Dance First Quarter - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, people, styles, components, injuries, and figures described in the Dance First Quarter notes.

Etymology of 'dance'

Dance comes from the German word damson, which means “to stretch” or “to drag.”

Definition of dance

An activity that can take many forms and is the art of body movement used for recreation, entertainment, education, therapy, and religion.

Prehistoric Dance

A major form of religious rituals and social expression; first used to communicate and worship; infused with superstition and magic.

Ancient Egypt

Believed to be among the first people to dance.

Ancient Crete

Used dance to perfect military training.

Ancient Greece

Greeks valued dance; it was closely linked with other experiences.

Ancient Rome

Dance became brutal and sensationalized and was condemned by early Christians.

Masque dancing

Intricate costumes and stage designs that included singing, acting, and dancing; often used as court entertainment.

Merengue dancing

Caribbean dance style with partners in a tango-like position moving their hips side to side.

Body as instrument

The body is the primary instrument of dance; dancers may use their entire bodies or just parts.

Locomotor movements

Movements that travel through space (e.g., walking, running, leaping, hopping, skipping, sliding, galloping).

Non-Locomotor movements

Movements that occur in one place (e.g., bending, twisting, stretching, swaying, shaking, balancing).

Action (in dance)

What the dancer does while dancing—whether rooted in one spot or moving across the floor or through the air.

Space (in dance)

Dancers move through space in varied levels, directions, and paths, regardless of the dance form.

Time (in dance)

Relates to rhythm; dances are choreographed to the meter of the music.

Energy (in dance)

The final element; describes how dancers move through space and time.

Ballroom Dance categories

Two categories: standard (smooth) and Latin (rhythm) dances.

Dance as a Physical Activity

Intentional rhythmical movements engaging various body parts to improve physical fitness and well-being.

Spiritual benefits of dance

Dance can express gratitude, joy, and praise and reflect faith, especially in liturgical or spiritual dances.

Physical benefits of dance

Strengthens the body, improves endurance, flexibility, and coordination; helps maintain healthy weight and reduces illness risk.

Intellectual benefits of dance

Develops mental focus, memory, and creativity; memorizing choreography challenges the brain and boosts critical thinking.

Emotional benefits of dance

A healthy outlet for feelings; reduces stress and helps regulate mood.

Social benefits of dance

Brings people together; teaches cooperation, respect, and teamwork.

Injury (dance context)

Damage or harm to the body’s tissues, muscles, bones, or joints caused by physical activity or accidents.

Dance injuries (general)

Injuries occur due to improper technique, overuse, accidents, or unsafe environments.

Ankle Sprain

Twisting your ankle while dancing.

Dancer’s Fracture

Hard impact or too much pressure on the foot.

Back Strain

Stretching too far or bending wrong.

ACL Tear

Twisting knee suddenly or landing wrong.

Forearm Fracture

Falling and using your hand to stop the fall.

Stress Fracture

Small cracks in bone from too much dancing.

Achilles Tendinosis

Overuse of the tendon at the back of the heel.

Knee Pain

Overuse or weak muscles around the knee.

Plantar Fasciitis

Too much pressure on the bottom of the foot.

Hip and Knee Joint Pain

Long-term wear and tear from repeated dancing.

Good health behaviors in dance

Practices to prevent injuries: warm-up and cool-down, proper technique and posture, adequate rest, hydration, proper shoes and clothing, listening to your body, and a safe practice environment.

Warm-up and Cool-down

Always prepare the body before dancing and relax muscles after.

Proper technique and posture

Learn the right way to perform dance moves to avoid injuries.

Enough rest and sleep

Allow the body to recover after dancing or practice.

Healthy eating and drinking water

Fuel the body with good food and stay hydrated.

Proper dance shoes and clothing

Wear shoes that support the feet and comfortable clothes for movement.

Listen to your body

Stop if you feel pain or discomfort and rest to avoid serious injuries.

