At the end of the lesson, the learners are able to:

• explain the importance of fundamental dance movements; and,

• execute the movements correctly and with poise and grace.

To appreciate dancing, one should learn the basic dance positions first.  The position of your arms and feet and correct posture are important to make dancing more meaningful and enjoyable.

BASIC DANCE STEPS in 2/4 time signature.  

FITNESS CONCEPTS

1.  Cardiovascular Endurance - Dancing to these time signatures requires sustained movement and energy, which helps improve cardiovascular endurance over time.

2. Coordination - Coorddinating movements to match the rhythm and timing of the music enhances motor skills and overall coordination.

3. Strength and Flexibility - Many dance steps involve various muscle groups, promoting strength development, while the stretching and bending motions improve flexibility.

4. Balance and Stability - Executing dance steps in time with the music requires balance and stability, which can be improved with practice.

5. Rhythm and Timing - Learning to synchronize movements with the beat of the music enhances rhythm and timing skills, which are essential for overall fitness and performance in various physical activities.

6. Endurance and Stamina - Continuously dancing through the sequences in 2/4 time signature builds endurance and stamina, fostering overall physical fitness.

ELEMENTS OF DANCE

1. Body - Understanding how to use different parts of the body, such as the arms, legs, torso, and head, to express movement and emotion.

2. Action - Executing movements - the physical motions and gestures performed by the dancer.  These actions can include a wide range of movements such as walking, running, jumping, leaping, turning, bending, stretching, and gesturing, among others.  Actions are fundamental to dance, as they are the building blocks used to create choreography, express emotions, and convey meaning through movement.

3. Space - Exploring the use of space around you, including levels (high, medium, low), pathways (straight, curved), and directions (forward, backward, sideways).

4. Time - Learning to move in accordance with the rhythm and tempo of the music, including understanding different time signature.

5. Energy - Expressing movement with varying levels of energy, such as sharp, smooth, strong, light, and sustained.