P.E.

2 RHYTHMIC ACTIVITIES

DEFINITION OF TERMS:
1. Rhythmic Activities – the physical manifestation of an individual to rhythm, these are
activities which a person responds to physically, mentally, emotionally and socially to music or
any rhythmic accompaniment.

2. Rhythm – is a measured motion or flow characterized by regular recurrence of elements

such as beats, sounds, accents and others.

3. Dancing – is a means of expressing ones emotions through movements disciplined by

rhythm. It came from a Greek word “Danson” which means to stretch essentially, all dancing is
made up of stretching.

4. Dance – is a movements set to music where there emerges organization, structure and
pattern.

5. Choreography – is an art of arranging dance steps into a complete composition of dance.

6. Creative Dance – is the highest form of dance for the purpose of entertainment. It is the end
product of exploration and improvisation of movements as the dancer or choreography his
feeling or emotions, ideas, and interpretations. This is a dance with definite form, beginning and
ending. The principles of art are all observed in the composition of the dance.

7. Interpretative Dance – are series of movements intrerpreted from the lyrics, melody or
tempo of a certain musical composition.

8. Dance Drama – a theatrical form of dances using pantomime and mimetic.

9. Other Dances – Ballroom Dances, Modern Dances, Square Dances, Tap Dances and
Sayawit.

10. Physical Manifestation – is the utilization of the body to express the thoughts and feelings.

PHYSICAL REACTION TO RHYTHM OR MUSIC

1. Foot Tapping

2. Finger Snapping

3. Head Swaying
OBJECTIVES OF RHYTHMIC ACTIVITIES

1. Develop a balanced and well coordinated body.

2. For physiological and neuro-muscular development of the organic system of the body.

3. Maintain good posture and physical efficiency.

4. Promote educational freedom.

5. Develop skills necessary for social and recreational enjoyment.

6. For cultural depicts culture of the people.

PHASES OF RHYTHMIC ACTIVITIES:

1. Fundamental Rhythm – these are combination of locomotor movements structured and

organized to form natural dances.

2. Rhythmic Interpretation – these are activities where in the individual interprets his own
conception of the movement of:

a. Natural Imitation – clouds and swaying trees

b. Animal Imitation – birds, elephant, ducks, cat

c. Character Imitation – clowns

d. Mechanical Imitation – the walking doll, the clock and the train.

e. Activity – farming, cooking

3. Folk Dances – these are traditional dances that expresses the thoughts, ideas and feeling of
a group of feeling.

- Is a cultural art form handed down from generation to generation. It evolved naturally
and spontaneously in connection with everyday activities and experiences of the people
who developed them. It depicts Filipino costumes, beliefs, rituals and occupation of the
people.

4. Other Dance Forms – these includes dance mixers, jazz, modern dance, social and
ballroom dances.

BASIC MOVEMENTS / SKILLS:

- Locomotor skills – movement of the body in any direction using feet as the moving
base.
1. Walking – is done with the transfer of weight from the heel to the ball of the foot.

2. Running – it is done with a free running action of the leg from the hip joint and proper
swinging of the arms. A series of fast steps.

3. Jumping – is done with a spring into air from one or both feet then land on both feet.

4. Leaping – is done with springing into the air from one foot and landing on the other foot.

5. Hopping – is springing into the air from one foot and landing on the same foot.

6. Sliding – to glide smoothly along the floor, the movement may be finished with or without
transfer of weight.

7. Skipping – is made up of two fundamental movements a step and a hop.

8. Galloping – consist of sliding movement or stepping and a quick cut with one foot leading.

- Non-locomotor Skills – are movements of any part of the body in space using the
feet as the fixed base.

1. Flexion – bending or shortening of the body part occurring at a joint.

2. Extension – stretching or straigtening of a body part occurring at a joint.

3. Rotation – turning, twisting or revolving on its axis.

4. Pendular – swinging and swaying.

5. Percussive – striking and hitting, pushing or pulling.

6. Vibratory – shaking or beating.

7. Sustained – a slow smooth flowing movement with a balance movement through the entire
series.

8. Suspended – sharp movements followed by a series of slow or prolong movements until

peak is reached.

