PE(Folk Dances)

Folk dance

is a traditional dance that reflects the life, culture, and history of a community or nation.

Preserve culture

to keep traditional practices and stories alive.

Promote identity

to showcase Filipino heritage locally and internationally.

Develop skills

to improve rhythm, coordination, and physical fitness.

Build social interaction

to encourage teamwork and unity in the community.

Provide entertainment

to bring joy and expression through movement.

Alignment

correct placement of body parts to maintain balance and form.

Axel turn

a jump with a turn in the air where one leg crosses over the other.

Balance

ability to hold a position without falling.

Barre

the handrail used for warm-up exercises in ballet.

Beat

the basic pulse in music to which dancers move.

Chassé

a gliding step where one foot “chases” the other.

Contraction

tightening of the torso, often used in modern dance.

Extension

reaching or lengthening of the limbs or body.

Flex

to bend a joint, especially the foot (opposite of point).

Improvisation

freestyle or spontaneous movement without set choreography.

Isolation

moving one part of the body independently from the rest.

Leap

a jump from one foot to the other with the body suspended in the air.

Levels

The height of movement: high, medium, or low.

Pas de bourrée

A small, quick sequence of steps in ballet.

Plié

Bending of the knees (half-bend or full-bend).

Pivot

A turn where the body rotates on the ball of one foot.

Point

Extending the foot so toes stretch forward.

Relevé

Rising onto the balls of the feet or toes.

Rhythm

Pattern of beats and timing in dance.

Shimmy

Rapid shaking of the shoulders or hips.

Spotting

Focusing the eyes while turning to avoid dizziness.

Tempo

The speed of the music or dance.

Turnout

Outward rotation of the legs from the hips in ballet.

Warm-up

Preparatory movements before dancing to avoid injury.

Arms in lateral position

both arms are at shoulder level, extended sideward.

Arms in oblique position

arms raised diagonally upward at about 45°.

Arms in reverse T

arms extended sideward with elbows bent at a right angle.

Brush

lightly striking the floor with the ball, heel, or toe of the foot without weight transfer.

Clockwise

movement in the same direction as the hands of a clock.

Counterclockwise

movement opposite to the hands of a clock.

Cut step (cut)

quick displacement of one foot by the other, usually in a forward or backward direction.

Do-si-do

partners pass each other right shoulder to right shoulder, move back-to-back, then return to places passing left shoulder to left shoulder.

Draw

pulling the free foot along the supporting foot with or without weight.

Gallop

step-together-step movement, usually in a sideward direction.

Hayon-hayon

position where one arm is curved in front at chest level, while the other arm is raised overhead.

Hop

springing on one foot and landing on the same foot.

Jot

a spring from one foot to the other.

Jump

springing from one or two feet and landing on both feet.

Kumintang

moving the hand from the wrist in a small clockwise or counterclockwise motion.

Leap

springing from one foot and landing on the other foot.

Mazurka

a Polish-inspired step with a hop on the last beat (step-close-step-hop).

Pivot

to turn with the ball, heel, or whole foot while maintaining contact with the floor.

Polka

a lively step with a “step-close-step” pattern in 2/4 time.

Saludo

a bow of greeting or respect, usually with feet together and one hand holding the skirt or trousers.

Sarok

to cross one foot in front of the other while bending the body slightly forward and lowering the head.

Slide

gliding one foot along the floor without losing contact.

Step

transfer of weight from one foot to the other.

Touch step

pointing the foot lightly on the floor without transferring weight.

Turn

rotating the whole body around on the ball of the foot.

Waltz step

a 3/4 time step with a pattern of “step-close-step.”

Whirl

fast turn of the body on the ball of the foot.