By Marco Macalintal & Sydelle Sim Whether we walk, run, sleep, or do anything, as long as we are alive, we need energy. Within the context of physical health, it is very important that we know how energy works. The process of creating energy is long and… complicated to say the least. However, do not fret about how understanding all this will be hard because instead of using your energy on searching about it, read this blog instead! What is energy? All energy comes from the sun in the form of light energy. Plants get light energy from the sun and perform photosynthesis to turn it into stored energy. Humans (and animals) get their energy from eating plants and animals that eat plants. Food provides nutrients like carbohydrates, fat and protein; these can be broken down to release the stored energy. Energy that is not used in metabolism, physical activity or growth will become stored body fat. ATPWe cannot talk about energy within the human body without talking about Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). The food that we eat cannot be used directly for energy, instead it is turned into ATP by the body. It is basically fuel for the different cellular processes. Storage molecules are converted into ATP when the cells need energy. Like a train, ATP transports energy to different parts within the cell that are performing physical movement. Energy Systems Thus, in order to maintain energy throughout exercising, the body has different ways of creating ATP called Energy Systems. There are three of them, namely: ATP-CP or Phosphagen System, Glycolysis, and the Oxidative or Aerobic Energy Systems.
Julian Finney/Getty Images ATP and Creatine Phosphate (CP) are both phosphagens, one of what are called energy substrates that provide the starting resources in order to have reactions that make energy for the body. The phosphagen system is used for high-intensity activity and lasts for 10 to 30 seconds because there isn’t much ATP that the body stores. It does this by the hydrolysis of ATP as well as the breakdown of CP. Thus, activities like weightlifting and sprinting use this energy system. However, physical activities that pass the thirty second mark would require glycolysis instead.
Getty Images The glycolytic system uses carbohydrates as its energy substrate as it breaks down into pyruvate in order to make ATP and is used for physical activities that last 30 seconds to three minutes. This system is not as fast as the Phosphagen system, but has more capacity because there are more carbohydrates stored in the body than phosphagen. An example of an activity that uses Glycolysis is boxing rounds, which last one to three minutes. Further than three minutes, the body would use a different energy system called the oxidative or aerobic system.
Chris McGrath/Getty Images The Oxidative system uses carbohydrates and fats as its energy substrates, and uses oxygen in its energy production. It is used for lower intensity activities and has a much slower rate of ATP production, but can be used for long durations. Distance running is an example of an activity that the oxidative system is used for because of its longer nature. It is important to note that these systems are not independent of each other, but rather work together and overlap. Every system has its time to shine in energy production depending on the duration and intensity of the activity, whether it be quickly biking up a slope or slowly down an even road. We all use these energy systems, and the food that we eat supply these systems in order to keep us moving. Conclusion: Energy is a very vital part of our lives, embedded in our biology. It does this by digesting our food and turning it into ATP. For our body to produce energy for our everyday life as well as in more intense physical activities, our body has different energy systems set in place. All three of these energy systems are important in order to keep us moving through thick and thin. There’s so much going on within our bodies just to keep us alive, thus we must be able to take care of it as much as we can. Sources:
