RHYTHIC ACTIVITIES

Rhythmic activities- are usually expressed as synchronized dancing with preplanned movements.

Purpose of Rhythmic Activities

Rhythmic activities are combinations of physical movements with sounds, beats, or music. Rhythmic activities rely on an
internal or external rhythm used for self-expression, exercise, demonstration of physical ability, socialization, and expression of
culture.

Rhythmic activities improve physical and mental health. Aside from increased physical confidence, rhythmic activities can also
improve mental functions because rhythm regulates the brain and prevents cognitive decline. It also boosts the chemicals in our
brain that support better memory and learning.

What are the five phases of rhythmic activity program?

Aerobics - a kind of exercise that merges rhythmic aerobic exercise and strength training exercise. ...
Break dancing - an athletic style of dance.
Gymnastics - a sport that needs balance, strength, flexibility, agility, coordination and endurance in order to execute.
Bending - a movement around a joint.
Stretching - muscles or tendons are flexed.
Examples of rhythmic activities

- Rhythmic activities are activities that people responds to physically, socially, and mentally to regular patterns of sound
- Rhythmic activities are movements that involved sounds, beats, or music that lead people to satisfy their needs for self-
expression
- Rhythmic activities are both internal and external rhythm (sound) used for exercise, demonstration of physical ability,
socialization, and expression of culture

DANCE
- move rhythmically to music, typically following a set sequence of steps
- Is a performing art form consisting of purposefully selected sequences of human movement. This movement
has aesthetic and symbolic value, and is acknowledged as dance by performers and observers within a
particular culture. Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography, by its repertoire of movements, or by
its historical period or place of origin
- Dance, the movement of the body in a rhythmic way, usually to music and within a given space, for the purpose of
expressing an idea or emotion, releasing energy, or simply taking delight in the movement itself.
- a series of movements that match the speed and rhythm of a piece of music

TYPES OF DANCE
1. Ballet 
- Tutus, pointe shoes and men in tights are what come to mind when someone mentions ballet. Yet Ballet is so much
more than that. Said to be the most difficult genre to master, ballet is a rigorous style of dance that is the foundation of
most forms of dance training. It is usually set, but not limited to, orchestrated music and is often the first dance style a
child will experience as they begin their dance classes. Ballet shoes are usually worn until the dancer's feet have
developed enough strength to progress into pointe shoes, often happens around the age of 12 and only after the students
have been given permission by their teacher. Ballet is an excellent teaching tool for all dancers as it is a complex
mixture of technique, coordination and musicality.

2. Tap 
- Tap is best described as "musical feet". Tap is a form of dance where dancers use their feet as percussive
instruments. Tap shoes are that are specially designed with percussive metal plates on the toe and heel, called taps.
There are many different styles of tap dancing however the two most noted are Rhythm Tap and Broadway Tap.
Rhythm Tap is more musically driven, where Broadway Tap is more dance and movement-oriented. Tap is great for
fostering rhythm in dancers, as it turns their feet into a musical instrument. 

3. Jazz
- Jazz is the most popular style of dance among dancers. Jazz combines all dance styles  in a high energetic dance that is
without conventional boundaries. It has been influenced by ballet, modern, tap, hip-hop, African dance and many more
styles. Jazz is most often accompanied by upbeat, currently popular songs. Jazz shoes typically have a leather split sole
which offers the dancers foot more freedom to bend and move. Due to the upbeat music, dramatic themes and cool
choreography, it isn’t hard to see why this is the most popular dance style!

4. Modern 
- Modern was said to be first created as a rebellion against classical ballet. A raw style of dance, modern dance is an
expression on the dancers' relationship to the floor, including methods of contractions, release and movement, as well
as the dancer's of breath. Modern dancers have a variety of shoes to choose from that allow freedom in the foot while
providing protection from the floor. Though its roots are in opposition to the seemingly oppressive rigour for classical
ballet, modern and ballet are closely linked in the complexity of technique, coordination and musicality.

5. Lyrical
- Though the basis of lyrical dance is ballet merged with jazz and modern. It is dynamic while simultaneously subtle,
and focuses on conveying feelings and emotions through movement. Set to popular songs that emphasize deeper
feeling and emotion, such as grief, longing, love and despair. Lyrical shoes provide protection for the dancer while
allowing them to feel the dance floor as much as possible. Though proper dance techniques are important, the true heart
of lyrical is found in its expressive nature.

6. Hip Hop
- Hip Hop is an edgy, raw and intense urban dance style also known as Street Dance. The origin of popping, locking and
crumping, Hip Hop is mostly danced to rap, urban and not surprisingly, hip hop music. Funky, high-top  dance
sneakers are normally worn by dancers. What sets Hip Hop apart from most dance genres is that its original street
dance was freestyle in nature and did not follow a predefined choreography. A style of dance that is open to personal
expression, Hip hop artists were free to interpret the dance in any way they could, and this lead to many innovative and
exciting dance styles.

7. Contemporary
- Contemporary dance embodies ballet, modern, jazz and lyrical. It uses a technique such as ballet as its fundamentals
and creates many more movements that do not adhere to the strict rules of ballet and modern. There are different
categories of contemporary dance such as Contemporary Ballet and Contemporary Jazz. Contemporary dance can be
danced to all types of music and in non-traditional costumes. Contemporary dancers often wear lyrical dance shoes, and
sometimes no shoes at all.

8. Highland Dancing
- Highland dance was developed in the Gaelic Highlands of Scotland and should not be confused with Scottish Country
Dancing. Highland dancing requires a lot of stamina, as well as arm and leg strength. Many people confuse Scottish
highland dance with Irish dance but, Highland dancing is from Scotland and is traditional, whereas, Irish dance is from
Ireland and is progressive. Shoes traditionally worn for both these types of dance are  Ghillies and are very similar but
slightly different.

9. Line Dancing
- Line Dancing is a social dance that is made up of a sequence of repeated steps and is traditionally associated with
country-western music. It is a solo dance that is danced in a straight line, a circle or in a “follow the leader” pattern.
Footwear is decided by the dancer and is if often cowboy boots for the men and heels for the women. Many women
choose to wear a Cuban heel shoe as it offers great support and is the perfect heel height for any age!

10. Irish Dancing