127-412: Human positions refer to the different physical configurations that the human body can take. There are several synonyms that refer to human positioning, often used interchangeably, but having specific nuances of meaning. While not moving, a human is usually in one of the following basic positions: This is the static form of crawling which is a form of locomotion instinctive in very young children. It
254-418: A pas de deux , differ profoundly. Even a solo dance or interpretive dance may be undertaken solely for the satisfaction of the dancer. Participatory dancers often all employ the same movements and steps but, for example, in the rave culture of electronic dance music , vast crowds may engage in free dance , uncoordinated with those around them. On the other hand, some cultures lay down strict rules as to
381-486: A human being . It is composed of many different types of cells that together create tissues and subsequently organs and then organ systems . The external human body consists of a head , hair , neck , torso (which includes the thorax and abdomen ), genitals , arms , hands , legs , and feet . The internal human body includes organs, teeth , bones , muscle , tendons , ligaments , blood vessels and blood , lymphatic vessels and lymph . The study of
508-534: A celebration they called a symposium , and this custom was adopted by the Ancient Romans . Ancient Hebrews also adopted this posture for traditional celebrations of a Passover Seder , to symbolize freedom. The biblical prophet Amos associates "those who recline at banquets" with the false sense of security among the Israelites whom he is warning to repent. The heat escape lessening position (HELP)
635-519: A cell . Here, parts of DNA are copied and sent to the body of the cell via RNA . The RNA is then used to create proteins , which form the basis for cells, their activity, and their products. Proteins dictate cell function and gene expression, a cell is able to self-regulate by the amount of proteins produced. However, not all cells have DNA; some cells such as mature red blood cells lose their nucleus as they mature. The body consists of many different types of tissue , defined as cells that act with
762-601: A characteristic tempo and rhythmic pattern. The tango, for example, is usually danced in 4 time at approximately 66 beats per minute. The basic slow step, called a "slow", lasts for one beat, so that a full "right–left" step is equal to one 4 measure. The basic forward and backward walk of the dance is so counted – "slow-slow" – while many additional figures are counted "slow – quick-quick". Repetitive body movements often depend on alternating "strong" and "weak" muscular movements. Given this alternation of left-right, of forward-backward and rise-fall, along with
889-523: A collective identity among the many cultural and ethnic groups of Latin America . Dance served to unite the many African, European, and indigenous peoples of the region. Certain dance genres, such as capoeira , and body movements, especially the characteristic quebradas or pelvis swings, have been variously banned and celebrated throughout Latin American history. Dance studies are offered through
1016-579: A dancer is generally one of constantly changing work situations, strong competitive pressure and low pay. Consequently, professional dancers often must supplement their incomes to achieve financial stability. In the U.S. many professional dancers belong to unions (such as the American Guild of Musical Artists , Screen Actors Guild and Actors' Equity Association ) that establish working conditions and minimum salaries for their members. Professional dancers must possess large amounts of athleticism. To lead
1143-469: A fixed sequence of steps require phrases and melodies of a certain fixed length to accompany that sequence. Musical accompaniment arose in the earliest dance, so that ancient Egyptians attributed the origin of the dance to the divine Athotus, who was said to have observed that music accompanying religious rituals caused participants to move rhythmically and to have brought these movements into proportional measure. The idea that dance arises from musical rhythm,
1270-415: A formula for dance diplomacy that sought to learn from and express respect for the aesthetic traditions of recently independent states that were former European colonies, such as Indonesia, India, and Burma, as a show of anti-colonial solidarity. In most forms of dance the foot is the source of movement, and in some cases require specific shoes to aid in the health, safety ability of the dancer, depending on
1397-651: A global influence. Dance styles fusing classical ballet technique with African-American dance have also appeared in the 21st century, including Hiplet . Dance is central to Latin American social life and culture. Brazilian Samba , Argentinian tango , and Cuban salsa are internationally popular partner dances, and other national dances— merengue , cueca , plena , jarabe , joropo , marinera , cumbia , bachata and others—are important components of their respective countries' cultures. Traditional Carnival festivals incorporate these and other dances in enormous celebrations. Dance has played an important role in forging
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#17327868390391524-465: A group dance such as a line , circle , chain or square dance , or a partner dance , such as in Western ballroom dancing , is undertaken primarily for a common purpose, such as social interaction or exercise , or building flexibility of participants rather than to serve any benefit to onlookers. Such dance seldom has any narrative. A group dance and a corps de ballet , a social partner dance and
1651-420: A number of body cavities , separated areas which house different organ systems. The brain and central nervous system reside in an area protected from the rest of the body by the blood brain barrier . The lungs sit in the pleural cavity . The intestines , liver , and spleen sit in the abdominal cavity . Height, weight, shape and other body proportions vary individually and with age and sex. Body shape
1778-399: A number of sexually transmitted infections including syphilis , HIV , chlamydia , HPV and genital warts . Cancer can affect most parts of the reproductive system including the penis , testicles , prostate , ovaries , cervix , vagina , fallopian , uterus and vulva . The respiratory system consists of the nose, nasopharynx , trachea , and lungs . It brings oxygen from
1905-432: A practitioner's well-being, to improve the body's flexibility and vitality, and to promote the ability to remain in seated meditation for extended periods. Atypical positions are common to break dancing , gymnastics , and yoga , and may include: The human body can be suspended in various stable positions, where the support is above the center of gravity . The positioning may be voluntary or involuntary. In addition to
2032-403: A punishment, possibly amounting to torture . Such positions also are sometimes used as a punishment for children . Submissive positions are often ceremonial and dictated by culture. They may be performed as a mutual sign of respect between equals or as a sign of submission to a higher-ranking individual or to a ceremonial object. Human body The human body is the entire structure of