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2020, March 12). adenosine triphosphate. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/adenosine-triphosphate Department of Health | Nutrition Energy. (2013). Health.gov.au. https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Content/canteen-mgr-tr1~nutrition-energy#:~:text=Energy%20is%20delivered%20to%20the%20body%20through%20foods.&text=The%20nutrients%20that%20provide%20energy,energy%20per%20gram%20of%20food. Zahradnik, D. (2012). Securing energy for sports performance [E-book]. In P. Korvas (Ed.), The Introduction to Sports Training (1st ed.). Masaryk University. Magida, D., & Rodriguez, M. (2017). The essentials of obstacle race training. Human Kinetics. Gagliardi, C. (2019, March 7). The three primary energy pathways explained. Energy Pathways | 3 Primary Energy Pathways in the Body | ACE Blog. https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/ace-answers/exam-preparation-blog/3256/the-three-primary-energy-pathways-explained/ By Gisella Pingol & Toni Garcia Jazz dance served as a bridge for dancers and musicians to communicate through the music and their body movements; without the use of words. The dance also focused on the improvisation of the music being produced by the musicians and the steps of the dancers. It allowed both the dancers and musicians to express themselves freely. It was born through religious and social gatherings; it was developed in the 20th century when the traditional African and European dance steps were starting to merge to form a dance movement. There are several techniques and basic jazz dance steps that you can easily master with this blog as a guide! So, what are you waiting for? TECHNIQUES Jazz Arms + Variations
Passé
Jazz Sit + Variations
Relevé + Variations
BASIC JAZZ DANCE STEPS Cross Point
Side Step + Forward & Backward step
Kick-ball-change
Step-ball-change
Jazz slide
Paddle turn
Grapevine
Star Jump
By Julia Fiona A. Garing WHAT IS JAZZ DANCE? © Sydney Dance Company Jazz dance is an improvisational and energetic dance style popularized in the 1950s that combines sharp turns, large leaps, kicks, and quick footwork. With flowy movements similar to ballet, jazz dance involves powerful steps and twists that retain balance from the body’s center. Emerging from New Orleans and inspired by both African and European traditions, jazz dance has become a global phenomenon, even finding a home on Philippine shores in 1898 during the start of the American occupation. © Ranjith Kally, Johannesburg Art Gallery | © Keystone, 1949 Jazz dance enchanted people with its rhythmic-based and “conversation-like” movements which contributed to its welcome notoriety during public holiday celebrations when jazz bands would perform in the streets or inside the music bars of the US’ largest cities. Ever since jazz dance’s golden age between the 1930s to the 1960s and the diminishment of social dancing at the start of World War II, it has undergone changes guided by modern choreographers and ballet dancers. For this reason, many jazz steps and vocabulary overlap with ballet. The contemporary forms of jazz dance include Swing dancing, Boogie Woogie, Black Bottom, and Charleston. KEY FEATURES Even though routines are anchored by certain basic steps, jazz performers are encouraged to freely express themselves with spontaneous or free-flow dancing in sync with the lively rhythms of the 20th-century. EXAMPLES OF JAZZ SUBGENRES
BENEFITS Improves flexibility Similar to other dance styles, jazz dance promotes flexibility and concentration in the arms, hands, and lower back for movement precision. A range of jazz expressions stem from free movements, an example of which are ‘contractions’ accomplished by contracting the torso with the back curved outward and the pelvis pushed forward. PREPARATION © Tilburg University Do warm-ups Muscle soreness usually occurs when untrained muscles work too hard due to several factors such as lactic acid buildup or torn muscles and connective tissue. Warming up before jazz dancing through a series of stretching or isolation movements can reduce soreness from either cause and prevent injuries. Additionally, to avoid overtraining and fatigue, it’s important to adjust the frequency and intensity of routines to age, physical development, alignment, and level of control. Wear appropriate clothing The right clothes help you move freely, which is why jazz dancers prefer tights, leotards, fitted tank tops, T-shirts, and dance pants which are boot-cut or have flared styles for ankle movement; baggy clothes are generally discouraged. Appropriate footwear is also important and should be suitable to the surface of one’s dance environment. Ensure a safe training space Jazz requires a lot of movement, which is why dancers must check for potential hazards in their surroundings such as worn or ripped carpets, uneven or slippery floors, liquid spills, and surrounding furniture that may restrict movement. REFERENCES
