CHAPTER 1 Life in Motion: Understanding the Rhythm Whenever the word rhythmic is mentioned, what come to one's mind is songs or rhymes or maybe something that has to do with melody? These things that our mind interprets for us about melody are things that are absolutely right, but there are however more to rhythms than just melody or songs. Do you know that rhythms could bring about different activities, those activities that rhythms bring about are called rhythmic activities. Any rhythmic activity involves certain body movements following a steady and prominent beat Individuals who practices rhythmic body movements during an aerobic exercise or dancing enjoy several health benefits that improve the quality of life. Aside from the physical health, rhythmic activities can improve our general and psychological well-being, as well. According to Duggan (1951), Rhythmic activity shoûld serve as •a medium for the education of students rather than as a goal in itself." Rhythmic activities as a part of physical education and recreation afford values rich in possibilities for promoting enduring interests and the satisfactions which attend enriched living. These values in rhythms, extending, beyond the realm of good physical exercise, may be grouped, for purposes of a quick overview, into three broad categories: cultural values, or those outcomes which awaken interest in and enhance appreciation of the aesthetic aspects of human experience; social and recreational values, or those outcomes which help to orient the individual to his role as a member of society and to discipline him in the performance of that role; and neuromuscular values, or those outcomes which contribute to the good performance of a well-coordinated body in movement. Lesson 1 Fundamentals of Rhythmic Activities: Definition of Terms and Phases of Dance Program Every individual has rhythm. It is found in all of nature and is natural to every individual. Rhythm is most clearly seen through dance- the art of movement. When an individual moves in response to a particular sound, beat or music we call the movements as rhythmic movements or rhythm. The structured activities, which in turn start creative, accented and unaccented movements, are sometimes called rhythmic movements. Most movements that take place in physical education classes contain rhythm (Jimena 2006). Since prehistoric times, humans have always had the desire to dance. Today that desire is still with us. People danced for self-expressive purposes; for religious, ritualistic, ceremonial purposes; and to entertain or please others. Dance will never die because it’s constantly being reborn through different dancers, different environments, and different cultures. Everyone reacts to music or rhythm in one form or another. A head swaying, a foot tapping, fingers snapping, shoulders and body moving while a musical piece is played are physical reactions. In the field of dance, there are certain fundamental knowledge and rhythmic skills considered important for proficiency and efficiency in bodily movements. Learning Objectives At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to: 1. the different terms used in Folk Dancing; and 2. differentiate and distinguish the phases of dance program. DEFINITION of TERMS 1.Rhythm According to Webster, rhythm is measured motion or flow characterized by basically regular recurrence of elements or features as beat, sounds, or accents. This definition implies measurement of time, space and energy. All works of art requires rhythm. Rhythm is most clearly seen in the dance — the art of movement — whether in a simple leap of a tribal war dancer or the sophisticated pirouette of the ballet dancer. It is a term denotes an aspect of a quality of movement, which is sometimes thought of as a dance. When an individual moves in response to a particular rhythm or music, we call the movements as rhythmic movements or rhythms. Structured forms, which start creative rhythmic movements, are sometimes called rhythms. 2.Dancing It is a means of expressing one’s emotions through movement disciplined by rhythm. It is an act of moving rhythmically and expressively to an accompaniment. The word "dancing" came from an old German word "DANSON" which means, "to stretch." Essentially, all dancing is made up of stretching and relaxing. 3.Dance A movement set to music where organization, structure and pattern emerge. It is a composition, which implies arrangement of parts into a form. 4.Rhythmic Activities It may be defined as those activities, which excite the pupils' physical, mental, and emotional responses through the medium of music or rhythm. 5.Fundamental Rhythms It refers to those activities that involve the use of natural and basic movements such as skipping, running, walking, leaping and the like, together with their combination and variations. 6. Folk Dances and Singing Games Folkdance is a genuine dance of the common people (folk) performed in their original and traditional form, peculiar to and characteristic of the race or nation from whom they emanate. These dances require better group organization and relationship than the other types of rhythmic activities. Singing Games are called due to the predominance of the play element in the dance. 7. Mimetics The term "mimetics" is used to designate rhythmic interpretations in which children mimic the movements of birds, animals, toys, and play and work activities in rhythm. These imitations of familiar activities are done without the use of the usual equipment. 8. Story Play Those activities in which the pupil imitates and impersonates incidents he has seen. These plays are intended to provide opportunities for well balance exercise and at the same time develop acting or dramatic ability of the children. Phases of Dance Program 1.Creative Rhythms These are actually for children in the elementary grades. These are sometimes called Fundamental Rhythms or Natural Dances. It is an end product of the 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 Dance A cultural art form handed down from generation to generation. It communicates the customs, belief, rituals, and occupation of the people of a region or country. Folk dancing belongs to the people. It emanates from them. 3.Recreational Dance It includes Dance Mixers, Square Dancing and Round and Couple Dances. Many of these dances have simple patterns based on combination of Walking Steps, theTwo Steps Polka Step and the Waltz. 4.Social and Ballroom Dances The setting of the Social and Ballroom Dance is a social gathering with the more atmosphere than the simple informal parties which is the Recreational Dances. Social and ballroom dancing are generally held in the evening. The participants are usually in formal attire. 5.Creative Dances It is the highest form of dance for the purpose of entertainment. [t is the end product of exploration and improvisation of movements as a dancer or choreographer expresses his feelings or emotions, ideas or interpretations. This is a dance with a definite form.
