The Health Benefits of Dancing

Dancing is great aerobic workout that is not only fun, but also provides a great number of astounding health benefits. Dancing is an aerobic exercise consisting of different unique steps, that are choreographed to music. Depending upon the type of dancing, whether it is the waltz or the samba, the charleston or the merengue, will determine the type of steps taken to correctly complete the dance.

Throughout history, dancing has been a way for people to interact without words to satisfy their recreational and social needs. Dancing is very much like a mating dance. Most dances are about the seduction that takes place between lovers. However, dancing is now not only an important social activity but also a competitive sport, and with the popularity of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” competitive dancing has reached all new heights.

While dancing is great fun, there are many health benefits derived from dancing, including improvement in your overall health, a reduction in stress, enhanced energy, easier digestion, weight loss, conditioning of the heart as well as lungs, improved cardiopulmonary functions and enhanced muscle tone and bone density.

It has also been revealed that dancing can reduce the chances for developing such ailments as Alzheimer’s disease as well as other types of dementia that are commonly found in elderly people.

Studies even reveal that dancing regularly reduces the risk of developing disorders such as carcinoma of the large intestine, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart-related ailments. Besides these health benefits, dancing allows you to remain slim and young. It is also a great way to get rid of worries as a result of a hectic work schedule and other personal tensions.

There are many different dance forms that offer terrific benefits to your health. However, each dance form possesses different characteristics. Benefits derived from each of these dance forms are also different, and mostly depend upon the duration of the dance, apart from your level of skill.

For instance, belly dancing is an important dance form that finds a prominent position during celebrations and festivals. The benefits of this dance form are the prevention of lower back problems, stress reduction, and enhanced posture. Not to mention an amazing stomach. Many women belly dance to improve the firmness of their stomach.

Likewise, ballroom dancing, sometimes known as social dancing, renders such advantages as body conditioning, increased stamina, improvement to the circulatory system, and enhanced flexibility. Not to mention that you get to wear those beautiful gowns. Ballroom dancing is considered to be the most elegant form of dance. It requires procision and grace, as well as perfect timing.

Salsa, or the “forbidden dance” which offers benefits including endurance building, weight loss, the release of toxins through sweating, enhanced cholesterol levels, maintenance of high blood pressure, and a reduced heart rate. Salsa, with it’s closer than close dance steps is the basis for “dirty dancing” and we all know how sexual that is.

Swing Dancing, popular in the 20s, 30s and 40s as a response to big band swing music, combines triple steps and steps with syncopated music inspired by the African American and West African cultures music and dance. It is a high paced dance form with lots of energy, and its popularity has not dwindled over the years. Swing dancing is probably one of the most popular forms of dance.

There is also square dancing, a very popular form of dance in the South, conditions the cardiovascular system, enhances cholesterol levels, strengthens the bones, and conditions the muscles.

Other important dance forms that offer different health benefits are jazz dance that combine diverse steps; Flamenco dancing, an essential part of Spanish culture; tap, an important rhythmic as well as recreational dance form; modern dance of distinctive styles; folk dance, an important segment of most festivals and celebrations; Chinese dance consisting of classical as well as ethnic steps; ballet, which builds incredible stamina and balance.

Above all, dancing is considered a great way to burn calories. However, the amount of calories depends upon the type of dance. For example, swing dancing burns almost 235 calories per hour. Likewise, ballroom dancing burns nearly 265. In the case of square dancing, it burns about 280. Dance forms such as belly and salsa burn 400 plus calories per hour.

Apart from these health benefits, dancing is also considered an excellent way to add that extra cheer to your life, thereby making each day more fulfilling.

Life is full of emotions, and an exercise plan coupled with rhythmic movements such as dance is a great way to lift your emotions, bringing more joy and fulfillment to your life. Dance might just be the perfect aerobic exercise that can help you move according to your life’s changing emotions and rhythms.

Nowadays, a number of options are available to practice different types of dance. One can lean how to dance by taking a class locally at their gym or at a dance studio or perhaps on their own by purchasing a DVD on a particular style of dance. However you choose to approach the subject I strongly encourage you to get out there and dance.