Chandler Unified School District (n.d.). Beginning Jazz History [PDF]. Retrieved from https://www.cusd80.com/cms/lib/AZ01001175/Centricity/domain/3379/beginning/Beg.%20Jazz%20Unit.pdf Dance Facts. (2022). History of Jazz. http://www.dancefacts.net/dance-list/jazz-dance/ Kadambari Sangeet Mahavidyalaya. (2019, March 8). 8 Excellent Benefits of Jazz Dancing. https://kadambarisangeet.com/8-excellent-benefits-of-jazz-dancing/ Person-Kriegel, L., & Chandler-Vaccaro, K. (2015). In Jazz dance today: Essentials (pp. 1–32). Total Health Publications. Retrieved from http://www.totalhealthpublications.com/wp-content/uploads/jazz-TOC-2-ch.pdf Realbuzz Team. (2017, February 21). Jazz Dance For Fitness. Realbuzz. https://www.realbuzz.com/articles-interests/sports-activities/article/jazz-dance-for-fitness/ Roberts, C. (2021, June 2). What is Jazz Dance? Steezy. https://www.steezy.co/posts/what-is-jazz-dance Stelle World. (2020, September 27). An Essential Guide to Jazz Dance: It’s So Much More Than Jazz Hands. https://stelleworld.com/blogs/news/an-essential-guide-to-jazz-dance Untivero, D. (2019, April 12). 5 Things You Need To Know About Jazz Music In The Philippines. Tatler Asia. https://www.tatlerasia.com/culture/arts/5-things-you-need-to-know-about-jazz-music-in-the-philippines Victoria State Government & Sports Medicine Australia. (2013). Dance - health benefits. Better Health Channel. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/dance-health-benefits Weller, K. (2018, December 21). Jazz Dance Moves - Characteristics of Jazz Dance & Famous Performances. The Daqian Times. https://daqiantimes.com/jazz-dance-moves-performances/ By Raj Reiner Cattiling Growing up, I was exposed to many different kinds of music made by fellow Filipinos. They were all called OPM: Original Philippine Music. Despite the music all sounding different from each other, I didn’t understand what the term really meant. So as we prepare ourselves for Hopefest ‘22, join me as I answer the question of: “What is OPM?” Manila Sound: 1960-1980 Left to Right: VST and Company, Hotdog, Hagibis Before the term OPM was used, there was Manila Sound. Manila Sound is a term used to refer to the period of popular Filipino music created in the 1970’s, nicknamed as the “bright side” of the Philippines’ darkest period in history: Martial Law. Never forget. The Manila Sound music period (as dark as this time in Philippine history was) had helped build the OPM that would come after it by proving to the Philippine music industry that the regular Filipino is open to the idea of listening to music created by other Filipinos; as they were only used to listening to imported music from places like the United States. While there were a lot of groundbreaking Filipino bands and artists to represent this period of time, the artist that best represented this music period would be Hotdog. Yes, that's their actual name. Being able to coin the term “Manila Sound” through their hit song “Manila”, their music (a mix of contemporary pop and disco) was catchy and easy to listen to, as with a lot of Manila Sound artists who have inspired the first wave of OPM. The Manila Sound style of music was accessible to the Filipino masses, which was how it skyrocketed in popularity at the time. The Beginning of OPM: 1980-1990 More and more Filipino musicians were joining the music industry through original music, unlike the cover artists of the 70’s. We can see that Artists in this era came into popularity through their time in the entertainment industry. Singing contests, talent shows, and other similar forms of entertainment helped the music industry discover fresh talent. Music was a huge part in a lot of Philippine variety shows. A good example of an artist who was discovered through a talent show would be Regine Velasquez. She had risen to prominence by winning Ang Bagong Kampeon in 1984, which had helped lead to a record deal with Polygram Records. She had attained success internationally, and had awards from MTV, Star Awards, etc. Regine Velasquez as the cover of her Nineteen90 album. Regine Velasquez’s music represented what was in demand at the time; singers who had real vocal skill, while also being able to entertain Filipinos by their personality and wit. Popular artists at the time include Lea Salonga, Jose Mari Chan, Ogie Alcasid, and Sharon Cuneta; all who are now currently respected figures in the industry! Generation X takes over OPM!: 1990-2010 As OPM continues to grow older, a new, fresh generation of Filipino musicians join. Unlike the R&B-heavy ballads of the previous generation of OPM artists, this new period of OPM found themselves heavily influenced by alternative music from the US, mixing rock and a flurry of other musical styles to represent the Post-boomers. A photo including some of the many musicians who represented this period; note the oversized t-shirts, baggy pants and sneakers. OPM in this time broke the mold. Slow love ballads were thrown away, in exchange for songs that discussed freedom, self-expression, and being young and care-free; topics that members of Generation X could relate to well. While lots of iconic Filipino Bands formed in this time (notably Rivermaya, Kamikazee, and Parokya ni Edgar), I can say with certainty that the most influential band to come up around this period were the Eraserheads. Left