The Language of Dance
Dance movements and steps form the vocabulary that allows dancers to communicate through their bodies. From basic locomotor movements to complex combinations, these fundamental elements create the foundation for artistic expression across all dance styles.
Building Movement Vocabulary
Just as words combine to create sentences, dance movements combine to create phrases, sequences, and ultimately complete choreography. Understanding these building blocks helps dancers learn new styles more quickly and perform with greater confidence.
- Create the foundation for all dance styles
- Build coordination and muscle memory
- Develop spatial awareness and control
- Enable clear communication in dance classes
- Form the basis for improvisation and creativity
- Connect movement to rhythm and musicality
Universal Movement Principles
While each dance style has its unique characteristics, many movements share common principles of body mechanics, spatial relationships, and energy. At Dance House Productions, we teach these fundamentals as the foundation for all dance education.
Whether a student is learning ballet, jazz, hip hop, or contemporary, understanding basic movement patterns enhances their ability to master any style and transition between different dance forms with confidence and skill.
Movement Categories
Dance movements can be organized into categories based on their function, energy, and spatial relationships.
Locomotor Movements
Movements that travel through space, including walks, runs, skips, gallops, and slides that form the foundation of spatial navigation.
Non-Locomotor Movements
Movements performed in place, including bends, stretches, twists, and swings that develop body awareness and control.
Jumps & Leaps
Movements that leave the ground, from simple hops to complex grand jetés, building power and creating dynamic moments.
Turns & Rotations
Movements that rotate around an axis, including spins, pirouettes, and chainés that develop balance and spatial orientation.
Floor Work
Movements performed on or near the floor, including rolls, slides, and level changes that expand movement possibilities.
Gesture & Expression
Movements that convey meaning and emotion through the arms, hands, face, and body attitudes that create artistic communication.
Fundamental Locomotor Movements
These basic traveling movements form the foundation of spatial navigation in dance and are used across all styles.
Walk
The most basic locomotor movement. Transfer of weight from one foot to the other with one foot always in contact with the floor. Variations include ballet walks, jazz walks, and character walks.
March
Walking with lifted knees and a strong, rhythmic quality. Often used in warm-ups and to establish rhythm and coordination in young dancers.
Run
Quick transfer of weight with a moment of flight between steps. Both feet briefly leave the ground. Used for traveling quickly across space and building energy.
Skip
Combination of a step and a hop on the same foot, alternating feet. Creates a light, bouncy quality and is often used in folk and children's dances.
Gallop
One foot leads and the other follows in a quick, uneven rhythm. The same foot always leads. Creates a sense of urgency and forward momentum.
Slide
Step to the side and close the other foot to it. Can be performed in any direction. Often used in warm-ups and as preparation for more complex movements.
Ballet Movement Fundamentals
Ballet provides the technical foundation for many dance styles, with movements that emphasize line, control, and precise technique.
Plié
A bending of the knees while maintaining turnout and straight spine. The fundamental movement that begins and ends most ballet steps, providing shock absorption and power for jumps.
Tendu
Stretching the foot along the floor to a pointed position without lifting it off the ground. Develops foot articulation and leg line while maintaining hip stability.
Dégagé
Similar to tendu but the foot lifts slightly off the floor. Develops speed and precision while maintaining the leg line and foot articulation of tendu.
Rond de Jambe
Circular movement of the leg, either on the ground (à terre) or in the air (en l'air). Develops hip mobility and leg control in circular patterns.
Développé
Unfolding the leg from a bent position to a straight, extended position. Develops strength, control, and beautiful line in the extended leg.
Battement
Beating or striking movement of the leg. Various types include grand battement (high kick) and petit battement (small beating at the ankle).
Contemporary & Modern Movement
Contemporary and modern dance expand the movement vocabulary with floor work, spirals, and organic movement qualities.
Spiral
Three-dimensional movement that travels through the spine and limbs in a spiraling pattern. Creates flowing, organic shapes and efficient movement transitions.
Contraction
Pulling inward from the center of the body, typically initiated from the abdominals. A fundamental movement in Martha Graham technique.
Fall and Recovery
Working with gravity and momentum to create dynamic movement. Involves giving in to gravity and using momentum to recover to vertical.
Floor Roll
Moving along the floor using the round surfaces of the body. Develops spatial awareness and creates smooth transitions between levels.
Jazz & Hip Hop Foundation
Jazz and hip hop bring energy, personality, and distinctive movement qualities to the dance vocabulary.
Isolation
Moving one part of the body independently while keeping other parts still. Fundamental to both jazz and hip hop technique.
Bounce
The fundamental groove of hip hop, a rhythmic up-and-down movement that connects the dancer to the music's beat and feeling.
Kick
Sharp extension of the leg, often to shoulder height or above. Can be performed to the front, side, or back with various stylistic qualities.
Jazz Square
Four-step pattern that traces a square on the floor: cross, back, side, front. Foundation step that teaches coordination and direction changes.
Learning Movement Progression
Movement skills develop systematically, building from simple patterns to complex combinations across all dance styles.
Early Childhood (Ages 3-5)
Focus on basic locomotor movements through creative play. Walk, run, march, gallop, and skip with emphasis on fun, rhythm, and spatial awareness rather than technical precision.
Elementary (Ages 6-8)
Introduction to basic positions and simple movements. Basic ballet positions, simple jumps, marching patterns, and beginning isolation work in age-appropriate ways.
Intermediate (Ages 9-12)
More complex movement combinations and style-specific vocabulary. Ballet barre work, jazz combinations, simple turns, and beginning floor work with proper technique emphasis.
Advanced (Ages 13+)
Sophisticated technique and artistic expression. Complex combinations, advanced jumps and turns, intricate footwork, and style mastery across multiple dance forms.
Ready to Expand Your Movement Vocabulary?
Every great dancer builds their artistry on a foundation of solid movement technique. Whether you're just beginning or looking to refine your skills, mastering these fundamental movements will enhance your dancing in every style.
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