2159-445: A score. As far as competitive categories go, most competitions base their categories according to the dance style, age, experience level and the number of dancers competing in the routine. Major types of dance competitions include: During the 1950s and 1960s, cultural exchange of dance was a common feature of international diplomacy, especially amongst East and South Asian nations. The People's Republic of China , for example, developed
2286-438: A series of variations on a lateral recumbent or three-quarters prone position of the body, into which an unconscious but breathing casualty can be placed as part of first aid treatment. A large number of resting positions are possible, based on variations of sitting, squatting, kneeling or lying. A "straddle" or "astride" position is usually adopted when riding a horse , donkey , or other beast of burden , with or without
2413-505: A specialised function. The study of tissues is called histology and is often done with a microscope . The body consists of four main types of tissues. These are lining cells ( epithelia ), connective tissue , nerve tissue and muscle tissue . Cells that line surfaces exposed to the outside world or gastrointestinal tract ( epithelia ) or internal cavities ( endothelium ) come in numerous shapes and forms – from single layers of flat cells , to cells with small beating hair-like cilia in
2540-923: A successful career, it is advantageous to be versatile in many styles of dance, have a strong technical background and to use other forms of physical training to remain fit and healthy. Dance teachers typically focus on teaching dance performance, or coaching competitive dancers, or both. They typically have performance experience in the types of dance they teach or coach. For example, dancesport teachers and coaches are often tournament dancers or former dancesport performers. Dance teachers may be self-employed, or employed by dance schools or general education institutions with dance programs. Some work for university programs or other schools that are associated with professional classical dance (e.g., ballet) or modern dance companies. Others are employed by smaller, privately owned dance schools that offer dance training and performance coaching for various types of dance. Choreographers are
2667-450: Is The Cygnets' Dance in act two of Swan Lake . The ballet developed out of courtly dramatic productions of 16th- and 17th-century France and Italy and for some time dancers performed dances developed from those familiar from the musical suite, all of which were defined by definite rhythms closely identified with each dance. These appeared as character dances in the era of romantic nationalism . Ballet reached widespread vogue in
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#17327868390392794-442: Is swallowed , and moves through the esophagus to the stomach . In the stomach, food is mixed with gastric acids to allow the extraction of nutrients . What is left is called chyme ; this then moves into the small intestine , which absorbs the nutrients and water from the chyme. What remains passes on to the large intestine , where it is dried to form feces ; these are then stored in the rectum until they are expelled through
2921-433: Is a common disease in which one or more stones form in the gallbladder or biliary tract . Most people are asymptomatic but if a stone blocks the biliary tract, it causes a gallbladder attack , symptoms may include sudden pain in the upper right abdomen or center of the abdomen. Nausea and vomiting may also occur. Typical treatment is removal of the gallbladder through a procedure called a cholecystectomy . Having gallstones
3048-444: Is a risk factor for gallbladder cancer , which although quite uncommon, is rapidly fatal if not diagnosed early. The circulatory system consists of the heart and blood vessels ( arteries , veins and capillaries ). The heart propels the circulation of the blood, which serves as a "transportation system" to transfer oxygen , fuel, nutrients, waste products, immune cells and signaling molecules (i.e. hormones ) from one part of
3175-473: Is a way to position oneself to reduce heat loss in cold water. It is taught as part of the curriculum in Australia, North America, and Ireland for lifeguard and boating safety training. It essentially involves positioning one's knees together and hugging them close to the chest using one's arms. The following positions are specifically used in medicine: The recovery position or coma position refers to one of
3302-538: Is an important part of dance technique. Eating positions vary in different regions of the world, as culture strongly influences the way people eat their meals. For example, in most of the Middle Eastern countries, eating while sitting on the floor is most common, and it is believed to be healthier than eating while sitting at a table. Eating in a reclining position was favored by the Ancient Greeks at
3429-415: Is brought by the ureters from the kidneys down to the bladder . The smooth muscle lining the ureter walls continuously tighten and relax through a process called peristalsis to force urine away from the kidneys and down into the bladder. Small amounts of urine are released into the bladder every 10–15 seconds. The bladder is a hollow balloon shaped organ located in the pelvis . It stores urine until
3556-443: Is common to squat with one leg and kneel with the other leg. One or both heels may be up when squatting. Young children often instinctively squat. Among Chinese, Southeast Asian, and Eastern European adults, squatting often takes the place of sitting or standing. Although quiet standing appears to be static, modern instrumentation shows it to be a process of rocking from the ankle in the sagittal plane. The sway of quiet standing
3683-730: Is composed of elements including hydrogen , oxygen , carbon , calcium and phosphorus . These elements reside in trillions of cells and non-cellular components of the body. The adult male body is about 60% total body water content of some 42 litres (9.2 imp gal; 11 US gal). This is made up of about 19 litres (4.2 imp gal; 5.0 US gal) of extracellular fluid including about 3.2 litres (0.70 imp gal; 0.85 US gal) of blood plasma and about 8.4 litres (1.8 imp gal; 2.2 US gal) of interstitial fluid , and about 23 litres (5.1 imp gal; 6.1 US gal) of fluid inside cells. The content, acidity and composition of
3810-433: Is generally, but not exclusively, performed with the accompaniment of music and may or may not be performed in time to such music. Some dance (such as tap dance or gumboot dance ) may provide its own audible accompaniment in place of (or in addition to) music. Many early forms of music and dance were created for each other and are frequently performed together. Notable examples of traditional dance-music couplings include
3937-419: Is influenced by the distribution of bones, muscle and fat tissue . Human physiology is the study of how the human body functions. This includes the mechanical, physical, bioelectrical , and biochemical functions of humans in good health, from organs to the cells of which they are composed. The human body consists of many interacting systems of organs. These interact to maintain homeostasis , keeping