to Right: Buddy Zabala, Marcus Adoro, Ely Buendia, Raimund Marasigan. Around 1992, four UP Diliman students had formed a small band. Little do they know of what would come to them. Reaching mainstream success through singles such as Pare ko, Toyang, and Spoliarium, their 20 year stint had made them to be the most successful Filipino music artists; multi-platinum sales, international acclaim, and status as the most influential Filipino band of their generation earned them the title as the Philippines’ Beatles. Eraserhead’s final concert: The Final Set, had amassed over 100,000 attendees. As Eraserheads were representing the alternative music scene, we can find that genres such as metal and rap also had come to prominence in the Philippines. Bands like Kamikazee had popular singles such as “Huling Sayaw”, “Martyr Nyebera”, etc. they represented a lot of Filipino punk and metal in the Philippine radio space. Jay Contreras and Lito Lapis of Kamikazee Jamming. We can also see the emergence of Filipino rap. Artists like Gloc-9 were influential to the modern Filipino rap scene. Nicknamed as Gloc-9, Aristotle Pollisco was actually named after a Greek shipping company, not the philosopher. Being raised in a blue collar family, Aristotle Pollisco had been able to work their way up; from having their mixtapes be denied by major music labels, to being one of the godfathers of the Filipino rap scene. One of Gloc 9’s hits include “Sirena”; a song discussing the persecution of members of the Filipino LGBTQIA+ community. Gloc-9 was one the first Filipino rappers to be more “technical” in their songwriting. His songs were socially aware, discussing topics such as poverty, patriotism, and social justice. Where is OPM now?: 2010-Present At this point, OPM is more than thirty years old now. We’ve seen OPM’s musical styles change over time from 1980 to 2010, but as we reach the 2010 mark, we can see that the OPM sphere now includes all musical styles. Although foreign music from all over the world continues to be enjoyed by Filipinos, the OPM scene is alive and well! Artists from the Manila Sound period still perform to this date, picking up where they left off, entertaining the hearts and souls of our lolos and lolas. Artists from the Manila Sound period still perform to this date, picking up where they left off, entertaining the hearts and souls of our lolos and lolas. ABS’ “Asap Natin ‘to” continues to host some of the greatest OPM artists of their time. Our pop singers like Regina Velasquez, Lea Salonga, and Sharon Cuneta continue to have a presence in both the music and entertainment industry; either as performers or as judges, helping look for fresh, new talent to take their spot. All these musicians have kids now! Generation X bands like Rivermaya, Kamikazee, Spongecola continue to perform the same music they did as well. Despite being at the right time for them to experience their midlife-crises, they continue to exude the same energy they had when they were young! Gloc-9 (on the left) performing the song “Halik” with Flow G on 107.5 radio In the Filipino rap scene, Gloc-9 continues to assist other up and coming Filipino rappers, and is still a relevant figure in the music industry. You can find them collaborating with artists like Shanti Dope, Flow G, among many others. On the other hand, we see new musical styles come into the scene. (Clockwise from left): Paolo Guico, Poch Barretto, Pat Lasaten, Keifer Cabugao, Agnes Reoma, Toni Muñoz, Miguel Guico, Jam Villanueva, and Andrew de Pano Ben and Ben, a large band of 9 people, mixes pop and rock music with baroque, with enough success that they’re the number one streamers Filipino artist on Spotify. IV of Spades (Left to Right): Zild Benitez, Badjao de Castro, Blaster Silonga. IV of Spades, influenced by the Gen. X rock bands, also mixes aspects of dark synthwave and pop into their music. After participating in The Voice Kids, Juan Karlos now fronts their own band. We also have more Filipino artists going to the indie scene, such as Juan Karlos Labajo, performer of a Filipino hit entitled “Buwan”, who now enjoys playing for a smaller audience. After a long history lesson on the topic, what is OPM? Conclusion Spanning decades of different artists, and different generations, the title of OPM went to pop divas, rockstars, and hip hop artists; OPM is Lea Salonga, IV of Spades, and even Ex Battalion! Basta Pinoy! That’s OPM: music created by Filipinos, inexclusive of any genre, artist, and time. If you want to see us perform to the OPM hits of the 80’s, such as VST and Co’s “Sumayaw Sumunod”, follow the HUMSS 11C: Banaag Page on Facebook to watch our exemplary performances, and feel free to donate; as all proceeds go to assisting our fellow Filipinos affected by typhoon Odette. Cheers! References:
