PATHFIT 3: Fundamental Dance Skills and Folk Dance

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental dance skills, basic positions, locomotor and non-locomotor movements, dance composition elements, and international/regional Philippine folk dances.

Posture

An essential foundational skill in dance where you keep your spine tall, shoulders relaxed, and core gently engaged to stay balanced.

Rhythm

An essential foundational skill where you listen to the music and find the main beat or snare before moving.

Weight Transfer

An essential foundational skill involving the smooth shifting of weight from one foot to the other.

The Two-Step

An easy beginner move where a dancer steps side to side on the beat, tapping their foot when touching down.

The Shoulder Lean

An easy beginner move where a dancer softens their knees and gently shifts their weight while leaning their shoulder to the beat.

The Grapevine

An easy beginner move where a dancer steps to the side, crosses a foot behind or in front, steps to the side again, and touches.

The Box Step

An easy beginner move where a dancer steps forward, out to the side, back, and together to trace a small square with their feet.

First Position (Arms)

A fundamental dance position where both arms are raised in a circle in front of the chest with the fingertips about an inch apart.

First Position (Feet)

A fundamental dance position where heels are close together and toes are apart at an angle of about 45 degrees.

Second Position (Arms)

A fundamental dance position where both arms are raised sideward with a graceful curve at shoulder level.

Second Position (Feet)

A fundamental dance position where feet are placed apart sideward at about a pace distance.

Third Position (Arms)

A fundamental dance position where one arm is raised in front as in second position, and the other arm is raised upward.

Third Position (Feet)

A fundamental dance position where the heel of one foot is close to the in-step of the other foot.

Fourth Position (Arms)

A fundamental dance position where one arm is raised in front as in first position and the other arm is raised overhead.

Fourth Position (Feet)

A fundamental dance position where one foot is placed in front of the other foot at a pace distance.

Fifth Position (Arms)

A fundamental dance position where both arms are raised overhead.

Fifth Position (Feet)

A fundamental dance position where the heel of the front foot is close to the big toe of the rear foot.

Locomotor Movement

Movement done by moving the body from one place to another.

Walking

A locomotor movement characterized by shifting weight continuously from one foot to the other with at least one foot on the ground at all times.

Running

A locomotor movement moving faster than walking with longer strides and a moment where both feet leave the ground.

Hopping

A locomotor movement involving springing off one foot and landing on that same foot.

Jumping

A locomotor movement executed by pushing off a surface with one or both feet and landing on both feet.

Leaping

A locomotor movement involving springing from one foot and landing on the opposite foot.

Galloping

A locomotor movement consisting of stepping forward with one foot and bringing the other foot to follow in an uneven rhythm.

Sliding

A locomotor movement where a dancer glides sideways or forward with one lead foot while the other foot follows.

Skipping

A locomotor movement that alternates a step and a hop on each foot in a light, bouncing rhythm.

Non-Locomotor Movement (Axial Movement)

Movements that do not involve traveling from one place to another.

Body (Dance Composition Element)

The instrument of dance that dancers use in its entirety—including the torso, limbs, head, and face—to communicate ideas and feelings.

Action (Dance Composition Element)

Any human movement inside a dance, encompassing both locomotor movements and non-locomotor (axial) movements.

Space (Dance Composition Element)

Where the body moves, which involves direction, level, size, and pathways.

Time (Dance Composition Element)

How movement is organized in duration and rhythm, including tempo, beat, duration, and stillness.

Energy / Force (Dance Composition Element)

How movement is executed, describing the release of weight, attack, and dynamics ranging from sharp and percussive to smooth and sustained.

Folk Dance

A traditional dance that reflects the everyday life, customs, and culture of common people in a specific country or region.

Polka

A fast, lively couple's dance from the Czech Republic that spread from village traditions to popularity worldwide.

Square Dance

A social dance originating in England/USA where four pairs arrange themselves in a square and follow rhythmic calls.

Rural and Community Dances

Dances that capture the cheerful spirit, daily works, and festive celebrations of people living in agricultural and coastal barrios in the Philippines.

Tinikling

A famous traditional Philippine dance where performers step skillfully between fast moving bamboo poles, mimicking local birds dodging traps in rice fields.

Maglalatik

An energetic mock-war dance from Laguna where male performers use coconut shells strapped to their bodies to depict a fight over coconut meat.

Pandanggo sa Ilaw

A graceful display of balance from Lubang Island where performers skillfully juggle lighted oil lamps on their heads and palms.

Regional Dance Traditions

Traditional performance art forms passed down through generations that reflect the specific history, values, and environment of a distinct geographic area or ethnic group.

Banga

A traditional performance from the Kalinga tribe of the Cordillera region in the Philippines that depicts women gracefully balancing heavy stacked clay pots on their heads.

Bendian

A traditional circle dance of the Ibaloi and Kankanaey people of Benguet in the Cordillera region, symbolizing community unity, harmony, and strength.

Carinosa

A traditional dance originating on Panay Island in the Visayas Region with roots in the Spanish Colonial era, portraying a playful and affectionate courtship between a man and a woman.

Singkil

A royal dance of the Maranao people from the Lake Lanao Region in Mindanao, referring to the golden bell anklet worn by the Princess to show her royal status.

Pangalay

A traditional, pre-colonial fingernail dance from the Tausug people of the Sulu Archipelago, characterized by slow, flowing, and hypnotic hand and arm movements; also known as Igal or Umaral.