OBJECTIVES / IMPORTANCE OF DANCING FOLK DANCES:

1. To foster patriotism and nationalism through the study of our dances.

2. Arouse better appreciation of Philippine music and folk dances.

3. To preserve our folk dance and music.

4. Demonstrate the growth of Filipino culture through the evolution of Philippine dances.

5. Provide through dance a healthful form of relaxation

6. Develop grace, poise, and rhythmic coordination of the body movements that improve
posture.

7. Arouse and keep one’s interest in taking part and enjoying our own dances.

8. Preserve prosperity, folk dances and music which indigenous to the regions of the
Philippines.

9. Gain strength, flexibility and balance.

FACTORS AFFECTING FOLK DANCING:

1. Geographical Location

2. Economic Condition

3. Climatic Condition

4. Customs and Traditions

CHARACTERISTICS OF PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCES:

1. Most dances begins and ends with a saludo.

2. In general, dancers stand apart.

3. There is a little body contact, although holding hands are common.

4. Most of the dancers are done in pairs.

5. Hand or arm movements play an important part.

6. Our dances are performed by young, old and both sexes.

7. Many of the dances are done in a long formation.

8. Dances from lowland have more foreign elements than those found in upland.

9. War dances are found among non-Christian tribes.

CLASSIFICATION OF PHILIPPINE DANCES:

A. GEOGRAPHICAL EXTENT OF ORIGIN

1. NATIONAL DANCES- these are traditional dances throughout the Philippines with a common
basic movements pattern with slight variations.

2. LOCAL OR REGIONAL DANCES- these are dances found in a certain localities.

B. NATURE

1. RELIGIOUS OR CEREMONIAL DANCES - these are dances that are performed in

connection with religious vows, practices, ask favor to have a child, give thanks for having
recovered from sickness and ceremonies to drive away evil spirits.

2. OCCUPATIONAL DANCES - these are dances that depict actions, characteristics, a certain
occupation, industries and phases of human labor.

3. COMIC DANCES - these are dances depicting funny and humorous movements for
entertainment.

4. GAME DANCES - are dances that have some play elements and for recreational purposes.

5. COURTHSHIP DANCES - dances that depicts love making.

6. WEDDING DANCE - are performed by newlyweds, by friends and relatives of the bride and
groom or by father or the bride and the mother of the groom.

7. FESTIVAL DANCES - these are performed in connections with celebrations, a feast, a barrio
fiesta, good harvest and good fortune.

8. WAR DANCE - these are intended to show imaginary combat or duel with the use of fighting
implements like bolo, kris or spear.

C. MOVEMENTS

1. ACTIVE- with fast and energetic movements.

2. MODERATE

3. SLOW

4. SLOW AND FAST

D. FORMATION

1. SQUARE

2. LONG FORMATION- 2 or more parallel lines

3. SET- consisting of 2 or more pairs as a unit partners facing each other or standing side by
side.

FUNDAMENTALS DANCE POSITIONS

FEET POSITIONS

1st position - heels close together; toes apart making an angle of about ninety degrees.

2nd position - feet apart sideward of about pace distance.

3rd position - heel of one foot close to in step of other foot.

4th position - one foot infront of the other foot of about a pace distance.

5th position - heel of front foot close to big toe of rear foot.

ARM POSITIONS

1st position - arms raised forward in a circle in front of chest with finger tips about an inch apart.

2nd position – arms raised sideward with graceful curve a little below shoulder level.

3rd position – one arm raised as in 2nd position, other arm raised overhead.

4th position – one arm raised in front of chest in a half circle, other arm raised overhead.

5th position – both arms raised overhead.