By Jhem Patrice L. Delos Angeles Piling deadlines? Check. Cluttered brain? Check. Going through that “pressure like a drip, drip, drip that’ll never stop”? Luisa Madrigal has got you covered. As students, stress may be nothing new to any of us. From the piling academic requirements, extracurricular activities, health worries, personal matters, etc. – these factors can cause the growing seed of stress to be planted. Until eventually, when not handled or given attention to, it suffocates us and tips us over the edge. Students, especially teenagers tend to experience this most of the time due to the negative impact and the inability to cope properly. Stress: What it is and What it does Picture this: an empty bucket waiting to be filled. As time passes by, water is poured inside it, signifying every event that happens in our lives. Most buckets may have room to hold a certain amount of water, but it is not an endless container – if water keeps being poured in, it is inevitable that it will overflow. And that signifies the breaking point. The stress bucket analogy represents two things: you (the bucket), and the stressors, or the situation that causes stress (the water). The Mental Health Foundation (2021) defines stress as the feeling of being unable to cope due to the amount of mental or emotional pressure being experienced. It can cause any physical, emotional, or psychological strain to our bodies, which may then require immediate attention. All human beings experience this, and it is a completely normal response when experiencing an unbalanced state. Identifying the Source Before learning how to manage stress, it is important to know and understand the source and when you’re experiencing it. Perhaps, by tracing back the factors that have caused it and writing them down, you’ll be able to find out solutions on how to deal with it. Here are three questions – the 3 W’s – that you may ask yourself when you’re feeling stressed:
Managing Stress Remember the bucket that has been overflowing with water? Now, it’s time for an upgrade! In other words, a way to release the water from the bucket is a tap. The tap represents the coping mechanisms that help you let go of stress, or let the water out of your bucket. - Take a Break Take a deep breath and slow down for a bit! There’s nothing wrong with having some downtime for yourself. This allows you to reorganize your thoughts and be able to recharge yourself, and more importantly take care of yourself. A continuously working machine is of no use once it’s broken down. Studies have shown that even having short breaks can help in reducing stress and help in becoming more productive throughout the day. - Have social support Yes, sometimes socializing with people can take our energy away. But, being able to have supportive people who you can talk to whether it be family, friends, or even reaching out to support groups or a therapist can help in giving you the emotional support you need. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people if it will help your well-being. - Get Proper Rest Instead of asking when was the last time you had proper rest, let’s try this: when was the last time you felt sleep-deprived? Pulling up all-nighters has probably become a natural thing to do when cramming or finishing work. Sleep is actually a powerful stress reducer and getting that 8-10 hours of rest can help calm your body down, improve your concentration and sharpen your decision-making skills. Being constantly sleep-deprived can negatively impact both your physical and mental well-being. So, when you have the opportunity to get a full night’s rest, take it! - Set Boundaries for yourself “Sure!” “Yes!” “Of course, I can handle it.” – can you really though? Jokes aside, time is a precious resource and we would usually want to make the most of it by being as productive as possible. It isn’t a bad thing but sacrificing your personal wellbeing and health over productivity is. Having boundaries help in supporting ourselves in choosing meaningful priorities. Stress is an inevitable part of our everyday lives. The most difficult aspect of stress is the fact that it hinders us from doing day-to-day tasks. With the second term almost coming to an end, the final stretch of tasks needed to be accomplished is piling up. Constantly being under pressure can take a toll on your body that is why don’t forget to take care of yourself as well! You are a person, not a machine – remember that. References:
