SAYAW: Filipino Dances
Introduction to Folk Dancing

















ARM POSITION OR MOVEMENTS USED IN FILIPINO DANCES



·ABRASETE 
	This term is of Spanish origin. Girl at the right side of Boy, 
	holds his R arm with her L hand, free hands down at the sides.

·ARMS AT SIDES 
	The arms hang from the shoulders at the sides of the body.

·ARMS IN LATERAL POSITION
	Both arms at one side, either sideward right or left. This may 
	be done at shoulder, chest or waist level.

·ARMS IN REVERSE "T" POSITION 
        Arm are at side horizontal, elbows bent t right angles, 
	forearms parallel to head, fists loosely closed.

·ARMS IN "T" POSITION 
	Arms are at side horizontal, elbows bent at right angles, 
	forearms parallel to body, facing backward.

·CROSSED ARMS 
	Partners side by side or facing each other. R hands joined 
	over L hands or over R hands.

·STAR RIGHT 
	Four or more dancers join R hands and circle around clockwise, 
	walking or any kind of dance steps.

·STAR LEFT 
	Four or more dancers join L hands and circle around clockwise, 
	walking or any kind of dance steps.

·ARMS IN FIRST POSITION 
	The arms make a circle in front of the chest with the back of 
	the hands facing front. The arms should be so rounded that the 
	elbow is a little below the shoulder. The wrist a little below 
	the elbow, which are slightly rounded.

·ARMS IN SECOND POSITION 
	Arms slightly rounded are extended in a line just below the 
	level of the shoulders, so that the elbow is a little lower than 
	the shoulder, and the wrist a little lower than the elbow. The 
	palms of the hands face front, the fingers are slightly rounded.

·ARMS IN THIRD POSITION 
	The R (L) arm makes a half-circle over and in front of the head, 
	the L (R) arm is in 2nd position.

·ARMS IN FOURTH POSITION 
	The R (L) arm makes a half-circle over and in front of the head, 
	the L (R) arm is in 1st position.

·ARMS IN FIFTH POSITION 
	The arms are rounded above the head so that the fingertip are just 
	within the line of vision and the palms slightly downward.

·BILAO 
	Hands in front, parallel to each other at waist level, elbows close 
	to the wist, palms down. Reverse the position of the hands with 
	palms up and down alternatively.

·HANDS ON WAIST 
	Knuckle of hands are placed at the smallest part of the waist.

·HANDS HOLDING SKIRT 
	Arms at the sides of the body, fingers holding skirt.

·SALOK 
	To scoop or swing the arm downward upward in front of the body, 
	the trunk following the movement of the scooping arm. Free hand 
	in fifth position or holding skirt.  This is a Tagalog term.

·SAROK 
	Cross the R (L) foot in front of the L (R) foot, bend the body 
	slightly forward and cross the hand down in front R (L) over L (R). 
	This is a Visayan term.
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Folk Dancing Steps
                                                                                                                                                                                         
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