Historical study and adaptation of Hawaiian folk dances for physical education classes
The present material that would be acceptable in the high school physical education class required a study of the various types of dances from Hawaii. There appeared to be two main classifications of dance forms: the modern and ancient. In the modern form, hip, torso, simple and intricate step patterns, as well as hand and arm motions, are used to convey the meaning and rhythm of the music . This style is not readily adaptable to the high school situation, nor does it lend itself to transmission by written form. The ancient danses, on the other hand, relied upon the hands and arms to convey meaning leaving the torso free to augment the motion of the hands. The foot movement was also minor with many of the dances remaining stationary or moving not more than one step in one direction before returning to the original position.
Folk dancing, Physical education and training, Dance, Education, Health and Physical Education
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