Mental Health Foundation. (2015, August 7). Stress. Mental Health Foundation. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/s/stress#:~:text=Stress%20is%20the%20feeling%20of,with%20mental%20or%20emotional%20pressure. Phoenix Health and Wellbeing. (2019, April 29). The Stress Bucket | Phoenix Health and Wellbeing. Phoenixhealthandwellbeing.org.uk. https://www.phoenixhealthandwellbeing.org.uk/the-stress-bucket/#:~:text=The%20stress%20bucket%20metaphor%20(developed,experience%20different%20types%20of%20stress. Scott, E. (2020). How Is Stress Affecting My Health? (D. Susman, Ed.). Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/stress-and-health-3145086 Tips. (2021, April). Calm Blog. Calm Blog. https://blog.calm.com/blog/tips-for-managing-stress By Anika Soleil Wee & Alexandra Dominique Aquias There are a plethora of forms of how you can move and dance to a beat, and whether or not you have seen or tried it in reality, the presence of this blog is to give you a brief overview of the basic eleven dance genres in the dancing sphere. They all have their own charms and specializations, but you’ll notice that there is a trace of each other within each category. Let’s see how! 1) Ballet - This dance genre is easily recognizable for its precise and graceful movements. It infuses music, costume, and stage scenery with a formal academic technique called “danse d’école”. It is considered the foundation of all dance. 2) Contemporary - Unlike the structured nature of ballet, this style of dance prioritizes improvisation and versatility; the idea that dance movements may be random and unique was normalized due to this genre. It focuses on floor work and can be done on bare feet. 3) Modern - Don’t be fooled by its name — its formal teaching only began in 1915! It is similar to Contemporary in the sense that it stresses emotional intensity and spontaneity. It is a fusion of jazz, ballet, and modern styles. 4) Jazz - It has its roots in the Black American Society; it combines the technique of classical ballet, modern dance, and the current forms of popular dance. The value of rhythmical accuracy, style, and energy is shown in this genre. 5) Tap - Through the usage of metals attached to the heels of the shoes of the dancer, it allows them to find the rhythm and beats within their body itself! Because of this, it emphasizes the flow of movement. This genre was famous in variety shows and early musicals. 6) Street - This type of dance genre is performed in outdoor spaces and has invented new dance moves like popping, locking, krumping. Originating from the Bronx, the people there use street dance to give themselves a voice and express their creativity. It was to show resistance towards the mainstream and find one's cultural identity. 7) Ballroom - Known for being associated with the elite society, this dance genre pries away from country dances and instead draws more to classical and traditional movements. It was originally practiced in Europe and the United States, but now ballroom dancing has become a competitive sport around the world. Examples of ballroom dancing are the waltz, polka, and tango. 8) Philippine Folk Dance - The variety of dance forms in this genre is as many as the islands in the Philippines. It encompasses all cultures and traditions of the country”s regions through dance. Filipinos use dance to illustrate their fiesta spirit and love of life. 9) Neo-Ethnic - "Neo” means new and “ethnic” means a group of people who have a shared culture that is different from the main culture of a country. When put together, Neo-Ethnic dance combines ethnic movements and modern dance to create a spectacular performance. People who dance in this genre should remember to respect the ethnic group's traditions and keep its dance true to its roots. 10) Foreign Folk Dance - Any dance that originates from another country based on its roots and tradition is considered a foreign folk dance. It was first developed in the immigrant communities of the United States. Examples of these are branles, polkas, and quadrilles. 11) Cheer - Cheerleading is an iconic sport for Americans that signifies school spirit, youthfulness, and leadership. It combines dance and acrobatics, while shouting for their team to keep the audience in high spirits. Femininity is commonly associated with the sport but, the first cheerleaders were actually men and they were called "yell leaders". There are still many dance genres that haven’t been discussed, but one thing is for sure — dance can be interpreted in different ways! People choose dance as their sport because it gives them a way to communicate themselves using music and movement, and for people who tend to hide from attention, it may help them learn to step out of their comfort zone (if they desire to!) and shine with their own form of originality and self-expression. Are you part of them? Has this blog piqued your interest in dancing? If so, check out “HUMSS 11 -C: Banaag” on Facebook to learn more about dance — especially Jazz — and how you can support displaced artists in the Philippines and those who were affected by typhoon Odette.
