Throughout history, dance has been utilized as a form of expression for many different motives. Movement is one of the most natural tendencies for human kind, and by examining the use of dance throughout history one can see this in play. In earlier periods, dance was highly regarded as a form of expression for many different things, including religious, ceremonial, and celebratory means. As time progressed, dance became more technically practiced and became a more solidified art, thanks to the influence of the nobility. In more recent times, the training has continued to evolve, developing in to the dance community that is known today. The way that dance is studied and trained has changed drastically over time.
Dancers of the ancient times
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A set way of practicing dance did not exist at this time, as it was more of an emotional exploration than a physical one. Although dance was
“highly structured”, the dancing that was performed “might not be considered dance today”, as the reasons for dancing were more centered toward religion, war, ceremonies, etc. (“History of Dance”). The Greeks practiced many different versions of dance, those of which include funeral dances, war training, and theatrical dance. According to Smiths
Dictionary, dance was “divided into two kinds, gymnastic and mimetic” (p1004 Saltatio).
The artists of this time utilized dance as a physical activity and also as a conceptual
Weiss 2 activity. It was used as a means for preparation for war, preparing the fighters and helping them to become more kinesthetically aware. Likewise, as it is today, dance was used for entertainment. The aspect of story telling through dance was an
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Weiss 3
Long ago, physical fitness was a natural part of every day life, but as humanity evolved, physical fitness became less prominent in daily life and more necessary in dance training. According to Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General,
“our ancestors…incorporated strenuous activity as a normal part of their daily lives- and not only for the daily, subsistence requirements of their “work” lives” (“Physical Activity and Health”). Physical fitness was a result of living daily life, rather than the result of commitment. As time moved on and people became more sedentary, however, less physical activity was seen in everyday life. The combination of this way of living and the growing expectations for dancers resulted in increased physical pressure. Ed Yong describes how “over the years, successive generations of ballet dancers have subtly tinkered with positions that are ostensibly fixed and limited by the physical constraints of a dancer’s body”. “In recent times, dance has become extensively more physically demanding” (Yong, Ed “Ballet postures have become more extreme over time”).
...re of different dance cultures within the vocabulary of their scope, then the results would be so astounding as to give that dancer an unspoken quality distinguishing them from among their peers. Movement knowledge is cultural knowledge and remembering that each culture is beautiful and different in its own way can help create a dancer that will resonate with any audience member.
Dance is an ever evolving form of art; in much the same way that one can categorize and differentiate between eras and styles of architecture one can also do so with dance. These eras at times have sharp delineations separating them from their antecedents, other times the distinction is far more subtle. Traditional forms of dance were challenged by choreographers attempting to expand the breadth and increase the depth of performance; preeminent among such visionaries was Seattle born dancer and choreographer Mark Morris. Mark Morris' began as one of the millions of hopeful individuals attempting to simply make a career in dance; he not only succeeded but managed to have a lasting effect on the entire landscape of dance.
The book begins by explaining how important exercise and being active is to our health and well-being. The author then transitions into a story about Naperville Central High School. This high school was in the forefront of a revolutionary new concept that involved vigorous exercise of its students instead of a traditional gym class. This new approach stimulated new research on the brain, and the effects of exercise on the well being of our body and minds. After the introduction of the new fitness programs, the school’s students showed drastic increases in standardized tests, and on normal tests as well.
Dance is more than time, Space, and energy. People have this perceived connotation that dance is just visual art depicted from movements in the body. This is true that dance is a form of visual entertainment, but when looking at the sociocultural lens, dance has far more reasoning. Whether these reasons were to free oneself from oppression, or creating a community where one felt safe, social dance was a way for people to express emotion and create identity. As social dance evolved, these different cultural identities were exposed to one another. Appropriation and borrowing of Aesthetics were being seen. This was observed in the social dance form called the jitterbug. This dance was created during the great migration and Harlem Renaissance,
Ramsay, B. (2000). Dance theory, sociology, and aesthetics. Dance Research Journal, 32(1), 125-131. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/1478286
This paper will be a detailed description of what dance was like in the 1950’s specifically focusing on 1954 to 1959. It will also go beyond to demonstrate how the style of dancing is a direct reflection of the society during that time period. The topic will be presented in class and a brief reflection will be included in this paper.
[6] Cohen, Selma Jeanne. International Encyclopedia of Dance: A Project of Dance Perspectives Foundation, Inc. New York: Oxford UP, 1998. Print.
Jonas, Gerald. Dancing: The Pleasure, Power, and Art of Movement. New York: Abrams, 1992. Print.
Learning about Dance: Dance as an Art Form and Entertainment provides visions into the many features of dance and inspires scholars to keep an open mind and think critically about the stimulating, bold, ever-changing and active world of dance. Learning about Dance is particularly useful for those who do not have a wide and diverse dance contextual, such as students in a preliminary level or survey dance course. This book consists of twelve chapters. Chapter one dance as an art form focuses on the basic structures of dance. Dance is displayed through the human body, it has the control to communicate and induce reactions. Dance can be found in many different places, it enables the participants and seekers to touch and knowledge the joy of movement. Dance is discovered as being one of the oldest art forms worldwide. Dance existed in early cultures was recognized in a sequence of rock paintings portrayed dance. Since this discovery of rock paintings, several other forms of art have been found that depict dance. People used rituals in order to worship the gods and believed that the rituals held magical and spiritual powers. During the ancient period civilizations sentient decisions began to be made with regard to dance. Other periods that had an impact on dance were the medieval period, the renaissance period, and the contemporary period. Chapter two the choreographer, the choreographer is a person who comes up with the movements created into a dance routine. The choreographer expresses themselves through choreography because this is their way of communicating with the audience. In order to be a choreographer you must have a passion for dance. Each choreographer has their own approaches and ways of making up a routine. Choreographers ...
Corbin, C. (2013), Concepts of Physical Fitness: Active Lifestyles for Wellness, McGraw-Hill Higher Education Publishing
Dance, like any other art form, is constantly evolving. Its roots are planted in every place in the world. America can thank several countries for creating what the dance industry is today. Since America is a melting pot, it has blended movements from all over the world. This country accepts all cultures and invites new art. Textbooks do not expand on the importance of dance, but it not only played a role in early American society, but todays as well.
Fitness is an important and necessary part of life. It can decrease the likelihood of diseases, disorders, injuries, and several other sicknesses. It also contributes to a mentally healthier lifestyle. Exercise is an effortless and inexpensive way to stay healthy, yet individuals seem to still refuse to invest the time to improve their lifestyle.
Dance is an ancient human practice, however the earliest record of human dance remains a mystery. By
"Physical Activity and Public Health." Scholar Commons of South Carolina. American Heart Association, 2007. Web. 03 Apr. 2014.
The dances and movements of todays is influenced by the evolution of dance. Likewise, culture has played a significant role in dance. There are various reasons to dance, and dance is incorporated in numerous functions. For years, people have dance at weddings, religious ceremonies, professional, clubs, and just for fun. On the other hand, the dance forms have changed over time. Some of the same techniques and styles are common in today’s dancing, but still many changes. Each generation introduces something new to the industry of dance. Dance is an art that continues to grow. One of the great aspects of dance is taking a style of dance and adding your own personal flavor. In other words, dance is not a cut and dry art form. We will discuss hip hop, and Baltimore club dance. Seen at the hush party