RHYTHMIC ACTIVITIES
DEFINITION OF TERMS
1. RHYTHMIC – According to Webster, is measured motion or flow characterized by
regular recurrence of elements or features as beats sounds or accents.
2. RHYTHM – The regular pattern of movement and or sound.
 It is also the relationship between time and force, which is fell, seen and
heard.
3. RHYTHMIC ACTIVITIES – These are rhythmic movements using the body as a means
of expressing communications. It can either be through fundamental rhythms using
locomotion or axial movements in higher form as dance.
4. DANCE – is a movement set to music where there emerge organization, structure
and pattern.
5. MOVEMENT – A change of position of an object in space.
6. FOLK DANCES – are traditional dances of a country, which were evolved naturally
and spontaneously in connection with everyday activities.

are traditional social expression of the ideals, feelings and thoughts
of a people or group of people through body movement.
– is the heartbeat of the people.
PHASES OF THE DANCE PROGRAM
1.
CREATIVE RHYTHMS – these are sometimes called FUNDAMENTAL RHYTHMS or NATURAL DANCES. A creative rhythm or fundamental rhythm 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 instrument
of expression.
2.
FOLK DANCE – is a cultural art form handed down from generation to generation. It communicates the custom, beliefs, rituals and occupation of
a region or country.
3.
RECREATIONAL DANCE – includes dance mixers, square dancing and round couple dances.
4.
SOCIAL AND BALLROOM DANCE – The setting of the social and ballroom dance in a social gathering with the more formal atmosphere than
the simple and informal parties in which the recreational dances are the usual forms.
5.
CREATIVE DANCES – Is the highest form of dance for the purpose of entertainment. It is the product of exploration and improvisation of
movements as the dancers or choreographer expresses his feelings or emotions, ideas, and interpretations, the examples are modern dance, jazz
and ballet.
DANCE FORM/CLASSIFICATION
1. CLASSIC DANCE – Dance with standard rules and restrictions.
Ex. Balinese temple dance and Thai Classical court dance
2. CLASSICAL BALLET – A dance of supreme standards learned from an academe.
a.
b.
MODERN DANCE – deviation from the principles of classical ballet
CONTEMPORARY DANCE – A combination of ballet and modern dance
3. POPULAR DANCE – A dance in a specific time, which is highly recognized as a dance form
in television and other dance centers.
4. FOLK DANCE – a dance that portrays the traditional flavor and characteristics of people,
their feelings and sentiments.
5. ETHNIC DANCE – A dance particularly found in a group of people living together in a locality
with common beliefs and customs.
6. BALLROOM DANCE/SOCIAL DANCE – a popular dance for couple for the purpose of
recreation and entertainment
NATURE DANCES
1.
OCCUPATIONAL – depicting action of certain occupation industry or human labor
Ex. planting rice, harvesting, pounding, and pabirik
2.
RELIGIOUS OR CEREMONIAL – performed in connection with religious vows and ceremonies.
Ex. Sta. Clarang Pinong-pino
3.
COMIC DANCES – depicting funny movements for entertainment.
Ex. Kimbo-kimbo, Kinoton
4.
GAME DANCES – With play elements
Ex. Lubi-lubi, payo
5.
WEDDING DANCE – Performed during the wedding feast
Ex. Panasahan
6.
COURTSHIP DANCES – Depicting love making
Ex. Tadek, Daling-daling
7.
FESTIVAL DANCES – suitable for special occasion or any social gathering.
Ex. Habanera, Jota
8.
WAR DANCES – showing imaginary combat.
Ex. Palu=palo, Eskrima
FUNDAMENTAL DANCE POSITION
Feet position
Arms Position
1st Position – Heels close, toes open
1st Position – Arms raised and encircled in front hands hanging naturally
2nd Position – Open Position with heels in line
2nd Position – Arms raised sideward at waist level with a graceful curve
3rd Position – Heel of one foot at in-step
3rd Position – One arm raised as in 2nd, other arm raised overhead
4th Position – One foot forward with heel of front
foot in line with big toe of rear foot
4th Position – One arm bent forward at chest level, other arm raised overhead
5th Position – Heel of one front foot close to big
toe of rear foot
5th Position – Both arms raised overhead.
DANCE TERMS
1.
“Abrasete” – Girl at the right side, holds R arm of partner with her L hand, free hands down at
the sides. This term is of Spanish origin and is used in Rigodon and in other dances.
2.
Arms in Lateral Position – Both arms are at one side, either sideward right or left. This may be
done at shoulder, chest, or waist level
3.
Arms in Reverse “T” – Arms are side horizontal, elbows bent at right angles, forearms parallel
to head, palms froward or facing inward, fists loosely closed.
“Bilao” – To turn palms of hands up and down alternately, hands at waist level in front, elbows
close to waist.
Brush – Weight on one foot, hit the floor with the ball or heel of the other foot (the free foot)
after which that foot is lifted from the floor to any direction.
4.
