UNIT I: OVERVIEW

UNIT I: OVERVIEW

Ballroom dance is enjoyable both socially and competitively

worldwide. It also refers to a set of partner dancers, which

originated in the Western world. Because of

its performance and entertainment aspects, ballroom dance is

also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television. Ballroom dance may refer, at its

widest definition, to almost any recreational dance with a partner. However, with

the emergence of dance competition known as Dance Sports the term is used more

narrowly to refer to the dances recognized by the schools and the community.

Acquire New Knowledge

Here is your lesson – Read and learn.

Lesson 1: MEANINGS/CONCEPTS

Ballroom dancing is a partnership dance where couples, using step-patterns,

move rhythmically, expressing the characteristics of music. Ballroom dancing

consists of two styles: the Smooth, or Standard, and the Rhythm, or Latin. The

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Smooth, Standard style focuses on the elegance, grace and fluidity of movement.

Dancers rotate in a counter-clockwise direction, moving around the entire floor.

The couple is constantly moving on the dance floor, transitioning from one place

to the next in a fixed pattern. The Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz and

Quickstep are danced in this manner.

It is performed in various contexts, including invitational and public dance

events, professional dance exhibitions, and formal competitions.

The International School, originally developed in England and now regulated by

the World Dance Council (WDC) and the World Dance Sport Federation (WDSF), is

most prevalent in Europe. It encompasses two categories, Standard and Latin, each

of which consist of five dances—International Waltz, International Tango,

International Viennese Waltz, International Slow Foxtrot, and International

Quickstep in the Standard category and International Samba, International Cha Cha,

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International Rumba, International Paso Doble, and International Jive in the Latin

category. A "Standard" or "Latin" competition encompasses all five dances in the

respective category, and a "Ten Dance" competition encompasses all ten dances.

The two styles, while differing in technique, rhythm, and costumes, exemplify core

elements of ballroom dancing such as control and cohesiveness.

The American School, also called North American School, is most prevalent in

the United States and Canada, where it's regulated by USA Dance and Canada

Dance sport (CDS) -- the respective national member bodies of the WDSF. It also

consists of two categories analogous to the Standard and Latin categories of the

International School, respectively called Smooth and Rhythm. The Smooth category

consists of only four dances—American Waltz, American Tango, American Foxtrot,

and American Viennese Waltz, omitting American Peabody (the American School

equivalent to Quickstep) -- while the dances selected for competition in the Rhythm

category are American Cha Cha, American Rumba, American East Coast Swing (the

American School equivalent to International Jive), American Bolero, and American

Mambo. A "Smooth" or "Rhythm" competition encompasses the dances in the

respective category, and a "Nine Dance" competition encompassing all nine of these

dances is analogous to the "Ten Dance" competition of the International School.

USA Dance additionally recognizes American Peabody, American Merengue,

American Paso Doble, American Samba, American West Coast Swing, American

Polka, and American Hustle as ballroom dances in which sanctioned competition

may take place.

Note that dances of the two schools that bear the same name may differ

considerably in permitted patterns (figures), technique, and styling.

Exhibitions and social situations that feature ballroom dancing also may include

additional partner dances such as Lindy Hop, Night Club Two Step, Night Club Swing,

Bachata, Country Two Step, and regional (local or national) favorites that normally

are not regarded as part of the ballroom family, and a number of historical dances

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also may be danced in ballrooms or salons. Additionally, some sources regard

Sequence Dancing, in pairs or other formations, to be a style of ballroom dance.

WATCH & LEARN MORE: What is Ballroom Dancing? An Overview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8jvV8Bsgqk

Lesson 2: HISTORY

The social origin of ballroom dance lies in the European court dances of the 17th

and 18th centuries, although many of the dance steps were adapted from folk

traditions. Initially, court dances were performed facing the throne, a practice

known as “fronting the state,” because it was unacceptable to turn one’s back on a

ruler. As court etiquette relaxed in the 19th century, however, dancers were

required to face the ruler only on the most formal occasions or when they were

being presented to the court. Otherwise participants danced in circles or squares

throughout the ballroom.