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4064-509: Is mostly responsible for gathering information with sensory neurons and directing body movements with motor neurons . From a functional perspective, the nervous system is again typically divided into two component parts: the somatic nervous system (SNS) and the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The SNS is involved in voluntary functions like speaking and sensory processes . The ANS is involved in involuntary processes, such as digestion and regulating blood pressure . The nervous system
4191-406: Is not a requirement. Examples are Western ballet and modern dance , Classical Indian dance such as Bharatanatyam , and Chinese and Japanese song and dance dramas, such as the dragon dance . Most classical forms are centred upon dance alone, but performance dance may also appear in opera and other forms of musical theatre . Participatory dance, whether it be a folk dance , a social dance ,
4318-608: Is often likened to the motion of an inverted pendulum. There are many mechanisms in the body that are suggested to control this movement, e.g. a spring action in muscles, higher control from the nervous system or core muscles. Although the posture is not dangerous in itself, there are pathologies associated with prolonged intervals of unrelieved standing. One short-term condition is orthostatic hypotension , and long-term conditions are sore feet, stiff legs, and low back pain. Some variations of standing are: Certain asanas postures were originally intended primarily to restore and maintain
4445-598: Is one early text. It mainly deals with drama, in which dance plays an important part in Indian culture. A strong continuous tradition of dance has since continued in India, through to modern times, where it continues to play a role in culture, ritual, and the Bollywood entertainment industry. Many other contemporary dance forms can likewise be traced back to historical , traditional , ceremonial , and ethnic dance. Dance
4572-428: Is quite possible to develop the dance without music and... music is perfectly capable of standing on its own feet without any assistance from the dance", nevertheless the "two arts will always be related and the relationship can be profitable both to the dance and to music", the precedence of one art over the other being a moot point. The common ballad measures of hymns and folk-songs takes their name from dance, as does
4699-412: Is rhythm and form more than harmony and color which, from the beginning, has bound music, poetry and dancing together in a union that is indissoluble." Concert dance, like opera , generally depends for its large-scale form upon a narrative dramatic structure . The movements and gestures of the choreography are primarily intended to mime the personality and aims of the characters and their part in
4826-405: Is similar to the circulatory system in terms of both its structure and its most basic function, to carry a body fluid. The musculoskeletal system consists of the human skeleton (which includes bones , ligaments , tendons , joints and cartilage ) and attached muscles . It gives the body basic structure and the ability for movement. In addition to their structural role, the larger bones in
4953-483: Is somewhat less secure against accidental dismounting or falling. The straddle posture is often intermediate between standing and sitting positions, allowing body weight to be supported securely, while also affording a high degree of upper body mobility and dynamic balance during vigorous or extended motions. Sex positions are positions which people may adopt during or for the purpose of sexual intercourse or other sexual activities. Sexual acts are generally described by
5080-430: Is subject to many different diseases. In epilepsy , abnormal electrical activity in the brain can cause seizures . In multiple sclerosis , the immune system attacks the nerve linings , damaging the nerves' ability to transmit signals. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig 's disease, is a motor neuron disease which gradually reduces movement in patients. There are also many other diseases of
5207-498: Is taught to all ages ranging from two years old to the adult level outside of a professional dance setting. Typically this dance education is seen in dance studio businesses across the world. Some K-12 public schools have provided the opportunity for students to take beginner level dance classes, as well as participate in dance teams that perform at school events. Professional dancers are usually employed on contract or for particular performances or productions. The professional life of
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5334-425: Is the organ of thought , emotion, memory , and sensory processing ; it serves many aspects of communication and controls various systems and functions. The special senses consist of vision , hearing , taste , and smell . The eyes , ears , tongue , and nose gather information about the body's environment. From a structural perspective, the nervous system is typically subdivided into two component parts:
5461-415: Is the place of origin of Bhangra . It is widely known both as a style of music and a dance. It is mostly related to ancient harvest celebrations, love, patriotism or social issues. Its music is coordinated by a musical instrument called the 'Dhol'. Bhangra is not just music but a dance, a celebration of the harvest where people beat the dhol (drum), sing Boliyaan (lyrics) and dance. It developed further with
5588-442: Is the study of the shape and form of the human body. The human body has four limbs (two arms and two legs), a head and a neck , which connect to the torso . The body's shape is determined by a strong skeleton made of bone and cartilage , surrounded by fat ( adipose tissue ), muscle, connective tissue , organs, and other structures. The spine at the back of the skeleton contains the flexible vertebral column , which surrounds
5715-424: Is to provide a fun and educative place for dancers and give them the opportunity to perform their choreographed routines from their current dance season onstage. Oftentimes, competitions will take place in a professional setting or may vary to non-performance spaces, such as a high school theatre. The results of the dancers are then dictated by a credible panel of judges and are evaluated on their performance than given
5842-433: Is variable in shape and size. It stores bile before it is released into the small intestine via the common bile duct to help with digestion of fats . It receives bile from the liver via the cystic duct , which connects to the common hepatic duct to form the common bile duct . The gallbladder gets its blood supply from the cystic artery , which in most people, emerges from the right hepatic artery . Gallstones
5969-612: The Neolithic period, groups of people are depicted dancing in a line holding hands, and the earliest Chinese word for "dance" is found written in the oracle bones . Dance is described in the Lüshi Chunqiu . Primitive dance in ancient China was associated with sorcery and shamanic rituals. During the first millennium BCE in India, many texts were composed which attempted to codify aspects of daily life. Bharata Muni 's Natya Shastra (literally "the text of dramaturgy" )
