PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Social Dances & Dance Mixers

➢ are dances intended primarily to get know other people in attendance to a certain social function. They are also called ballroom dances. They are usually performed in pairs, male and
female, but may be also performed in groups.

➢ The term “ballroom dancing” is derived from the word “ball”, which in turn originates from the Latin word ballare which means “to dance”.

Social Dances

➢ are communal dances performed in any social gatherings in any given space. They synonymously referred to as ballroom dances, but ballroom dances are performed in balls or formal
social functions.

Dance Etiquette

➢ is a set of guidelines that help you navigate the social dimensions of dancing. Why do you care about dance etiquette? Because it is essential for you to maximize how to go about the
process of social dancing and have a happy dancing experience.

Dance Etiquette

How should you behave and perform in a certain social dancing activity? The answer is simple. You must practice etiquette in dancing to help you go about successfully with the social
dimensions of dancing. Why do you care about dance etiquette? Because this will not just give you a fruitful dancing experience but will also provide with a widened social network.
The following aspects of social dancing should always be considered:
DANCE FLOOR
DEMEANOR/BEHAVI
OR WHAT TO WEAR
NO-FAULT

DANCING DANCE

ETIQUETTE

PERSONAL
ON THE FLOOR GROOMING

ASKING FOR A

DANCE
WHAT TO WEAR Dancing has its own culture. In social dances and dance mixers, the more formal the dance, the more formal the outfit.

ATTIRE GENTLEMEN LADIES

Formal ailcoat, Tuxedo Coat, Regular Ball Gown, Evening Gown, Dinner
Coat, Bow Tie or Regular Gown, Cocktail Gown
Necktie,
Black Trouser

Semi-Formal Dress Shirt and Tie, Vest or Dinner Dresses, Flowing Pants
Sweater that shows the Tie

Dressy Casual Solid Color T-shirts, Anything that displays a

(Practices, Turtleneck, conservative, toned-down
Workshops, Dance Polo Shirt, Cotton Slacks appearance
Lessons

Latin Button-up shirt, Solid T-shirt, Sexy Outfits and Long Slit skirts,
Turtleneck, Dress Slacks, Low Necklines and Exposed
Bright Midriffs are Popular
Colorful Outfits are Accepted

DON’Ts IN TERMS OF OUTFITS and DANCE SHOES

.Do not wear sneaker or any shoe with rubber or spongy sole. They can stick to the dance floor during turns and spins that may cause knee and ankle injuries. Always wear dance shoes.

.Avoid sleeveless shirts and strapped dresses. It’s not pleasant to have your partner touch your damp skin.

.Avoid shaggy, baggy, low armpit upper shirt. Partner’s hand may get caught in the baggy sleeves.

.Avoid accessories like big rings, watches, brooches, loose/long necklaces and big belt buckles. They can be dangerous. They can catch in partner’s clothing, causing scratches and bruises.

.Long hair should be put up or tied in a ponytail. It is difficult to get into closed dance positions when the lady has long flowing hair. They might get caught in partner’s hands or may even hit
your partner’s face
Personal Grooming

BEFORE THE DANCE AFTER THE DANCE

Shower and use a deodorant Check your grooming periodically

Brush your teeth and use mouthwash/ Freshen up and towel off periodically in the bathroom
breath mint Carrying an extra shirt is advisable for men in case they need to change
Abstain from foods that produce strong
odor
Don’t smoke, it causes foul mouth and
clothing odor

No Fault Dancing
Never blame a partner for missed execution of figures
Dance to the level of your partner
The show must go on, say “sorry” to your partner if something went wrong
Demeanor
Be personable, smile and make eye contact with partner.
Project a positive image on the dance floor even if it’s not your personal style.
Dance at the level of your partner.