By Eric Gabriel L. Altares We’re all familiar with the word “dance”, what with how common it is of an action for us to do, how easy it is to break into a boogie at the drop of a hat—or rather, drop of a beat. Dance has many meanings, but in its basic sense, dance is a rhythmic body movement usually done along with the accompaniment of music. But, why do we dance? Why use so much of our energy moving our bodies to some music? Well, some people dance to exercise their body, using a wide variety of movements to strengthen and activate the joints. muscles, and tendons all over the body. Some people dance to express themselves. Whether it’s their emotions, ideas, or an interpretation of a song that can’t be expressed in words and deep analysis alone--they dance to share their message. And some people dance just because it’s fun! Elements: the building blocks of dance After establishing what dance is, let’s turn to the building blocks of dance—its elements—before hitting the dance floor. The elements of dance can be easily remembered through the acronym of BASTE which stands for body, action, space, time, and energy. These five concepts can help us develop and improve our skills in dance. They are the framework and foundation of dance, so to speak. BODY Like any form of art, there needs to be a tool used in creating it. What use is an artist’s easel, their blank canvas, when they don’t have brushes to paint it with? In dance, our bodies are the tools in which we use, it is our medium which bridges the gap between our mind—our feelings, ideas, messages—to the outside world. ACTION In dance, action is any and all movement done with our bodies. Everything from footwork, hand gestures, facial expressions, and even the act of being still is all counted as an action. Actions in dance can be thought of and planned ahead of time by a choreographer who works with the dancers. They teach and practice the movements in order to refine the dance and make it more appealing to the audience. Actions in dance can also be improvised. Dancers can make up their own choreography on the spot and move however they please. That just goes to show how versatile dance is: being able to be both practiced and refined and also spontaneous and free. It’s all up to the dancer on which route their heart desires. SPACE Space is the place where the dancers do their business. It’s where the actions of dance, the use of their bodies, take place. There’s a multitude of ways that a dancer can use the space given to them: which way the dancers are facing towards, how much space an action takes, where the dancers are positioned relative to each other and the audience, etc. It’s all about how the dancers interact with the stage where they perform. TIME Dance, as we explained earlier, is a rhythmic movement usually accompanied by music. The movements done in dance are often on beat along with the music: it has beats, rhythm, and patterns. This element of dance focuses on the timing of the movements performed. Choreographers decide things based on time: if the movements should be sped up or slowed down, if they should repeat a certain section, when they should alternate between moving and resting, and many more. ENERGY Energy is the breath that gives life to the dance as it focuses on how the action is done. How much effort should they put into this move? Should they be sharp and precise or lax and free-flowing? Should they be gentle or rough? Dancers use energy as a subtle way of expressing themselves depending on how exactly they performed their dance. Still having trouble understanding the elements of dance? When I had trouble with this topic, I like to ask these questions to remember the acronym and the letter’s meaning: What do dancers use? Body. What do they do with their bodies? Action. Where do they perform their actions? Space. When do they do those actions? Time. And finally, how do they do those actions? Energy. Not only do I know all five elements of dance, but I also know what each of them contributes to dance! REFERENCES Begin Here. (n.d.). The Elements of Dance. https://www.elementsofdance.org/begin-here.html
Bodensteiner, K. (2019, July 27). Do You Wanna Dance? — Understanding the five elements of dance. The Kennedy Center. https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/resources-for-educators/classroom-resources/media-and-interactives/media/dance/do-you-wanna-dance/ By Rei Zoe Emmanuel N. Bonto We always do our best to keep ourselves and the people around us safe, and personal safety is a big part in exercising. There are health protocols we should follow, and they help us to remain safe. These items should help with that! 1. Proper hygiene is important - Proper hygiene is a sign of good health and wellness in general. Exercise often leaves us sweaty and dirty afterward. Although this is not a problem by itself, if you do not get cleaned up, not only will you turn people away from you, you can also get sick from it! Sickness means you will not be able to do anything but try to recover, which would have been way less likely to happen by keeping proper hygiene. If you’re sick, then everything falls apart. 