floor. The lady is the follower and is
SOCIAL DANCING dependent upon her partner. The man uses his body, arms
and hands to lead his partner. His hand has to be firm when
INTRODUCTION
placed at the back of the lady and pressure is the guiding
Social dancing started with the court dances during the force for all changes in direction and steps.
Renaissance period. Typical of the characteristics of this
The lady as the follower should adapt her movements to that
period, people were free in expressing themselves in art,
of her partner. She should not be tense or rigid but follow
poetry, music and dance. All the courts in Europe were trying
with ease the direction of the partner. She must be alert and
to outdo themselves for presenting the most elaborate ball.
follow her partner’s actions by watching and feeling the
Dance masters were hired to teach peasant dances in
changes his partner proposes.
dignified manner to the level of aristocracy. Even the great
music masters like Beethoven, Strauss and Brahms were Proper Posture while Dancing
asked to write special music for these great occasions.
Today, the same is presented in proms, elaborate cotillions Proper posture is a matter of getting all the body parts in a
of debutantes, formal dances of clubs and organization and balance position so that they carried gracefully. The head,
military balls. chest and hips well carried upright.

Scientifically described, good posture while dancing means

to squeeze the abdomen and hips into place and lift your
PHASES OF SOCIAL DANCING chest as you carry your head high. All points should be in
vertical alignment ear to ankle. Swing your leg from the hip,
The coming of new styles of music motivated these phases.
trunk firm and controlled.
1. The Foxtrot Period. This began in the United State
A good dance posture allows your body to dance gracefully.
in early 1900 as fast, trotting step to new musical
Good posture prepares the dancer to move easily and
beat, “the tag time” Musician a 2/2 rhythm was
natural way, which leads to his attainment of poise and
used.
confidence.
2. The Charleston Period. This new dance craze
influenced by the roaring twenty music was
characterized by the legs kicking either to the front
or back. Girls wear shorts skirts and short haircut. REMINDERS TO GOOD DANCING
3. The Swing period. The coming of the big band
music, which inspired dancers to toe tap, swing and  Keep your body in upright position to show self-
sway, was the start of the swing. This was from the confidence.
1930 to 1950. Dance studios begin to open for the  Step lightly on your toes and don’t drag your feet.
dance couples to learn the shag, the big apple  Swing your legs from your hips.
dance and jitterbug.  Walk backward smoothly without looking at the
4. The Latin Dance. Latin Melodies become the craze floor. A girl usually steps backward first.
in this period. The tango became stylized, the  Bend from the hips when executing a dip.
Cuban rumba was revived, the samba from Brazil  Keep a balance position so that you can control
followed and the mambos shake up the dancers. your movements.
The cha-cha-cha, calypso and meringue followed  Relax as you move with ease, listen and enjoy the
suit, finally in 1960, the bossa nova a slower from of music as well as the dance.
samba became another hit.
SOCIAL DANCE- is a major category or classification of
5. The Rock Period. After the World War II, small
dance forms or dance styles, where sociability and
combos composed of only two or three instruments
socializing are the primary focuses of the dancing. Social
and a vocalist replaced the big bands. The dance
dances can be danced with a variety of partners and still be
floor is tiny and the nightclubs are small. This type
lead and followed in a relaxed, easy atmosphere.
of dance gave more freedom to the young
generation to express themselves more freely with CLASSIFICATION OF SOCIAL DANCE
more e energetic responses. The hysterical fad
began in the sixties characterized by an explosive 1. Ceremonial dance- is a major category or
movement of the body. Then came the twists and classifications of dance forms or dance styles,
combined with rock movement these dances where the purpose is ceremonial.
became attracted to the young. 2. Competitive dance- dance is a popular widespread
6. The Disco Music. The 1980’s ushered in another activity in which competitors perform dances in any
era of dance, the disco dancing. Small combos of several permitted dance styles such as ballet,
were displayed by sound tracks of disco music. The jazz, hip-hop and tap. This is in contrast with other
tiny rooms of the disco pads are well decorated with activities that involve competition among dancers
blinking lights to the seemingly dark place. Dances based on purpose, or specific dance style, such as
are combinations of mimetic, animal movements, ballroom, Latin ceremonial.
exercises of the body parts and vignettes of the 3. Erotic dance – is a major category or classification
other styles of dance. The influence of the African of dance forms or dance styles, where the purpose
and other black cultures is very strong. is the stimulation or arousal of erotic or sexual
thoughts or actions.