6096-441: The anus . The endocrine system consists of the principal endocrine glands : the pituitary , thyroid , adrenals , pancreas , parathyroids , and gonads , but nearly all organs and tissues produce specific endocrine hormones as well. The endocrine hormones serve as signals from one body system to another regarding an enormous array of conditions, resulting in variety of changes of function. The immune system consists of
6223-676: The arts and humanities programs of many higher education institutions. Some universities offer Bachelor of Arts and higher academic degrees in Dance. A dance study curriculum may encompass a diverse range of courses and topics, including dance practice and performance, choreography, ethnochoreology , kinesiology , dance notation , and dance therapy . Most recently, dance and movement therapy has been integrated in some schools into math lessons for students with learning disabilities, emotional or behavioral disabilities, as well as for those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Dance
6350-486: The bilateral symmetry of the human body, many dances and much music are in duple and quadruple meter . Since some such movements require more time in one phase than the other – such as the longer time required to lift a hammer than to strike – some dance rhythms fall into triple metre . Occasionally, as in the folk dances of the Balkans , dance traditions depend heavily on more complex rhythms. Complex dances composed of
6477-550: The carol , originally a circle dance . Many purely musical pieces have been named " waltz " or " minuet ", for example, while many concert dances have been produced that are based upon abstract musical pieces, such as 2 and 3 Part Inventions , Adams Violin Concerto and Andantino . Similarly, poems are often structured and named after dances or musical works, while dance and music have both drawn their conception of "measure" or "metre" from poetry. Shawn quotes with approval
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#17327868390396604-520: The central nervous system (CNS), composed of the brain and the spinal cord ; and the peripheral nervous system (PNS), composed of the nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord. The CNS is mostly responsible for organizing motion , processing sensory information , thought, memory, cognition and other such functions. It remains a matter of some debate whether the CNS directly gives rise to consciousness . The peripheral nervous system (PNS)
6731-442: The feet (as with standing ) but the knees and hips are bent. In contrast, sitting , involves taking the weight of the body, at least in part, on the buttocks against the ground or a horizontal object such as a chair seat . The angle between the legs when squatting can vary from zero to widely splayed out, flexibility permitting. Squatting may be either: Crouching is usually considered to be synonymous with full squatting. It
6858-468: The heart , lungs and liver . Many organs reside within cavities within the body. These cavities include the abdomen (which contains the stomach, for example) and pleura , which contains the lungs. The heart is an organ located in the thoracic cavity between the lungs and slightly to the left. It is surrounded by the pericardium , which holds it in place in the mediastinum and serves to protect it from blunt trauma, infection and help lubricate
6985-560: The jig , waltz , tango , disco , and salsa . Some musical genres have a parallel dance form such as baroque music and baroque dance ; other varieties of dance and music may share nomenclature but developed separately, such as classical music and classical ballet . The choreography and music are meant to complement each other, to express a story told by the choreographer and dancers. Rhythm and dance are deeply linked in history and practice. The American dancer Ted Shawn wrote; "The conception of rhythm which underlies all studies of
7112-441: The kidneys filter the blood through their respective nephrons , removing waste products like urea , creatinine and maintaining the proper balance of electrolytes and turning the waste products into urine by combining them with water from the blood. The kidneys filter about 150 quarts (170 liters) of blood daily, but most of it is returned to the blood stream with only 1-2 quarts (1-2 liters) ending up as urine. The urine
7239-419: The lithotomy position still commonly used by many obstetricians , childbirth positions that are successfully used by midwives and traditional birth-attendants the world over include squatting , standing , kneeling , and on all fours, often in a sequence. Dance position is a position of a dancer or a mutual position of a dance couple assumed during a dance . Describing and mastering proper dance positions
7366-591: The maypole dance are common to many nations, while others such as the céilidh and the polka are deeply-rooted in a single culture. Some European folk dances such as the square dance were brought to the New World and subsequently became part of American culture. Ballet developed first in Italy and then in France from lavish court spectacles that combined rhythm, drama, poetry, song, costumes and dance. Members of
7493-456: The ovary of a female is penetrated by sperm . The egg then lodges in the uterus , where an embryo and later fetus develop until birth . Growth and development occur after birth, and include both physical and psychological development, influenced by genetic, hormonal, environmental and other factors. Development and growth continue throughout life, through childhood , adolescence , and through adulthood to old age , and are referred to as
7620-407: The sinoatrial node traveling through the atria causing them to pump blood into the ventricles . It then travels to the atrioventricular node , which makes the signal slow down slightly allowing the ventricles to fill with blood before pumping it out and starting the cycle over again. Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death worldwide , making up 16% of all deaths. It is caused by
7747-400: The spinal cord , which is a collection of nerve fibres connecting the brain to the rest of the body. Nerves connect the spinal cord and brain to the rest of the body. All major bones, muscles, and nerves in the body are named, with the exception of anatomical variations such as sesamoid bones and accessory muscles . Blood vessels carry blood throughout the body, which moves because of
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#17327868390397874-421: The spleen and bone marrow . The digestive system consists of the mouth including the tongue and teeth , esophagus , stomach , ( gastrointestinal tract , small and large intestines , and rectum ), as well as the liver , pancreas , gallbladder , and salivary glands . It converts food into small, nutritional, non-toxic molecules for distribution and absorption into the body. These molecules take
8001-432: The testicles . The testicle is the gonad , the sex gland that produces the sperm cells . Unlike the egg cells in the female, sperm cells are produced throughout life. Other internal sex organs are the epididymides , vasa deferentia , and some accessory glands . Diseases that affect the reproductive system include polycystic ovary syndrome , a number of disorders of the testicles including testicular torsion , and
