• What is dance?
• Origin of the dance
• Dance characteristics
• Elements of dance
• Types of dances

We explain what dance is, its origin and characteristics. Also, what are its elements and the types of dances that exist.

There are different types of dances around the world.

What is dance?

Dance is a art that is based on corporal expression, generally accompanied by music. It is one of the most ancient forms of expression of thehuman being which may be for artistic, entertainment or religious purposes.

It is also called "the language of Body”And uses a sequence ofmovements body parts that rhythmically accompany the music. It is also understood as aexpression emotions, since, in some cases, the intention to communicate feelings is pursued through movements.

There are many dances around the world and in different culturesEach of them has its own rules and steps that must be respected for its execution and require training and the particular quality of each dancer. In addition, each dance is characterized by having its own clothing.

Origin of the dance

Pictorial records of dance were found at all times and in differentcontinents, although through the course ofweather its form, its meaning and meaning was modified.

In theprehistory It was danced to the beat of thesounds of thenature, which were later accompanied by clapping, the striking of the feet or sticks, which were later evolved into musical instruments. Finally the voice came up. These primitive dances were passionate and spontaneous, seeking to express feelings and states of mind.

The big ones ancient civilizationsLike Rome, Egypt and Greece, they used dance in rituals: deaths, weddings, receptions, dances to the divinities, among others.

See also:Theater

Dance characteristics

There are certain characteristics that identify the various types of dances. Some are:

• Choreography. It involves joining different body movements to form a dance that can be performed by one or more dancers and is usually created by a choreographer. Some dances have pre-established steps and others allow improvisation and creation of new steps.
• Clothing. It involves the use of a special wardrobe that is used by the dancers when performing the dance. The clothes and accessories that are used vary according to the type of dance, many dances are represented with their typical costumes, some are only used for representation in front of an audience.
• Training. It involves the study and practice of each dance, training is a fundamental piece to achieve a better execution of the pieces.
• Interpretation. It implies the particularities that each dancer contributes when dancing, although the choreography is the same, each individual will interpret it with their own nuances and styles.

Elements of dance

The main elements of all dance are:

• The Body. The dancer uses his body to express himself through movements that he performs with a single part of the body or with several at the same time.
• The space. It is the place where the dance takes place, the dancer interacts with the environment around him, can make small movements or move in various directions.
• The weather. It is the element that determines and guides the movements in dance. According to time, movements are identified according to their intensity, their speed or their duration.
• The action. They are all the movements that the dancer performs and that are part of his dance. It can include movements of the whole body, translations, facial gestures, among others.
• Energy. It is the element that determines the way in which the movement occurs, taking into account characteristics such as the use of force, tension or weight.

Types of dances

Classical dance comes from another era but is still performed today.

There are many types and genres of dances, they are generally classified as:

• Popular or folk dances. They are those that are based on the transmission of the traditional culture of a place. Express thevalues of a culture and the characteristics of itsenvironment: the weather, the fauna and flora. Some examples are: flamenco, tango, Arab dance or ballroom dancing.
• The classical dances. They are an inheritance from ancient times, mainly from the classical period of medieval antiquity, but which underwent changes through time until reaching our days. These dances are identified because those who perform themovements They do it taking into account harmonious and coordinated steps. For example: ballet dance.
• Modern dances. They are those that reflect a identity social that manifests itself in movements or clothing. For example: popping, funky, break dance, jumpstyle, hip hop, orRock And Roll.