Safe practice environment

Dance on proper floors; avoid slippery or uneven surfaces.

1st Position – Arms

Arms raised forward in a circle in front of the chest; fingertips about an inch apart.

1st Position – Heels

Heels close together; toes apart at about 45 degrees.

2nd Position – Raised sideward

Arms raised sideward with a graceful curve at shoulder level.

2nd Position – Astride

Sideward distance about a pace or one foot apart.

3rd Position – One arm raised sideward

One arm raised to the side; the other arm raised upward.

3rd Position – Heel close to in-step

Heel of one foot close to the in-step of the other.

4th Position – Raised arm

One arm raised in front of the chest in a half circle; the other arm overhead.

4th Position – Walk/Strike

Bring one foot in front of the other to walk or strike.

5th Position – Arms raised overhead

Both arms raised overhead.

5th Position – Heel close to front foot

Heel of the front foot close to the big toe of the rear foot.

Hip-Hop

Vernacular dance popularized in the late 1970s; originated in the Bronx; pillars include DJ-ing, breakdancing, graffiti art, and MC-ing.

Vernacular dance

Hip-hop culture term for dance performed in any available space (streets, parks, clubs, etc.).

Breaking/B-boying

Street dance style from the South Bronx with four movements: Top rock, Down rock, Freezes, and Power moves.

Top rock

Initial bodily movements in breaking/b-boying; establishes rhythm.

Down rock

Footwork and ground movements in breakdancing.

Freezes

End poses or pauses in breakdancing.

Power moves

Hard, energetic acrobatic moves in breakdancing.

Locking

Quick, exaggerated movements that “lock” into place, with pauses.

Popping

Muscle control and contraction/release to create a pop or hit effect.

Tutting

Upper-body dance using arms, hands, and wrists to form geometric shapes (right angles).

Shuffling

Fast heel-and-toe movements, including variations of the running man, with feet appearing to glide.

Krumping

Free, expressive, highly energetic dance with abrupt movements.

Waacking

African American street dance from the 1970s disco era; name derives from 'waack' meaning waving arms.

Francisca Reyes Aquino

First to conduct extensive research and documentation of Philippine folk dances; called the Mother of Philippine Folk Dance.

Cariñosa (Carinosa)

Philippine folk dance from Panay Islands; means “affectionate one”; originated during Spanish colonial era and spread with regional versions.

Cariñosa dance figures

A set of figures within Cariñosa, including Three Steps and Point, Pointing, Back-to-Back, Hide-and-Seek with Fan, Kneeling and Fanning, Hide-and-Seek with Handkerchief, Flirting with Handkerchief, and Flirting.

Three Steps and Point

First Cariñosa figure: right foot steps three times to the right; left foot in front; right hand in reverse “T” position; kumintang occurs when pointing with the right hand.

Pointing (Cariñosa figure)

Second Cariñosa figure: right foot steps forward and center; four touch steps in front; pass partner by right shoulder; turn to face and close.

Back-to-Back

Third Cariñosa figure: meet at center, turn to back-to-back, girl holds skirt, boy places hands on waist.

Hide-and-Seek with Fan

Fourth Cariñosa figure: girl holds and opens fan; partner looks at her from under the fan.

Kneeling and Fanning

Fifth Cariñosa figure: girl kneels; boy passes around to stand behind; hand positions with handkerchief or fan.

Hide-and-Seek with Handkerchief

Sixth Cariñosa figure: partners meet center; handkerchief held between them; dancers move the handkerchief up and down.

Flirting with Handkerchief

Seventh Cariñosa figure: partners turn shoulders; dance with handkerchief draped over shoulders while moving.

Flirting

Eighth Cariñosa figure: 16 waltz steps side-to-side with performance of the handkerchief.

Kumintang

A Cariñosa figure involving pointing with the right hand while the left foot advances; part of Cariñosa dance figures.