8128-427: The uterus , and the cervix . At birth there are about 70,000 immature egg cells that degenerate until at puberty there are around 40,000. No more egg cells are produced. Hormones stimulate the beginning of menstruation, and the ongoing menstrual cycles . The female external sex organs are the vulva ( labia , clitoris , and vestibule ). The male external genitalia include the penis and scrotum that contains
8255-441: The white blood cells , the thymus , lymph nodes and lymph channels, which are also part of the lymphatic system . The immune system provides a mechanism for the body to distinguish its own cells and tissues from outside cells and substances and to neutralize or destroy the latter by using specialized proteins such as antibodies , cytokines , and toll-like receptors , among many others. The integumentary system consists of
8382-551: The Vaisakhi festival of the Sikhs . The dances of Sri Lanka include the devil dances ( yakun natima ), a carefully crafted ritual reaching far back into Sri Lanka's pre-Buddhist past that combines ancient " Ayurvedic " concepts of disease causation with psychological manipulation and combines many aspects including Sinhalese cosmology. Their influence can be seen on the classical dances of Sri Lanka . Indonesian dances reflect
8509-421: The academy, was formed; this troupe began as an all-male ensemble but by 1681 opened to include women as well. 20th century concert dance brought an explosion of innovation in dance style characterized by an exploration of freer technique. Early pioneers of what became known as modern dance include Loie Fuller , Isadora Duncan , Mary Wigman and Ruth St. Denis . The relationship of music to dance serves as
8636-607: The acceptance of dharma religion in the 1st century in Indonesia, Hinduism and Buddhist rituals were celebrated in various artistic performances. Hindu epics such as the Ramayana , Mahabharata and also the Panji became the inspiration to be shown in a dance-drama called "Sendratari" resembling " ballet " in the western tradition. An elaborate and highly stylized dance method was invented and has survived to this day, especially on
8763-452: The advancement of plot and the narration of action, and Furyū Noh , dance pieces involving acrobatics, stage properties, multiple characters and elaborate stage action. Social dances , those intended for participation rather than for an audience, may include various forms of mime and narrative, but are typically set much more closely to the rhythmic pattern of music, so that terms like waltz and polka refer as much to musical pieces as to
8890-403: The ages as having emerged as a response to music yet, as Lincoln Kirstein implied, it is at least as likely that primitive music arose from dance. Shawn concurs, stating that dance "was the first art of the human race, and the matrix out of which all other arts grew" and that even the " metre in our poetry today is a result of the accents necessitated by body movement, as the dancing and reciting
9017-436: The ages of 9 and 13 and is characterized by ovulation and menstruation ; the growth of secondary sex characteristics, such as growth of pubic and underarm hair , breast , uterine and vaginal growth, widening hips and increased height and weight, also occur during puberty. Male puberty sees the further development of the penis and testicles . The female inner sex organs are the two ovaries, their fallopian tubes ,
9144-471: The aid of a saddle . The position is also used for sitting on analogous vehicles, such as bicycles , motorcycles , or unicycles , and on furniture, such as certain types of seating, and bidets . The posture is also used on some types of specialized workbenches (such as a shaving horse ). By definition, an essential feature is having one leg on each side of whatever is being straddled. The related sidesaddle position allows riding without straddling, but
9271-435: The air and excretes carbon dioxide and water back into the air. First, air is pulled through the trachea into the lungs by the diaphragm pushing down, which creates a vacuum . Air is briefly stored inside small sacs known as alveoli (sing.: alveolus) before being expelled from the lungs when the diaphragm contracts again. Each alveolus is surrounded by capillaries carrying deoxygenated blood, which absorbs oxygen out of
9398-420: The air and into the bloodstream . For the respiratory system to function properly, there need to be as few impediments as possible to the movement of air within the lungs. Inflammation of the lungs and excess mucus are common sources of breathing difficulties. In asthma , the respiratory system is persistently inflamed, causing wheezing or shortness of breath . Pneumonia occurs through infection of
9525-400: The alveoli, and may be caused by tuberculosis . Emphysema , commonly a result of smoking , is caused by damage to connections between the alveoli. The urinary system consists of the two kidneys , two ureters , bladder , and urethra . It removes waste materials from the blood through urine, which carries a variety of waste molecules and excess ions and water out of the body. First,
9652-401: The angle between the legs can vary from zero to widely splayed out, flexibility permitting. It is common to kneel with one leg and squat with the other leg. While kneeling, the thighs and upper body can be at various angles in particular: When in lying position, the body may assume a great variety of shapes and positions. The following are the basic recognized positions: Sitting requires
9779-424: The basis for Eurhythmics , devised by Emile Jaques-Dalcroze , which was influential to the development of Modern dance and modern ballet through artists such as Marie Rambert . Eurythmy , developed by Rudolf Steiner and Marie Steiner-von Sivers , combines formal elements reminiscent of traditional dance with the new freer style, and introduced a complex new vocabulary to dance. In the 1920s, important founders of
9906-406: The beating of the heart . Venules and veins collect blood low in oxygen from tissues throughout the body. These collect in progressively larger veins until they reach the body's two largest veins, the superior and inferior vena cava , which drain blood into the right side of the heart. From here, the blood is pumped into the lungs where it receives oxygen and drains back into the left side of
10033-427: The body contain bone marrow , the site of production of blood cells. Also, all bones are major storage sites for calcium and phosphate . This system can be split up into the muscular system and the skeletal system . The nervous system consists of the body's neurons and glial cells, which together form the nerves , ganglia and gray matter , which in turn form the brain and related structures. The brain
10160-423: The body in a stable state with safe levels of substances such as sugar and oxygen in the blood. Each system contributes to homeostasis, of itself, other systems, and the entire body. Some combined systems are referred to by joint names. For example, the nervous system and the endocrine system operate together as the neuroendocrine system . The nervous system receives information from the body, and transmits this to
