Modern Dance, nature and characteristics, Proper posture, dance related Injuries, Guidelines to reduce risk and injuries, proper etiquette and safety in dancing, fundamental movements

1. Physical Education and Health 3
MODERN
DANCE

2. Brief History
Modern dance developed independently in America and
Germany. It was then known in Germany as Ausdruckstanz,
meaning expressive dance. Modern dance, a term to describe
contemporary dance, is a style of dancing where dancers are
free to express their feelings through movements without
adhering to any rules in dance particularly that of ballet. It is a
dance style that rejects many of the strict rules of classical
ballet, focusing instead on the expression of inner feelings. At
the beginning of the 20th century, a group of pioneering
dancers started creating a new movement that suited the
tempo and pulse of the new century…

3. Brief History
…The pioneering artists were Isadora Duncan, Ruth
St. Denis, and Ted Shawn. All of them studied ballet
but found it not suitable to their temperament and
movement style. They also found it confining and
rejected it. Duncan’s style of dancing emanates from
the center of the body where energy flow outward,
providing impulses for actions. Her aim was to create
the classical ideals of the ancient Greeks through her
dancing, putting less emphasis on theatrical effects
and focus in pure movement and the use of the body…

4. Brief History
…ballet, dancers of modern dance use their
own interpretations instead of structured
steps. They thrust aside classical ballet
stance of an upright, erect body, and instead
often opt for deliberate falls to the floor.
Beauty and ethereal qualities of the human
situation is what is mostly being emphasized
in ballet, while modern dance portrays the
actual human situation as it is.

5. Nature and Characteristics:
 Dancers are barefoot, often work with feet and
legs parallel, have flexible torso, and use weight
and gravity to create movements and shapes.
The choreography uses all level and points in
space, including the floor.
Dancers may be placed sideways or even with
backs turned to the audience.

6. Nature and Characteristics:
 Explore the body in action, and give attention to
choreographic materials that mirror social affairs with
potential for movement from contemporary life.
 Uses minimal prop designs and costumes.
 Movement are spontaneous performed by dancers
in response to suggestions by the choreographer,
thus allows considerable freedom to the dancer.

7. Fundamentals Movements

8. Fundamentals Movements

9. Fundamentals Movements

10. Fundamental Movements

11. Fundamentals Movements

12. Fundamentals Movements

13. Fundamentals Movements

14. Fundamentals Movements

15. Fundamentals Movements

16. Fundamentals Movements

17. Safety in Dancing
Dance may look effortless, but it requires a lot of
strength, flexibility and stamina. It also comes with a
high risk of injuries. Whether you are a dancer, the
parent of a dancer or a dance teacher, you should be
aware of the most common dance injuries and learn
how to avoid them. Dance is a physically demanding
activity. Dancers perform repetitive movements for
several hours a day. Studies have shown that dancing
five hours a day or longer leads to an increased risk of
stress fractures and other injuries. The following are to
be considered in order to promote safety in dancing:

18. Proper Posture
Good posture is vital for control, safety, and
expression. Poor posture or alignment of one part
ricochets throughout the rest of the body. The correct
postural line runs from the ear lobe, the center of the
shoulder and hip, in front of the ankle, and down
through the foot. The shoulders, hips, and knees
should be on the same level along the imaginary line.
Dance programs usually emphasize the importance of
core stability and body awareness. However, having
improper posture while dancing may cause problems in
the future and lead to some chronic injuries.

19. The following faulty alignment in
training must be avoided:
1. weight too far back,
2. failing to turn out from the hips,
3. twisted hips,
4. feet overturning/rolling, and
5. misuse of muscle groups.

20. Knowing Dance-Related Injuries
There are two types of musculoskeletal
injuries: acute and chronic. Acute injuries
occur when the mechanical force that is
absorbed by the musculoskeletal structure is
more than what it is accustomed to. Chronic
injuries occur due to repetitive trauma and
the body is not given enough time to
recover.

21. Knowing Dance-Related Injuries

22. Knowing Dance-Related Injuries

23. Follow these guidelines to reduce your risk
of injury:
1. Warm up thoroughly before you start dancing
and include stretches.
2. Make sure that you are using the correct
posture or technique.
3. Eat well and stay hydrated before, during and
after dancing.
4. Get enough rest and avoid overtraining

24. Proper Etiquette and Safety in the Use of
Facilities and Equipment
1. Take care in using dancing facilities and equipment. It is in
good form to handle them with care and use them solely on
their purpose. This is to prevent having them misplaced, stolen
or become unnecessary in the training area than can cause
accidents.
2. Only use dancing equipment that you already know how to
use and do not leave or pass on equipment that is in complete
disarray or dirty.
3. Be alert and aware in the dancing/training area.

25. Proper Etiquette and Safety in the Use of
Facilities and Equipment
4. In performing exercises and movement in general,
practice good form first.
5. Bring back all equipment in place after use.
6. Do not hug the equipment.
7. Return the dancing equipment properly or leave the
dance venue clean. Doing exercises in improper form
deficit it's benefits. Do not monopolize the equipment.
Allow everyone a fair use of the facilities.

26. Proper Etiquette and Safety in the Use of
Facilities and Equipment
8. Practice proper hygiene and care. Take a bath or a
deodorant if needed. Do not force yourself to engage in
physical activity if you are feeling sick.
9. Move on the double; do not loiter around the venue
or hang on the equipment doing nothing. Do not handle
it until such time the teacher/facilitator gives instructions
on how to operate the said equipment. You could break
the equipment or cause harm to yourself or others.
10. Be nice, as a general rule!