This document outlines the key elements of dance, including space, timing, energy/force, and bodily shapes. It defines each element and provides examples. Specifically, it discusses the four aspects of space (direction, size, level, focus), varying tempo under timing, the six types of energy/force (sustained, percussive, vibratory, swinging, suspended, collapsing), symmetrical and asymmetrical bodily shapes, and group shapes arranged in different configurations.

1. Chapter 2
Elements of Dance
Mr. Anthony F. Balatar Jr.
Subject Instructor

2. Elements of Dance
•Space – this is the area the performers
occupy and where they move. It can be
divided into four different aspects, also
known as spatial elements.

3. Elements of Dance - Space
A. Direction – dance movements can travel in any
direction. The performers can go forward, side,
backward, diagonal, circular and so on. They may
also face any direction while executing a single
movement or several phrases.

4. Elements of Dance - Space
B. Size – movements can be varied by doing larger
or smaller actions.
C. Level – movements can be done in a high,
medium or low level.
D. Focus – performers may change their focus by
looking at different directions.

5. Elements of Dance
• Timing – it may be executed in varying tempo (speed).
Performers move with the tempo of an underlying
sound, known as the beat or pulse. It can be varied by
moving faster or slower than the normal beat. When a
sequence of a movement or group of phrases is done
in varying tempos and the addition of silences and
pauses, they generate rhythmic patterns.

6. Elements of Dance
•Energy or Force – it can either initiate or
stop an action. Dance uses different energies
and varied uses of these minimizes the
monotony of the movements in a
performance.

7. Elements of Dance – Energy or Force
A. Sustained – movements that are done
smoothly, continuously, and with flow and
control. It does not have a clear beginning and
ending.

8. Elements of Dance – Energy or Force
B. Percussive – movements are explosive or
sharp in contrast with sustained movements.
They are accented with thrust of energy. They
have a clear beginning and ending.

9. Elements of Dance – Energy or Force
C. Vibratory – movements consists of
trembling and shaking. A faster version of
percussive movements that produces jittery
effect.

10. Elements of Dance – Energy or Force
D. Swinging – movements trace a curve line or
an arc in space. The movements are relaxed and
giving in to gravity on the downward part of
the motion, followed by an upward application
of energy.

11. Elements of Dance – Energy or Force
E. Suspended – movements are perched in
space or hanging on air. Holding a raised leg in
any direction is an example of this movement.

12. Elements of Dance – Energy or Force
F. Collapsing – movements are released in
tension and gradually or abruptly giving in to
gravity, letting the body descend to the floor. A
slow collapse can be described as a melting or
oozing action in a downward direction.

13. Elements of Dance
Bodily Shapes – it refers to how the entire body is
molded in space or the configuration of body
parts. The body can be rounded, angular, or a
combination of two. Other body shapes can be
from wide to narrow and from high to low. They
can be symmetrical and asymmetrical.

14. Elements of Dance
Symmetrical – balanced shape, movements are
practically identical or similar on both sides.
Assymmetrical – unbalanced shape,
movements of two sides of the body do not
match or completely different from each other.

15. Elements of Dance
Group Shapes – in this element, a group of
dancers perform movements in different group
shapes. They are arranged in ways that are
wide, narrow, rounded, angular, symmetrical or
asymmetrical and are viewed together as a total
picture or arrangement within a picture frame.