PHYSICAL EDUCATION

AND HEALTH
Volume II
 UNIT I
Introduction to
Dance
 CHAPTER 2:
Elements of Dance
 Learning Objective
• To know and understand the
different elements of dance
What Are the Elements of Dance?
1. Space

2. Time

3. Energy

4. Bodily Shape

5. Group Shape
 The Spatial Elements
1. 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.

2. Size
Movements can be varied by doing larger or smaller
actions.
3. Level
Movements can be done in a high, medium, or low
level.
4. Focus
Performers may change their focus by looking at
different directions.
 Timing
 The movements in timing may be executed in varying
tempo (speed).
 Performers move with the tempo of an underlying
sound, known as beat or pulse.
 The timing 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, they generate rhythmic
patterns.
 The addition of silences or pauses also adds to
rhythmic patterns.
 Six Qualities of Dance Energies
1. Sustained
Movements are done smoothly, continuously, and with
flow and control. It does not have a clear beginning and
ending.
2. 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.
3. Vibratory
Movements consist of trembling or shaking—faster
version of percussive movements that produces a jittery
effect.
4. Swinging
Movements trace a curved 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.
5. Suspended
Movements are perched in space or hanging on air.
Holding a raised leg in any direction is an example of a
suspended movement.
6. 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.
 Bodily Shape
 Bodily shape 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 bodily shapes can be from wide to narrow

and from high to low.
 Bodily shapes can also either be symmetrical
or asymmetrical.
 Group Shape
 In this element, a group of dancers performs movements
in different group shapes.
 Members of the group 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.