10287-441: The body to another. Paths of blood circulation within the human body can be divided into two circuits: the pulmonary circuit , which pumps blood to the lungs to receive oxygen and leave carbon dioxide , and the systemic circuit, which carries blood from the heart off to the rest of the body. The blood consists of fluid that carries cells in the circulation, including some that move from tissue to blood vessels and back, as well as
10414-412: The brain signals it to relax the urinary sphincter and release the urine into the urethra starting urination . A normal bladder can hold up to 16 ounces (half a liter) for 3–5 hours comfortably. Numerous diseases affect the urinary system including kidney stones , which are formed when materials in the urine concentrate enough to form a solid mass, urinary tract infections , which are infections of
10541-463: The brain via nerve impulses and neurotransmitters . At the same time, the endocrine system releases hormones, such as to help regulate blood pressure and volume. Together, these systems regulate the internal environment of the body, maintaining blood flow, posture, energy supply, temperature, and acid balance ( pH ). Development of the human body is the process of growth to maturity. The process begins with fertilisation, where an egg released from
10668-481: The buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries supplying the heart, eventually the arteries may become so narrow that not enough blood is able to reach the myocardium , a condition known as myocardial infarction or heart attack , this can cause heart failure or cardiac arrest and eventually death. Risk factors for coronary artery disease include obesity , smoking , high cholesterol , high blood pressure , lack of exercise and diabetes . Cancer can affect
10795-400: The buttocks resting on a more or less horizontal structure, such as a chair or the ground. Special ways of sitting are with the legs horizontal, and in an inclined seat. While on a chair the shins are usually vertical, on the ground the shins may be crossed in the lotus position or be placed horizontally under the thigh in a seiza . Squatting is a posture where the weight of the body is on
10922-412: The cell numbers of all the organs of the body and cell types . The skin of the body is also host to billions of commensal organisms as well as immune cells. Not all parts of the body are made from cells. Cells sit in an extracellular matrix that consists of proteins such as collagen , surrounded by extracellular fluids. Cells in the body function because of DNA . DNA sits within the nucleus of
11049-570: The continent. These may be divided into traditional, neotraditional, and classical styles: folkloric dances of a particular society, dances created more recently in imitation of traditional styles, and dances transmitted more formally in schools or private lessons. African dance has been altered by many forces, such as European missionaries and colonialist governments, who often suppressed local dance traditions as licentious or distracting. Dance in contemporary African cultures still serves its traditional functions in new contexts; dance may celebrate
11176-606: The court nobility took part as performers. During the reign of Louis XIV , himself a dancer, dance became more codified. Professional dancers began to take the place of court amateurs, and ballet masters were licensed by the French government. The first ballet dance academy was the Académie Royale de Danse (Royal Dance Academy), opened in Paris in 1661. Shortly thereafter, the first institutionalized ballet troupe, associated with
11303-432: The covering of the body (the skin ), including hair and nails as well as other functionally important structures such as the sweat glands and sebaceous glands . The skin provides containment, structure, and protection for other organs, and serves as a major sensory interface with the outside world. The lymphatic system extracts, transports and metabolizes lymph, the fluid found in between cells. The lymphatic system
11430-433: The dance is something about which we could talk forever, and still not finish." A musical rhythm requires two main elements; a regularly-repeating pulse (also called the "beat" or "tactus") that establishes the tempo , and a pattern of accents and rests that establishes the character of the metre or basic rhythmic pattern . The basic pulse is roughly equal in duration to a simple step or gesture. Dances generally have
11557-412: The dance itself. The rhythm of the dancers' feet may even form an essential part of the music, as in tap dance . African dance, for example, is rooted in fixed basic steps, but may also allow a high degree of rhythmic interpretation: the feet or the trunk mark the basic pulse while cross-rhythms are picked up by shoulders, knees, or head, with the best dancers simultaneously giving plastic expression to all
11684-492: The dancer simultaneously using a musical instrument themselves. There are two different types of dance: theatrical and participatory dance. Both types of dance may have special functions, whether social, ceremonial , competitive , erotic , martial , sacred or liturgical . Dance is not solely restricted to performance, as dance is used as a form of exercise and occasionally training for other sports and activities. Dance performances and dancing competitions are found across
11811-622: The elements of the polyrhythmic pattern. Dance in Africa is deeply integrated into society and major events in a community are frequently reflected in dances: dances are performed for births and funerals, weddings and wars. Traditional dances impart cultural morals, including religious traditions and sexual standards; give vent to repressed emotions, such as grief ; motivate community members to cooperate, whether fighting wars or grinding grain; enact spiritual rituals; and contribute to social cohesiveness . Thousands of dances are performed around
11938-458: The form of proteins (which are broken down into amino acids ), fats , vitamins and minerals (the last of which are mainly ionic rather than molecular). After being swallowed , food moves through the gastrointestinal tract by means of peristalsis : the systematic expansion and contraction of muscles to push food from one area to the next. Digestion begins in the mouth , which chews food into smaller pieces for easier digestion. Then it
12065-403: The heart , though it is exceedingly rare and has usually metastasized from another part of the body such as the lungs or breasts . This is because the heart cells quickly stop dividing and all growth occurs through size increase rather than cell division . The gallbladder is a hollow pear-shaped organ located posterior to the inferior middle part of the right lobe of the liver . It
12192-434: The heart. From here, it is pumped into the body's largest artery , the aorta , and then progressively smaller arteries and arterioles until it reaches tissue. Here, blood passes from small arteries into capillaries , then small veins and the process begins again. Blood carries oxygen , waste products, and hormones from one place in the body to another. Blood is filtered at the kidneys and liver . The body consists of
