Activity: 4 pics 1 word

If you know the answer, just comment it into

the chat box.
Set no. 1
Five letter word
Couple, Dancing, Leg, Salsa

Answer: TANGO
Set no. 2: Eight Letter word
Answer: Ballroom
Lesson III: INTRODUCTION
TO BALLROOM DANCE
BALLROOM DANCE
Objectives

At the end of this chapter, the students are expected to:

1. Define and discuss the meaning of ballroom dance.
2. Appreciate and analyse the benefits of ballroom dance into one’s life.
3. Understand the principles underlying leading and following in ballroom
dancing.
4. Differentiate and classify the characteristics of different styles of ballroom
dance.
 Ballroom Dance defines

 as a variety of social dances performed by couples in which there is a conventional pattern of steps.
 also known as social dance because it encourages social interaction between dance
partners.

the term 'ballroom dancing' is derived from the word ball, which in turn originates
from the Latin word ballare which means 'to dance' (a ballroom being a large room
specially designed for such dances). In times past, ballroom dancing was social
dancing for the privileged, leaving folk dancing for the lower classes.
 Benefits of Ballroom Dancing

 1. Ballroom Dance is a great workout.

a. Burn Fat / Lose Weight / Increase Metabolism. Ballroom dancing is a low-impact aerobic activity
that burns fat and can boost your metabolism. In just thirty minutes of dance, you can burn between
200-400 calories – that’s roughly the same amount as running or cycling! Burning an extra 300
calories a day can help you lose between 1⁄2-1 pound a week (and THAT can add up quickly). In fact,
a study in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology found that dance as exercise is just as effective
for weight loss as cycling and jogging. Dance training is also an excellent form of maintenance
exercise, to stay healthy and toned once you’ve reached your goal weight. And since ballroom dance is
so much fun, you’re getting these benefits without feeling like you’re working out!
 b. Increase Flexibility. A reputable ballroom dance class will typically begin with a few stretching
exercises, to get you prepped to execute dance steps with comfort & ease, and to protect against dance-
related injury. Beginner dancers especially will notice that the more you dance, the more flexibility and
range of motion your body develops. Increased flexibility will help your dance abilities, decrease joint
pain and muscle soreness after exercise, and improve core strength and balance. Yoga and ballet
stretches can be extremely beneficial as pre-ballroom dance warm-ups, but be sure to talk with your
Fred Astaire Dance Studios instructor about a recommended warm-up regimen.
 c. Increase Muscle Strength & Endurance. Ballroom dancing contributes to the build- up of muscle
strength because the act of dancing forces a dancer’s muscles to resist against their own body weight.
The use of quick steps, lifts, twists and turns, will help you develop more muscle strength in your
arms, legs and core as your lessons continue. Endurance (in this context) is the capability of your
muscles to work harder and longer without succumbing to fatigue. Ballroom dancing as exercise is
particularly effective at building up your endurance – so as you work on your dance steps, you are
conditioning your muscles to perform these feats with less and less fatigue. And the added benefit is
that you’ll look and feel strong, toned and sexy
 d. Great for All Ages. Ballroom dance is a fun activity for everyone – from
children to senior citizens, which is another reason it’s such an effective
form of exercise. At Fred Astaire Dance Studios, we work with students of
all age groups, physical abilities and skill levels – and will create a custom
dance program that’s comfortable yet challenging, and will help you attain
your dance AND exercise goals.
 2. Physical Health

 Ballroom dance can decrease blood pressure and cholesterol, improve cardiovascular health, strengthen weight-
bearing bones, help prevent or slow bone loss related to osteoporosis, lower the risks of obesity and Type 2
Diabetes, and promote increased lung capacity. It can help speed up recovery after orthopedic surgery since it’s a
lower impact exercise than jogging or biking. The posture and fast movements required in ballroom dance help
enhance balance and stability, especially among older people (which can help prevent falls and stumbles).
Ballroom dance can even help sharpen your intellectual and mental abilities. A New England Journal of Medicine
report looked at adults for 21 years, and found that dance was one of the only activities that improved both
cardiovascular fitness and reduced the risk of cognitive impairments like dementia. To reap the full body-
conditioning benefits of ballroom dance, dance for at least 30 minutes, four days a week.
 3. Mental Health

 Research has found that ballroom dancing improves mental acuity throughout a dancer’s life – and that there are
also substantial benefits to those who start ballroom dance as adults. Ballroom dancing can help enhance memory,
alertness, awareness, focus, and concentration. It can prevent the onset of dementia and significantly improve
spatial memory in elderly patients. Participating in an activity like ballroom dance helps create more intricate
neural pathways, which can ward off weakening synapses that often come with old age. Among younger dancers,
the results can also be significant. Swedish researchers studying teenaged girls with stress, anxiety and depression
saw a decrease in anxiety and stress levels among those who took up partner dancing. They also saw marked
improvement in mental health and patients reported being happier than those who did not participate in dancing.
Partner dancing can also decrease loneliness among all age groups, because it’s a goal-oriented social activity that
brings like- minded people together.
 4. Confidence

 Every opportunity to dance – whether during a lesson or a social event, whether with
your significant other or a new dance partner – will help improve your comfort level,
confidence and communication skills on the dance floor. As your dance technique
improves and you feel more at ease with other people, your sense of accomplishment,
motivation and confidence will continue to increase. And even better... you will
notice these new attributes taking root in other areas of your life as well.
 5. Self- Expression and Creativity

 Dancing comes naturally to people, and it’s an easy activity for anyone to partake in.
Dance provides an emotional outlet to express your feelings through body movements,
with passion and flair. Ballroom dancing can be a wonderful creative outlet to enhance
your ability to permanently use these expressive qualities even when you are not
dancing, and to share that creativity with others. After only a few lessons, you will
start to find yourself moving more and more seamlessly through your dance steps,
while you get lost in the music. You will unlock a beautiful rhythm your body may
have been hiding. It can also help with your motivation and energy.
 6. Stress and Depression

 In today’s fast-paced world, we sometimes forget to take a moment for ourselves.

