8 benefits of dancing

There is something about the rhythms and melodies of music that takes our worries away. When the first bars sound, our feet move by themselves and the whole body wants to follow them. Maybe listening to your favorite songs will get you off the couch. Or maybe it’s the challenge of mastering the more complicated moves, steps, and choreography that brings you so much joy. Regardless of your reasons, one thing is for sure: The physical, mental and emotional health benefits of dancing are almost endless.

Whether you are 80 years old or 8 years old, participating in physical activities that involve movement will represent a before and after for you. Your physical and mental health will improve and you will notice changes in your emotional well-being and in your social relationships. Move your body to the sound of music it can transform your life.

physical benefits of dancing

Dancing is exercise, so its physical benefits will be similar to those of other cardiovascular activities.

1. Improves cardiovascular health

The health benefits of dancing are in accordance with the physical activity guidelines recommended by national and international health authorities. According to their guidelines, adults must do at least 150 minutes to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, o 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week.

Dance styles with a fast and constant rhythm are excellent for cardiovascular workouts, since they heart rate is challenged when executing the different movements.

2. Improves balance and strength

Professional dancer Jonathan Tylicki says that one of the reasons dance is such a great form of fitness is because incorporates movements in all planes of motion and from all directions.

Movements that we normally do in our daily lives, such as walking, climbing stairs, and common workouts like treadmills and bicycling, occur in the sagittal plane (forward and backward, left and right), but dance works on your body from all planes, including lateral and rotational, which serves to really work all the muscles.

3. It is gentle on your body

Many dance forms, such as ballroom dancing, are suitable for people with limited mobility or chronic health problems. If you’re concerned about the intensity of a class, talk to your doctor and the instructor before you start your practice. They can help you with any modifications, if necessary.

4. Increases cognitive performance

If you need a reason to move, consider this: lots of research shows how dancing can maintain and even increase your ability to think as you age.

Scientists have discovered that areas of the brain that control memory and skills improve with dancing. Also, unlike other forms of exercise, dance has the added benefits of improving balance through rhythm and music.

5. Challenge your brain

If you’ve ever tried tap dancing, then you know exactly what we mean by challenging your brain. The brain power you need to dance requires you to focus both on the constant change of movement and on remembering steps and patterns. There is therefore a excellent form of mental exercise regardless of your age.

6. It is inclusive

One of the best things about dancing is that anyone can participate. If you can move, even if it’s just your upper body, you can dance. That’s what makes dancing so popular, even among people who normally avoid other forms of exercise.

7. It can be a social activity

While you may prefer to do a certain move when no one is looking, there is something amazing about dancing with others. Whether it’s signing up for a ballroom or belly dancing class, dancing with friends, or dancing with your kids or grandkids. Being around other people while dancing it is good for your social and emotional health.

8. Helps improve your mood

Movement and dance are extremely expressive, which can allow you to escape and let go. It is this “release” that helps improve your mental and emotional health by reduce stress, decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression and increase their self-esteem.

What do I dance?

All dance styles, from traditional ballet to funk, have physical, mental, and emotional benefits. The key to how dance will benefit you is to find the style that you enjoy the most.

The Belly Dancing It’s a great style to start with, especially if you want to learn to express yourself using your stomach, core, arm, and hip muscles. It is a very rhythmic and fun dance style, which also has an empowering component, by freeing up areas whose expression we often limit due to the rigidity of social conventions. hip hop It is a very free form of dance in which you can express your own personality through your body and movement. free dance It pursues maximum liberation from conventional movement patterns to allow new spontaneous movements that are associated with the expression of emotions. When moving under an emotional impulse we experience a deep sensation of freedom. ballet or “classical dance” is a very elegant and technical dance form, but it is also perfect for all ages. It helps you become deeply aware of each part of your body and its potential. zumba It is a dance and a type of physical training that is inspired by the movements of various styles of Latin American dance. It has become a form of intense and fun training, fashionable all over the world, which is taught in gyms.