The five elements of dance are:
- Body : The dancer's body is the instrument of dance, involving the use of whole or part body movements, shapes, and positions. It includes how the body moves or stays still, the shapes it forms, and the control and expression achieved through movement
- Action : This refers to the specific movements or motions performed by the body, such as walking, leaping, stretching, twisting, or even pauses. Actions can be done in place or while moving through space
- Space : Space involves where the movement occurs, including directions, levels (high, medium, low), pathways, and the use of personal and general space around the dancer. It also includes relationships with other dancers in the space
- Time : Time relates to when the movements happen, encompassing rhythm, tempo, duration, and timing in relation to music or other dancers. It includes pulse, speed, and rhythmic patterns
- Energy : Energy describes the quality or intensity of movement, such as whether motions are sharp, smooth, strong, gentle, sudden, or sustained. It conveys emotion and intention behind the movements
These elements are interconnected and form the foundational building blocks of all dance forms and creative movement
. A helpful acronym to remember them is BASTE: Body, Action, Space, Time, Energy
. There is also a different concept of five elements in some spiritual dance traditions (earth, water, fire, air, and ākāśa), but the universally accepted five elements of dance in the art form are the ones listed above