WATCH & LEARN MORE: Court Dance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRTVoN95miM

A. Early modern period

The first authoritative knowledge of the earliest ballroom dances was recorded

toward the end of the 16th century, when Jehan Tabourot, under the pen name

"Thoinot-Arbeau", published in 1588 his Orchésographie, a study of late 16th-

century French renaissance social dance. Among the dances described were the

solemn basse danse, the livelier branle, pavane, and

the galliarde which Shakespeare called the "cinq pace" as it was made of five steps.

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In 1650 the Minuet, originally a peasant dance of Poitou, was introduced into

Paris and set to music by Jean-Baptiste Lully and danced by the King Louis XIV in

public. The Minuet dominated the ballroom from that time until the close of the

18th century.

Toward the latter half of the 16th century, Louis XIV founded his 'Académie

Royale de Musique et de Danse', where specific rules for the execution of every

dance and the "five positions" of the feet were formulated for the first time by

members of the Académie. Eventually, the first definite cleavage between ballet and

ballroom came when professional dancers appeared in the ballets, and the ballets

left the Court and went to the stage. Ballet technique such as the turned

out positions of the feet, however, lingered for over two centuries and past the end

of the Victoria era.

B. 19th century

The waltz with its modern hold took root in England in about 1812; in 1819 Carl

Maria von Weber wrote Invitation to the Dance, which marked the adoption of the

waltz form into the sphere of absolute music. The dance was initially met with

tremendous opposition due to the semblance of impropriety associated with the

closed hold, though the stance gradually softened. In the 1840s several new dances

made their appearance in the ballroom, including the polka, mazurka, and

the Schottische. In the meantime a strong tendency emerged to drop all 'decorative'

steps such as entrechats and ronds de jambes that had found a place in the

Quadrilles and other dances.

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C. Early 20th century

Modern ballroom dance has its roots early in the 20th century, when several

different things happened more or less at the same time. The first was a movement

away from the sequence dances towards dances where the couples moved

independently. This had been pre-figured by the waltz, which had already made this

transition. The second was a wave of popular music, such as jazz. Since dance is to a

large extent tied to music, this led to a burst of newly invented dances. There were

many dance crazes in the period 1910–1930.

The third event was a concerted effort to transform some of the dance

crazes into dances which could be taught to a wider dance public in the U.S. and

Europe. Here Vernon and Irene Castle were important, and so was a generation of

English dancers in the 1920s, including Josephine Bradley and Victor Silvester. These

professionals analysed, codified, published, and taught a number of standard

dances. It was essential, if popular dance was to flourish, for dancers to have some

basic movements they could confidently perform with any partner they might meet.

Here the huge Arthur Murray organization in America, and the dance societies in

England, such as the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, were highly influential.

Finally, much of this happened during and after a period of World War, and the

effect of such a conflict in dissolving older social customs was considerable.

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The Imperial Society of Teachers of

Dancing (ISTD) is an international dance

teaching and examination board based

in London, England. The registered

educational charity, which was

established on 25 July 1904 as

the Imperial Society of Dance Teachers,

provides training and examinations in a

range of dance styles and certified

dance teacher courses.

The ISTD is recognised by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and

the Council for Dance Education and Training and is also a member of the British

Dance Council. It hosts various competitions in many different formats

including Modern Ballroom, Latin American, Classical Ballet and Tap Dance as well

as contemporary styles like Disco Freestyle.

Later, in the 1930s, the on-screen dance pairing of Fred Astaire and Ginger

Rogers influenced all forms of dance in the U.S. and elsewhere. Although both

actors had separate careers, their filmed dance sequences together, which included

portrayals of the Castles, have reached iconic status. Much of Astaire and Rogers'

work portrayed social dancing, although the performances were highly

choreographed (often by Astaire or Hermes Pan) and meticulously staged and

rehearsed.

WATCH & LEARN MORE: ISTD Performances

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoIChTYZ5RE

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Lesson 3: BALLROOM DANCING IN THE PHILIPPINES

Dancing is one of the ancient activities that has been brought down to

generations and is a reflection of the past of development and transformation.