5.
6.
Clockwise – Like the motion of the hands of a clock. R shoulder is toward the center of an
imaginary circle. When facing center, the movement is toward the left.
7.
Counterclockwise – The reverse direction of clockwise, L shoulder is toward the center of an
imaginary circle. When facing center, the movement is toward the right.
Crossed Arms – Partners are facing each other or standing side by side, girl at the right of boy.
They join their L hands together and their R hands together; either R over L or L over R
hands.
9. Cut – To displace quickly one foot with other, thus completely taking off the weight of the body
from the displaced foot.
10. Do-si-Do (“Dos-A-Dos”) The vis-à-vis (opposites) both advance forward, pass each other’s right (or left) side, step across to the right (or left),
move backward without turning around passes each other’s left (or right) side to proper places. This is of foreign origin and is used in many
Philippine dances.
11. Free Foot – The foot not bearing the weight of the body.
8.
12. Free hand – The hand not placed anywhere or not doing anything.
13. Hands on waist – Place hands at the waist line (at the smallest part of the trunk), knuckles in, fingers pointing in rear.
14. “Hayon-Hayon” – To place one forearm in front and the other at the back of the waist. This is a Visayan term.
15. Hop – A spring from one foot landing on the same foot in place or in any direction. The other foot may be raised in any direction (in front, in rear,
sideward or across).
16. Inside foot – The foot nearest one’s partner, when partners stand side by side.
17. Inside Hand – The hand nearest one’s partner, when partners stand side by side.
18. “Jaleo” – Partners turn once around clockwise (with R elbows almost touching) or counterclockwise (with L elbows almost touching) using walking
or any kind of dance step. The hands near each other are on waists. This is a Tagalog term but of Spanish origin.
19. Jump – Spring on one foot or both feet, landing on both in any direction.
20. “Kumintang” – Moving the hand from the wrist either in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. This is an Ilocano term.
21. Leap – A spring from one foot, landing on the other foot in any direction (forward, backward, sideward, oblique)
22. Outside Foot – The foot away from one’s partner, when partners stand side by side.
23. Outside Hand -- The hand away from one’s partner, when partners stand side by side.
24. Place – To put foot in a certain or desired position without putting weight on it. The sole of the foot rests on the floor.
25. Point – Touch the floor lightly with the toes of one foot, weight of the body on the other foot.
26. “Salok” – To swing the arm downward-upward passing in front of the body as if scooping, the trunk is bent forward following the movement of the
arm doing the “salok”. This is a Tagalog term.
27. “Saludo” – Partners bow to each other, to the audience, opposite dancers, or to the neighbors with feet together. This term is of Spanish origin
and is used in almost all Philippine dances.
28. “Sarok” (or “Saroc”) – Cross the R (or L) foot in front of the L (or R), bend the body slightly forward and cross the hands (forearms) down in front
with the R (or L) hand (forearm) over the L (or R). This is a Visayan term.
29. Set – A dance formation like a square or a unit formation composed of two or more pairs.
30. Slide – To glide foot smoothly along the floor. The movement may be finished with or without transfer of weight.
31. Stamp – To bring down the foot forcibly and noisily on the floor (like doing a heavy step) with or without transfer of weight.
32. Step – To advance or recede by raising or moving one foot to another resting place. There is a complete transfer of weight from one foot to
another.
33. Tap – To rap slightly with the ball or toe of the free foot, flexing the ankle joint keeping weight of the body on the other foot. There is no change or
transfer of weight.
34. Whirl – To make fast turns by executing small steps in place to right or left.
DANCE STEPS
The traditional dance steps used in one folk dance are really combinations of the basic movements. It is noted that there are some dance
steps, which can be performed with any kind of music.
DANCE STEPS
1. Touch step
STEP PATTERN AND COUNTING
NO. OF MEASURES
Point, close
1M
Heel place, close
1M
Step, close
1M
Step, hop
1M
Slide, close
1M
Step, close, step
1M
Cross-step, close, step
1M
Leap, cross-step, step
1M
Step, close, step, pause
1M
Hop-step, close, step, pause
1M
2. Bleking step
3. Close step
4. Hop Step
5. Slide step
6. Change step
7. Cross change step
8. Contraganza
9. Plain Polka
10. Hop Polka
11. Mincing steps
Step, step, step, (and so on with tiny
steps)
Slide, slide, slide (and so on…)
12. Shuffling steps
13. Chasing steps
Step, close, step, close (and so on….)
14. Korriti
Cross-step, step, cross-step, step (so
on….)
15. Native waltz
Step, close, step (in place)
16. Cross waltz
Cross-step, close, step
17. waltz balance
Step, close-heels raise, heels down
18. Mazurka
Slide, cut, hop
19. Sway balance with a point
Step, cross-step, step, point
20. Sway balance with a raise
Step, cross-step, step, raise
21 Sway balance with a brush
Step, cross-step, step, brush
22. Sway with a close
Step, cross-step, step, close