If you are not excited about exercising, but you know that you need to increase your current level of physical activity to get or stay fit, have you thought about dancing? The Stage Theater Schools states that, “Dancing can help you stay flexible, reduce your stress, and yes, lose weight! Going out dancing is also a way to make new friends. Staying home and dancing with that special someone (spouse, sibling, children, etc.) is fun too! Another great thing about dancing is that there is no age requirement. Everyone can dance in their unique way.”
Physical Health Benefits of Dancing
- Improved muscle tone, endurance, and strength
- Better agility and flexibility. A study or older women, done in 2010, found that Scottish country dancers showed more agility than their peers. They also have stronger legs, and can walk faster than their peers who exercised by swimming, walking, golfing, etc.
- Improved balance and coordination. A study in 2007 showed that the Argentine tango improved the mobility of people with Parkinson’s disease, better than exercise classes.
- Improved posture. Dancing conditions the muscles and fibers that control posture. Better posture reduces back pain.
- Increased bone density. Since dancing is a weight-bearing activity, it increases bone density and helps reduce your risk of osteoporosis.
- Improved joints. Dancing improves joint mobility. You can dance, even if you have arthritis! You can slow your pace, modify steps that are difficult for you, or have a seat and tap your feet while you clap to the beat!
- Better weight management. Dance pads help young people deal with obesity, so much so that many schools have them.
- Improved condition of your heart and lungs. The aerobic nature of dance helps boost blood levels of HDL, the “good” cholesterol, increase circulation and decrease blood pressure.
Mental Health Benefits of Dancing
- Sharpened mental function. Dancing helps boost your memory as you remember the dance steps and sequences of the dance and helps you to think more clearly. Ballroom dancing and Wu Tao Dance has helped people with dementia.
- Enhanced psychological well-being. Dancing reduces mental stress and depression. It also raises the level of endorphins – “feel good” chemicals, in your body, lifting your mood and overall sense of well-being.
Feeling adventurous yet? If so, here are some dances you might want to explore:
Square dancing
Swing (traditional or West Coast)
Line dancing (done to country, rock, pop, or salsa music)
Folk dancing
Ballroom (Waltz, swing, fox trot, rumba, and tango)
Ballet
Belly dancing
Hip Hop
Salsa
Flamenco
Jazz
Pole dancing
Square dancing
Contra (square dancers move in lines with men and women switching places)
Tap
Modern
Clogging (double-timed stomping and tap steps)
When choosing your dance style, consider these questions:
- Are you dancing to improve your overall physical fitness?
- Is your fitness goal to improve your flexibility and coordination?
- Do you like fast or slow dancing?
- Do you want a dance partner or do you prefer group dancing
Once you’re ready to start dancing, here are some suggestions for having fun safely:
- First, see your doctor if you have a medical condition, are over 40 years old, or you’re unfit or overweight.
- Warm up before you begin a dance session (stretches, etc.).
- Drink plenty of water before, during and after your dance sessions.
- Don’t push yourself too far or too fast.
- Wear the appropriate shoes for your chosen style of dance.
You now have more information, and you have decided to improve your health, your mind, your mood, and your attitude (safely of course). It’s time to get out there and do what the song says: “Shake Your Groove Thing”!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dance_and_health
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Dance_health_benefits