Ballroom Dancing 4. Participation dance- also known as group-
participation dance or audience participation dance
In dancing couples execute steps, which are varied and
is a major category or classification of dance forms.
interesting. The man usually sets the rhythm and leads what
The purpose of this type of dance is actively
 encouraged dancing in a group. The dancing that is 7. SWING- is a lively dance style in which couples
encouraged might be among those who would swing, spin, and jump together. Swing dancing is a
otherwise be passive dance viewers or it might be general term that means dancing to swing music, or
among dancers who are encouraged to dance in a music that swings.
new way, or with new partners. 8. BELLY DANCE- is a unique form of dance
5. Concert dance- is a dance performed for an characterized by sharp, rolling movements of the
audience. It is frequently performed in theatre hips and abdomen.
setting, though this is not a requirement and it is 9. FLAMENCO DANCE- is an expressive dance form
usually choreographed and performed to set music. that mixes percussive footwork with intricate hand,
arm and body movements.
Ballroom Dances 10. LATIN DANCE- is a fast-paced often sensual.
Partner dance characterized by sexy hip
1. Rumba- was originally applied specifically to the
movements.
dancing style with lascivious movement of the hip,
bosom and other flexible parts. The rumba influence BASIC HOLD POSITIONS IN SOCIAL DANCING
came in the 16th century from the black slaves from
Africa. The native Rumba folk dance is essentially a  In the one-hand hold, only one hand is held,
sex pantomime danced extremely fast with hence the name.
exaggerated hip movements and with a sensually  Begin in the open facing position (facing your
aggressive attitude of men and a defensive attitude partner within arm’s reach). To enter the one-
on the part of the women. hand hold position, grasp your partner’s hand
2. Cha-cha-cha- it is derived from the Spanish cha- and leave the other hand relaxed at your side.
cha meaning nursemaid or char cha-char meaning
to chew coca leaves (Smith, 1971) or from char TWO HAND POSITION
meaning tea. It has also been suggested that the
 Regardless of dancers' gender, ballroom couples
name Cha-chasse, which is included in many of the
have a designated dominant/leading and
steps (Sadie 1980)
subordinate/following partner. Traditionally, a male
3. Jive- It may refer to jive talk, or badmouthing. This
partner leads and a female partner follows.
word reflects the character of the dance for it is
 In the two-hand hold position, both hands are held.
sassy and loud. The first hints of jive came from
Partners should stand apart, facing one another.
Africa American slaves. These slaves danced in
The male partner holds the female partner's hands,
several native dances that had tripled and singles
while the female partner places her hands in the
steps. The
male partner's grasp.
4. Tango- originated in the lower class of Buenos
Aires, especially in Bario de las Ranas. The gallant PROMENADE POSITION
of the town saw this dance and introduced it into
their own favorite cafes, also of doubtful  In the promenade position, both partners face the
respectability, making two changes, to produce a same direction instead of facing one another. Their
more dreamy effect they substituted the habanera bodies form a sort of "V" shape.
rhythm and to show that their dance was no longer  The promenade is a forward movement. Since the
the common baile con corte they called tango. dancers are facing in the same direction, both move
forward at the same time.
TYPES OF DANCE
SHADOW POSITION
1. BALLET – serves as backbone for many other
styles of dance and it is based on techniques that  In the shadow position, partners "shadow" each
have been developed over centuries. Ballet uses other's moves.
music and dance to tell stories.  Working from either a closed position (touching),
2. JAZZ- a form of dance that showcases a dancer‘s semi-closed (slightly apart) or totally apart, partners
individual style and originality. Every jazz dancer should face the same direction, with one partner
interprets and executes moves and steps in their either in front of the other or slightly to their left or
own way. To excel in jazz, dancers need a strong right.
background in ballet as it encourages grace and  Partners should step with the same foot in the same
balance. direction. Their movements should act as a shadow
3. FOLK DANCE- refers to a variety of dances to each other, as the name of the position suggests.
developed by groups or communities, as opposed
OUTSIDE RIGHT POSITION
to being made up by a choreographer.
4. TAP DANCE- is an exciting form of dance in which  The outside right position (or right parallel) is similar
dancers wear special shoes equipped with metal to the basic closed position, with the exception of
taps. Tap dancers use their feet like drums to create the placement of the feet.
rhythmic patterns and timely beats.  In the outside right position, the female partner's
5. HIP-HOP- is a dance style, usually danced to hip- feet should be to the right of the male partner's.
hop music that evolved from the hip-hop culture.
Hip-hop includes various moves such as breaking, SKATER'S POSITION
popping, locking and cramping, and even house
dance.  In the skater's position, partners join hands in front
6. MODERN- is a dance style that rejects many of the of their bodies. The right hands are joined below
strict rules of classical ballet, focusing instead on and left hands are joined above.
the expression of inner feelings.