DANCE TERMS

1. ABRASETE – girls at the right side, hold right arm of partner with her left hand down at
the sides or holding the skirts.
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. BILAO – to turn palms of hands up and down alternately, hands at waist level in front.
4. BRUSH – weight of one foot; hit the floor with the ball or heel of the other foot.
5. CABECERAS – when dancers are in a square formation, the couples occupying the
width side. The Head couples.
6. COSTADOS – the couple occupying the length side of the square or side pairs.
7. CUT – to displace quickly one foot with the other, thus completely taking off the weight of
the body from the displaced foot.
8. DOS-a- Dos ( dosido/back to back ) – the vis a vis (opposite) both advanced forward
pass each other’s right or left side, step across the right or left move backward without
turning around pass each other left or right side to proper places.
9. DRAW – to pull one foot along the floor closer to the other foot which has the weight of
the body.
10. HAPAY – to flourish or offer a handkerchief, hat or glass of wine to somebody as a sign
of invitation.
11. HAYON-HAYON – to place one forearm in front and the other at the back of the waist.
12. INSIDE FOOT/ INSIDE HAND – the foot or hand nearest to ones partners when
standing side by side.
13. JALEO – partners turn once around clockwise (with the right elbow almost touching) or
counter clockwise (with left elbow almost touching) using walking or any kind of dance
step. The hands near each other are on waist.
14. KUMINTANG – moving the hand from wrist either in clockwise or counterclockwise
direction.
15. MASIWAK – to turn the hand from the wrist halfway clockwise then raise and lower wrist
once or twice.
16. PATAY – to bend the head downward and to support the forehead with the R(L) forearm
or with the crook of the R(L) elbow while the L(R) hands support lightly the palm of the
R(L) hand.
17. PLACE – to put the foot in a certain or desired position without putting weight on it.
18. PIVOT – to turn with the ball, heel or whole foot on a fixed place.
19. POINT – touch the floor light with the toes of one foot, weight of the body on the other
foot.
20. SALOK – to swing the arm downward upward passing on front of the body as if
scooping, the trunk is bent forward following the movement of the arm doing salok.
21. SALUDO – partners bow to each other, to audience, opposite dancers.
22. SAROK – cross the R(L) foot in the front of the L(R) bend the body slightly forward and
cross the hands down infront with the R or (L) hand over the L (or R).
23. STAMP – to bring down the foot forcibly and noisily on the floor.
24. STEP – to advance or recede by raising or moving one foot to another resting place.
25. SUPPORTING FOOT – the foot that bears the weight of the body.
26. TAP – to tap slightly with the ball or toe of the free foot. There is no change of transfer of
weight.
27. WALTZ – step right or left close left or right.
28. WALTZ BALANCE – step right or left close left or right raise heel (both), heels down
(both).
BALLROOM AND SOCIAL DANCES:

Ballroom dancing as we know today is made up two distinct types of dances, namely:

Modern and Latin dances. Modern dances were first on the scene, and own much of their
existence to a new sound originated in America and was let loose to the world in the early
years of the 20th century. This new sound of Afro – American origin was called Ragtime.

LATIN DANCES:

RUMBA – became the first Latin dance to be included in the west’s social calendar dance. It
is a dance that is relatively simple for the beginner to learn. It began as fertility during which
dancers mimicked the courtship displays of birds and animals prior to mating.

SAMBA – this dance is an integral part of Brazilian culture. Originally a folk dance from
Brazil’s Carnival. Samba is a quick dance which can be done both as a Latin dance or a
rhythm dance.

CHA-CHA-CHA – was welcomed throughout the western world and stil is great favorite of
dancers of all ages. Its name was taken from the sound made by the feet of the dancer of
the floor when they dance the chasse.

JIVE – an international style swing, jive has more of staccato, bouncy look to it than dos
cast coast swing, jive bounces up, while east coast swing bounce down.

PASO DOBLE – is an international – style dance that’s very dramatic and its supposed to
look like a bull fighter. The posture is distinct, with shoulders thrown way back, and this
dance is unique in that attention tends to be focused on the man.

MAMBO – a very fast American- style rhythm dance, the mambo is closely related to cha-
cha and the club salsa.

FOXTROT – a medium speed smooth or standard dance, the foxtrot has both a back step
basic and a progressive basic step.

TANGO – is characterized by sudden, dramatic changes in position and direction and

emphasis on staccato movements which differentiate it from other smooth and standard
chances.

SWING – a slow to fast speed rhythm dance, east coast swing is lazy and energetic of the
same time. This triple step swing can modified to single step (which can be transformed into
a jitter bug) of double step version and with certain rhythm changes.