2. Make sure you eat breakfast - Breakfast is the most important meal of the day! After waking up, you have likely have not eaten for 12 hours or more. This is a large gap in-between meals, and you need some way to replenish your energy. Breakfast is the best way to go about this, especially since the time before breakfast is often where you can find the lowest blood sugar levels. Eating breakfast lets you be more energetic throughout the day, and have more stable energy levels too! - https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/breakfast 3. Wear the right things - Clothing that is specifically made for exercise should be worn. This is to avoid possible discomfort or even injury depending on the kind of exercise. For example, bikers have to wear a helmet in order to avoid injury and keep themselves safe. Not doing so can put yourself in danger! Proper clothing can also help us avoid hypothermia and hyperthermia: - Hypothermia is a condition that occurs when your body temperature falls below 35°C. This can easily happen during swimming or anything else involving cold temperatures. Depending on your place’s climate, winter can cause hypothermia, and being exposed to rain can just as easily cause it too. If you are shivering, then your body is attempting to defend itself against hypothermia. This condition is often insidious: as hypothermia worsens, people get more confused, and you stop shivering against all common sense. End-stage hypothermia often causes people to strip all of their clothes and be naked against the cold weather. Naturally, what comes after is death. - https://www.livescience.com/41730-hypothermia-terminal-burrowing-paradoxical-undressing.html - Hyperthermia, also known as overheating, is more likely to occur in warmer climates. Although overheating only causes less than a tenth of deaths compared to hypothermia, it is still a danger especially during heatwaves. Heat stroke can easily happen under prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, and the first signs are often heavy sweating. Just like hypothermia, overheating causes confusion as it gets worse, and people can just collapse out of nowhere. If you must exercise or do physical activity under direct sunlight, drink plenty of water and take plenty of breaks. - https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/climate-change/extreme-temperatures-kill-5-million-a-year-20-year-study-77875 4. Be aware of your surroundings - If you are training or exercising indoors, keep your surroundings in mind. Where you should go if something happens, what are the proper areas for exercising, or even to simply avoid knocking things over. If you are outdoors, then make sure to stay away from dangerous places. 5. Drink plenty of water - Remaining hydrated is incredibly important. Not only would you feel fatigued and unable to exercise if you are dehydrated, you would also get confused and dizzy, all of which could cause injury at the wrong moment. Most people suffer from mild dehydration from their daily tasks (over 75% of people have chronic dehydration!), and if you are doing intense physical activity, this gets worse. Never forget the magic number of 6-8 glasses of water a day (or at least 1.4L). Dehydration is easily seen in the color of your urine, with a dark yellow color indicating dehydration. - https://www.gohealthuc.com/library/4-signIs-severe-dehydration-and-where-go-help 6. Don’t push yourself too hard! - Pushing yourself too hard is the best way to put yourself in danger. Exercise should be progressive, and no one goes from 0-100 in a day. Not only that, but if you push yourself too hard and do injure yourself, then you will be unable to continue exercising until you recover properly. You are not going to make any progress like that! 7. Identify resources in case of injury or emergency - In case something happens, you have to know where to go. Make sure there are people around that you can ask for help, as nothing is worse than being alone and getting incapacitated. Know where the nearest hospital or clinic is, and do your best not to need them in the first place! 8. Always be prepared - Try your best not to get injured at all, but if worst comes to worst, having some form of first aid on you is very important in relieving injury. Try to have alcohol and bandages at the very least: the alcohol to disinfect, and the bandages to cover up wounds. These can be carried on you and they do not cause that much bulk at all. Besides, it’s better to have and not need something, than to need something and not have it!
All of these boil down to prevention and preparedness. Exercising is fun! It’s something most people do at one point or another. It has plenty of benefits and allows us to train ourselves to be better, but you have to keep yourself safe. After all, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure! |