1. What is dance?

2. According to webster’s (no you don’t need to write all of this)
Dance (noun) a series of rhythmic and patterned bodily movements usually performed to music.
Dance (verb) to move or seem to move up and down or about in a quick or lively manner.

3. Wikipedia says:
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting.

4. Those definitions are similar
Both mention movement.
Both mention the body.
Both mention rhythm.
Both mention music.

5. But they are also Different
Patterns
Quick or lively
Art form
Expression
Social Interaction
Spiritual
Webster’s Mentions:
Wikipedia Mentions:

6. Neither Definition is wrong, but neither is 100% Right Either
Dance can be “defined” many different ways. However it can be difficult to capture the depth and power of dance in just a few words.
One’s personal definition of dance can be directly linked to one’s personal feelings about it.
We will gain a deeper appreciation of dance by studying its components and its uses in society. Perhaps our definitions will change.

7. Our definitions of dance were all different, but hopefully we can agree that:
Dance is Movement of the Body, therefore it is extremely important to understand just how the body is capable (and not capable) of moving.

8. Understanding the parts of the body that create movement.
How do we move?
Understanding the parts of the body that create movement.

9. The Human Body (Start taking notes now)
The Human Body is a collection of complex systems that control and execute all of our bodily functions.
We are only concerned with a few … the ones that work to help us move.
The Nervous System
The Skeletal System
The Muscular System

10. The Nervous system Consists of
The Brain
The Spinal Cord
Nerves
Your Body’s communication system. Sends messages to all your other systems including messages to move.

11. The Skeletal System The Frame work of your body.
Comprised of over 200 bones.
When you are born you have around 300 bones but as you grow many of these fuse together.

12. Other parts that move
The spine (or backbone) consists of 33 irregularly shaped bones called vertebrae.
Fibrous cartilage between vertebrae called intervertebral discs act as shock absorbers and allow the back to move.
This is how you can bend at the waist and twist side to side to side.

13. The muscular system
Muscles are tissues in the body that are designed to contract.
There are three different types of muscles:
Skeletal Muscles
Cardiac Muscles
Smooth Muscles
Some muscles are involuntary-meaning they move on their own and you can not consciously control them.

14. These systems all work together to create movement
You decide to move.
The Brain sends a message to the appropriate body parts.
The muscles contract or relax causing the desired movement.
Muscles are connected to bone by tendons.
Bones are connected to each other by ligaments.
Bones only move at certain places called joints.

15. Different types of joints

16. Muscles and joints work better when they are warmed up.
Blood flow increases lowering stress on the heart.
Increased muscle temperature allows the muscles to contract more forcefully and relax more quickly.
Improved range of motion around joints.
Increased body temperature results in greater muscle elasticity.
Can improve endurance and conversion of carbohydrates and fatty acids into energy.
Warm ups are also an excellent way to focus your mind and energy for what you are about to do.

17. It is extremely important to warm up before you do any demanding exercise. This will help prevent injury!!!