If you don’t know the dance, be honest, refuse promptly if asked to dance.
No teaching on the dance floor. It may insult your partner.
Do not cut other dancers off.
Nature and Background of Social Dances and Dance Mixers
Social dances and dance mixers are dances intended primarily to get to know other people in attendance to a certain social function. They are also called ballroom dances. They are usually
performed in pairs, male and female, but may also be performed in groups. Social dances are classified into two major classifications namely the Latin American Dances and the Modern
Standard Dances. Social Dances are communal dances performed in social gatherings in any given space. They are synonymously referred
to as ballroom dances, but the former is performed in balls or formal social functions.
Latin American Dances include the salsa, mambo, meringue, swing, cha-cha-cha, rumba, samba, jive, boogie, and paso doble. They are called Latin American dances because most of them are
from the Latin-American countries. While the Modern Standard Dances include the slow waltz, tango, Viennese waltz, foxtrot and quickstep. Latin dances distinguish themselves by the
costumes worn by performers. They are somewhat revealing, tight-fitting, sexy yet sophisticated in nature. They are also distinguished by the nature of the movements. They are freer and
can be performed in close or open hold. Standard dances on the other hand, wear formal, ankle-length gowns for females and coat-and-tie for males.
Most of the time, movements in these are restricted to close ballroom position with partner. Social or ballroom dances are different from dance sport because the latter is freer in nature and
are primarily intended to widen one’s social horizon, for recreation; and fitness. The former is performed in competitions and are referred to as competitive
ballroom dancing. The required athleticism has established rules of different levels of difficulty and is limited to five dances per category only. They are the cha-cha-cha, rumba, samba, paso
doble and jive for the Latin category and slow waltz, tango, Viennese waltz, foxtrot and quickstep for the standard category.
Nature and Background of Social Dances and Dance Mixers
LATIN AMERICAN DANCES ORIGIN MODERN STANDARD DANCES ORIGIN

Cha-cha-cha Cuba Slow Waltz Austria

Rumba Cuba Tango Argentina
Samba Brazil Viennese Waltz Vienna
Paso Doble Spain Foxtrot USA
Jive/ Boogie USA Quickstep USA
Swing USA
Merengue Dominican Republic
Salsa Cuba
Mambo Cuba

Dance mixers, on the other hand, are social dances which allow group of performers to change partners periodically while dancing to allow chance to get to know other members of the
performing group. Its primary function is to maximize the social dimensions of dancing. There are specific dance mixers that are performed in social events

but ballroom or social dance can be converted into dance mixers by expanding it from a pair-dancing to group dancing activity with exchange of partners periodically while dancing.

Fitness Side of Social Dancing and Dance Mixers

There is more to dancing than dancing itself. It has the power to maintain or even improve your fitness. In your previous lesson on fitness, it has already been discussed that

in planning your own fitness program, no matter what your medium activity is, you always have to consider the FITT principle. F for frequency, I for intensity, T for time and the other T for
type of the activity. Intensity being one of the most important of the four mentioned principles, refers to the level of exertion and is closely monitored through your heart rate. To receive
maximum cardiovascular benefits, you should dance at an intensity that raises your heart rate from 60% to 80% of your PMHR (Predicted

Maximum Heart Rate). But if you have a special condition which includes inactivity, overweight/obese, pregnant or with special medication, you should consult your

doctor before proceeding to your fitness regimen.

This is how to determine your THR (Target Heart Rate) range. Follow the steps provided and you’ll arrive at your own PMHR and THR which you could use in

determining the intensity of your dancing activity and raising it to a higher level if necessary.

STEP 1: Find your PMHR in beats per minute by subtracting your age from 220:

220 - __________ = (Your Predicted Maximum Heart Rate)

Example:

220 - 15 = 205 (PMHR of a 15 year-old individual)

STEP 2: You need to work out your lowest Target Heart Rate that you need to aim for during exercise by multiplying your PMHR by 60% (or .6):

_____(PMHR) x 60% (or .6) = (Lowest Target Hear Rate)

Example: 205 x .6 = 123 beats/minute (Lowest THR of 15 year-old individual)

STEP 3: Lastly, you need to work out for your Highest Target Heart Rate that you can aim for during exercise by multiplying your PMHR by 80% (or .8):

_____(PMHR) x 80% (or .8) = (Highest Target Hear Rate)

Example: 205 x .8 = 64 beats/minute (Highest THR of 15 year-old individual)

So, when you are dancing, you are aiming for the range of the two figures you have come up with in Steps 2 and 3. In the example given, the Target Heart Rate of a

15 year-old individual is from 123 to 164 beats per minute during exercise. To maximize the benefits you can derive from social dancing in relation to

cardio-vascular fitness, you need to know your Target Heart Rate. This determines the intensity or level of exerted effort you are pouring into your dancing