Learn a Salsa Dancing Course -the Benefits of Ballroom Dancing

Ballroom dancing is back in the limelight and it’s back big time. As one series of a TV reality dance show finishes, another starts. While I’m not a big fan of many of the reality programmes on television, you cannot deny that these offer opportunities and showcase pure raw talent in a way that never existed a couple of decades ago. Every UK city now seems to be gripped by the salsa craze with clubs popping up everywhere and people of all ages, male and female, are flocking to take up a salsa dancing course. Dance has no religion, age or culture barriers as people dance to celebrate any and every occasion worldwide.

I have a daytime job at Sheffield City Hall as a steward for the venue’s weekly tea dances so I can personally vouch for their enormous popularity. When I was first asked if I would like the tea dance duty on a regular basis, I wasn’t sure how I would view them. I was in for a surprise, however. It has turned out to be a great job, but I think what really hit me was how fit everyone must be.

A mixed age group, male and female, these people don’t stop dancing until the last waltz has finished playing three hours later. I’ve even been pulled onto the floor a number of times and managed to learn a few new steps, having a go when time allows, so I can testify that some of these routines are rather energetic. Seeing the crowd dancing almost continuously for three hours has made me realise the benefits of a salsa dancing course and why people from all walks of life are taking the plunge to learn a few salsa dancing steps.

1 – It’s very social and for many becomes their big night out where they meet up with friends, dance and have a drink and a bite to eat.

2 – For anyone who hates gyms, you can view these social events as a complete workout, based on my personal experience.

3 – It gets the heart rate going and the blood pumping.

4 – The legs, ankles, arms, shoulders and hips, in fact, the whole body, is being exercised all at once, all at the same time.

5 – It’s a great way of breaking new ground and learning something different with the person you love. Apart from socialising with a partner, there’s an opportunity to meet new people and add to your circle of friends.

Why Latin Dance? The Health Benefits & Social Benefits of Taking Latin Dance Lessons

Flexibility – Throughout your Latin dance lessons you will be taught to extend your arms, legs and waist as you stretch to create beautiful body lines. This can increase your blood circulation, range of motion in your joints and reduce muscle tension.

Social Atmosphere – Sharing a smile with your teacher and fellow students can translate to a good mood in an instance. Meeting new people and socializing is part of the dancing experience!

Exercise – Body isolation, quick steps, arm movements, turns, spins, kicks, jumps make for a great workout that is a lot more fun than staring at a white wall while running on your treadmill in the basement!

Endurance – Whether you are dancing the Samba at 50bpm (bloody fast), or the Salsa at 190bpm, after regular repeated 45-minute class sessions, running the marathon may just get back on your to-do-list after all.

Stress- Relief – Believe it or not, Latin dancing is a form of meditation! The next time you are dancing just ask yourself: What am I thinking about? You will probably never get to ask yourself this question, because you will not be thinking! You will be dancing! In the worst case, you may be thinking about your next dance move! I doubt any office or home problems will rise to the surface till long after the class ends. A much needed break!

Body Toning – Forget your dumbbells and tone your body through dancing instead.

Posture Awareness – In your Latin dance lessons you will often be told to stretch your neck to the ceiling and NEVER LOOK AT THE FLOOR. Imagine transferring what you learned in your dance class to your everyday life! Feel your back aches disappear as your spine alignment improves.

Confidence – Dancing socially in public or performing at dance competitions/shows will make your feel much more confident in your daily life too. You will begin to move away from your comfort zone and move toward new unknown territories to experience the full and exciting life you always wanted.

Improved Balance – Having learned the correct technique, posture awareness, frame and connection with your partner, your balance will improve also.

Elegance & Grace – “Smooth moves, light feet, soft touch, pleasing to the eye, stylish”, are just some of the comments you will hear from people who see you dance. Who knows maybe someone may even call you charming?

How About It Is Just A Lot Of Fun?