Unit 1: Introduction to the Dance Arts

A fine art that involves a body moving through space and time.

Genres of dance ie. Flamenco, Salsa, Ballet, etc.

Autographic Art and Allographic Art

When the work of art is an object that exists in space and transcends time. Includes all visual and literary arts ie. Writing, painting, scupting, etc.

When the work of art is a performance that is a moment in time which comes and goes, and must pass through an intermediary which is the performer. Includes music, dance, and drama.

Body, space, time, energy, and relationships

• A body and its parts creating still or moving shapes
• Curved, round, twist, straighten, crooked
• Symmetrical or asymmetrical

• Body's relationship to the floor, room, environment, others
• The way the body moves through space
• Motion can be direct or indirect
• High, medium, low

• Body's use of speed, tempo, rhythm, and music
• Body may move in a sustained way or quick way

• The way the body uses its weight
• Movement can flow and be light, or can be heavy, strong, tense, sharp, etc.

• The way in which two or more things are connected to or associated with one another
• Ie. dancer to dancer, dancer to object, etc.

He categorized movement into eight Basic Effort Actions.

• Movements that combine the elements of time, weight, and space. They are:
• Punching
• Pressing
• Dabbing
• Gliding
• Flicking
• Floating
• Slashing
• Wringing

Gradually prepares the body for more demanding activity.

• Pulse-raiser
• Joint mobilization
• Stretch

Stretching exercises, allowing flexibility/range of motion.

• Perform exercises when the body is warm
• Do not bounce
• Stop if you feel pain

To allow the body to recover gradually and return to its resting level.

• Pulse-lowerer
• Post stretch

• Both useful and inspiring, and a pleasure as well
• Dance goes back to the earliest days of human beings on this earth
• The art will always live on, and past dances have helped shape dance today

Concrete symbol of rhythm which is a vital part of everything on earth

marks all the physical and spiritual manifestations of life

Religion and love.

The overall structure of a dance piece.

Choreography, making dances

Compositional forms and manipulations

• AB
• ABA
• Theme
• Variation

Ways in which you can "play" with the performance of created movement phrases.

• Unison
• Canon
• Retrograde
• Size
• Tempo
• Quality

A form of isometric exercise developed and practiced to simultaneously stretch, strengthen, tone, and align the body, while eliminating tension and strain on the joints.

• Breath
• Concentration
• Control
• Centering
• Precision
• Flow

The physical, mental, and spiritual practices which originated in ancient India with a view to attain a state of permanent peace of mind in order to experience one's true self.

A kind of yoga focusing on physical and mental strength building exercises and postures.

Ujjayi breathing is a breath technique employed in a variety of Taoist and Yoga practices. In relation to Yoga, it is sometimes called "the ocean breath".

A body position, typically associated with the practice of Yoga, originally identified as a mastery of sitting still.

Provide a rhythm, steady beat and melody, create a story with the combination of song and movement.