Let’s Do the Cha-Cha-ChaThe Cha-Cha-Cha is one of the most popular of the social Latin-America dances. It is lively and flirtatious. It is also full of passion and energy. This dance is a vibrant,

flamboyant and playful dance. The light and bubbly feel if this dance gives it a unique sense of fun for dancers throughout the world. It requires small steps and

lots of hip motion (Cuban motion), as it is danced in 4/4 time

Let’s Do the Cha-Cha-Cha

BASIC NAME OF STEP STEP PATTERN COUNTING

Weight Transfer
1 R-Bw, L-Fw 1,2
(Rock Step)

2 R Chasse Fw R-Fw, L-C to R, R-Fw 1 and 2

Weight Transfer
3 L-Fw, R-Bw 1,2
(Rock Step)

4 L Chasse Bw L- Bw, B-C to L, L-Bw 1 and 2

L-Fw (Pivot Halfway Turn R), R-Fw (Pivot Halfway Turn R) leading to a
5 Alemana Turn 1,2
Chasse L Bw

Step L across R in Front, Step R in Place, Chasse L Sw, Step R over L in

6 New York (L over R)
Front, Chasse R Sw 1,2,1 and 2
 1,2,1 and 2

Step R across L in Front, Step L in Place, Chasse R Sw, Step L over R in 1,2,1 and 2
7 New York (R over L)
Front, Chasse L Sw 1,2,1 and 2

8 Spot Turn Same with Alemana Turn but done Sw-leading to a chasse Bw 1,2

Let’s Do the Waltz

The waltz is the oldest of the ballroom dances, dating from the middle of 18 th century. During this time period a dance developed which was called the “Walzer”, a word

owing its origin to the French word Volvere, which indicates a rotating motion

Let’s Do the Waltz

COUNTIN
BASIC NAME OF STEP STEP PATTERN
G

1 L Close Change (Forward) L-Fw (with the heel), R-Sw (with the toes), L-C to R (with the toes of both feet together and down) 1, 2, 3

2 R Close Change (Backward) R-Bw (with the heel), L-Sw (with the toes), R-C to L (with the toes of both feet together and down) 1, 2, 3

1, 2, 3
3 3 Step Turn R-Sw, R-C to L (Pivoting halfway R), R-in place (Pivoting R halfway R), LSw, R-C to L, L in place
1, 2, 3

Natural Turn (Movements are Male: R-Fw (with the heel), L-Fw (with a quarter turn R, on toes), R-C to L (feet then down), L-Sw (with the 1, 2, 3

4 done simultaneously) heel), R-quarter Bw R (with the toes), L-C to R (feet together and down) 1, 2, 3

Male: 1, 2, 3
L-Fw (with the heel), R-Fw (with a quarter turn Bw L on toes), L-C to R (feet down), R-Sw (with the heel), L-
quarter Bw L (with the toes), R-C to L (feet together and down)
Reverse Turn (Movements are
5
done simultaneously)
Female:

R-Bw (with the heel), L-Bw (with a quarter turn Bw L on toes), R-C to L (feet down), L-Sw (with the heel), R-
quarter Bw L (with the toes), L-C to R (feet together and down) 123
Two Major Classification of Social Dances
➢ Include the salsa, mambo, meringue, swing, cha-cha-cha, rumba, samba, jive, boogie and paso doble.
➢ Revealing, tight-fitting, sexy yet sophisticated in nature.

➢ Also distinguished by nature of the movements

➢ Are freer and can be performed in close or open.
Modern Standard Dances
➢ Include the slow waltz, tango, Viennese waltz, foxtrot and quickstep.

➢ Wear formal, ankle-length gowns for females and coat-and-tie for males.
➢ Movements in these are restricted to close ballroom position and partner.
Dance Sport
➢ Is performed in competitions and are referred to as competitive ballroom dancing.

Dance Mixers
➢ Are social dances which allow group of performers to change partners periodically while dancing to allow chance to get to know other members of the performing
group
➢ To maximize the social dimensions of dancing
➢ From a pair dancing to group dancing activity with exchange of partners periodically while dancing.