12319-500: The human body includes anatomy , physiology , histology and embryology . The body varies anatomically in known ways. Physiology focuses on the systems and organs of the human body and their functions. Many systems and mechanisms interact in order to maintain homeostasis , with safe levels of substances such as sugar , iron , and oxygen in the blood. The body is studied by health professionals , physiologists, anatomists, and artists to assist them in their work. The human body
12446-542: The inauguration of a hospital, build community for rural migrants in unfamiliar cities, and be incorporated into Christian church ceremonies. All Indian classical dances are to varying degrees rooted in the Natyashastra and therefore share common features: for example, the mudra s (hand positions), some body positions, leg movement and the inclusion of dramatic or expressive acting or abhinaya . Indian classical music provides accompaniment and dancers of nearly all
12573-716: The islands of Java and Bali . The Javanese Wayang wong dance takes footage from the Ramayana or Mahabharata episodes, but this dance is very different from the Indian version, indonesian dances do not pay as much attention to the " mudras " as Indian dances: even more to show local forms. The sacred Javanese ritual dance Bedhaya is believed to date back to the Majapahit period in the 14th century or even earlier, this dance originated from ritual dances performed by virgin girls to worship Hindu Gods such as Shiva , Brahma , and Vishnu . In Bali, dance has become an integral part of
12700-421: The lungs, to column-like cells that line the stomach . Endothelial cells are cells that line internal cavities including blood vessels and glands. Lining cells regulate what can and cannot pass through them, protect internal structures, and function as sensory surfaces. Organs , structured collections of cells with a specific function, mostly sit within the body, with the exception of skin . Examples include
12827-423: The meaning of "primitive rhythmic movements", a situation that began to change in the 20th century with such productions as Igor Stravinsky 's The Rite of Spring with its new rhythmic language evoking primal feelings of a primitive past. Indian classical dance styles, like ballet, are often in dramatic form, so that there is a similar complementarity between narrative expression and "pure" dance. In this case,
12954-415: The movement of the heart via pericardial fluid . The heart works by pumping blood around the body allowing oxygen , nutrients , waste , hormones and white blood cells to be transported. The heart is composed of two atria and two ventricles . The primary purpose of the atria is to allow uninterrupted venous blood flow to the heart during ventricular systole . This allows enough blood to get into
13081-407: The nervous system. The purpose of the reproductive system is to reproduce and nurture the growth of offspring. The functions include the production of germ cells and hormones. The sex organs of the male reproductive system and the female reproductive system develops and mature at puberty . These systems include the internal and external genitalia . Female puberty generally occurs between
13208-440: The new style such as Martha Graham and Doris Humphrey began their work. Since this time, a wide variety of dance styles have been developed; see Modern dance . African American dance developed in everyday spaces, rather than in dance studios, schools or companies. Tap dance , disco , jazz dance , swing dance , hip hop dance , the lindy hop with its relationship to rock and roll music and rock and roll dance have had
13335-521: The next. The use of dance in ecstatic trance states and healing rituals (as observed today in many contemporary indigenous cultures) is thought to have been another early factor in the social development of dance. References to dance can be found in very early recorded history; Greek dance ( choros ) is referred to by Plato , Aristotle , Plutarch and Lucian . The Bible and Talmud refer to many events related to dance, and contain over 30 different dance terms. In Chinese pottery as early as
13462-477: The ones that design the dancing movements within a dance, they are often university trained and are typically employed for particular projects or, more rarely may work on contract as the resident choreographer for a specific dance company. A dance competition is an organized event in which contestants perform dances before a judge or judges for awards, and in some cases, monetary prizes. There are several major types of dance competitions, distinguished primarily by
13589-591: The particular dances people may or must participate. Archaeological evidence for early dance includes 10,000-years-old paintings in Madhya Pradesh, India at the Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka , and Egyptian tomb paintings depicting dancing figures, dated c. 3300 BC . It has been proposed that before the invention of written languages, dance was an important part of the oral and performance methods of passing stories down from one generation to
13716-404: The plot. Such theatrical requirements tend towards longer, freer movements than those usual in non-narrative dance styles. On the other hand, the ballet blanc , developed in the 19th century, allows interludes of rhythmic dance that developed into entirely "plotless" ballets in the 20th century and that allowed fast, rhythmic dance-steps such as those of the petit allegro . A well-known example
13843-462: The positions the participants adopt in order to perform those acts. The sleeping position is the body configuration assumed by a person during or prior to sleeping. Six basic sleeping positions have been identified: Stress positions place the human body in such a way that a great amount of weight is placed on just one or two muscles and joints. Forcing prisoners to adopt such positions is a method of ill-treatment used for extracting information or as
13970-571: The previous era, replacing stories with more Islamic interpretations and clothing that is more closed according to Islamic teachings. The dances of the Middle East are usually the traditional forms of circle dancing which are modernized to an extent. They would include dabke , tamzara , Assyrian folk dance , Kurdish dance , Armenian dance and Turkish dance , among others. All these forms of dances would usually involve participants engaging each other by holding hands or arms (depending on
14097-420: The process of aging . Dance Dance is an art form , consisting of sequences of body movements with aesthetic and often symbolic value, either improvised or purposefully selected. Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography , by its repertoire of movements or by its historical period or place of origin . Dance is typically performed with musical accompaniment , and sometimes with
14224-630: The richness and diversity of Indonesian ethnic groups and cultures . There are more than 1,300 ethnic groups in Indonesia , it can be seen from the cultural roots of the Austronesian and Melanesian peoples , and various cultural influences from Asia and the west. Dances in Indonesia originate from ritual movements and religious ceremonies, this kind of dance usually begins with rituals, such as war dances, shaman dances to cure or ward off disease, dances to call rain and other types of dances. With
