A sitting-dance is performed in the sitting or kneeling position. It has significance both for dance therapy and learning by children with special needs. In this dance bust, head and hands are swayed rhythmically with use of gesturing or signing with fingers.
When song-sitting or recitation-sitting dances are used linked with content or subject matter of a subject, it becomes a musico-lingual communication tool for whole brain learning. It has been found that sitting dance is relatively easy to learn.
As a therapy sitting dance is solo guided by the therapist but for normal people it can be used as a performing art in a group with harmony in rhythm pace.
It is said vocal singing and clapping of accompanying group is harmonized by the sitting dancers. Songs are often kept short lasting a few minutes.
The common features are:
- A sitting position as decided by the facilitator
- Rehearsed movements with arms, head, and the upper body
- Continuity of movements
- Absence of musical instruments
Sitting dance is a good way for physical and mental fitness of people across all age groups. It is good for motor fitness and well being of heart and lungs besides development of coordination, agility and flexibility. It improves brain functioning besides leading to better self-esteem and social skills.
Credit: The GIF has been created from screen shots of short video by Ex-Raist and facebook friend Sudhir Rana.