Module 3.

Fundamental Movements

Fundamental Dance Positions

There are five fundamental or basic positions in dance that are commonly termed as 1st

position, 2nd position, 3rd position, 4th position, and 5th position of the feet and arms.

1st position

Feet: Heels close together, toes apart with an angle of about 45 degrees.

Arms: Both arms raised in a circle in front of chest with the finger tips about an inch

apart.

2nd position

Feet: Feet apart sideward of about a pace distance.

Arms: Both raised sideward with a graceful curve at shoulder level.

3rd position

Feet: Heel of one foot close to in-step of other foot.

Arms: One arm raised in front as in 2nd position; other arm raised upward.

4th position

Feet: One foot in front of other foot of a pace distance.

Arms: One arm raised in front as in 1st position; other arm raised overhead.

5th position

Feet: Heel of front foot close to big toe of rear foot.

Arms: Both arms raised overhead.

1. Locomotor Movements

Refers to body movements that move the

body from one place to another.

They cause the body to travel.

There are eight main locomotor movements.

They are categorized as either even or

uneven movements.

Even rhythm movements consist of equal, unvarying actions.

1. Walking - move at a regular pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn,
never having both feet off the ground at once.

2. Running - is the activity of moving fast on foot, especially as a sport.

3. Hopping - is technically defined as a springing from one foot and landing on

4. Leaping - is a springing from one foot but landing on the other foot.
It is a movements commonly used when people jump over objects, like jumping over a

rain puddle

5. Jumping - With feet close together, push off with both feet and land on both
feet.

Uneven rhythm movements consist of unequal actions. They also sometimes

incorporate alternating actions.

1. Skipping - move along lightly, stepping from one foot to the other with a hop or
bounce.

2. Galloping - is defined as stepping forward and pushing up with one foot, while
the other foot follows.

3. Sliding - is similar, but the lead foot glides forward or sideward while the other
foot follows. The lead foot does not step or push off into the air. Sliding movements

are used in skating and skiing.

The movements of certain body parts, or even the whole body, without causing the body

to travel. For example, swinging your arms back and forth.

Nonlocomotor movements are often combined with locomotor movements, such as

walking and swinging your arms.

The different nonlocomotor movements:

1. Bending - incline the body downward from the vertical.

2. Flexing - (with reference to a limb or joint) bend or become bent.

3. Stretching - straighten or extend one's body or a part of one's body to its full length,

4. Reaching - typically so as to tighten one's muscles or in order to reach something.

5. Extending - to stretch out to fullest length

6. Lifting - raise to a higher position or level or pick up and move to a different position.

7. Raising - to lift or move (something or someone) to a higher position or to a

standing or more upright position.

8. Twisting - to rotate around something that

remains stationary or turn.

9. Rotating - to move or cause to move in a

circle around an axis or center.

10. Swinging - moving back and forth or from

side to side while suspended or on an axis.

11. Swaying - move or cause to move slowly or

rhythmically backward and forward or from side

to side.

12. Turning - a place of a change in direction.

13. Shaking - move up and down or from side

to side with rapid, forceful, jerky movements.

14. Wiggling - move or cause to move up and down or from side to side with small rapid

movements.
Other Non-Locomotor Movements:

1. Flexion - Bending or shortening of a body part occurring at a joint.

2. Extension - Turning, twisting or circling

3. Pendular - Swinging/ swaying arms forward, backward or sideward.

4. Percussive - Striking and hitting: pushing and pulling.

5. Vibratory - Shaking and beating.

6. Sustained - A slow, smooth flowing movement with a balance of movement

throughout the entire series.

7. Suspended - A sharp movement followed by a series of slow or prolonged

movements until a peak is reached.