14351-522: The romantic era, accompanied by a larger orchestra and grander musical conceptions that did not lend themselves easily to rhythmic clarity and by dance that emphasised dramatic mime. A broader concept of rhythm was needed, that which Rudolf Laban terms the "rhythm and shape" of movement that communicates character, emotion and intention, while only certain scenes required the exact synchronisation of step and music essential to other dance styles, so that, to Laban, modern Europeans seemed totally unable to grasp
14478-597: The sacred Hindu Dharma rituals. Some experts believe that Balinese dance comes from an older dance tradition from Java. Reliefs from temples in East Java from the 14th century feature crowns and headdresses similar to the headdresses used in Balinese dance today. Islam began to spread to the Indonesian archipelago when indigenous dances and dharma dances were still popular. Artists and dancers still use styles from
14605-524: The statement of Dalcroze that, while the art of musical rhythm consists in differentiating and combining time durations, pauses and accents "according to physiological law", that of "plastic rhythm" (i.e. dance) "is to designate movement in space, to interpret long time-values by slow movements and short ones by quick movements, regulate pauses by their divers successions and express sound accentuations in their multiple nuances by additions of bodily weight, by means of muscular innervations". Shawn points out that
14732-468: The style of the dance). They would make rhythmic moves with their legs and shoulders as they curve around the dance floor. The head of the dance would generally hold a cane or handkerchief . Folk dances vary across Europe and may date back hundreds or thousands of years, but many have features in common such as group participation led by a caller , hand-holding or arm-linking between participants, and fixed musical forms known as caroles. Some, such as
14859-421: The style or styles of dances performed. Dance competitions are an excellent setting to build connections with industry leading faculty members, adjudicators, choreographers and other dancers from competing studios. A typical dance competition for younger pre-professional dancers can last anywhere between two and four days, depending whether it is a regional or national competition. The purpose of dance competitions
14986-445: The styles wear bells around their ankles to counterpoint and complement the percussion. There are now many regional varieties of Indian classical dance . Dances like "Odra Magadhi" , which after decades-long debate, has been traced to present day Mithila, Odisha region's dance form of Odissi (Orissi), indicate influence of dances in cultural interactions between different regions. The Punjab area overlapping India and Pakistan
15113-433: The system of musical time is a "man-made, artificial thing.... a manufactured tool, whereas rhythm is something that has always existed and depends on man not at all", being "the continuous flowing time which our human minds cut up into convenient units", suggesting that music might be revivified by a return to the values and the time-perception of dancing. The early-20th-century American dancer Helen Moller stated that "it
15240-707: The two are separately defined, though not always separately performed. The rhythmic elements, which are abstract and technical, are known as nritta . Both this and expressive dance (nritya) , though, are closely tied to the rhythmic system ( tala ). Teachers have adapted the spoken rhythmic mnemonic system called bol to the needs of dancers. Japanese classical dance-theatre styles such as Kabuki and Noh , like Indian dance-drama, distinguish between narrative and abstract dance productions. The three main categories of kabuki are jidaimono (historical), sewamono (domestic) and shosagoto (dance pieces). Somewhat similarly, Noh distinguishes between Geki Noh , based around
15367-405: The urinary tract and can cause pain when urinating, frequent urination and even death if left untreated. Renal failure occurs when the kidneys fail to adequately filter waste from the blood and can lead to death if not treated with dialysis or kidney transplantation . Cancer can affect the bladder , kidneys , urethra and ureters , with the latter two being far more rare. Human anatomy
15494-417: The ventricles during atrial systole . Consequently, the atria allows a cardiac output roughly 75% greater than would be possible without them. The purpose of the ventricles is to pump blood to the lungs through the right ventricle and to the rest of the body through the left ventricle. The heart has an electrical conduction system to control the contraction and relaxation of the muscles. It starts in
15621-401: The water inside and outside cells is carefully maintained. The main electrolytes in body water outside cells are sodium and chloride , whereas within cells it is potassium and other phosphates . The body contains trillions of cells , the fundamental unit of life. At maturity, there are roughly 30 trillion cells, and 38 trillion bacteria in the body, an estimate arrived at by totaling
15748-422: The world exhibiting various different styles and standards. Theatrical dance, also called performance or concert dance , is intended primarily as a spectacle, usually a performance upon a stage by virtuoso dancers. It often tells a story , perhaps using mime , costume and scenery , or it may interpret the musical accompaniment , which is often specially composed and performed in a theatre setting but it
15875-518: Was a commonly used childbirth position in both Western and non-Western cultures, in which context it is known as the Gaskin Maneuver . This position is sometimes viewed as sexually explicit due to its association with sexual initiation or availability. Kneeling is a basic human position where one or both knees touch the ground. It is used as a resting position, during childbirth and as an expression of reverence and submission. While kneeling,
16002-884: Was found in renaissance Europe, in the works of the dancer Guglielmo Ebreo da Pesaro . Pesaro speaks of dance as a physical movement that arises from and expresses inward, spiritual motion agreeing with the "measures and perfect concords of harmony" that fall upon the human ear, while earlier, Mechthild of Magdeburg , seizing upon dance as a symbol of the holy life foreshadowed in Jesus' saying "I have piped and ye have not danced", writes; I can not dance unless thou leadest. If thou wouldst have me spring aloft, sing thou and I will spring, into love and from love to knowledge and from knowledge to ecstasy above all human sense Thoinot Arbeau 's celebrated 16th-century dance-treatise Orchésographie , indeed, begins with definitions of over eighty distinct drum-rhythms. Dance has been represented through
16129-476: Was performed simultaneously" – an assertion somewhat supported by the common use of the term "foot" to describe the fundamental rhythmic units of poetry. Scholes , a musician , offers support for this view, stating that the steady measures of music, of two, three or four beats to the bar, its equal and balanced phrases, regular cadences, contrasts and repetitions, may all be attributed to the "incalculable" influence of dance upon music. Hence, Shawn asserts, "it
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