What is Dancing
Dance is an expression of an intensified sense of life,
arising from an inner perception that stimulates both
mind and body. It is man’s natural and primitive means of
expression. The truest expression of a people is in its
dances and its music. “The body never lies”.
Dance has been a part of the life of every tribe, society or
celebrates through dance. Dance is not only an individual
or group experience but also considered as a cultural
mirror who wherein the spirit, character and artistry of its
time are reflected.
 A dance as simple emotional expression when developed into a
design with its planned organization of a pattern of movement
in rhythm, in space and or ground, with its set of steps, gestures
and dynamics becomes a specific dance. And when stylized in a
common design becomes a dance form. These dance forms
which take centuries to develop, reflect the customs of the
society in which they have evolved.
 According to William Cobbett, Dancing is at once rational and
healthful. It is the natural amusement of young people and such
it has been from the days of Moses. Our only quarrel with this
statement is the reference to ‘young people’, since the recreation
of dancing provides pleasure and enjoyment, with relaxation
and an improved social life, to people of all ages and all
backgrounds. It is an ideal path to health through gentle
exercise in these days of tension, stress and sedentary work and
pleasures. Those who forsake the television screen to go dancing
reap great mental and physical rewards.
Dancing is based on natural walking steps forward and backwards. If
this can be achieved with balance, control and small steps, the actual
figures will feel and look natural and rhythmic. So it is best to study
and work on the recommended exercises before working on the
figures.
Dance
It is defined as an inner impulse of man to rhythm or music
expressing his feeling of joy, moods, sentiments or any human
experience.
Dance Education
This refers to an educational process whereby the central process is
the learning and studying the dance as the medium to understand
one’s self society and culture.
Classical Dance
Dance with standardized rules and restriction. It can be religious
related dances or court and royal entertainment form.
Classical Ballet
A dance of supreme standards learned from an academe. This
originated from Italy from the word Bal-lo meaning to dance
flourished in the royal court of France.
Modern Dance
A deviation from the principles of classical ballet developed by
Isadora Duncan. She believed in the principles of naturalness and
The expression of the human body and soul.
Contemporary Dance
This is a combination of ballet and modern dance
whereby it
uses the varied medium of other dance forms like folks,
ethnic, jazz or tribal dance.
Popular Dance
This is highly recognized as a dance form in television and
other dance centers like discotheque houses and social
gatherings.
Folk Dance
The term implies the traditional flavors and
characteristics of
the people, their feeling and sentiments. It is also referred
sometimes as traditional dance.
Ethnic/Tribal Dance
A dance particularly found in a group of people living
together in locality with a common belief and customs.
Ballroom Dance
A popular term for dance performed on ballroom areas or
for
purposes of recreation and entertainment.
Example:
Latin American dance
(cha-cha, mambo, rumba, jive, samba and paso doble)
Standard dance
(tango, waltz, foxtrot and quick step)
1. National Dances- are traditional dances throughout
the Philippines with common basic movement or
pattern but with slight variation.
Ex: Cariñosa
Pandango Balitaw
Kuratsa Rigodon
Surtido
2. Local or Regional Dances- are dance found in
certain localities or regions only.
Ex: Esperanza (Nakua, Camarines Sur)
Alcampor (Leyte)
Maglalatik (San Pablo, Laguna)
3. Occupational Dances- are dances that depict actions
characterizing occupation industries and phases of human
labor.
Ex: Pabirik-depicts the difference stages of gold panning
Monanguete- tuba gatherer
Rice Festival- has the largest number of dances
Magtatanim, Paggapas, Paggiik, Pahangin, Pababayo,
Pagtatahip
4. Religious or Ceremonial Dances- are performed in
connection with religious vows, practices and ceremonies.
A religious dance maybe performed to drive away evil
spirits and for having recovered from sickness, favors
granted and vows fulfilled.
Ex: Sinurog
Obando
Dugso
5. Courtship Dance- are dances that depict making or\
are dances with love themes.
Ex: Hele Hele bago Quiere
Rogelia
Lulay
Maramion
6. Wedding Dances- are performed by newlyweds, by
friends and relatives of the bride and groom or by the
father of the bride and mother of the groom.
Ex: Pandang-Pandang Soryano
Pantomina
7. Festival Dances- performed in connection with
celebration a feast, a barrio, fiesta, good harvest and
good future.
Ex: Kuratsa
La Jota
Putong
8. War Dances- are intended to show imaginary combat
or duel with the use fighting implements like bolo or
spear.
Ex: Sagayan
Maglalatik
Inabaknon
9. Comic Dances- are dances with funny and humorous
movements mainly intended for entertainment.
Ex: makonggo- movements of monkey
Kinoton- imitates the movements of person bitten by ants
10. Game Dances- are dances that have some play elements
and are for recreational purposes.
Ex: Pabo
Lubi-lubi
Sinenalan
Gayong-gayong
11. Social Dances- are dances danced during social
gathering.
Ex: Rigodon
Lanceros