Later on, restrictions between high classes and lower classes were gone,

changing the ballrooms across Europe into places where both traditional

dances and stylish dances can be performed. In centuries, ballroom dance has

been utilized for dating, workout, and competition. Advancement of the

ballroom dance is a creation of ethnicities, combined societies and ceremonies

like in wedding rituals. Ballroom dance has developed to be far greater than just a

simple dance. It has turn into a basis of cultural identity. Different types of ballroom

dance have been selected to maintain music and culture.

The dance signifies a mixture of both modern and general

influences. With its various variations practiced throughout the globe,

ballroom dance continuous to be one of the most influential global dances. For

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centuries, dancing in the Philippines has been an important part in Filipino

customs and traditions. It has been a part long before Ferdinand Magellan

discovered the Philippines in the year 1521. Many of the dances have been

handed down through the generations. They danced in showing a

celebration after they have won a battle, during commemorations, doing

ceremonies such as wedding, or showing the love of nature and gratitude to

gods. The customary dances of the Filipinos are energetic and interesting,

catching the history of the archipelago. Nevertheless, the dance had

transformed from traditional into a European dance. During this period,

Filipinos figured out some Western dances like Polka, Waltz, and other forms

of quadrilles which became the standard dances in social occasion.

WATCH & LEARN MORE: 1950s Ballroom Dancing in the

Philippines

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VR8WUF7hDs

Lesson 4: COMPETITIVE DANCING

Competitions, sometimes referred to as dances Sport, range from world

championships, regulated by the World Dance Council (WDC), to less advanced

dancers at various proficiency levels. Most competitions are divided into

professional and amateur, though in the USA pro-am competitions typically

accompany professional competitions.

The International Olympic Committee now recognizes competitive ballroom

dance. It has recognized another body, the World Dance Sport Federation (WDSF),

as the sole representative body for dance sport in the Olympic Games.

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However, it seems doubtful that dance will be included in the Olympic Games,

especially in light of efforts to reduce the number of participating sports.

Ballroom dance competitions are regulated by each country in its own way.

There are about 30 countries which compete regularly in international competitions.

There are another 20 or so countries which have membership of the WDC and/or

the WDSF, but whose dancers rarely appear in international competitions. In Britain

there is the British Dance Council, which grants national and regional championship

titles, such as the British Ballroom Championships, the British Sequence

Championships and the United Kingdom Championships. In the United States, the

member branches of the WDC (National Dance Council of America) and the WDSF

(USA Dance) both grant national and regional championship titles.

Ballroom dancing competitions in the former USSR also included the Soviet

Ballroom dances, or Soviet Programme. Australian New Vogue is danced both

competitively and socially. In competition, there are 15 recognized New Vogue

dances, which are performed by the competitors in sequence. These dance forms

are not recognized internationally, neither are the US variations such as American

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Smooth, and Rhythm. Such variations in dance and competition methods are

attempts to meets perceived needs in the local market-place.

Internationally, the Blackpool Dance Festival, hosted annually at Blackpool,

England is considered the most prestigious event a dance Sport competitor can

attend. Formation dance is another style of competitive dance recognized by the

WDSF. In this style, multiple dancers (usually in couples and typically up to 16

dancers at one time) compete on the same team, moving in and out of various

formations while dancing.

ELEMENTS OF COMPETITION

Intermediate level international style Latin dancing at the 2006 MIT ballroom

dance competition, a judge stands in the foreground.

In competitive ballroom, dancers are judged by diverse criteria such as poise,

the hold or frame, posture, musicality and expression, timing, body alignment and

shape, floor craft, foot and leg action, and presentation. Judging in a performance-

oriented sport is inevitably subjective in nature and controversy and complaints by

competitors over judging placements are not uncommon. The scorekeepers—called

scrutineers—will tally the total number recalls accumulated by each couple through

each round until the finals when the Skating system is used to place each couple by

ordinals, typically 1–6, though the number of couples in the final may vary.

Sometimes, up to 8 couples may be present on the floor during the finals.

Competitors dance at different levels based on their ability and experience.