Dance lessons provide an enjoyable escape from your normal daily routine, plus a
chance to relax, relieve stress, and concentrate just on yourself. Our students often tell
us that even if they’re “not feeling it” when they arrive for a lesson, once they stretch
and start dancing, they’re able to forget about the day’s triggers, simply b-r-e-a-t-h-e
and let the dance take over. There’s also a growing body of evidence to indicate that
dancing has a positive effect on the treatment and prevention of depression
• Group activities such as ballroom dance lessons can expand your sense of social
“connectedness”, which is beneficial to lowering stress and depression levels
• Ballroom dance is similar to the practice of mindful meditation (which has been shown
to significantly reduce levels of depression and stress) in that it requires you to fully focus
your attention, and be present in the moment. This meditative state can help you “switch
off” the negative thought patterns associated with depression or stress. For those who are
not interested in traditional meditative practices, ballroom dance can be a great way to
reap the same benefits.
• The physical act of dancing releases endorphins, and lowers the levels
of stress hormones in our bodies. This produces a sense of alert calm,
and improves mood and energy levels

• Ballroom dance as anxiety or depression treatment is more likely to be

voluntarily continued by participants than some traditional forms of
therapy, which can further increases its effectiveness.
 7. Social Fun & Friendship

 One of the best aspects of ballroom dancing is its ability to bring people together. Ballroom dance
lessons offer you a great opportunity to expand your social circle, build connections and engage with
people in a low-pressure environment, where there are no expectations. It’s perfect for younger singles
who want to step up their dating game, couples looking to reconnect, and for adults interested in
discovering something new and inspiring, just for them. Learning to dance does take focus and
dedication, but you will be surrounded and encouraged by artistic, positive and cheerful people who
make learning enjoyable and rewarding. In group lessons, weekly practice parties, regional and national
competitions and studio events and outings, you’ll meet a melting pot of people of all ages, with varied
cultural and occupational backgrounds. And the best part? Since they all share your passion for dance,
these meetings often transition into lasting friendships.
 Ballroom Dance Styles

 Ballroom dance is enjoyable both socially and competitively worldwide. It also refers to a set of partner dancers,
which originated in the Western world. The International style contains two categories: International Latin and
International Standard, each of these sub-categories contain five different dances. The specific categories are as
follows; Standard, Latin and Club dances or Freestyle dance.
 Standard (ballroom) dance are elegant and have strong emphasis on posture, more formal than Latin Dances. They
are generally dance in a closed position. It consists of the following dances such as: Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot, Tango,
and Viennese waltz.
On the other hand, Latin style prepared for hot, flashy movements, sexy poses and fire-consuming passion. Latin
dances are generally faster-paced, more sensual and have more rhythmic expression. Latin dances such as: Cha-cha-
cha, Mambo, Rumba, Samba, Jive, Paso Doble.
Club dances include: Swing, Line dance, Salsa and Merengue.
To give an overview in the styles of ballroom dance, the following table shows the characteristics of each ballroom
dance.
STANDARD
DANCES  Waltz is one of the smoothest
ballroom dance. It is a progressive
dance marked by long, flowing
movements, continuous turns, and
"rise and fall." The dance is so
graceful and elegant; Waltz dancers
appear to glide around the floor with
almost no effort.
Tango  is one of the most fascinating of
all ballroom dance. This sensual
ballroom dance originated in
South America in the early
twentieth century.
  is a quick version of the Foxtrot.
Quickstep It is a ballroom dance comprised
of extremely quick stepping,
syncopated feet rhythms, and
runs of quick steps. The
Quickstep is exciting to watch,
but among the most difficult of
all the ballroom dance
  isa smooth dance in which
Foxtrot
dancers make long, flowing
movements across the floor.
Foxtrot has lots of fun and
simple to learn an excellent
dance for beginners.
 LATIN
 Cha cha cha is a lively,
DANCES
flirtatious ballroom dance full of
passion and energy. The classic
"Cuban motion" gives the Cha
cha cha its unique style. Partners
work together to synchronize
each movement in perfect
alignment.
  is an American dance that evolved
Jive from a dance called the Jitterbug by
removing the lifts and acrobatic
elements. Dancers use a more bouncy
type movement using the balls of the
feet. A lot of kicks are used in jive.
Jive is a very fast, energy-consuming
dance. 
  is considered by many to be the most
romantic and sensual of all Latin
Rumba  ballroom dance. It is often referred to
as the "Grandfather of the Latin
dances." A moderately slow Latin
dance with plenty of wraps, under
arm turns and a truck load of
flirtation.  It is often called as the
“Dance of Love”.
  ispopular with young
Samba people as well as older
generations. Samba can be
performed solo or with a
partner. Possibly the most
popular of all Brazilian
ballroom dance.
 is one of the liveliest
Paso Doble  ballroom dance,
originating in southern
France. It is modelled
after the sound, drama,
and movement of the
Spanish bullfight.
CLUB DANCES  Swing dance is a lively style of
social dancing in which a dancer
often lifts, spins and flips his or
her partner. Considered both hip
and cool, swing dancing is a
favorite among social dancers of
all ages.
  is a very energetic Latin dance,
Salsa with spins, sharp movement,
and crisp turns, very popular in
Latin clubs along with
merengue.  A style varies
depending on where you are
from. This dance is also similar
to Mambo
 isa fast Latin dance that
Merengue
never slows down. It’s
very easy to learn and
often refer to this dance
as the “marching with
style”.