The levels are split into two categories, syllabus and open. The syllabus levels are

newcomer/pre-bronze, bronze, silver, and gold—with gold the highest syllabus level

and newcomer the lowest. In these levels, moves are restricted to those written in a

syllabus, and illegal moves can lead to disqualification. Each level, bronze, silver, and

gold, has different moves on their syllabus, increasing in difficulty. There are three

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levels in the open category; novice, pre-champ, and champ in increasing order of

skill. At those levels, dancers no longer have restrictions on their moves, so complex

routines are more common.

WATCH & LEARN MORE: Blackpool Dance Finals 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsFm7TxDnEA

Lesson 5: BENEFITS

Ballroom dancing is a great way for people of all ages to get in shape and

stay fit. Dancing has many positive health benefits and is a wonderful activity that

will benefit your mind, body, and spirit. Dancing will improve your health and fitness,

mental acuity, and social connections. Dancing is a great social activity and studies

have shown that socializing and dancing with friends can contribute to high self-

esteem, increased self-confidence and a more positive outlook. Dancing reduces

stress and tension, so over time one can feel an overall sense of well-being. Dancing

isn’t just about the steps and music; it’s a perfect combination of physical activity,

social interaction, and mental stimulation. Dancing enhances your life in so many
ways. Here are the following benefits that we can get in 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

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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.

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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 orthopaedic

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

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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

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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.

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WATCH & LEARN MORE: How Ballroom Dancing Benefits your

Health: An Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrTbYvtJlTw

Apply your Knowledge

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Assess your Knowledge

PLEASE READ

References

1. Franks A.H. 1963. Social dance: a short history. Routledge & Kegan Paul, London.
2. ^ "Dancesport Rulebook 2019" (PDF). USA Dance, Inc. USA Dance, Inc. Retrieved 5
December 2019.
3. ^ "CDS Constitution and Bylaws/Reglement Generaux" (PDF). Canada
Dancesport/Dansesport Canada. Canada Dancesport/Dansesport Canada. Retrieved 5
December 2019.
4. ^ Silvester, Victor 1980. Old Time and sequence dancing. Barrie and Jenkins, London.

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5. ^ Jump up to:a b c Silvester, Victor 1993. Modern Ballroom Dancing; rev. ed. London:
Stanley Paul. (1st edition: London: H. Jenkins, 1927)
6. ^ Richardson P.J S. 1948. The history of English ballroom dancing (1900–1945). London:
Jenkins
7. ^ "History of Musical Film, by John Kenrick". Musicals101.com. 1996. Archived from the
original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
8. ^ "Review of "Swing Time" (1936)". rogerebert.com. 1998-02-15. Archived from the
original on 2008-05-03. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
9. ^ USDC Archived 2007-03-11 at the Wayback Machine
10. ^ Certificate of Olympic recognition of WDSF Archived 2010-06-26 at the Wayback
Machine
11. ^ Complete listings of affiliations are given in the programmes of the major competitions.
12. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-03-11. Retrieved 2007-03-20. USDC
13. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-05-08. Retrieved 2017-03-23. USA
Dance Nationals
14. ^ "Ballroom 101". USA Dance, Inc. Archived from the originalon 13 April 2014. Retrieved 9
April 2014.
15. ^ "History of Modern Ballroom Dancing". Archived from the original on 26 February 2007.
Retrieved 20 February 2007..
16. ^ "International Style - DanceCentral.info". www.dancecentral.info. Archived from the
original on 2017-05-14. Retrieved 2017-05-05.
17. ^ "Ballroom Dance Styles | America's Ballroom Challenge | PBS". Ballroom Dance Styles |
America's Ballroom Challenge | PBS. Archived from the original on 2017-05-05.
Retrieved 2017-05-05.
18. ^ "Just Dance Ballroom :: Dance Styles". www.justdanceballroom.com. Archived from the
original on 2017-04-29. Retrieved 2017-05-05.
19. ^ Daniel, Yvonne (2009). "Rumba Then and Now". In Malnig, Julie (ed.). Ballroom, Boogie,
Shimmy Sham, Shake: A Social and Popular Dance Reader. Chicago, IL: University of
Illinois. p. 162. ISBN 9780252075650.

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